Biking - 2007

It is like ages when i bring Ironhorse for a spin, actually just a few weekends only. But i missed riding it.

Given my body condition, run is restricted. Bike is the other option i can keep my fitness up w/o too much worry about the medical condition.

Well, the group split out for today training. Some do round island bike, the other head to the water to get use to the upcoming Tri event. As for me, i going for a ride, but i am doing my own ride.

Although Panther event is 6 months later, but the training rides has to start now. I don't quite enjoy to ride on the road with heavy traffic. That does not mean i won't do it. Just that i prefer to be at surround with less traffic. I am looking for speed humps for training too. Flat route isn't inside my training route at the time being. I have to improve greatly my bike to compensate for the longer time required for the run.

A fellow IM guru have mentioned, training is best done individually. Which i agreed somehow. No need to think of many things. Today it is nice to experience the old training days back in 2007(Coastal Road). Cool. Will go up the mountian for "ninja" when the Panther come closer.

I didn't set the alarm clock this morning. I wanted to see which level of my determination to cycle is currently at. I wanted to wake up at 3am. Lazing on the bed, looking for excuses(to skip) and finally before 5am i pulled myself out of the bed. Still have some way to go in term of attitude.

Bike off at 5:20am. Good weather with just myself on the road. Take it slowly as no timing to chase, no need to chase after the front person. Just moving with the flow. I rather nice feeling.

Bike to Casaurina - Mandai - Kranji - Lim Chu Kang - Loop back to Mandai - Do 1 loop at Mandai - Thomson - RTU.

There are some traffic light stops along the way. Pitt stop at 23km(Railway track). The train is coming! So have to wait for the train to go through. It has been a long time since i witness a moving train in proximity.

I enjoy the ride in Neo Teow in the early morning, it reminds me of aircon route..cooling, but in darkness. The easiest part of the entire ride is along Lim Chu Kang "highway". Going to aero and effortlessly hit high pace. Though it was only 1 way, it does felt nice.

As i reached Sungei Kadut camp, i felt like the pace/body is getting tired. Hmm..strange, these stretch of the road shouldn't be that difficult. Up and down Neo Teow rolly terrains...shiok! Didn't feel really bad. Have another pitt stop at Kranji Reservoir toilet(distance 50km) as per planned. Topped up the water bottle, felt abit hungry, but proceed soon again.

The usual tiredness crept in along Mandai. Good kind of ache i would say. Just carried on with the flow. Felt good at Seletar reservoir area, decide to proceed as plan for another loop. After the long climb along Nee Soon camp, is back at Mandai again. From afar the dark cloud gather, wind is picking up as well. Hmm....rain is imminent. Give it a thought and proceed as plan.

The ride is getting tougher, as i am heading towards the wind. Pace eventually drop, with the wind and fatigue factored in. It was good though. I like this kind of challengers. Anyway, i rather head into head wind first and enjoy the tail wind later, provided the wind direction don't change.

Head into Zoo for another schedule pitt stop. Distance 70km. I am getting hungry and i am relying on purely water. I need isotonic drinks. Went into Cheers, wow...$3 for a bottle of 100plus..really too much. I think i can endure further.

I head out from the pitt stop greeted by drizzling. It doesn't matter rain or not. The ride continues. The wind get stronger, the rain droplets are abit more forceful hitting the body. The sock was soaked when i reached Thomson. Should i stop at 7-11 or should i pressed on for home? I wanted to eat and drink and satisfy the growling urge but i wanted to fulfil the training objective. Pitt stop as plan and move on with the training.

When i reach Shell(along Thomson). The rains developed to a super downpour and it seems that fate had show me the path to take. I stopped at 7-11. Brought some drinks and food. Munching outside the shop while waiting for the rains to abate.

The rain reduce to a lower level and i proceed again. Not long the rain get back to downpour again. What can i say? :(

After the break, the body feel much stronger. Not 100%, but close to it by going with the feel on the legs when i goes up the few slopes on the way back. It feel very good indeed to get this freshest feel. Apparently tactical halt is too short to gain back the feeling. Stop and makan(which i normally do), don't even give me this kind of feeling. Maybe the break is too long, or food intake is too much. I have to practise it a few more times to see what works best.

Came back really strong in the mid of heavy downpour. Bike off at 10:06am. An enjoyable bike session, as per previous days in 2007.

Distance: 93.95km
Average pace: 22.1km/hr
Bike time: 4:16:41hr
Total time: 4:46hr