Singapore Mtbr

**pureantigravity** · 01-09-2015, 07:05 AM

Tomorrow morning I am heading to the nearby Island of Pulau Ubin to visit the Ketam mountain bike park and ride the 10 km loop.

To get there, there is a ferry that leaves from Changi Point ferry terminal.

It's time to fill the camelback and put it in the freezer for cold refreshment tomorrow!

The 'taxi gang' says to put cut lemon slices in it so that it keeps fresh between fillings and provides an acidic environment to keep mould at bay when empty.

Pulau Ubin here I come!

**LeeLau** · 01-09-2015, 10:47 AM

Shar and I rode with Shafudin and Mus of Singaporemtb.com in Switzerland this summer. Super nice guys and we had a great time with them. Say hi if you see them over the weekend. Keep the pictures coming. Its so different

**pureantigravity** · 01-09-2015, 05:32 PM

Originally Posted by LeeLau

Shar and I rode with Shafudin and Mus of Singaporemtb.com in Switzerland this summer. Super nice guys and we had a great time with them. Say hi if you see them over the weekend. Keep the pictures coming. Its so different

It would be great to meet up with then here. Thanks for the link. When I get back today I will shoot them a message.
Today's ride looks like a good group. About 8 guys and me and a new family friend I have not rode with before. And among us will be two girls, one almost completely tattooed! Guess girls just want to have fun

**pureantigravity** · 01-10-2015, 06:48 PM

Um ... err ... takes a dufus like me to show up for a group meet one week early

that's right ... jan 17th was Pulau Ubin not yesterday.

My buddy arrived and the obvious conclusion was that we should ride anyways. Buddy is a quiet guy -- most SG folk are non-aggressive quiet fellows. There is a certain aura of authentic mtbr tradition in his choice of shorts, pads and hand-picked components on his Pivot Firebird bike. He says we will have to visit Thailand for some real downhills!

We boarded the next ferry. Now, when I think 'ferry' I have visions of a clean seaworthy ship with lots of safety gear on board. LOL -- Not quite what we are getting to get to the island. The ferry has no fixed schedule. They just come and go when they think enough people have arrived. It's a very short trip across a small waterway, perhaps 2 km at most.

When we arrive, we are greeted by sleeping dogs. A taste of what's to come because the place is definitely overpopulated with the canine variety. There are lots of bike rental shops to cater to tourists here. And probably the shitiest bikes on earth. We brought our own bikes, thank God!

After riding around the island parkway, we made our way to Ketam bike park. It's small, the trails are narrow, it is up-down singletrack organized around a quarry. It all looks very natural, the quarry even appears to be a natural land feature. It's truly beautiful.

One thing that's different from North Vancouver, here you cannot see what's around the corner. So, even when it flows, it is my first time, I am taking it slow on blind corners. Also, there is a type of root here, surrounded in a type of soil here, that is very slippery. Some slowplay was in order when it got off-camber and rooty. Otherwise, ir was a small, quaint, almost empty, series of interconnected singletrack.

A story ...

... We came upon an area where bikes are not allowed. There was this info kiosk with a ton of dogs sleeping there. And the guard was sleeping too! We passed by on the roadside quietly, as quietly as possible, as albeit the constant sound of bees eliminating from someone's back wheel hub. ... just when we thought we were clear, the guard popped upright, looked over, and ... 'stop right there. Bikes not allowed' . Thanks Chris King for your wonderful hubs!!

I really cannot imagine heading on the ferry very often for the place, there are just as good pickings over at Bukit Timah reserve. (Bukit = hill, often abbreviated here as Bt.)

We finished our outing with some shiok food (shiok = fantastic, pron. Sheeeock) at the food stalls at Changi park.

I'm always in amazement that the freeways, highways and every roadway in SG look like manicured paths through a giant Botanical garden.

It is like a bad version on the boat that got them all stranded on Gilligan's Island!

That's the bike racks. Life-jackets anywhere? Lol nooope.

The guard *was* also sleeping (see story above)

Now, in general as-it-happened order ..

Don't call out for 'spot'. Too many of the 4 legged variety everywhere. They are expert trained to corall tourists into the really horrible bike shops.

It is a mass-market tourist bike area. If it rolls, that's probably what most people care about. And the general bike ability of the average SG person is terrible.

The mandatory 'welcome sign' photo. And further proof that jongs visit SG

**pureantigravity** · 01-10-2015, 06:58 PM

One of the last few remaining fish farms on the island.

Picnic tables line the beaches. There are lots of clean public washrooms around too.

Not sure if you can see what's in the middle of that web. It's rather large and too close to the trail if you ask me. Just don't ride with your mouth wide open!

Ketam trails. Sometimes mild, sometimes steep. Generally easy if not for the rutted areas, blind corners and wet roots.

**pureantigravity** · 01-10-2015, 06:59 PM

**pureantigravity** · 01-10-2015, 07:01 PM

It was quite a lot of work, because the trail had strategically placed rocks on the uphill sections with a large 'pedal strike' written on them. There was the occasional dismount and obvious effect of very humid hot weather.

A refreshment was in order ... the fresh young coconuts here are so overflowing with nectar, and the white flesh is thick, soft, juicy and delectable.

Back on the water taxi and heading back to SG.

When we got back to SG, we needed some fuel and the foodstalls had a myriad of choices to choose from.

I probably blew my diet today after ordering a large chicken noodle dish, followed by fried oysters, followed by a strange but delicious fruit plate.

That's fruit in there somewhere.

That is one of 50 food stalls at the market.

It's jelly seaweed drink. And it really tastes sooo goood! When all the drink is finished, I suck all the jelly noodles through the straw. I feel like a kid again

Well, that's a day at the park. It's a small, quaint, fun area to ride on Pulau Ubin island. Makes for a fun trip.

Tonight I was re-reminded that Vancouver is third-world when driving by the pool in the sky ...

Perhaps one day the condos back home will consider building a pool on the roof. Until then, there is always the Marina Bay Sands hotel in SG. I'll be staying there some day when my lottery skills improve.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marina_Bay_Sands

**pureantigravity** · 01-10-2015, 08:46 PM

(Turn down the volume, I talk loud, sorry)

Typical freeway/expressway/roadway in SG. Fact: the tree pruning budget in SG exceeds the entire government budget of places like Cambodia.

On water taxi/ferry to Pulau Ubin island. Life Jackets? Learn to swim. Pulau Ubin is like a throw back in time, SG is not like this at all.

A few short biking clips. All taken from my cell-phone 'NoPro'. Pardon the enthusiastic 'go go go' at the end!

I never get tired of filming prop-wash. The trip back to SG.

Your lunch is served. Quite a bit of oil they add to the market foods!!

Thanks for watching! Off to a few more mtbr parks this week. And apparently a real good one where they issue $500 fines for trespassing!

Oh, I had a video of customs clearance at the ferry/taxi, but some small SG girl working for the police came over, kicked me in the nuts a few times, pointed ot the no camera sign, and then watched as I deleted the video.

Cheers!

**spaulding24** · 01-11-2015, 05:41 AM

Fun read man! That place is definitely a trip! Especially those ferries.... Only boat ride I've ever been on where the skipper left the helm and went up to the bow to adjust some lines while we were crossing the main channel.

Thanks for the TRs. Good stuff

**gramboh** · 01-11-2015, 09:56 PM

Food looks good... really good. Cool thread, something different for sure. I'm sitting in our Beijing office right now which is also another world but not in a good way. Can't wait to get back to the coast (and hopefully some snow).

**pureantigravity** · 01-13-2015, 09:41 AM

**pureantigravity** · 01-13-2015, 11:33 AM

There is not much more to say about the Marina Bay Sands hotel (pool in the sky) than ... OMG.

The three adjoining cantilever towers, casino complex, and mall are an amazing feat.

25,000 casino visitors per day. 1 billion dollars of profit per year.

The numbers are staggering. So ... better see it first hand and see if we can sneak up to the 57th floor and catch a glimpse of the pool...

Looking up. 57 floors if you can count them.

View from the waterfront promenade.

The 'Rain Occulous'

A crowd watching one of the night time waterfront shows.

The window washers en route to rope practice.

We sneak up to the 56th floor and find a nice spot to relax at the Banyan Tree spa.

No one knows we are here ... except the everpresent security cameras.

Finally at the 57th floor.

Looking at the pool one floor up.

Pool area entrance on 57th floor.

**pureantigravity** · 01-13-2015, 11:34 AM

Pool level tour of Marina Bay Sand skydeck

**pureantigravity** · 01-13-2015, 11:45 AM

Uncle PureGravity has some important duties that come along with visiting SG. First and foremost is spending time with the next generation of mtbr huckers.

Ahem, that would mean taking my nieces and nephews to the science centre and any other place they can drag me.

And then off to eat a prosperity burger ...

**pureantigravity** · 01-13-2015, 11:46 AM

Yesterday's actual mtbr activities consisted of two rides.

The first ride was a lone rain drenched loop of Bukit Timah trail. The large leaves, constant sound of birds and monkeys and buzzing beatles makes for an otherworldly riding enjoyment.

I've seen ones even bigger. Some of these leaves can be 6 feet long and wide. Jurassic park sized!

Singletrack ...

The quarry ...

Fishing anyone?

**pureantigravity** · 01-13-2015, 11:54 AM

When that ride ends, I join the 'taxi gang' for a ride of Trail 15.

This time we spend a long time learning to do jumps at the backwoods hidden forest jump park. I crash and get a nice large bruise all down my right thigh and a sore left leg.

But all is well and it didn't stop me from keeping going with a big kid smile.

Afterward, it rains so hard that we won't need to shower after our ride or wash the mud off our bikes.

We freshen up with the rainfall, the shop puts out lots of buckets to collect the clean rain water, and we have some beers paid for by a long dead fellow.

**pureantigravity** · 01-13-2015, 12:39 PM

One thing of note ... I've had heart palpitations after the last three rides. Usually after I am home and have had more water/milk/other to drink.

I was wondering about that and why it happened *after* I rehydrated?? Turns out that my sweat is a lot saltier than usual with the humid hot weather. The salt loss is causing an electrolyte imbalance .. and that causes post-exercise heart palpitations.

As an experiment, I drank a double concentrated Gatorade mix after the ride and added a teaspoon of salt to my rice/bean meal mix.

No more heart palpitations.

From now on I am putting full-strength Gatorade in my camelback and adding some salt to my usually salt-free diet.

**jono** · 01-13-2015, 04:56 PM

Been there with the salt. (Curse of the cotton hater?) I prefer my extra salt on dark chocolate covered almonds, though. And those soft salty lemon drops (Kramp Krusher?)...damn, now I want some.

Nice reporting!

**pureantigravity** · 01-15-2015, 07:41 AM

Originally Posted by jono

Been there with the salt. (Curse of the cotton hater?) I prefer my extra salt on dark chocolate covered almonds, though. And those soft salty lemon drops (Kramp Krusher?)...damn, now I want some.

Nice reporting!

Thanks bro! I'll try that salt snack recipe too

**pureantigravity** · 01-15-2015, 07:49 AM

There have been three more rides on the last two days.

I did the Bt Timah trail, forwards, lol, then backwards

I met a few 'wrong way' comments, usually from people going too slow while sporting $10,000 bikes.

Yup, Singapore has the highest % of wealthy bike owners. The shops milk them for all they are worth and they end up riding 'only the best' as a first bike in the sport. But why not?? They have the money and they are entitled to spend it. And who would not like a super high end ride?

First stop today was the backwoods jump zone and bike park. It is not exactly Whistler, but then I can't junk worth beans anyways.

It was the perfect place for me to practice, all to myself

The ever present caution signage ... Good thing I am over 16 years of age.

The benches in the stands are exceptionally comfortable!!

**pureantigravity** · 01-16-2015, 05:50 AM

Bike shop prices ...

**jm2e** · 01-16-2015, 09:31 AM

Small Dollar.

**pureantigravity** · 01-16-2015, 09:39 AM

1 USD = 1.25 SGD

**pureantigravity** · 01-17-2015, 09:50 AM

Today was my last day biking here in Singapore. We went to Kent Ridge, did a XC trail and then tested our skills at the short-but-sweet Downhill section.

Got to say, the trails here are limited, but I had tons of fun!! All in all, I think I rode 10 days here in three weeks. Truly a memorable stay thanks to the friends I met and made in the local biking community.

Thank you to everyone who read this thread and survived my long-winded vacation trip report.

Here's the last clip, nothing worthy of PinkBike, but some fun we had today at Kent Ridge