Today was my second cycling event. The first being Tribob's Duathlon held earlier this year (which involved 3km run-15km bike-3km run), during which my average speed was around 23.8km/hr.
Woke up at 6am today to prepare for the ride. Had a Carman's muesli bar and a cup of Milo before my journey to the race venue at Changi Exhibition Centre. I had prepared everything the night before, to avoid any last minute preparation: my bike, complete w lights and speedometer + water bottle; helmet; gloves; shades; foot pump; cycling shoes; race bib and chip. In fact, I have cleaned and lubricated the chains on my bike the night before.
Kah Chuan came to pick me up at 6.45am. Our journey to the race venue was smooth. Parked at Changi Beach Park. Met up with Tian Jin and Addy fr NUH. We prepared our bikes, pump up the tyres to the right pressure and made our way to the starting point at Changi Exhibition Centre.
There weren't too many cyclists there. But the variety of bikes there were impressive. My Wheeler Route 61 is nothing to shout about. But I still love my machine. It just felt so smooth, especially after lubrication; and the gear shifting... great.. with Shimano Ultegra set.
Before long, Kah Chuan and I lined up at the starting point. It's almost our turn, the third wave. Tian Jin and Addy were in the fourth wave. At 0810hrs, the horn went off, and we were off to a start!
We started quite fast.. about 30-33km/hr. The interesting part about this race is, we were supposed to keep right and overtake on the left; the ang moh style, unlike our usual cycling on the left and overtake from the right. And most importantly, drafting is allowed! We got into a small group and drafted each other. There was another rider with a Leader bike. Yeah, the brand's leader. Kah Chuan and I were pretty much in the same group until after the first lap (of a total of 4 laps of 15km each).
We did not stop for drinks after the first lap. On to the 2nd lap! Kah Chuan drifted apart behind. For a while, I broke away from the group and cycled alone. I was getting bored. Loss concentration. I closed my eyes to blink. When i opened my eyes, I was off course, heading towards the devider! CRASH! Landed on the devider. Kah Chuan zoomed past me. I quickly recovered from the fall. Only some scratches on my left knee. Bike chain got derailed.. I had to readjust it. Probably lost a minute there. Continued on to finish my 2nd lap and stopped to refill my bottle.
The third lap gave me another scare. After having had my first crash, i was more alert. Continued my speed at about 29-31km/hr. On my way back to the starting point for the 4rd lap, another cyclist was making a u-turn for the 40km loop and swerved into my lane!! D@#$% Was quick enough to give a yell and avoid a crash.
Had to refill my bottle again abefore i start the last lap. Managed to draft some cyclists for a while. It sure did help on my speed.. I was getting tired. This is only my second attempt at a 60km cycle, the first being a leisurely ride! Saw Kah Chuan again before i made the U-turn. He's probably about 750-1000m ahead of me. He was having a tail of cyclists behind him! Strong work!
After I did the U-turn, another group of cyclists zoom passed. They were doing at least 35-37km/hr! I drafted them for about a minute or two before losing them. The last stretch of the race was tough.. muscles fatigued, i feel like i'm moving so slowly! Nevertheless, finished at about 2hrs 2min 27 seconds!
Kah Chuan finished about 3 minutes ahead of me. I was satisfied with my timing. I was expecting a slower finish at 2hr30min at first. Good race. Average speed 29.6km/hr, Max speed 36.1km/hr. Tian Jin did sub-2hrs too. Would've been slightly faster if not for the crash and the 2 water refills. Whatever it is.. i'm happy.
Realised soon after that I dropped my tail (red) lights. Must have fallen off during the crash. Decided to go back to the route to search for it, while KC and the rest check out the official timing. Nope.. couldn't find the lights initially, until an official came with her scooter. Guess she got a bit worried seeing a cyclist by the road with some scratches on my knees. Explained to her that i have completed the race, and was as good as ever. Just looking for my light. She left me... and on my way back to the start point, she was riding back to me.. with my lights! Walla! This must be my lucky day! Headed back to starting point, had a nice leg massage before leaving for home...
Coming up next: OSIM sprint!
