Foldies in the north!

[PatrickPro83]

Any foldable bike owner staying in north wants meet up, coffee and to ride as a group? do leave a message here with your hp. I will add you to whatsapp group. Must be pro-active. sporty. Thanks!

 

[IronMac]

You can also check out the meetup.com groups for cyclists.

 

[PatrickPro83]

You can also check out the meetup.com groups for cyclists.

Yeah saw the Singapore foldies group, however that's a too big group which I don't really feel comfortable with. Besides that their meetup location is usually quite far also. I prefer to travel to places etc. City hall, ECP from Woodlands.

 

[erwinrommel]

What bike are you riding? And where you stay?

What's your average speed?

 

[IronMac]

Yeah saw the Singapore foldies group, however that's a too big group which I don't really feel comfortable with. Besides that their meetup location is usually quite far also. I prefer to travel to places etc. City hall, ECP from Woodlands.

Well, some of their group rides are a bit small like the one this Saturday of 15 only. You will find that a good third of the people who sign up will NOT show up.

Otherwise, you can always advertise here for when and where you want to ride. I guarantee that you will not get more than 2-3.

 

[erwinrommel]

Well, some of their group rides are a bit small like the one this Saturday of 15 only. You will find that a good third of the people who sign up will NOT show up.

Otherwise, you can always advertise here for when and where you want to ride. I guarantee that you will not get more than 2-3.

You meant their so call round island ride this Saturday? Felt the route very unrealistic and trying to implement a cut off time would be even worse.

For long distance round island ride, it's better to keep the group small for easier control. The rides should also be of similar strength as well.

 

[PatrickPro83]

What bike are you riding? And where you stay?

What's your average speed?

Foldable bike, woodlands. average speed 20km/hr

 

[erwinrommel]

Foldable bike, woodlands. average speed 20km/hr

I meant the brand of your folding bicycle..

There's a huge difference cycling 20kmh on Brompton and 20kmh on tyrell.

 

[PatrickPro83]

You meant their so call round island ride this Saturday? Felt the route very unrealistic and trying to implement a cut off time would be even worse.

For long distance round island ride, it's better to keep the group small for easier control. The rides should also be of similar strength as well.

Cut off time is really very unrealistic, because not everyone can meet the timing given. Some are fast riders some are slow.

 

[PatrickPro83]

I meant the brand of your folding bicycle..

There's a huge difference cycling 20kmh on Brompton and 20kmh on tyrell.

Tern, whats the difference cycling 20km/hr on different bikes? as long as the wheelset size is the same I don't find any difference cycling 20km/hr on different bike.

 

[erwinrommel]

Tern, whats the difference cycling 20km/hr on different bikes? as long as the wheelset size is the same I don't find any difference cycling 20km/hr on different bike.

Brompton is 16 inch. Much tougher to maintain speed with smaller wheels.

As for same wheelset, not true. Tyrell is lighter and has more aggressive riding position. You test ride and you will know. I have tern and Brompton so there's definitely a difference. I test ride tyrell a few times and it is fast.

Well.. There's a ternout ride this Friday night. You can join if you want to.

 

[IronMac]

You meant their so call round island ride this Saturday? Felt the route very unrealistic and trying to implement a cut off time would be even worse.

No, the one from Bishan Park to Keong Siak, max group size is 15.

 

[IronMac]

You meant their so call round island ride this Saturday? Felt the route very unrealistic and trying to implement a cut off time would be even worse.

For long distance round island ride, it's better to keep the group small for easier control. The rides should also be of similar strength as well.

The route/ride has been done about a dozen times by now. It's easily do-able if one is able to maintain a 20 km/hr average speed. It's only about 105 km in total...you really need only about six hours to do it. They start at 7:30...finish by 3:00 pm.

 

[erwinrommel]

No, the one from Bishan Park to Keong Siak, max group size is 15.

Its easier to manage and control the group if the size is smaller.

I led small groups before. Much easier and better to coordinate.

 

[IronMac]

Its easier to manage and control the group if the size is smaller.

I led small groups before. Much easier and better to coordinate.

It depends on the organizers. If you have enough markers and sweepers then you're good to go.

 

[erwinrommel]

The route/ride has been done about a dozen times by now. It's easily do-able if one is able to maintain a 20 km/hr average speed. It's only about 105 km in total...you really need only about six hours to do it. They start at 7:30...finish by 3:00 pm.

So you feel it's practical to ride from east to west at 5pm in the afternoon?

And to implement a cut off timing is ridiculous. So if they cut off at 11.30pm at seletar, then how? All teleport home?

I am curious about your experience cycling with a group on long distance. On average, how many punctures and cramps have you encountered so far in your group? My experience tells me that I wait and stop more than I cycle in a huge group with different cyclists.

It's important to have training rides that train the cyclists progressively. From 60 to 80 to 100km and beyond. Not just the distance, but the speed, the slope, to recognize and adapt to the terrain.

Cycling the east side is way easier compadre to the west. Ditto if one cycles ten loops at seletar airport vs one cycles a round island. The terrain in the west is not as flat as in the east and may prove to be a stumbling block for new riders.

And I don't consider a round island ride a round island if it doesn't go to Neo tiew. That's just me. Lol. In one of my round stand ride, more than half gave up after Neo tiew. So to me, that's a defining point as to whether the cyclists really have the commitment to complete the RI.

In fact, the real RI is at least 168km including Tuas.

 

[IronMac]

So you feel it's practical to ride from east to west at 5pm in the afternoon?

They don't ride until 5 pm.

And to implement a cut off timing is ridiculous. So if they cut off at 11.30pm at seletar, then how? All teleport home?

You're expected to be able to make your own way home somehow. That's why their RI ride is only for "Grade 3 and above" riders.

I am curious about your experience cycling with a group on long distance. On average, how many punctures and cramps have you encountered so far in your group? My experience tells me that I wait and stop more than I cycle in a huge group with different cyclists.

I've ridden with large groups before and people police themselves pretty well. For this RI ride with about 60 people, I would expect at least one puncture, one chain break and one fall. I've never seen anyone cramp up. I've heard of people cramping up in the Desaru rides but not for the RI and shorter rides.

It's important to have training rides that train the cyclists progressively. From 60 to 80 to 100km and beyond. Not just the distance, but the speed, the slope, to recognize and adapt to the terrain.

That's why they have many other rides and one can do one's own training. For instance, I think nothing of riding from Yishun to CV as a training ride. I'm now trying to do Neo Tiew and Kranji routes which are a bit hillier and rougher.

The terrain in the west is not as flat as in the east and may prove to be a stumbling block for new riders.

Again, the organizers discourage beginners from doing this sort of ride.

In fact, the real RI is at least 168km including Tuas.

If you want to do that then do that. No big deal.

 

[erwinrommel]

They don't ride until 5 pm.

They are rolling off at 1615 this saturday. Towards the west facing sunset.

You're expected to be able to make your own way home somehow. That's why their RI ride is only for "Grade 3 and above" riders.

This is the part I truly don't understand. Just because one can cycle doesn't mean he or she knows how to make their way back. I know of too many examples of strong cyclists who still dunno their way, especially when cycling at new unfamiliar places. So grade 3 or 300, it doesn't matter.

Important thing is whether one is aware of road directions and whether he trusts his GPS. It has nothing to do with cycling proficiency.

I've ridden with large groups before and people police themselves pretty well. For this RI ride with about 60 people, I would expect at least one puncture, one chain break and one fall. I've never seen anyone cramp up. I've heard of people cramping up in the Desaru rides but not for the RI and shorter rides.

Based on your experience, one puncture, one fall and one chain break will cause how much delay? As a result, do you think a cut-off time is feasible for a group of "grade 3" cyclists?

That's why they have many other rides and one can do one's own training. For instance, I think nothing of riding from Yishun to CV as a training ride. I'm now trying to do Neo Tiew and Kranji routes which are a bit hillier and rougher.

Again, the organizers discourage beginners from doing this sort of ride.

If you want to do that then do that. No big deal.

The only way to train a tough route is to cycle progressively along the route. To qualify for an RI route, it is to literally touch the four corners of Singapore. Otherwise, it defeats the purpose of a "round" "island". I do agree that organisers should filter the participants first before going for RI.

BTW, are you an admin for Singapore Foldies? What bike do you ride?

 

[IronMac]

They are rolling off at 1615 this saturday. Towards the west facing sunset.

That may be but I thought that we were talking about their RI ride.

This is the part I truly don't understand. Just because one can cycle doesn't mean he or she knows how to make their way back. I know of too many examples of strong cyclists who still dunno their way, especially when cycling at new unfamiliar places. So grade 3 or 300, it doesn't matter.

Important thing is whether one is aware of road directions and whether he trusts his GPS. It has nothing to do with cycling proficiency.

Well, first of all, most everyone in these groups are past the age of 22 and Singaporean. They know their way or can hail a taxi.

I'm not Singaporean but it's very rare for me to get lost and I cycle everywhere except the southwest of the island. I don't use a GPS and rely on my HP with data.

Based on your experience, one puncture, one fall and one chain break will cause how much delay? As a result, do you think a cut-off time is feasible for a group of "grade 3" cyclists?

A puncture can be fixed in about 15 minutes. Bit of a surprise for me because I use Schwalbe Marathons which are extremely tough to take on and off.

Chain break can be fixed in minutes but I've only seen that happen once. I do know someone whose chain got all twisted up because he was shifting while standing on the pedals. That took about 10 minutes to rectify.

A fall, if serious, can be longer. But, if you fall down how long does it take for you to get back up? A minute?

So, you now have a 105 km ride...expectation of average speed of 20 km/hr. You have 7.5 hours to do it all in. No problem.

The only way to train a tough route is to cycle progressively along the route. To qualify for an RI route, it is to literally touch the four corners of Singapore. Otherwise, it defeats the purpose of a "round" "island". I do agree that organisers should filter the participants first before going for RI.

BTW, are you an admin for Singapore Foldies? What bike do you ride?

It's hard to touch the four corners of SG in the literal sense because in the west there are lots of areas off limits. Sure, if you want, go ahead and do 160+ kms but this is what these guys offer.

No, I am not an admin for the foldies group. I've only ridden with them about 2-3 times. But, I have ridden with three other meetup groups, with LoveCyclingSG and Punggol Night Riders. I've seen how well or how poorly the group rides can be.

I ride a custom built Bike Friday New World Tourist with a Rohloff hub. It's the only one in SG and it's configured to ride from here to Paris.

 

[erwinrommel]

That may be but I thought that we were talking about their RI ride.

Well, first of all, most everyone in these groups are past the age of 22 and Singaporean. They know their way or can hail a taxi.

I'm not Singaporean but it's very rare for me to get lost and I cycle everywhere except the southwest of the island. I don't use a GPS and rely on my HP with data.

A puncture can be fixed in about 15 minutes. Bit of a surprise for me because I use Schwalbe Marathons which are extremely tough to take on and off.

Chain break can be fixed in minutes but I've only seen that happen once. I do know someone whose chain got all twisted up because he was shifting while standing on the pedals. That took about 10 minutes to rectify.

A fall, if serious, can be longer. But, if you fall down how long does it take for you to get back up? A minute?

So, you now have a 105 km ride...expectation of average speed of 20 km/hr. You have 7.5 hours to do it all in. No problem.

It's hard to touch the four corners of SG in the literal sense because in the west there are lots of areas off limits. Sure, if you want, go ahead and do 160+ kms but this is what these guys offer.

You must be lucky to ride in a big group without any issues.

The last RI ride I had.. I witnessed 3 punctures and one fall. A female cyclist fell at the 100km mark at 3am and broke her front teeth. Had to help her up, wash her wounds, called cab for her (we were at Jurong Pier Road with no traffic) and the delay was 35 min. A puncture took about 20min. Add in all other stoppages and its unrealistic to add in any cut off timing.

The total ride time was only 5 hours 12 min for a distance of 128km, but we took 9 hours to reach the finishing point due to all these delay and water break.

In another RI ride, due to the sluggishness nature of the ride (18-20 kmh), many cyclists who joined thought it would be easy, only to fall out after neo tiew. Of the 32 cyclists who started RI, only 12 made it to the end.

I dunno how many cyclists you cycle before. My experience tells me most cyclists dunno their way--- whether they drive or have gps or not. Doesn't help that fatigue and sleepiness kick in which will make most cyclists more blur than usual.

We seem to deviate further from the topic.

No, I am not an admin for the foldies group. I've only ridden with them about 2-3 times. But, I have ridden with three other meetup groups, with LoveCyclingSG and Punggol Night Riders. I've seen how well or how poorly the group rides can be.

I have ridden with Ternout, Brompton Riders @sg and Singapore Foldies and have enjoyed the rides. But most of the time, I prefer to cycle with a smaller group for the above mentioned potential issues. That's why I can perfectly understand why TS prefers a smaller group.

I ride a custom built Bike Friday New World Tourist with a Rohloff hub. It's the only one in SG and it's configured to ride from here to Paris.

I am more impressed with your hub than anything else. What's the weight of your bicycle including the hub?