Airani reporting on behalf of Team Slackers
We registered. Got our t-shirts, which is this really nice bright lime green dri-fit (yay!). THen we went over to get our teddy banks. (We're supposed to raise funds, min $50, for the Assisi Hospice along the way)
Then we went to the painting corner to paint our teddy banks. My team mate, Swee Heng, painted ours an Indian chief, with our bib number 1081 on the front and our team name 'slackers' on the back. Ling painted hers nice panda colours, I guess from the panda joke earlier I told her last weekend.
Then the organiser gave some clues, which is really hard to catch cos he was speaking double quick time! And the countdown started. We all shouted together and when we were flagged off, everyone ran like headless chickens cos we have no idea where to get the clue sheets! haha! Turned out the clue sheets people were outside by the road. haiya!
OK, then strategy time. We have no specific strategy so we did what we thought was the easiest.
1. Bussorah street behind the Sultan Mosque - wear sarong and play chap teh. This one quite easy lah. Both of us did quite fast.
2. Then we ran to Little India (thanks to Min Yee for confirming where Jothi's flowers is located). There, swee heng had to convince stranger to paint henna on her and she on the stranger. Apparently her stranger ran away but the organisers were kind enough to let it go. I had to string a garland of jasmine flowers. The demo was so easy but when I did it, I kept decapitating the flowers! Anyway, I finally got the hang of it, strung 12 sets of flowers and off we go to the next stop
3. OUB building (again thanks, to Min Yee for getting the info from the 5th Jul ST Prime page 3) - We played Sudoku. There were clues to shops where we could locate numbers to fill up the blanks but it was taking too much time. Luckily both Swee Heng and I had played it before, so we finished it in no time.
We had wanted to look for the stella artois stop. I was fixated on the 'gold standard dealers' that I misread the clue. We spent some time looking for the place. Swee Heng suggested it could be at Clarke Quay, so we gave up for the moment looking for this place and...
4. Went to China Town Pagoda Street. had to find some museum. We walked past it! Luckily, we asked a shopkeeper just a couple of shops down and she was really helpful. "See the red banner, it's just there!' So we got to the museum, then we were given a picture of some edge of roof. Must find the place. Aiyoh, so difficult. So we asked the guy sitting outside the museum. This guy was trying to be funny. 'Err.. it won't be fair if I helped you.." stupid guy. But luckily the marshall convinced him that it was ok for him to help us, so he told us.
Swee Heng got us to the temple. We had to ride a trishaw while distributing brochures of the temple! Swee Heng can't cycle. So when they did toss up of the coin and SH had to do it, we acted blur 'huh that one tail meh?' and we got our desired result. heh heh
The giving out of pamphlets was easy. SH was persuasive enough. Maneuvering the trishaw was quite tough. It kept wanting to go to one side. I crashed, I think a couple of time. haha! SH was rocking forward and back to make the trishaw go faster. We managed to do it quite fast. Yay!
5. Went to Clarke Quay. had to touch 5 water points of the fountain. Then carry the stella artois barrel to the 1 night stand club down the street. There was a queue, so I took the chance to raise funds for the assissi hospice. Raised $12. Alamak, still short of $38. There, one of us had to pour a glass of stella artois according to the 9 special steps and then recite a chinese poem! The other one had to convince a stranger to drink the glass of beer. If you can't recite the poem or convince a stranger, then you had to drink the beer. Luckily SH could read chinese and I convinced an old Australian tourist to drink (thanks to his wife for helping me to persuade him)! Phew
6. Went to Faber House. Submitted our teddy banks. We both donated $20 each to make it at least $50. Well, it was for a good cause. (Siva asked me why I never donated more. I should have, haiya,... I guess I blame it on the heat of the race, never think lor! heh heh)
7. Went to the STB booth next to Faber house. One of us had to sieve through worms to get a pair of mahjong tiles. The other had to eat either a chilli or a worm. SH ate the chilli. The worms were really smelly!
8. Went to Vigilante Drive. Walked up the stupid hill. Panting and cursing all the way. Then had to cycle at the patch next to Carpak A.
9. Went up to Carpark B. Climbed the tree using ropes. Quite fun but super super tiring. I was cramping left right and centre. Luckily they had deep heat! I should have made SH do it. See lah, again never think!
10. Complimentary point for completing 8 and 9.
Then we headed back to Pan Pacific, 20 minutes before the closing time, thanks to SH for egging me to run from the MRT station to the finish line. Yay!!!! Tired and super super smelly. Was hungry but couldn't wolf donw more than one small serving. But had lots and lots of fruits cos was feeling super dehydrated.
Went home. Bathed. Slept. Next day, woke up, aching all over!!!
Nonetheless, it was so so so much fun! Must do it again next year, only this time, we must do all the expensive and super-fun activities, rather than try to finish the race first. haha!
Check out Airani's Album of CityChase
My Canon camera went MIA at the Pagoda Street Checkpoint! Sigh!!!! Had great photos in there! If anyone picks up a camera with odd-lookin' photos, would be great to have a reunion of camera and its owner....just email me : lingemerciless@pacific.net.sg. Mucho gracias!
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
CityChase - ChiBecca Reports
Chi reporting on behalf of Team ChiBecca - CityChase 14 July 2007
.JPG)
[L to R : Swee Heng, Airani, Ming, Ling, George, Caroline, and Chi. Becca of Team ChiBecca has to run off for Dim Sum Dollies performance after the race. Explains why she ain't in above photo.]
Ok, for those Junkies who want to know how we did, there were 8 of us registered under the DIRT banner forming 4 teams - Ling+Ming, Chi+Becks, Airani+Swee Heng, George Sim+Caroline.
Plastic teddy bears were given out and teams were asked to decorate them in whatever way possible. Somehow, my Osama Talibear didn't quite look as good as the others and probably wasn't very kosher either.
.JPG)
[L to R : Osama Talibear (adopters : ChiBecca), PandaBear (adopters : Ming + Ling aka Team WTF) and Bear 1081 (adopters : Swee Heng + Airani aka Team Slackers)]
These bears were used as bait to trap unsuspecting bystanders into contributing funds for the Assisi Hospice. $50 or more gets you one Chasepoint. Plus, it was for a good deed too.
Participants have to run, walk, or take public transport (MRT and BUS only) to various checkpoints around Singapore and complete tasks to get Chasepoints. There were 15 points up for grabs of which a team only had to collect 10 within the allotted time of 6 hours.
Since every team took a different route, our route was:
Kent Ridge Park - 2 events (trail run & biking, jumar) - 2 points + 1 bonus point
Crawford Street (Kallang Basin) - Two team co-operative kayak and portage - 1 point
Bussorah Street Mosque - Chaptek in a sarong (damn siong man) - 1 point
Little India (Jothi's flowers) - Henna painting and flower garland weaving - 1 point
Faber House (Sporting Spectrum office) - Donate teddy bear with $50 - 1 point
Faber House - Finding mahjong tiles inside maggot/worm aquarium, eat chilli - 1 point
UOB Plaza - 5 storey run + Soduku puzzle (we suck at this) - 1 point
Clarke Quay - Stella beer keg carry, 9 step beer pouring, beer drinking, keg return - 1 point
Our team took the bus twice (Kent Ridge) and the MRT three times for distant checkpoints. We ended up running at Science Park/Kent Ridge/Vigilante Drive, from Crawford St to Bussorah St to Little India. Then running again from UOB to Clarke Quay and back to Pan Pacific for the finish.
We finished in under 5 hours with Ling and Ming ahead of us by a minute or so. Airani's and George's teams came in a little later.
Needless to say, my favourite checkpoint was the last one - I think after running and getting dehydrated, the Stella beer went down in less than 3 seconds. Problem was that Beck's then decided that we should run to Pan Pac for the finish, ignoring all my pleas to take public transport. That was when the beer nearly all came out again. I was burping and trying my best not to puke while keeping up with her.
At the finish point in a Pan Pac ballroom, I was desperately looking for 100plus to stave off the cramps that were hitting me. All that was provided for nutrition and hydration, were Red Bull, a full buffet spread, soft drinks, and Stella beer on tap. I have never seen so little beer drunk at an event before. Only when the participants had cooled down and stopped cramping up, did the flow of beer increase.
Final results are not out yet but we had loads of fun.
Thanks to Janice and Derrick Tan for help with the internet over the phone to solve several clues. And to Hui Min at Kent Ridge station where it was really nice to see a friendly face.
I wish more peeps entered the race as it would have served as a nice intro to urban racing. There were other checkpoints that had events such as abseiling, rock climbing, cable skiing, riding trishaws, etc.
Next year for sure.
Chi
[L to R : Swee Heng, Airani, Ming, Ling, George, Caroline, and Chi. Becca of Team ChiBecca has to run off for Dim Sum Dollies performance after the race. Explains why she ain't in above photo.]
Ok, for those Junkies who want to know how we did, there were 8 of us registered under the DIRT banner forming 4 teams - Ling+Ming, Chi+Becks, Airani+Swee Heng, George Sim+Caroline.
Plastic teddy bears were given out and teams were asked to decorate them in whatever way possible. Somehow, my Osama Talibear didn't quite look as good as the others and probably wasn't very kosher either.
.JPG)
[L to R : Osama Talibear (adopters : ChiBecca), PandaBear (adopters : Ming + Ling aka Team WTF) and Bear 1081 (adopters : Swee Heng + Airani aka Team Slackers)]
These bears were used as bait to trap unsuspecting bystanders into contributing funds for the Assisi Hospice. $50 or more gets you one Chasepoint. Plus, it was for a good deed too.
Participants have to run, walk, or take public transport (MRT and BUS only) to various checkpoints around Singapore and complete tasks to get Chasepoints. There were 15 points up for grabs of which a team only had to collect 10 within the allotted time of 6 hours.
Since every team took a different route, our route was:
Kent Ridge Park - 2 events (trail run & biking, jumar) - 2 points + 1 bonus point
Crawford Street (Kallang Basin) - Two team co-operative kayak and portage - 1 point
Bussorah Street Mosque - Chaptek in a sarong (damn siong man) - 1 point
Little India (Jothi's flowers) - Henna painting and flower garland weaving - 1 point
Faber House (Sporting Spectrum office) - Donate teddy bear with $50 - 1 point
Faber House - Finding mahjong tiles inside maggot/worm aquarium, eat chilli - 1 point
UOB Plaza - 5 storey run + Soduku puzzle (we suck at this) - 1 point
Clarke Quay - Stella beer keg carry, 9 step beer pouring, beer drinking, keg return - 1 point
Our team took the bus twice (Kent Ridge) and the MRT three times for distant checkpoints. We ended up running at Science Park/Kent Ridge/Vigilante Drive, from Crawford St to Bussorah St to Little India. Then running again from UOB to Clarke Quay and back to Pan Pacific for the finish.
We finished in under 5 hours with Ling and Ming ahead of us by a minute or so. Airani's and George's teams came in a little later.
Needless to say, my favourite checkpoint was the last one - I think after running and getting dehydrated, the Stella beer went down in less than 3 seconds. Problem was that Beck's then decided that we should run to Pan Pac for the finish, ignoring all my pleas to take public transport. That was when the beer nearly all came out again. I was burping and trying my best not to puke while keeping up with her.
At the finish point in a Pan Pac ballroom, I was desperately looking for 100plus to stave off the cramps that were hitting me. All that was provided for nutrition and hydration, were Red Bull, a full buffet spread, soft drinks, and Stella beer on tap. I have never seen so little beer drunk at an event before. Only when the participants had cooled down and stopped cramping up, did the flow of beer increase.
Final results are not out yet but we had loads of fun.
Thanks to Janice and Derrick Tan for help with the internet over the phone to solve several clues. And to Hui Min at Kent Ridge station where it was really nice to see a friendly face.
I wish more peeps entered the race as it would have served as a nice intro to urban racing. There were other checkpoints that had events such as abseiling, rock climbing, cable skiing, riding trishaws, etc.
Next year for sure.
Chi
CityChase News Flash
The World’s Largest Urban Adventure Series Hits Singapore
14th July 2007, Singapore
Extracted from http://www.citychase.com/country.asp?evt=singapore
Asia’s inaugural City Chase kicked off in Singapore at 1pm today, as participants in the Pan Pacific Singapore City Chase raced across the island in a bid to be the winning team across the finishing line.
A total of 142 teams participated in the event, making this the biggest first City Chase race in any country since its inception.
Nick Jelinek, the founder of City Chase, feels that Singapore is the ideal location to hold Asia’s first ever City Chase. “As a vibrant, multicultural and cosmopolitan city, Singapore is a perfect example of what City Chase hopes to represent and exemplify,” he commented.
Participants had to travel on foot, use the bus or MRT to get to various ChasePoints around the island where they face challenges that tested their Mind, Body and Spirit. Few lucky participants also managed to hitch a ride in the Fast Forward vehicles provided by Avis, Asia’s leading car rental brand, if they got to a Fast Forward point at the right time.
Some ChasePoint activities such as tying a sarong and kicking a capteh in Arab Street, making a traditional Indian garland in Little India reflected Singapore’s rich multicultural heritage. Other ChasePoints such as abseiling, negotiating a mountain biking trail in Kent Ridge, tested participants’ physical and mental abilities. Some participants even braved digging in a container of worms to find matching mahjong tiles rather than choosing to move on to another ChasePoint. Participants need only complete 10 of the 12 ChasePoints on their clue sheet.
Traditionally, each race has a charity element. Participants in the Pan Pacific Singapore City Chase were given a Teddy Bank from the Assisi Hospice at the flag off point and were encouraged to get members of the public to make token donations along the way. All proceeds went towards the Assisi Hospice’s Integrated Palliative Care Program for adults and children suffering from cancer and other life-limiting illnesses.
This broad spectrum of activities is but one of the characteristics that sets the City Chase apart from other adventure races. Said Chris Robb, Managing Director of event organisers Sporting Spectrum, “We wanted to bring in an adventure race that Singaporeans would be intrigued by – not an easy task considering that most of us have it all. The City Chase has an international reputation of being a day of intense and exhilarating excitement that tests the boundaries of each of its participants, which makes it ideal for city dwellers such as us.”
According to Michael Schmitt, Director of Marketing at Pan Pacific Singapore, “Being the title sponsor of the inaugural City Chase conducted in Asia has truly been an honour and an experience. As a corporate organisation engaging with the community, this is one of our most significant sports sponsorship projects and based on the exploratory nature of the race, is particularly meaningful as a hospitality industry player.”
To capture the spirit and excitement of the World’s largest urban adventure series, Nat Geo Adventure will be filming parts of the race to be included in 4 one-hour TV programmes that will be televised worldwide after the World Championships in September.
The winners of Asia’s and Singapore’s first ever City Chase made it to the finishing line in 4 hours and 4 minutes. “We found the race very challenging but we had great help from friends. Finding locations was the hardest part. We used the MRT most of the time and our strategy was to go to the furthest ChasePoint first which was Kent Ridge, then make our way back” said one half Gaelic TaiGers, Taissa Matla. The Gaelic TaiGers are the first mixed team ever to make it to the World Championships.
Celebrity team Cynful Angels comprising Angel Teo and Cynthia Macquarrie came in 22nd position, ahead of other celebrity teams. “I never knew I could run so fast. If we hadn’t tagged team with the Aces (Liam Collins and Chris Whiting), we wouldn’t have been as motivated. The four of us stuck together all the way”, said Angel Teo. The vivacious pair came in 22nd overall.
After a day of unusual challenges and adrenaline-fueled activities, participants wound down to food and beer courtesy of title sponsor Pan Pacific Singapore and official premium beer Stella Artois, . “There’s no better way to end a day like this, than with an ice cold beer!” laughed Angel Teo, Gold90FM’s DJ.
Father and son team Gopala Krishnan and Ashwin Krishnan had tougher challenges to face as compared to the other teams, due to Ashwin’s autism. “I grossly underestimated my son today. He really pulled his weight when it counted. We enjoyed the race and made some friends along the way, especially while we were in the fast forward car,” said Mr Gopala Krishnan. They completed 8 out of the required 10 ChasePoints.
The winning team is off to Rome in to compete in the World Championships where from September 27 – 30, teams from Sydney, Lisbon, Paris, Madrid, London, Singapore, Hong Kong, Chicago and Canada will take part in an adventure of a lifetime.
14th July 2007, Singapore
Extracted from http://www.citychase.com/country.asp?evt=singapore
Asia’s inaugural City Chase kicked off in Singapore at 1pm today, as participants in the Pan Pacific Singapore City Chase raced across the island in a bid to be the winning team across the finishing line.
A total of 142 teams participated in the event, making this the biggest first City Chase race in any country since its inception.
Nick Jelinek, the founder of City Chase, feels that Singapore is the ideal location to hold Asia’s first ever City Chase. “As a vibrant, multicultural and cosmopolitan city, Singapore is a perfect example of what City Chase hopes to represent and exemplify,” he commented.
Participants had to travel on foot, use the bus or MRT to get to various ChasePoints around the island where they face challenges that tested their Mind, Body and Spirit. Few lucky participants also managed to hitch a ride in the Fast Forward vehicles provided by Avis, Asia’s leading car rental brand, if they got to a Fast Forward point at the right time.
Some ChasePoint activities such as tying a sarong and kicking a capteh in Arab Street, making a traditional Indian garland in Little India reflected Singapore’s rich multicultural heritage. Other ChasePoints such as abseiling, negotiating a mountain biking trail in Kent Ridge, tested participants’ physical and mental abilities. Some participants even braved digging in a container of worms to find matching mahjong tiles rather than choosing to move on to another ChasePoint. Participants need only complete 10 of the 12 ChasePoints on their clue sheet.
Traditionally, each race has a charity element. Participants in the Pan Pacific Singapore City Chase were given a Teddy Bank from the Assisi Hospice at the flag off point and were encouraged to get members of the public to make token donations along the way. All proceeds went towards the Assisi Hospice’s Integrated Palliative Care Program for adults and children suffering from cancer and other life-limiting illnesses.
This broad spectrum of activities is but one of the characteristics that sets the City Chase apart from other adventure races. Said Chris Robb, Managing Director of event organisers Sporting Spectrum, “We wanted to bring in an adventure race that Singaporeans would be intrigued by – not an easy task considering that most of us have it all. The City Chase has an international reputation of being a day of intense and exhilarating excitement that tests the boundaries of each of its participants, which makes it ideal for city dwellers such as us.”
According to Michael Schmitt, Director of Marketing at Pan Pacific Singapore, “Being the title sponsor of the inaugural City Chase conducted in Asia has truly been an honour and an experience. As a corporate organisation engaging with the community, this is one of our most significant sports sponsorship projects and based on the exploratory nature of the race, is particularly meaningful as a hospitality industry player.”
To capture the spirit and excitement of the World’s largest urban adventure series, Nat Geo Adventure will be filming parts of the race to be included in 4 one-hour TV programmes that will be televised worldwide after the World Championships in September.
The winners of Asia’s and Singapore’s first ever City Chase made it to the finishing line in 4 hours and 4 minutes. “We found the race very challenging but we had great help from friends. Finding locations was the hardest part. We used the MRT most of the time and our strategy was to go to the furthest ChasePoint first which was Kent Ridge, then make our way back” said one half Gaelic TaiGers, Taissa Matla. The Gaelic TaiGers are the first mixed team ever to make it to the World Championships.
Celebrity team Cynful Angels comprising Angel Teo and Cynthia Macquarrie came in 22nd position, ahead of other celebrity teams. “I never knew I could run so fast. If we hadn’t tagged team with the Aces (Liam Collins and Chris Whiting), we wouldn’t have been as motivated. The four of us stuck together all the way”, said Angel Teo. The vivacious pair came in 22nd overall.
After a day of unusual challenges and adrenaline-fueled activities, participants wound down to food and beer courtesy of title sponsor Pan Pacific Singapore and official premium beer Stella Artois, . “There’s no better way to end a day like this, than with an ice cold beer!” laughed Angel Teo, Gold90FM’s DJ.
Father and son team Gopala Krishnan and Ashwin Krishnan had tougher challenges to face as compared to the other teams, due to Ashwin’s autism. “I grossly underestimated my son today. He really pulled his weight when it counted. We enjoyed the race and made some friends along the way, especially while we were in the fast forward car,” said Mr Gopala Krishnan. They completed 8 out of the required 10 ChasePoints.
The winning team is off to Rome in to compete in the World Championships where from September 27 – 30, teams from Sydney, Lisbon, Paris, Madrid, London, Singapore, Hong Kong, Chicago and Canada will take part in an adventure of a lifetime.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
DirTraction Trail Day
Nothing feels better than to get your hands (or gloves) dirty in order to maintain the trails that we all lurrrrvvvee to ride on! It's kinda like being part of the green mafia...if you take care of 'em trails, they will take care of ya!After all the clearing of potentially dangerous items, I took a little ride around the "Shore"....almost cleared 'em all, except for the Ethiopian skinny portion! Afraid I ain't too good with my exit strategy; from my face plant experience, have learnt not to take big stoopid risks til I've mastered the art of hopping off da horsey in one piece without landin' on me face! Ouch!
Anywayz, for a lovely account by Huimin about that lovely day at KR, click here!
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Outta bounds in Outward Bound School
Met some very fierce and "powderful" ladies soccer kakis from my early days of playing for the Thomson CC soccer team! Some represented Singapore and could take on many of the soccer guys that we used to play with!
Ling Er (top row, third from left), an instructor at OBS, invited some of us on a tour of Singapore's Outward Bound School located in the western part of Pulau Ubin.
I've heard so many thrilling stories about psychological trauma and physical pain and suffering inflicted during this training camp, mostly from crazy friends who are still constantly flogging their bodies! Tsk tsk tsk! But I've never ever stepped foot onto its premises, so this was really a treat for me; an outing that will feed my curiosity.
Thanks to Ling Er, I've been able to explore almost every inch of OBS on foot and on Bluebones (me steed)! Even crossed paths with a giant wildboar on its mountain bike trails (which borders the new Ubin bike park which is still under construction)!
Click here for complete picturestory!
Monday, May 07, 2007
Singapore....Ooosh!!!
29 April marks our 10th victory over the Malaysian ladies soccer team in this year's Bench and Bar Games! Out of the 11 years that we've been playing, we have been champions in all of them, save for one game which we drew!
Yikes! That means it's been more than a decade since the few of us then netballers and soccer enthusiasts started the Law Society Ladies Soccer Team! I remember attending the Bench and Bar convenor meetings back then (as netball convenor) and proposing that we start a ladies team. The skeptics warned us that our nails might get chipped! Worst still, the large-sized Malaysian players (painted out to be monsters) will gouge out our eyes if we weren't careful! It was decided that we started out as a "non-competitive" event, and let's just see how it goes.
There's no turning back since that fateful game that we proved that we were a force to be reckon with! More often than not, being placed as one of the last few games put pressure on us to tilt the overall points in Singapore's favour! We have come a long way since the days of our not being taken seriously!
It was only last week that I've decided that the best way to preserve the fond moments was to blog it! And so, a new blog was born for our team. If you're interested in the A to Zs of the Law Society of Singapore Law Society Ladies Soccer Team, just click here! The blog is still work in progress as our team mates dig out those old team photos and match reports....so watch up for updates! There's a sister blog which houses all the uncensored match reports - unfortunately, that's a private blog, only made available to insiders! heh heh!
In case you're wondering, "Singapore Oooshh" is not the new restaurant at Dempsey road, but our battlecry before we get onto the field! Now, instead of chipped nails, I have purple toe nails! Think am losing a couple of 'em soon!
Yikes! That means it's been more than a decade since the few of us then netballers and soccer enthusiasts started the Law Society Ladies Soccer Team! I remember attending the Bench and Bar convenor meetings back then (as netball convenor) and proposing that we start a ladies team. The skeptics warned us that our nails might get chipped! Worst still, the large-sized Malaysian players (painted out to be monsters) will gouge out our eyes if we weren't careful! It was decided that we started out as a "non-competitive" event, and let's just see how it goes.
There's no turning back since that fateful game that we proved that we were a force to be reckon with! More often than not, being placed as one of the last few games put pressure on us to tilt the overall points in Singapore's favour! We have come a long way since the days of our not being taken seriously!
It was only last week that I've decided that the best way to preserve the fond moments was to blog it! And so, a new blog was born for our team. If you're interested in the A to Zs of the Law Society of Singapore Law Society Ladies Soccer Team, just click here! The blog is still work in progress as our team mates dig out those old team photos and match reports....so watch up for updates! There's a sister blog which houses all the uncensored match reports - unfortunately, that's a private blog, only made available to insiders! heh heh!
In case you're wondering, "Singapore Oooshh" is not the new restaurant at Dempsey road, but our battlecry before we get onto the field! Now, instead of chipped nails, I have purple toe nails! Think am losing a couple of 'em soon!
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Pengerang - More Photostories
Would you cycle 9 km under intense heat, just for a bowl of icilicious ice kacang? Well, to read more about Part 2 of Day 1 of our Pengerang adventures, click here.
Would you basejump over a cliff if your steed asked ya to? Click here, for immediate results of the true story behind this suicidal mission! And of course, more pigtales of the last day of our Pen"garang" weekend!
Monday, April 30, 2007
Marymount Convent School's 50th Anniversary Celebrations
Last week (24 April 2007 at the Shangri-La ballroom, to be exact), I attended the 50th anniversary of me alma mater, Marymount Convent School. For photos of an evening of entertainment, click here!
I still remember the silver jubilee (i.e. 25th) celebrations back in school. That would mean a quarter century has passed us by! Yikes!
We were one of the few schools (if not the only) with a sleeveless 2-piece uniform and black shoes. Mention "graph paper school" and you'd know they mean us! Standing joke was that if we forgot to bring our graph paper to a maths test, we could always use our uniform. How spastic is that?
Thanks to my 3 elder sisters before me who were pretty well-known in our school, the teachers knew who I was even before I stepped into a class. "You're one of the "Lee" sisters, am I right?" They were prefects (more particularly, head and vice-head prefects), and scored really good grades in school. I was the one who liked to play! Sigh!
Since all of us were named "Chuen [x]ing" and known as the rhyming sisters (much to the regret of our parents), when someone calls up and asks for "Ping", and is really looking for "Ting" or "Ying" or "Ling", my parents readily admitted that they may have made a mistake in naming us! The only person who didn't have too difficult a time was "Li", but then the other problem was that we were all called "Chuen" (pronounced either as choo-en or chun, and more often than not, ends up being misprounounced). If someone shouts "Chuen" in school, all of us will inevitably turn around! :)
Ping ended up in the same school after we returned from Tokyo. She refused to step back into Nanyang since she'd otherwise have to snip off her luscious mane and curtsey to the teachers ad nauseum!
Above, me school mates (L to R) : Moi, Cindee Yeo, Karen Jude, Amy Cheng (aka Joo Joo back in school whose talents back in school included drawing Wonder Woman pictures), Mei Jean, Lee Sin and Brenda D'Cruz! If you asked me, I think we all kinda still look the same!
Above, Fiona Lim, one of Malaysia's best triathletes and fellow Marymountaineer! Bumped into her at the recent Sabah Adventure Challenge 2007! We both played netball for school back in 1984 - that year, we led the school to victory by clinching the netball championship title for our division! We've traditionally been first runner up behind the then unbeatable netball champions, SJC (St Joseph Convent)! The then school principal, Ms McCarthy, in her state of elation, declared it a school holiday! Mei Jean and Lee Sin were also fellow members of our school team!
The Marymount Convent secondary school girl has become an extinct species since the school closed down the secondary school operations. Today, only the primary school survives.
Many ex-Marymount girls have made it to Singapore's hall of game. Here are some you may have come across plastered in magazines, in the news, on TV or even in banners on the street during election time (in alphabetical order) :
- Amy Cheng - Actress
- Andrea Teo - Mediacorp Producer of local sitcoms like Under One Roof
- Bonny Hicks - Model
- Fiona Lim - Top Malaysia Female Triathlete
- Indranee Rajah - Member of Parliament
I have fond memories of my wasted youth back in this school, running about and falling down all over the place, or even playing waterbombs in the haunted school toilets. I almost ended up not going to kindergarten (my parents couldn't keep track of their 5 daughters), but my first brush with education was in Marymount Kingergarten and I left for Japan in the middle of Sec 2! That's 8 and a half years of my life in this convent!
For my school and the teachers who have done wonders bringing us to where we are today, I shall sing you our school song one more time...
Guided by God's eternal light
I still remember the silver jubilee (i.e. 25th) celebrations back in school. That would mean a quarter century has passed us by! Yikes!
We were one of the few schools (if not the only) with a sleeveless 2-piece uniform and black shoes. Mention "graph paper school" and you'd know they mean us! Standing joke was that if we forgot to bring our graph paper to a maths test, we could always use our uniform. How spastic is that?
Thanks to my 3 elder sisters before me who were pretty well-known in our school, the teachers knew who I was even before I stepped into a class. "You're one of the "Lee" sisters, am I right?" They were prefects (more particularly, head and vice-head prefects), and scored really good grades in school. I was the one who liked to play! Sigh!
Since all of us were named "Chuen [x]ing" and known as the rhyming sisters (much to the regret of our parents), when someone calls up and asks for "Ping", and is really looking for "Ting" or "Ying" or "Ling", my parents readily admitted that they may have made a mistake in naming us! The only person who didn't have too difficult a time was "Li", but then the other problem was that we were all called "Chuen" (pronounced either as choo-en or chun, and more often than not, ends up being misprounounced). If someone shouts "Chuen" in school, all of us will inevitably turn around! :)
Ping ended up in the same school after we returned from Tokyo. She refused to step back into Nanyang since she'd otherwise have to snip off her luscious mane and curtsey to the teachers ad nauseum!
Above, me school mates (L to R) : Moi, Cindee Yeo, Karen Jude, Amy Cheng (aka Joo Joo back in school whose talents back in school included drawing Wonder Woman pictures), Mei Jean, Lee Sin and Brenda D'Cruz! If you asked me, I think we all kinda still look the same!
Above, Fiona Lim, one of Malaysia's best triathletes and fellow Marymountaineer! Bumped into her at the recent Sabah Adventure Challenge 2007! We both played netball for school back in 1984 - that year, we led the school to victory by clinching the netball championship title for our division! We've traditionally been first runner up behind the then unbeatable netball champions, SJC (St Joseph Convent)! The then school principal, Ms McCarthy, in her state of elation, declared it a school holiday! Mei Jean and Lee Sin were also fellow members of our school team!
The Marymount Convent secondary school girl has become an extinct species since the school closed down the secondary school operations. Today, only the primary school survives.
Many ex-Marymount girls have made it to Singapore's hall of game. Here are some you may have come across plastered in magazines, in the news, on TV or even in banners on the street during election time (in alphabetical order) :
- Amy Cheng - Actress
- Andrea Teo - Mediacorp Producer of local sitcoms like Under One Roof
- Bonny Hicks - Model
- Fiona Lim - Top Malaysia Female Triathlete
- Indranee Rajah - Member of Parliament
- Jacintha Abisheganaden - Singer, Actress and Singapore Idol Judge
- Jean Danker - Class 95FM DJ
- Marian Nicole Teo - 1987 Miss Universe Semi-Finalist (who was one of 3 Marymountaineers who became Ms Singapore)
- Nicolette Bernadette Rappa - Ex-Mediacorp Newsreader
- Shabnam Melwani-Reis - Co-Founder of music portal Soundbuzz and director of Jay Gee Enterprises [me thinks she's from MCS]
- Violet Oon - Celebrity Chef
- Jean Danker - Class 95FM DJ
- Marian Nicole Teo - 1987 Miss Universe Semi-Finalist (who was one of 3 Marymountaineers who became Ms Singapore)
- Nicolette Bernadette Rappa - Ex-Mediacorp Newsreader
- Shabnam Melwani-Reis - Co-Founder of music portal Soundbuzz and director of Jay Gee Enterprises [me thinks she's from MCS]
- Violet Oon - Celebrity Chef
I have fond memories of my wasted youth back in this school, running about and falling down all over the place, or even playing waterbombs in the haunted school toilets. I almost ended up not going to kindergarten (my parents couldn't keep track of their 5 daughters), but my first brush with education was in Marymount Kingergarten and I left for Japan in the middle of Sec 2! That's 8 and a half years of my life in this convent!
For my school and the teachers who have done wonders bringing us to where we are today, I shall sing you our school song one more time...
Guided by God's eternal light
We're one in heart and one in mind
Loyal to school and true to right
For we are the daughters of Marymount
Chorus : O Marymount, our school our pride
Ever to thee we will abide
Sure as strong, we'll win over wrong
The light of God our guide
For we are the daughters of Marymount
For we are the daughters of Marymount
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Dun let Angela's Video Boar you to tears!
Check out this hilarious video shot and edited by talented Biker Chick, Angela aka ALG!
And bikers who lived to tell their pigtails....
Waynangela's Account
Ming's Account
And bikers who lived to tell their pigtails....
Waynangela's Account
Ming's Account
Friday, April 27, 2007
Whalesharks in fish tanks?
[Above, me up close and personal with Mizzy Whaleshark during my recent whaleshark expedition in South Leyte, Philippines - photo compliments of Roh. More photos available in Rohan's album. Imagine if you could have experienced what I experienced.....from behind a glass panel....but that begs the question : at whose expense? The fella who entertains ya in the tank?]Someone approached me sometime back for permission to use my whaleshark footage for a local project which contemplates putting a whaleshark in a tank. No prizes for guessing which project I'm referring to.
My initial reaction, being a diver and marine-life lover : how can one put a creature, regarded by many as being bigger than life, in a cage? What are the consequences of its being cooped up in a small confined unnatural space? Space was the least of one's concerns, given the larger ethical aspects of improper animal husbandry and the exploitation of wild, threatened or endangered animals for commercial purposes.
That gentleman then took the time to explain and justify to me how funds for wildlife education and research were hard to come by, and that proceeds from this mega project could be used for further whaleshark and dolphin research and to educate the public about these misunderstood creatures. Seize it while we can, for opportunities like these were hard to come by!
Having heard some of the arguments for and against putting a whaleshark in a fishtank, I was put in a dilemma. I started to draw a simple chart showing the pros and cons, but there were too many variables, and my simple stick drawing of a tree branched out into a complex banyan!
Some inital thoughts :-
- most of us know that it's inherently wrong to keep a nomadic and migratory fish like a whaleshark in a tank! Everything about it just shouts, "NO! DON'T DO IT!" The chances of its long-term survival proved very slim, given the recent statistics of captive whaleshark deaths! There are just too many variables which could go wrong. But then, could the same argument apply to other fish in aquariums? Or even animals in the zoo? Where do we draw the line? I once asked a marine biologist, who happens to be a director of the Underwater World, whether it was ok to keep a shark in a tank! The shocking answer was that fish are territorial, and so long as they feel comfortable within that territory and are well looked after, there should be no issue. Not what I expected from a marine biologist!
- the whaleshark was going to end up on someone's bowl anyway! Most of these captive whalesharks originate from Taiwan, where the whaleshark meat aka "tofu shark" is a very popular dish, probably feeding a gazillion families! So between the 2 evils, one an argue that a whaleshark in a fishtank in better than one in the bowl? However, given that Taiwan is in the process of restricting or perhaps even banning the fishing of whalesharks, where will these creatures be fished out from then? Will it encourage a live whaleshark fishing industry to replenish those that have kicked the bucket?
- not everyone has the good fortune of a face-to-face encounter with a whaleshark! Having returned from a recent whaleshark expedition in South Leyte, Philippines, it was literally raining "whaleshark"! Photo above was taken by fellow diver Rohan during one of our dives! Seeing the enormity of a BIG fish before your eyes, as opposed to seeing one through a 42 inch Sony TV, are two completely different experiences! I must admit that I dived in the Sentosa Underwater World and thoroughly enjoyed the experience! Whenever I visit a coastal state say in Hawaii or Monaco, the places that interest me most are the aquariums and oceanariums! You just can't feel for the fish til you've come up close and personal. Should this experience be made available to the common man in the street for a fee? Or only a privilege only divers or snorkellers are members of?
I'm sure there will be all sorts of arguments and rebuttals, and my chart is still work-in-progress. And so is part 2 of my whaleshark video.
The recent news about the whaleshark deaths just proves that there is no guarantee that a whaleshark in a tank will survive, even short term! Has anyone benefitted from their being in captivity during that 1 or so year? Did we learn more about this fish? Did it educate and awe the masses that contributed to the fish's welfare, and line the pockets of the stakeholders who benefitted from the show? If anyone has a view (and even better, statistics to prove), would love to hear from ya!
Meanwhile, if you're interested in this topic, there are good reads out there...
WildSingapore has kept an excellent archive on this debate :-
http://www.wildsingapore.com/news/20070102/070112-4.htm
And Victor, who used to be WildAid's "Sharkspokesman", has been diligently feeding me with articles about whalesharks in captivity.
BTW, I told that gentleman that my whaleshark footage was available on utube if he ever needed to refer to it to educate the powers that be about this lovely creature! Hopefully they will have the good sense to do the research behind whalesharks in captivity before they embark on that project! Statistics do not lie!
Whaleshark Tragedy
Taiwan hesitant to supply Whale sharks
The Taiwanese government has reportedly been hesitant in supplying a pair of Whale sharks requested by the Georgia Aquarium, three months after the mysterious death of a previous specimen.
According to a report from Atlanta Journal Constitution, officials from the Taiwan Fisheries Agency have raised concerns about the death of the Georgia Aquarium's previous Whale shark, Ralph, after it requested two more of the fish for its displays.
Hung Kuoyao of the Taiwan Fisheries Agency told the AJC that they did not want to see another Whale shark die. He said that the Georgia Aquarium may need to send representatives to Taiwan to argue their case before the government allows further sharks to be exported.
The previous shark, which died in January 2007, was 6.7m/22' long. It had been a resident at the Aquarium along with another male named Norton since June 2005, several months before the facility officially opened.
The sharks were joined in last year by two female Whale sharks.
Force-feeding
An external parasite found in the Aquarium, described as a "leech", led to a series of treatments being administered to the tank housing Ralph and Norton.
After several of the treatments, the appetites of the two male Whale sharks declined. The two female Whale sharks, which were not exposed to as many doses of the chemical, have not shown the same behaviour.
According to the Georgia Aquarium, Ralph's health declined further and he began to lose his appetite and was swimming abnormally, and had to be force-fed to keep him alive. AJC claims that the remaining male Whale shark, Norton, is also being force-fed because he too is no longer feeding normally.
Regular medical examinations were made in the following weeks to allow staff to monitor the fish's health.
The Aquarium said: "As precautionary measures, supportive therapy (food, fluids, medications, etc.) for Ralph and Norton was administered; thorough diagnostic testing was begun; water quality and other environmental parameters were reviewed, and exhaustive around-the-clock behavioral monitoring was initiated. Additionally, the method of treating the leeches was changed."
A necropsy was undertaken by staff from the University of Georgia College of Medicine last month, which revealed that the shark had a stomach abnormality not seen in the surviving Whale shark, Norton.
"Findings show that Ralph's stomach appeared abnormal, because it was thin-walled and perforated. This likely caused peritonitis, which led to Ralph's death. There is no evidence that anything in the Ocean Voyager¹s environment led to Ralph¹s death," said Jeff Swanagan, the Georgia Aquarium's executive director.
Captive whale sharks
The sharks came from Hualien in Taiwan, where the sharks are a food species with an annual harvest quota. The Georgia Aquarium is one of only four aquaria in the world housing Whale sharks, Rhincodon typus, the world's largest fish species.
The Georgia Aquarium worked with the Taiwanese government to obtain the fish, which are the only captive specimens outside Asia, and the world's largest collection of the species in an aquarium.
The two female Whale sharks, named Alice and Trixie, were added to the Aquarium in June 2006, after being exported from Taiwan in a specially modified UPS Boeing 747.
Unnamed chemical
Hung Kuoyao told AJC that representatives from the Aquarium travelled to Taiwan after the death of Ralph: "They reported [to] us on how they exhibited and fed the shark and also their research on the death of it.
"So our experts will check very carefully on the conditions of transportation and how they will feed the two whale sharks. Our experts will decide on whether we need people from Georgia to come again and report to us on this."
AJC claims that the Aquarium has not named the chemical that may have been responsible for the sharks' loss of appetite, but it has confirmed that the chemical will not be used again.
AJC says that external experts believe the medication administered may have been dylox. Its sources claim that dylox can cause loss of appetite in sharks and rays when used improperly.
Copyright Stefan (Creative Commons License)
Article extracted from :
http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/item.php?news=1240
The Taiwanese government has reportedly been hesitant in supplying a pair of Whale sharks requested by the Georgia Aquarium, three months after the mysterious death of a previous specimen.
According to a report from Atlanta Journal Constitution, officials from the Taiwan Fisheries Agency have raised concerns about the death of the Georgia Aquarium's previous Whale shark, Ralph, after it requested two more of the fish for its displays.
Hung Kuoyao of the Taiwan Fisheries Agency told the AJC that they did not want to see another Whale shark die. He said that the Georgia Aquarium may need to send representatives to Taiwan to argue their case before the government allows further sharks to be exported.
The previous shark, which died in January 2007, was 6.7m/22' long. It had been a resident at the Aquarium along with another male named Norton since June 2005, several months before the facility officially opened.
The sharks were joined in last year by two female Whale sharks.
Force-feeding
An external parasite found in the Aquarium, described as a "leech", led to a series of treatments being administered to the tank housing Ralph and Norton.
After several of the treatments, the appetites of the two male Whale sharks declined. The two female Whale sharks, which were not exposed to as many doses of the chemical, have not shown the same behaviour.
According to the Georgia Aquarium, Ralph's health declined further and he began to lose his appetite and was swimming abnormally, and had to be force-fed to keep him alive. AJC claims that the remaining male Whale shark, Norton, is also being force-fed because he too is no longer feeding normally.
Regular medical examinations were made in the following weeks to allow staff to monitor the fish's health.
The Aquarium said: "As precautionary measures, supportive therapy (food, fluids, medications, etc.) for Ralph and Norton was administered; thorough diagnostic testing was begun; water quality and other environmental parameters were reviewed, and exhaustive around-the-clock behavioral monitoring was initiated. Additionally, the method of treating the leeches was changed."
A necropsy was undertaken by staff from the University of Georgia College of Medicine last month, which revealed that the shark had a stomach abnormality not seen in the surviving Whale shark, Norton.
"Findings show that Ralph's stomach appeared abnormal, because it was thin-walled and perforated. This likely caused peritonitis, which led to Ralph's death. There is no evidence that anything in the Ocean Voyager¹s environment led to Ralph¹s death," said Jeff Swanagan, the Georgia Aquarium's executive director.
Captive whale sharks
The sharks came from Hualien in Taiwan, where the sharks are a food species with an annual harvest quota. The Georgia Aquarium is one of only four aquaria in the world housing Whale sharks, Rhincodon typus, the world's largest fish species.
The Georgia Aquarium worked with the Taiwanese government to obtain the fish, which are the only captive specimens outside Asia, and the world's largest collection of the species in an aquarium.
The two female Whale sharks, named Alice and Trixie, were added to the Aquarium in June 2006, after being exported from Taiwan in a specially modified UPS Boeing 747.
Unnamed chemical
Hung Kuoyao told AJC that representatives from the Aquarium travelled to Taiwan after the death of Ralph: "They reported [to] us on how they exhibited and fed the shark and also their research on the death of it.
"So our experts will check very carefully on the conditions of transportation and how they will feed the two whale sharks. Our experts will decide on whether we need people from Georgia to come again and report to us on this."
AJC claims that the Aquarium has not named the chemical that may have been responsible for the sharks' loss of appetite, but it has confirmed that the chemical will not be used again.
AJC says that external experts believe the medication administered may have been dylox. Its sources claim that dylox can cause loss of appetite in sharks and rays when used improperly.
Copyright Stefan (Creative Commons License)
Article extracted from :
http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/item.php?news=1240
Friday, April 20, 2007
Our BOARing MTBing Weekend in Pengerang
Excerpt from Mingloid...
"The boar freaked out and dashed out of the bushes on the left. It managed to gather some speed rocketing down the trail before making a holeshot for a gap between 2 riders.
Unfortunately, wild boars are not so good at judging speeds of bicycles, as they do not cross busy roads often.
It hit Wayne's front wheel at full boar (heh heh) and had enough momentum to bowl both Wayne and Max over (these are the 2 biggest boar-like guys in our group)."
"The boar freaked out and dashed out of the bushes on the left. It managed to gather some speed rocketing down the trail before making a holeshot for a gap between 2 riders.
Unfortunately, wild boars are not so good at judging speeds of bicycles, as they do not cross busy roads often.
It hit Wayne's front wheel at full boar (heh heh) and had enough momentum to bowl both Wayne and Max over (these are the 2 biggest boar-like guys in our group)."
For the full story, go to Part 1 of Day 1!
More photos of Part 2 of Day 1, and Day 2, grunting to you soon!
Check out Angela's cool album (this photo and beyond)...
Nepal, another Himachal?
I sent my MTBing Himachal kakis a post about an upcoming MTB race in Nepal.
This was a response I got from a skeptic teammate who endured the epic journey through the "mountain biking trails of Himachal", only to be severely disappointed! I guess the memory of MTB Himachal 2006 lingers on.....
I remind him that it is not politically correct to compare gurkhas with the kachiamputehman....
...but I'm sure he writes with sweet fondness with a hint of nostalgic yearning to relive our experience once again! I truly miss our Indian MTBing experience...honest! :)
Note of caution : Pls do not let this posting put you off participating in the Nepal MTB Race! This was written merely in jest, and from the friends we have made in India, there will be no end to chuckling! :)
I'm sure MTB Nepal will be one hell of a good race! Good luck to the organisers and to the participants! If you took part in this race, do drop a line and tell us how it went!
"Let me do you all a big favour and introduce my "you don't know what the hell you're getting yourselves into" translation service. See below (in red):
The race starts from the playground (dump) at Syabru Beshi at an elevation of 1460 meters and passes through small hamlets, terraced green fields (that's 1).
The first section of the race follows a motor able dirt road (goat track with stones the size of footballs) and is fairly easy (by mountain goat standards) passing through verdant midlands of Nepal. However there is a (#$%!!!) steep uphill gradient passing through lush green forests (oh did we forget to mention the bears?).
We pass through a small pass of Rongga Bhanjyang at 2187 (or 2887 but who's counting) meters. We continue ascending (abuthen) through terraced fields (that's 2) until we reach the first check point at Chaurhattar at 2271 (or 3271) meters.
We continue on the motor able road and reach the tiny settlement of Godam at 2436 (more like 5436) meters. We have our first medical team on hand here supported by the local health post for and eventualities (don't you just love understatement). From here we leave the dirt road and head north following a walking trail (did we mention the possibility of a bike and hike) towards our 2nd check point at Gatlang.
The route passes through terraced fields (that's 3) as it snakes downhill until it reaches the sleepy hamlet of Gatlang at 2238 meters which boasts of a school, post office and hotels (all in the same building).
From here the trail descends dramatically (straight down). It is a steep downhill ride (yep, definitely hike a bike) and the most challenging part of the whole race following a narrow but well beaten (by goats only) path. It is a technical ride (no shit Sherlock!) that entails navigating rocky staircases and steep downhill inclines on highland trails (finally, there's truth in advertising).
En route due to very steep inclines, the participants will have to carry their bikes on their backs (yeah, told you so) for a short while (or about 8 to 10 kms but who's counting, certainly not the organisers) to negotiate the steep (duh!) slopes. We follow terraced fields (I could have sworn that we've seen this somewhere before; that's 4) across beautiful landscape dotted with chortens (Nepalese for "bleeding raging bulls") along the Bamdang Khola until we reach a bridge where our 3rd check point is set before entering the village of Thambuchet at 1768 meters. Thamuchet is a small village on the banks of the Chilime Khola where the Chilime hydro project is based.
We have another medical team on hand here supported by the local health post workers. From here we again continue to climb (probably 2000m of vertical) on a motor able dirt road towards our final stop at Goljung (ETA 10pm, long after the sun has set) spread over an open valley. We have our final medical team (and undertakers) on hand to monitor all the participants at the end of the race. (what??? no more terraced fields?!)
RACE FACTS:
Starting point: Syabru Beshi
1st Check point: Chaurhattar1st
Medical team: Godam
2nd Check point: Gatlang
3rd Check point: Thambuchet
2ndMedical team: Thambuchet
End Point: Goljung
3rd Medical team: Goljung
AREA: Tamang Heritage Trail, Langtang Region
TOTAL ROUTE DISTANCE: Approx 28 Kms (or maybe 104 Kms but we don't count all these other bits that we've probably missed out)
GRADING: Strenuous (freaking death march)
QUALIFICATION: Anyone above the age of 18 years with a sound health and mind (but how is that possible if you want to enter this race?) can participate in the race. Previous biking not mandatory (HA! HA! HA! HA!) but experience is an added bonus.
ESTIMATED RACE TIME: 3 (or 10) hrs
ALTITUDE VARIATION: 1460 -2436m
RACE DATE: 29th April
PARTICIPATION FEES: Rs. 500 for Nepalese and US$ 99 for foreigners (but we give you discount if you book non aircon bus with us)
MINIMUM PARTICIPANTS: 50
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: 25th of April
RACE:
The race has been categorized into two categories.
Open: Open to all both male and female above the age of 18 years
Female: For all Females above the age of 18 years
PRIZES
Winners of the race will receive prizes in cash (or bouncing cheques). All the participants will receive a tee shirt (that you can use to clean your bike) as well as participation certificates.
ACCOMMODATION
Tourist facilities are available all along the race route. Accommodation on the first day in Syabrubeshi will be in normal hotel or guesthouse with meals. The accommodation on thesecond night will be home-stay with meals. (Hygiene is optional.)
SAFETY
Safety of participants is very important to us. All our staff are experts in their field andare well trained and experienced to handle clients' individual needs. To facilitate soundmedical team back up, three medical teams manned by a medical expert (do note that the word "doctor" is missing), one local healthworker and one personnel from Himalaya Expeditions will be set up along the route sothat any injury, illness or unexpected incidents are dealt with immediately (hence the undertakers).
HEALTH AND INSURANCE
Since the race entails negotiating different types of gradients each participant will be required to furnish a Health Certificate from his/ her stating that he/she is physically fit to participate in the event. The Health Certificate will have to be attached to the application form.
Foreign Participants are required to submit their personal travel insurance that covers the following things that covers trip cancellation, medical emergency /evacuation/(being gored by a chorten).
SIGN UP PROCEDURE
Application forms are available at TRPAP, NTB and Himalaya Expeditions Office, Kathmandu Guesthouse or it can be downloaded online from the NTB website www.welcomenepal.com
The completed forms can be deposited at the Kathmandu Guesthouse, TRPAP Office or Himalaya Expedition. Or the applications can be sent via e-mail to steven@adventuresports.com.np A non-refundable sign up amount of US$ 99 for non - Nepalese and Rs. 500 for Nepalese participants will be levied for each participant. Applications for participants will be accepted until the 25th of April. Apart from the signing amount non Nepalese participants will have to submit their passport copies (for the national park permit), Rs. 1000 per participant as national park fees for Langtang National Park, health certificate and personal travel insurance along with their application forms.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
The sign up cost includes:
1. 1 night accommodation in hotel/ guesthouse with all meals at Syabru Beshi
2. 1 night homestay at Goljung with all meals
3. Tee shirt
4. Transfer Kathmandu - Syabrubeshi - Goljung - Kathmandu by bus5.
Support staff during the race including the medical teams6. Transportation cost for the mountain bike
7. First aid kit
8. Participation fees
9. Participation Certificate
10. Refreshments during the race
11. Cultural program on the last night
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
The sign up cost excludes:
1. Visa fees for Non - Nepalese
2. Heath and travel insurance
3. Rescue and evacuation
4. Personal gear
5. Bottled water and beverages
6. Personal expenses
7. National Park Fees of Rs. 1000 for Non Nepalese
8. Mountain bikes.
All participants are encouraged to bring their own bikes. Non Nepalese participants can hire the mountain bikes at Nrs. 750 per bike per day (Hercules MTBs, which are on the heavy side of 30kgs for stability and having only two gears for simplicity of maintenance, will be provided).
This was a response I got from a skeptic teammate who endured the epic journey through the "mountain biking trails of Himachal", only to be severely disappointed! I guess the memory of MTB Himachal 2006 lingers on.....
I remind him that it is not politically correct to compare gurkhas with the kachiamputehman....
...but I'm sure he writes with sweet fondness with a hint of nostalgic yearning to relive our experience once again! I truly miss our Indian MTBing experience...honest! :)
Note of caution : Pls do not let this posting put you off participating in the Nepal MTB Race! This was written merely in jest, and from the friends we have made in India, there will be no end to chuckling! :)
I'm sure MTB Nepal will be one hell of a good race! Good luck to the organisers and to the participants! If you took part in this race, do drop a line and tell us how it went!
"Let me do you all a big favour and introduce my "you don't know what the hell you're getting yourselves into" translation service. See below (in red):
The race starts from the playground (dump) at Syabru Beshi at an elevation of 1460 meters and passes through small hamlets, terraced green fields (that's 1).
The first section of the race follows a motor able dirt road (goat track with stones the size of footballs) and is fairly easy (by mountain goat standards) passing through verdant midlands of Nepal. However there is a (#$%!!!) steep uphill gradient passing through lush green forests (oh did we forget to mention the bears?).
We pass through a small pass of Rongga Bhanjyang at 2187 (or 2887 but who's counting) meters. We continue ascending (abuthen) through terraced fields (that's 2) until we reach the first check point at Chaurhattar at 2271 (or 3271) meters.
We continue on the motor able road and reach the tiny settlement of Godam at 2436 (more like 5436) meters. We have our first medical team on hand here supported by the local health post for and eventualities (don't you just love understatement). From here we leave the dirt road and head north following a walking trail (did we mention the possibility of a bike and hike) towards our 2nd check point at Gatlang.
The route passes through terraced fields (that's 3) as it snakes downhill until it reaches the sleepy hamlet of Gatlang at 2238 meters which boasts of a school, post office and hotels (all in the same building).
From here the trail descends dramatically (straight down). It is a steep downhill ride (yep, definitely hike a bike) and the most challenging part of the whole race following a narrow but well beaten (by goats only) path. It is a technical ride (no shit Sherlock!) that entails navigating rocky staircases and steep downhill inclines on highland trails (finally, there's truth in advertising).
En route due to very steep inclines, the participants will have to carry their bikes on their backs (yeah, told you so) for a short while (or about 8 to 10 kms but who's counting, certainly not the organisers) to negotiate the steep (duh!) slopes. We follow terraced fields (I could have sworn that we've seen this somewhere before; that's 4) across beautiful landscape dotted with chortens (Nepalese for "bleeding raging bulls") along the Bamdang Khola until we reach a bridge where our 3rd check point is set before entering the village of Thambuchet at 1768 meters. Thamuchet is a small village on the banks of the Chilime Khola where the Chilime hydro project is based.
We have another medical team on hand here supported by the local health post workers. From here we again continue to climb (probably 2000m of vertical) on a motor able dirt road towards our final stop at Goljung (ETA 10pm, long after the sun has set) spread over an open valley. We have our final medical team (and undertakers) on hand to monitor all the participants at the end of the race. (what??? no more terraced fields?!)
RACE FACTS:
Starting point: Syabru Beshi
1st Check point: Chaurhattar1st
Medical team: Godam
2nd Check point: Gatlang
3rd Check point: Thambuchet
2ndMedical team: Thambuchet
End Point: Goljung
3rd Medical team: Goljung
AREA: Tamang Heritage Trail, Langtang Region
TOTAL ROUTE DISTANCE: Approx 28 Kms (or maybe 104 Kms but we don't count all these other bits that we've probably missed out)
GRADING: Strenuous (freaking death march)
QUALIFICATION: Anyone above the age of 18 years with a sound health and mind (but how is that possible if you want to enter this race?) can participate in the race. Previous biking not mandatory (HA! HA! HA! HA!) but experience is an added bonus.
ESTIMATED RACE TIME: 3 (or 10) hrs
ALTITUDE VARIATION: 1460 -2436m
RACE DATE: 29th April
PARTICIPATION FEES: Rs. 500 for Nepalese and US$ 99 for foreigners (but we give you discount if you book non aircon bus with us)
MINIMUM PARTICIPANTS: 50
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: 25th of April
RACE:
The race has been categorized into two categories.
Open: Open to all both male and female above the age of 18 years
Female: For all Females above the age of 18 years
PRIZES
Winners of the race will receive prizes in cash (or bouncing cheques). All the participants will receive a tee shirt (that you can use to clean your bike) as well as participation certificates.
ACCOMMODATION
Tourist facilities are available all along the race route. Accommodation on the first day in Syabrubeshi will be in normal hotel or guesthouse with meals. The accommodation on thesecond night will be home-stay with meals. (Hygiene is optional.)
SAFETY
Safety of participants is very important to us. All our staff are experts in their field andare well trained and experienced to handle clients' individual needs. To facilitate soundmedical team back up, three medical teams manned by a medical expert (do note that the word "doctor" is missing), one local healthworker and one personnel from Himalaya Expeditions will be set up along the route sothat any injury, illness or unexpected incidents are dealt with immediately (hence the undertakers).
HEALTH AND INSURANCE
Since the race entails negotiating different types of gradients each participant will be required to furnish a Health Certificate from his/ her stating that he/she is physically fit to participate in the event. The Health Certificate will have to be attached to the application form.
Foreign Participants are required to submit their personal travel insurance that covers the following things that covers trip cancellation, medical emergency /evacuation/(being gored by a chorten).
SIGN UP PROCEDURE
Application forms are available at TRPAP, NTB and Himalaya Expeditions Office, Kathmandu Guesthouse or it can be downloaded online from the NTB website www.welcomenepal.com
The completed forms can be deposited at the Kathmandu Guesthouse, TRPAP Office or Himalaya Expedition. Or the applications can be sent via e-mail to steven@adventuresports.com.np A non-refundable sign up amount of US$ 99 for non - Nepalese and Rs. 500 for Nepalese participants will be levied for each participant. Applications for participants will be accepted until the 25th of April. Apart from the signing amount non Nepalese participants will have to submit their passport copies (for the national park permit), Rs. 1000 per participant as national park fees for Langtang National Park, health certificate and personal travel insurance along with their application forms.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
The sign up cost includes:
1. 1 night accommodation in hotel/ guesthouse with all meals at Syabru Beshi
2. 1 night homestay at Goljung with all meals
3. Tee shirt
4. Transfer Kathmandu - Syabrubeshi - Goljung - Kathmandu by bus5.
Support staff during the race including the medical teams6. Transportation cost for the mountain bike
7. First aid kit
8. Participation fees
9. Participation Certificate
10. Refreshments during the race
11. Cultural program on the last night
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
The sign up cost excludes:
1. Visa fees for Non - Nepalese
2. Heath and travel insurance
3. Rescue and evacuation
4. Personal gear
5. Bottled water and beverages
6. Personal expenses
7. National Park Fees of Rs. 1000 for Non Nepalese
8. Mountain bikes.
All participants are encouraged to bring their own bikes. Non Nepalese participants can hire the mountain bikes at Nrs. 750 per bike per day (Hercules MTBs, which are on the heavy side of 30kgs for stability and having only two gears for simplicity of maintenance, will be provided).
Pets of Chris and Ping
Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree. (Martin Luther)
Above, a famous quote above forwarded to me by my little sister, Ping who lives in the island of Waiheke, North Island, New Zealand.
She sends me the above picture with the following words...
"...these are the only pets we've had (Monarch butterflies), and will have (apart from the birds that come and go): (we've had them inside, which has been good for them, because there's been a type of wasp that have been eating them outside) the last one's flown away 2 days ago!..."
I chuckled when she sent me the photos of her "pets" a gazillion times and teased her that they were turning out to be her "kids"!
She adds..."...so funny: the 1st butterfly really did feel like "Oh! The first 'child'/one! Oh! Will it be able to fly out to find the right food? (It sure won't be eating the same thing as a caterpillar!) Will it be able to fly out and survive the weather outside? Will it be able to find its mate? Is it coded to be able to do all these things? It's a bizarre feeling alright. And then the 2nd one pops out: oh! I've seen a similar you before - you'll be alright. By the 3rd, and then the 4th, the 5th, the .... err... kinda lost track.
But the final one's obvious - the last chrysalis, the last butterfly out and gone. Thank god. don't have to keep looking for more swan-plants to feed it. Can do something else now."
Isn't it amazing how nature's gifts can totally awe the life of an ordinary human being? Nature works in mysterious ways!
Above, a famous quote above forwarded to me by my little sister, Ping who lives in the island of Waiheke, North Island, New Zealand.
She sends me the above picture with the following words...
"...these are the only pets we've had (Monarch butterflies), and will have (apart from the birds that come and go): (we've had them inside, which has been good for them, because there's been a type of wasp that have been eating them outside) the last one's flown away 2 days ago!..."
I chuckled when she sent me the photos of her "pets" a gazillion times and teased her that they were turning out to be her "kids"!
She adds..."...so funny: the 1st butterfly really did feel like "Oh! The first 'child'/one! Oh! Will it be able to fly out to find the right food? (It sure won't be eating the same thing as a caterpillar!) Will it be able to fly out and survive the weather outside? Will it be able to find its mate? Is it coded to be able to do all these things? It's a bizarre feeling alright. And then the 2nd one pops out: oh! I've seen a similar you before - you'll be alright. By the 3rd, and then the 4th, the 5th, the .... err... kinda lost track.
But the final one's obvious - the last chrysalis, the last butterfly out and gone. Thank god. don't have to keep looking for more swan-plants to feed it. Can do something else now."
Isn't it amazing how nature's gifts can totally awe the life of an ordinary human being? Nature works in mysterious ways!
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Sabah Adventure Challenge 2007 - The Results
Team WTF (Woman and Two Fellas?) was so close to smelling the asses of the top 8 competitors! Sigh! We shall try harder, next time! :)
Yellow, yellow, dirty woman and 2 fellows!Green, green, Singaporean teams!
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Sabah Adventure Challenge 2007 - Photographic Evidence
Okidoks, here are some photos taken by....Mingloid of the SAC 2007 Race and Whitewaterrafting in Padas River
Rabani HMA's photos (great shots!)
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Sabah Adventure Challenge 2007
My first adventure race for this year had to be none other than the Sabah Adventure Challenge 2007! My teammates, Mingloid and Kenny the Alien and I unanimously agreed that we shall be called "Team WTF"...and you will see why when we write out account about this 3-day torture fest!
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LOCALS TRIUMPH
WE ARE THE CHAMPS …Guianus and Yusuf registering themselves at the final checkpoint.
Speedy recovery to Chris of Team Gay who had to pull out after having recovered from the flu, and Samuel, who left a little bitta skin on the tarmac trails of Sabah!
And many thanks to Ian for the use of his van, and for the campfood! Spaghetti and potato never tasted so good!
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Meanwhile, here is an article in the Sabah Times! Too bad we couldn't smell the top 3 positions and had to contend with a lucky 8th for the adventure category. It's a miracle that we didn't get as seriously lost as some of the other teams, thanks to wondertwin Mingloid and Ken with extraordinary navigational powers! :)
LOCALS TRIUMPH
WE ARE THE CHAMPS …Guianus and Yusuf registering themselves at the final checkpoint.
11th April, 2007
KOTA KINABALU: The local team of Guianus Salagan and Mohd Yusuf proved their mettle in the just concluded 8th Sabah Adventure Challenge against all odds – the scorching heat and challenging terrain – to come out top.
Of the 72 participants comprising 34 teams from Malaysia, Singapore, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, France and Switzerland, six teams eventually had to withdraw from the race halfway due to heat exhaustion and symptoms of sun-stroke.
Calling their team the Mansau Ansau, Guianus, a renowned adventure racer and Yusuf finished top in the grueling three-day challenge with their total accumulated time of 20 hours and 29 seconds, followed by Born 4 Sport a team of Simon Bond, Greg Shand and Cameroon Richards with 20 hours and 59 seconds, SART team of Wilson Low and Samuel Lien with 21 hours and 51 seconds.
The teams started off from the Monsopiad Cultural Village in Penampang, covering a total of 180 kilometres over three days of multi-sporting disciplines in the lower Crocker Range separating Penampang and Papar districts.
Favourites North Face with top Asian champions Ryan Blair and Stuart Sharpless took an early lead on day one but were bounced out of contention for the top spot on day two, when Stuart withdrew from the race due to severe heat exhaustion and had to be attended to by event doctors.
It was from here that the eventual champions Guianus and Yusuf showed their prowess by dominating the race and building a healthy lead over the determined chasing pack.
After the mountain biking from Monsopiad on day one and taking on the massive Crocker Range ridges to reach the base camp at Kampung Kaiduan in Papar, teams were given the challenge of a team biathlon and kayaking sections through the mangrove swamps in Papar and a hike to Kampung Kawang.
After the mountain biking from Monsopiad on day one and taking on the massive Crocker Range ridges to reach the base camp at Kampung Kaiduan in Papar, teams were given the challenge of a team biathlon and kayaking sections through the mangrove swamps in Papar and a hike to Kampung Kawang.
The teams had to battle the afternoon heat on their mountain bikes back to Kampung Kaiduan, before a major river crossing and dramatic trail run, that saw local Riverbug Team 2 taking over the lead, while seconds behind were SART Team from Singapore.
From there, the teams ran to Inanam where they were faced by yet another uphill challenge – a 25-metre absail section over the Kionsom Waterfall.
From there, the teams ran to Inanam where they were faced by yet another uphill challenge – a 25-metre absail section over the Kionsom Waterfall.
The final sprint to the finish line was in vain for the Riverbug Team 2 as they were an hour and a half behind the top three winners based on their three-day overall accumulated times, and to make matters worse, they were also penalized for missing a major check-point during the first day race.
Of the 72 teams, six teams had to withdraw from the grueling races due to fatigue, exhaustion and heat stroke, while nine women racers however completed the entire race.
The event, held in the Penampang and Papar Districts for the first time was flagged off by Penampang Member of Parliament Donald Mojuntin, who was also on hand to give away the prizes to the winners at the end of the race.
The Sabah Adventure Challenge is a voluntary event masterminded by adventure race director Aman Avtar Sandhu together with DHI and FieldSkills, which was sponsored by Coca Cola, Ayam Brand, Hyatt Kinabalu, Sabah Travel Guide, Monsopiad Cultural Village and Powerbar.
The Sabah Adventure Challenge is a voluntary event masterminded by adventure race director Aman Avtar Sandhu together with DHI and FieldSkills, which was sponsored by Coca Cola, Ayam Brand, Hyatt Kinabalu, Sabah Travel Guide, Monsopiad Cultural Village and Powerbar.
In the xiongalingam "Extreme" category, Singapore athletes, Wilson Low (aka Adventure Racer) and Samuel Lien, of Team SART, clinched third position following closely after the Sabahans and pretty-boy team, Born 4 Sport!
Another Singaporean SART Team wisely decided to ditch the "Extreme" category they partook in last year, in favour of the xiongalesser "Adventure" category, kicking the asses of the other participants, coming in tops! This mixed team comprises 1 of the 2 female naval divers in Singapore, Grace Chan (the other female naval diver being Esther Tan, of course) and naval officer, Teck Wee.
Hats off to Keith Ng and Kee Ling of Team Catch Me If You Can for their perserverance and determination in sticking to the Extreme category, despite getting seriously lost in the Sabah jungles in the middle of the moonlit night!
Hats off to Keith Ng and Kee Ling of Team Catch Me If You Can for their perserverance and determination in sticking to the Extreme category, despite getting seriously lost in the Sabah jungles in the middle of the moonlit night!
Speedy recovery to Chris of Team Gay who had to pull out after having recovered from the flu, and Samuel, who left a little bitta skin on the tarmac trails of Sabah!
And many thanks to Ian for the use of his van, and for the campfood! Spaghetti and potato never tasted so good!
BTW, we found out that SART stands for "Singapore Adventure Racing Team" and not "Singapore Search and Rescue Team" which Ken thought it to be. From the looks of things, some teams may actually have needed their search and rescue services, especially those who are not too good with google earth maps!
All in all, congrats to our Singaporean teams! You do us proud (esp coming from a country with no mountains)!
All in all, congrats to our Singaporean teams! You do us proud (esp coming from a country with no mountains)!
THE BACKLOG DISEASE
I just realised I haven't blogged since 1 Feb!
I've been meaning to pen down the events that have happened since then....including stuff that are close to being relegated to specks of data in my already overcrowded harddrive! Let's see....what's on the to do list?
1. MTBing South Island, New Zealand, 2006
2. MTBing Himachal Pradesh, 2006
3. Vacation in Chiang Mai, Thailand 2007
4. Whaleshark Expedition, Diving, South Leyte, Philippines, 2007
5. Tour de OBS, Ubin, Singapore, 2007
6. Action Asia Challenge, 2005 and 2006
7. Nomad Adventure Eco-X-Capade, 2006
8. Sabah Adventure Challenge, 2007
9. China MTB Series, Kunming China, 2007
10. Vacation in Dali and Lijiang, China 2007
11. Visit by IMBA's Joey Klein, 2007
12. Other MTB adventures : Railway, Istana Woodneuk, Kiara etc. etc.
My excuse : why waste the sunshine being indoors when you can be outdoors basking in all its glory? Oh, and not forgetting the office work which is attacking in battalions!
I used to compile comprehensive accounts of my travels in the form of super thick albums, but in my effort to save the trees, I've decided to do it online (though nothing beats flipping through the pages of one's own personal archives)!
But like all good things, it takes time to get it done.
Someone once remarked that accounts are meant to be recorded only in old age when one supposedly has lots of time in our hands. However, memories fade, and with each passing procratinated minute, you lose a detail of perhaps some importance!
So, I shall attempt to fight the backlog disease, step by step.
Now, let's see....what did I do this morning?
I've been meaning to pen down the events that have happened since then....including stuff that are close to being relegated to specks of data in my already overcrowded harddrive! Let's see....what's on the to do list?
1. MTBing South Island, New Zealand, 2006
2. MTBing Himachal Pradesh, 2006
3. Vacation in Chiang Mai, Thailand 2007
4. Whaleshark Expedition, Diving, South Leyte, Philippines, 2007
5. Tour de OBS, Ubin, Singapore, 2007
6. Action Asia Challenge, 2005 and 2006
7. Nomad Adventure Eco-X-Capade, 2006
8. Sabah Adventure Challenge, 2007
9. China MTB Series, Kunming China, 2007
10. Vacation in Dali and Lijiang, China 2007
11. Visit by IMBA's Joey Klein, 2007
12. Other MTB adventures : Railway, Istana Woodneuk, Kiara etc. etc.
My excuse : why waste the sunshine being indoors when you can be outdoors basking in all its glory? Oh, and not forgetting the office work which is attacking in battalions!
I used to compile comprehensive accounts of my travels in the form of super thick albums, but in my effort to save the trees, I've decided to do it online (though nothing beats flipping through the pages of one's own personal archives)!
But like all good things, it takes time to get it done.
Someone once remarked that accounts are meant to be recorded only in old age when one supposedly has lots of time in our hands. However, memories fade, and with each passing procratinated minute, you lose a detail of perhaps some importance!
So, I shall attempt to fight the backlog disease, step by step.
Now, let's see....what did I do this morning?
Thursday, February 01, 2007
BlueBones......babe is called...BlueBones....
T'was a Gandalf-Shadowfax moment when Maximuzz unveiled to me a familiar face when I got home this evening.....
"Hey there, I feel like I know you....very well?"
Maximuzz discloses that she's 100% Firefly, with a complete makeover! Not only did she get a face lift (stickers replaced with freshpaint), she had undergone structural surgery to make her stronger. After he bumped into her in the bike shop, he knew that she was still the bike for me, and decided to take her home!
Nothing is more exciting than to be reunited with your steed once again....
Like a phoenix rising from the flames and ashes, Firefly is reborn! From the fiery red that engulfed her, she has risen to the sky, drifting in cool shades of blue, anchored by a solid white cloud of SIDney! What a delightful early Valentine's present!
Now, what shall we call her? Well, she's gotta have one as she's no longer...red? Have you ever seen a blue firefly? Even Gandalf the Grey eventually became Gandalf the White...
"I think I'll call her...Sky?"
Maximuzz looks at the Ikea doggy bag standing beside her and suggests in jest, "Why not, Missy Blue Bones?"
I decided to go for a little spin to think it over. Decisions, decisions!
Met up with Nur to hand up my Club Rainbow pledge card. I asked Chickadees Jeannie and Simon for their opinion. They gave their unanimous stamp of approval : "BlueBones"!
I started reflecting - do I really need 2 mountain bikes (well, 3...Sweetlips is on loan to Camelia)? How will I split my time and attention between Chili and BlueBones? I can't bear to lose BlueBones again...nor can I give Chili up!
I guess I'll continue riding BlueBones til it's really retirement time. Or they'll just have to learn how to share organs!
I am now officially the proud owner of 3 steeds! :)
Hearts on Wheels 2007
Why did the chicken cross the road? Well, isn't it obvious? To raise funds for charity!When asked whom we wanted to group with for this ride, almost instantaneously we found our flock of feathered friends : Jeannie-the Mother Hen, George-the Navigator, Mart-the Laughing Chickadee and Ling-the Photo Cluck, and not forgetting our honorary Mata-Cock, Simon.....whatever Simon says, we will abide by! hee hee! We had Nizan, fellow mountain-biker on slicks for a while, but he flew too fast and furious ahead....
For an account of the adventures of the CoolClucksClan over 1 day of practice ride from Singapore to Pontian, and 3 days of talk"cock", singsong, click on the links below.
Photos by Merciless, Captions for day 1 and 2 by Mart, and captions for Practice Ride and Day 3 by Merciless.....
Pontian Ride Photos
Day 1 Ride Photos
Day 2 Ride Photos
Day 3 Ride PhotosFor more awesome photos taken by fellow riders...
Linden's album
Vivek's album
Simon's album
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
0006 - The Chili Manja
Introducing.....my new steed, The Chili Manja - ooo6 (pronounced triple o six)
Ain't she a beauty? She was a gift (in parts) from my usual biking khakis for me birthday last year! Sweet! Chili's fork's still getting a paint job, so in the meantime, she's receiving a temporary frontal organ donated by Mingloid's wife! Thanks so much, Chris!
Above bears testiment to the artistry and creativity of my adventure buddy, Mingloid. Before Chili Manja was unveiled (I lie, I knew what she looked like all along), this box was given to me as a token. Damn cool! The names of the those who contributed were scribbled on the right hand corner in red! 10Q to you all!
If life were a box of chocolates, this would be it! Come to think of it, if they had a section on creativity for races, I'm sure Ming and I will do pretty well!
On closer inspection, there are some pretty cool re-cycled (get it?) bike gadgets....wait til you open the ol' film tin...
That was the exact expression on my face when I tested my new bike! Woo hoo! Of course, this wouldn't have been possible without Maximuzz, who made all this happen!
Ain't she a beauty? She was a gift (in parts) from my usual biking khakis for me birthday last year! Sweet! Chili's fork's still getting a paint job, so in the meantime, she's receiving a temporary frontal organ donated by Mingloid's wife! Thanks so much, Chris!
Above bears testiment to the artistry and creativity of my adventure buddy, Mingloid. Before Chili Manja was unveiled (I lie, I knew what she looked like all along), this box was given to me as a token. Damn cool! The names of the those who contributed were scribbled on the right hand corner in red! 10Q to you all!
If life were a box of chocolates, this would be it! Come to think of it, if they had a section on creativity for races, I'm sure Ming and I will do pretty well!
On closer inspection, there are some pretty cool re-cycled (get it?) bike gadgets....wait til you open the ol' film tin...
That was the exact expression on my face when I tested my new bike! Woo hoo! Of course, this wouldn't have been possible without Maximuzz, who made all this happen!
Smooches to you and Chili Manja! Chili and I are startin' to get along just fine! :)
Friday, January 19, 2007
Work those wheels for charity!
The concept for riding for charity is nothing new in Singapore, but it's something new for me. Am really looking forward to it.This charity is pretty close to heart as I've been volunteering for several Camp Rainbows over the years and have gotten to know some of the kids. I guess one would feel more committed to a cause especially if one has met those who will benefit from your fundraising activities.
Cost for the ride : $140.
Funds to be raised : Min $350
Experience for me : Priceless
Benefits to the charity : Depends on how much I am able to raise
So, if any of you kind souls out there would like to help me raise funds, you can email me at lingemerciless@pacific.net.sg and I will arrange to collect the donation proceeds from ya.
If you want to know more about the organisers, click on Singapore Women's Cycling Team.
And last and by no means least, click on Club Rainbow for more information about the beneficiaries.
Thanking you all in advance.
Merciless (hopefully with a merciful heart)
Monday, January 08, 2007
Gotheborg, the East Indiaman from Sweden
Sat 6 Jan. Mingloid, Merciless, Winnie the Pooh and her sista, Cherry Berry, head on down to the Promenade at Vivocity for a personal guided tour of the Svedish vessel, the Gotheborg. I was especially interested in meeting this ship as I'd been to Gothenburg, the motherland of this vessel.
Above : The ship (on ze left) docks at the Promenade in the body of water between Vivocity and Sentosa. [Somehow, those Quay cranes to the right (if that's what they're called) remind me of the Imperial Walkers in Star Wars]
Above : Siva, one of the 4 Singaporeans on board the vessel, shares his experience as a crew, sailing the HK-Singapore leg of the journey. Read more about their adventures here.
Above : Mingloid, moi and Winnie climb the upperdeck of Vivocity for a more wholistic view of the Swedish beauty! For an account of our adventures for that morning, click here or on photo above for lotsa photos and write-ups...
Other websites you may wana check out :-
The Gotheborg Project
SOIC
Looking back, I don't think I've been on many large vessels (not counting the liveonboard ones that bring you to the dive havens or deep sea fishing, or those at ferry terminals which ferry you or your bike or vehicle from 1 place to another)....let's see...
* USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) - I remember it as "the Ike" - my parents brought me on this boat when I was yeh high (probably that of one of the stubs that you tie a rope around). Couldn't remember much except for the little pins they were distributing with "I LOVE IKE" printed on them. Still have one of those pins at home, somewhere.
* RV Heraclitus - From 1995 to 2006, it carried out coral reef studies with the Planetary Coral Reef Foundation around the world, exploring the islands and cultures of the Pacific while collecting data on the health and vitality of coral reefs. It made a stop in Singapore, and that's when a bunch of me Koh Kong Marine Conservation mates (including moi) took the chance to jump aboard and dream about sailing around the world on this lovely converted Chinese junk!
*Star Aquarius - Spent Chinese New Year on one of these cruises with my family many years ago. Great fun, except when you're sleeping just above the engine. Just found out it's now called Pearl of Scandanavia!
One vessel I would have loved to visit is none other than Jacques Cousteau's famous, Calypso - which was featured in Cousteau's long-running television series about the world's oceans! At least our claim to fame was that it sank in one of our shipyard's shallow waters after it had arrived in Singapore following a research and filming mission in China and Vietnam.
The date? 8 January 1996! That's exactly 11 years ago, today!
Friday, January 05, 2007
Penang Jamboree 2006 - Can You Survive?
Penang MTB Jamboree 2 -3 December 2006
Saturday : Penang Heritage on Wheels (Phew)
Sunday : Can you Survive? [xx] participants
Having ridden a majority of this year's trail last year, I thought I'd survive the ride. Rumour had it that this was going to be the toughest jamboree yet - and I was so looking forward to the 37 switchbacks, a finger-wrenching feature which appeared once upon a time in the first Jamboree.
Saturday : Penang Heritage on Wheels (Phew)
Sunday : Can you Survive? [xx] participants
Having ridden a majority of this year's trail last year, I thought I'd survive the ride. Rumour had it that this was going to be the toughest jamboree yet - and I was so looking forward to the 37 switchbacks, a finger-wrenching feature which appeared once upon a time in the first Jamboree.
The above just about sums up this year's disappointing ride; the only ones being disappointed being those who got majorly lost...including me, lucky No 8 (or so I thought)! Sigh!
I remembered cheong-ing with the front pack (which I later found out to be the first 50 or so bikers, not that it matters now or at all), climbing steadily and focusing on the narrow paths leading up to....errr....well, just up!
We finally came upon a fork. I looked up and I thought, "@$)*&@$)&@)!!! Friggin Hell!!!! These Penang-ites are REAL sadistic @$*&@$)&@$"!
Right before me, a killer hill which was so steep that the 10 or so bikers scattered on the slope were pushing, some resting every few metres to catch their breath! I didn't even bother looking at the left option of the fork since my mind was fixated on making it to the top of this bike-n-hike section! This was turning out to be another adventure race!
That was when things went completely wrong..........without me realising it. It never crossed my mind to question the well marked out red / white tapes I was following. I was so embroiled in conversation with the other bikers, who seemed comfortable enough with where they were heading.
"I'm in the company of other bikers, some of them from Penang", I thought to myself. "I should be on the right path".
I proceeded to mash on up, up and away, and then down, down, down! Wheeeee....this is really fun! And oh, what a nice new trail they have carved out for us this year! But where are...all the other bikers? It has been sometime since any biker overtook me, and vice versa.
The euphoria of the "cheong" was finally beginning to wear off. I finally bump into Terence, fellow LOST victim, and we exchange notes. It was then that we realised we were...LOST! Shortly after, a Penang-ite appears, followed by 2 other blur Malay bikers.
We asked the Penang biker whether we could make our way back up from whence we came. The look on this face said it all! No....way! But hey, where's the "never-say-die" attitude? Even if I wanted to turn back, I wouldn't know which was the wrong turning we took. Sigh!
The 5 of us unanimously decided to follow our guide, who said he'll lead us to Air Hitam market, and to where we started off. Siggggggggghhhhhhhhhh! No 37 switchbacks this year!
Terence and I were the only ones from the LOST team who managed to collect stickers for CP1 and 5. After returning to the finish line, we found out there were others who were equally lost. This Ipoh gentleman got lost 3 times! Poor fella!
When I told others the story, I had some sympathy votes, as well as non-sympathetic remarks from others who chided me for trying to speed ahead of others - but I was only striving for me best timing? :(
Alex McNab's response was the most unexpected :-
1. Have you been eating a lot of beef lately?
2. Did you pee without saying thank you?
Come to think of it, I plead guilty to both.
Lessons learnt this year :
1. always follow the exact markers described in the briefing
2. don't assume that the locals know where they're going
3. sometimes, it doesn't pay to cheong with your eyes closed
4. try to avoid eating beef when you're cycling on sacred buddhist grounds
5. always ask for permission before you pee in the wildnerness, and don't forget to say thank you!
Above : elevation chart (of the ride I didn't finish - boo hoo), compliments of Chwee.
Above : GSP readings (of the ride that I missed - sigh), compliments of Wayne.
Let's move on to other things. Above : Cool editing function, available only in select Canon cameras. Photos compliments of Angela and Wayne.
Above : This is the first year that we're staying in Georgetown - close to where all the good food is! I also got to visit the Kek Lok Si temple in detail....maybe the forces that be was telling me to slow down, and smell the laksa (no beef please)!
Penang Jamboree 2006 was both Firefly and Chiku's swansong epic ride. It was also the 5th year that moi, Mingloid and Eric Bak Chor Mee have been dragging our asses up Penang Hill since it's inception.
The organisers forgot about us during the dinner :( Apparently, we had used multiple names over the years for our multiple-personas. They quickly made up for it by presenting to us each a lovely Penang Jam cap with our names personally stitched!Awwwwww.....you shouldn't have!
But kudos to the KOTRT folk for bringing us so much joy year after year, without fail! We really must return the favour by organising our very own Singapore Torture Jamboree! :)
For more stories in pix, click here :
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Farewell Firefly
"When are you going to change your bike? You've been using the same frame since I first met you! Look at the poor state of her! Time for a change!"
I get that comment many times, even from bikers who have picked up the sport after I joined, and left it many years after.
But is there a need for a change? Firefly's stuck with me, through thick and thin all these years. She's never let me down once (hmmm....except for the face plant incident, but I accept full responsibility for not steering her in the right direction)!
And why does she need a new paintjob? Why are bikes touted as more worthy of praise and attention with a new coat of shiny paint? I like her just the way she is! If there was ever a term for those bruises and scratches, I'd say it was "character-building". Besides, it complements those appearing on its rider's knees and shoulders. Hey, we work as a team!
Sadly though, the abuse that she's endured over the past half decade has taken a toll on her badly beaten up body. It's not just the exterior I've been told. She is in need of a layer of protection, which if left to procrastination, may lead to a spreading of the corrosive disease.
I've had to make one of the toughest decisions - to let Firefly go!
I bid thee farewell, my dearest Firefly! May you have many more good years with your new owner, whoever he or she may be!
I get that comment many times, even from bikers who have picked up the sport after I joined, and left it many years after.
But is there a need for a change? Firefly's stuck with me, through thick and thin all these years. She's never let me down once (hmmm....except for the face plant incident, but I accept full responsibility for not steering her in the right direction)!
And why does she need a new paintjob? Why are bikes touted as more worthy of praise and attention with a new coat of shiny paint? I like her just the way she is! If there was ever a term for those bruises and scratches, I'd say it was "character-building". Besides, it complements those appearing on its rider's knees and shoulders. Hey, we work as a team!
Sadly though, the abuse that she's endured over the past half decade has taken a toll on her badly beaten up body. It's not just the exterior I've been told. She is in need of a layer of protection, which if left to procrastination, may lead to a spreading of the corrosive disease.
I've had to make one of the toughest decisions - to let Firefly go!
I bid thee farewell, my dearest Firefly! May you have many more good years with your new owner, whoever he or she may be!
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