NTU Bike Rally | My Bike Shop Singapore

Hello everyone,

Yes 10 days left to the 128km/168km NTU Bike Rally
http://mybikeshopsg.wordpress.com/2011/01/09/ntu-bike-rally-2011-new-starting-point-f1-pit-but-still-the-same-challenge/

For those who have been training – WELL done! For those who have not..not to worry, it’s really a test of will and buttocks endurance.

The128km should always be thought of doing 5 times of the ECP Ride (Non stop F2 to Changi Village and back) or 4 times of the Tuas night ride (West Coast Carpark to Tuas end and back) nonstop. Why 5 X for ECP and 4 X for the Tuas? 128km brings you through a number of slopes throughout the ride and the ECP is very much a flat ride so you need to train your body to cope with 5 X the distance of 35km in one go.

BUT the most important thing we have learnt really is to make sure that you have a good saddle. As your muscle fatigues, all that weight will be on the perineum and no amount of sponge or padding will help once the soreness sets in. Nerves that run though your perineum once damage is irreparable so do not lose a nerve just because you want to be a “128 km Finisher”.

This is not a sales pitch but the Rido and SQ Lab saddles have been used by many in such rides and they really do help. 10 days more to go and do send us an email if you are joining the ride, see you this 27 Feb Sunday morning at Marina F1 pit stop.

Testimonials of Rido R2 users

http://www.rido-cyclesaddles.com/and-more-comments-2-c100009.html

For those who have had the opportunity to take part in this ride in the last 3 years when they restarted the rides, it is one of the more affordable registrations (S$26 this year) to take part in a widely participated cycling event. NTU Sports Club organises this event every year and it is a gruelling 128km ride round Singapore. I must say you get to see the CBD area, Labrador Park, NTU Campus, the out of the way warehouses and industrial parks at the East, West and Kranji, Farmways at Lim Chu Kang, Mandai roads, HDB estates and many PCNs… but MAN this ride is challenging. But for those who completed it, you will find that tackling shorter distances in the 100km distances NOT THAT daunting anymore. Am serious, when you cycle often, you realise how small Singapore is. When you “earn” that 128km T shirt, you wear it proudly KNOWING that YOU can DO IT!

I take my hat off those who ride rental bikes . Many of us were part of the Safety riders in 2008/09 and it takes courage for these young people to take on this ride with a bike that they know little about. Along the way you will see chain slips, gears that do not work, cramps, heat exhaustion and really injuries to the joints and spirit.

For foldies, we have got a community who have completed these rides but we do ask that riders take note of a few things:

1. Get some training done, start with doing 30km (non stop) , 2 times 30km (non stop) and eventually be able to do 90km in one go and then go for the actual event.

2. Have a good size water bottle to refill your water and stay hydrated. Guide is a sip every 15 minutes.

3. Keep some energy snacks. While the NTU Sport Club makes every effort to make available bananas, lunch, isotonic drinks and sponsored buns for riders. They are usually wolved down by the lead pack and slow riders may have little left.

4. Carry sunglasses, sunblock, UV arm sleeves, muscle cream (Counterpain; For cramps), rain coat as weather in Singapore can be unpredictable. Get good saddles and have a good bike with at least 7 speeds (more is better!). Some money as you can stop by petrol stations and 7-eleven shops for that energy drink or snack.

5. Ride in a group, it really helps to boost morale and also have someone to help you in case of exhaustion or cramps ( Especially after the half way point).

6. Have spare tubes and tools.

7. Train train train

8. Talk to people who have done the ride and get tips

9. Wear helmet and have a good rest before pror to the ride and plan NOTHING on the next Monday as you will have sore butts, sore muscles and anywhere else that has not done 128km in one go!

10. Have fun on that day, its not a race!

Take note that the OCBC Cycle is on the 6 Mar which is the Sunday after this ride.

My Bike Shop will be organising training rides and also forming riding group(s) on the actual day so that we can push each other along. So send us an email checkmybikeshop@gmail.com if you are not a member of our forum. C ya!