God Saves The Queen!

2012 marks the most interesting year for me. "Why so?" You may asked. 

Well, this is the year that I got hammered again and again in my face with the world most marketable flag! The Olympics, Team GB, Paul Smith, UK Mountain Biking Magazine and Journals. UK bikes, The West End, and of course, 007, James Bond!

I am most convinced that the Union Jack is the world most marketable flag than any other flags. Not even the the Stars and Stripes can beat that. 

So to celebrate that, 2013 will be a celebration of my allegiance with Her Majesty.... more UK products and more Union Jack!

My Next Purchase to Protect my Skull from Monkey Attack in the Trail!!!

 

What's your size?

There has been a long debate in the Mountain Biking World what is the optimum size for the bike. 26inch, 27.5inch aka 650B or the 29inch? 

This video will probably explain it further and with insight from the industry expert, things might get a little clearer here.



Courtesy from bikerumor.com

The Rainwalker!

Okay, I do have a confession that I am a geek when it comes to equipments and gears for outdoor sports. Boa Lacing footwears, Yankz Shoe Laces, Buff Headgear, Mountain Bike Shorts designed by riders...the list goes on and on.

So what am I going to review or talk about? Backpack! A waterproof backpack that is a huge fraction of the price of the high end branded backpacks...you know what I am talking about. 

Sometimes I just like those underdog products that does not have a strong branding but have design integrity in them that will last a long time. So, I am testing out the Rainwalker. Rain what??? Yes, Rainwalker. Design and made by a small German umbrella making company. The backpack a roll-top waterproofed back that uses the suspension cradle that holds down a 20 litre drybag. It is not something that is new. Many years ago, Dana Design now under Marmot design a back called the Racer X and Raid Z based on the same technology. It was later used by some of the top Adventure Racing Teams. The design then was pretty much a refreshing breakthrough. But, there wasn't much development after the Dana Design era. 

 Got myself a yellow one more for safety at night

 

Surprisingly, after some years of hiatus, Eberhard Gobel Co from Germany brought it back. So with less than $200, you can get your a well-designed drybag rucksack that you can use it for your hiking, and perhaps a little more extreme adventure. I am taking my new toy out for my numerous adventure (Hiking, Rock Climbing and Mountain Biking) to see if it live up to its reputation. Stay Tuned!

Lace Up!!! Boa!!!

I am not a marketing or brand ambassador but rather I advocate technologically advance products that worth trying. I love my sports equipment to be reliable and I hate to have equipment failure while I am out doing the sports I love the most. So I ditch the conventional laces and switch side to Boa!

Why Boa? from Boa Technology on Vimeo.

From the Land, Fell Running is invented!

With a good base on running (from Fell Running) and excellent swim. The Brownlee Brothers claim Gold and Bronze in Olympic 2012.

Go Team GB!!!

Failure is NOT an OPTION! Really????

Green Corridor Partial (Part 2)

 Behind Cold Storage Jelita

Oops...I did it again! 

After one week from the last Green Corridor Ride, I have this nagging voice in my head that says "Finish it off!" So I did...or should I say I attempted to. What does it mean?

Data recorded of the ride. Courtesy of Runkeeper.com

Okay, I ATTEMPTED to finish the Southward Bound Trail. But I have to stop midway to turn back. All thanks to the Weather Alert Apps on my iPhone. Which the storm did came only after 2hrs after the ride.

Somewhere near Science Park (Midway Shot)

One thing I must really say is it is a haven within the mad traffic rush. I could zip from Bukit Timah to Buona Vista within 20mins on my bike in the traffic and imagine if you work in places like Fusionopolis or Biopolis. This is probably a mad traffic rush solution for some who loves to have a morning workout. 20mins from Bukit Timah to Office. How cool is that?

The trail is extremely ride-able and you get to see the natural scenery and also local landscape from another angle. The whole ride (to and fro) took me about 1hr 15mins plus some photo taking.

 Outside Bukit Timah Station

I will be attempting the south bound route one more time just to satisfy my self-gratifying ego...hahaha...perhaps more like that nagging voice that will  probably hit me in the head again.

 Close up of Scion outside Bukit Timah Station

Fat Tyre Romance

Well, this is going to be short. It has been some time since our last outing on the Sirius. I decided that we should do a ride on a Sunday and we did. We googled around for some of the available Park Connectors near our place and we zeroed in to one that seems to be near our place.

Took us some time to get ready and when we finally did...we zip out from the main gate of our place and off we go. To cut the story short, we actually did not make it. Only managed to go to Seletar Reservoir which we always pass by during our road riding days.

After zooming around the little place and of course some photo taking. Just realized that such little Fat Tyre Riding can be fun and romantic. A great sunset ride on Sunday to start the week!

Green Corridor Partial

Decided to do a morning to noon right yesterday. I have walked this section of the Green Corridor about a year ago. That was a night walk and I can barely remember what happen as it is a group walk and seriously what can you see at night.

So, after much thoughts decided on going to try it out in the day and do it on my trusted Steed. The Pipedream Scion responded very well on this trail and I cannot really ask for more. The first section was typical a open flowing singletrack like trail with a little bit of bums here and there which makes the ride fun for those who like a bit of hopping around. What happen next is chance for you to have a top view of the road access to the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. You just stand right on top of the bridge and have a top view of everything down on the road. Watch out for the rocky sliding session on the bridge and the remain track as a reminder of what it used to be.

Map of the Ride. Courtesy of Runkeeper.com

To cut it short, I managed to get my exit at the Rail Mall near to the Hillview and Chestnut Drive Estate and link my way back to the Bukit Timah Mountain Bike Trail and zip my way back to Rifle Range right before the end of Noon Time.

I would simply says that it is a good lunch time work out with fair bit of sun and scenery. Of course, a trusted steed makes a good companion that makes the ride sweeter.

Pipedream Skyline R931 Stainless Steel

Call me crazy, but I am having a love affair with Steel Mountain Bike frame. After building a Reynolds 853 Scion and then recently managed to complete the Reynolds 853 Sirius for my wife.

I was told that Pipedream is launching a 100pcs only Reynolds 931 Stainless Steel Frame. The frame is below 4lbs for my size. I just want to be the owner of a piece of fine steel workmanship. Only 100pcs. and it is only GBP1200. I WANT ONE!!!! That's all I can say.

A cut out from July Issue of Mountain Bike Rider from UK

Sirius Riding....???

Well well, I finally took my dearest wife for her first real mountain bike ride...and seriously or siriusly...the bike proves to be very responsive and hardy. But one issue here...the terrain is too daunting for her have the full confident to do it.

 After "Baptism of Mud", the Sirius is ready to roll!

Silly me! I should have know this is way too hard for her. After much trying and deliberation and of course fuel with a fair bit of frustration, we finally found one route that is moderately challenging for her to finish. Thank God! We managed to get things going and she eventually told me that she enjoys it.

What a day out with the new bike!

Post-Ride on top of USS Blackie!

Bike Build (Journey of the Pipedream Frame)

This project has been long overdue but nevertheless I still managed to pull this off. Bought this frame with the intention to build a Pipedream Cycles bike for my wife in December last year when we were on holiday in Wales, UK.

Met Stuart from Pipedream Cycles and he handed us the bike frame from his car boot in the middle of a golf resort. We manage to carry the frame around during our UK road trip for the next 2 weeks. Frame been to the Lake District, York, and then back to London and finally arrive in Singapore. That is together with 4 pieces of luggage before we hop on the plane.  I do not know how we managed to do it getting on and off the train from York to London and zipping in the Tube from King's Cross Station to Heathrow Airport. But we did!

Ok, finally we got it back to Singapore and I was excited about the frame and started showing everyone the frames and later I discovered that the frame I bought could also fit a bigger wheel size of 650B (27.5inch). After staring at the frame long enough, I decided to have a red and white theme. After setting up the initial setup with with seatpost, stem and handlebar, work started setting in and I was too busy to do anything about it...yes, yes...EXCUSES!

Alright, to cut the story short, I was becoming desperate as my wife is asking me where is her bike (Christmas and Birthday Present)...oops...I am so in trouble. I scramble to get my acts together, bought the drivetrain (Shimano SLX and XT), found a suspension fork, build a set of wheels and whip in the saddle. Finally after close to 5months, which is ridiculous in my opinion, I managed to put the bikes together. Phew!

Component:

Stem: Infinity 90mm
Seatpost: Infinity 27.2
Handlebar:Inifinity Riser Bar Aluminium
Wheels: Shimano XT (Front hub 15mm TA, Rear Hub 9mm QR) With Loaded AM/XC Rims (Red) and DT Spokes
Grip: Oury Lock-On Grip
Pedal: Kowa Platform
Fork: X-Fusion Velvet RL
Headset: FSA Orbit
Saddle: Tioga Spyder R

 Drivetrain:

Brakes: Shimano SLX with Shimano XT 160mm Centerlock Rotor (Non-Icetech)
Shifter: Shimano SLX
Crankset: Shimano SLX
Cassette: Shimano SLX
Front Deraileur: Shimano SLX
Rear Deraileur: Shimano SLX
Bottom Bracket: Shimano SLX
Cables: Brakes (Goodridge Braided Stainless Steel Cable - RED), Shifter (Shimano Red Cable Housing)

Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish!

Today we are informed that the father of personal computers and the trail blazer of modern technology has left us.

The world has lost a visionary, and the company has lost a great pilot of innovation and leaders of immense foresight. He has change the whole world on how computing should be. If not for him, there will not be social media, beautiful and well-spaced fonts in your documents, and most of all without him, the whole world will not have smart telecommunication on our palm.

Rest In Peace Steve! We Love You and you will always be remembered for the one that change computing!

God's Creation (Mystical and Unbelievable)

Chance upon this link lately. This is a documentary series by Discovery Channel that explore the human body by investigating the ultimate testing that human body is able to take and to find the superhuman ability that we have never discovered.

Perhaps this superhuman ability is what people say "God's Strength". This is the strength that perhaps God has put it in way in the beginning that it will only be used and run on overdrive when challenges, crisis and danger happens. That is the awesome and mystical creation that we never knew.

Episode 1




Episode 2




Episode 3




Episode 4

Chronologue of Bikes

I am not sure how many of you have keep tap of the bikes that you have ridden or at least your mountain bikes. Anyway, I have decided to put down mine since I have just looked back at the bikes that I used to own:

1) 1992 to 1994 - Marin Bolinas Ridge - Rigid Chromoly Straight Gauge with SR Suntour parts

2) 1994 to 1998 - Marin Eldridge Grade - Rigid Chromoly Double Butts with XT parts (Later Upgrade to Manitou 2) and Avid and Paul Component Parts)

3)1998 to 2003 - AMP Research B2 (First Full Suspension in my attempt)

4) 2003 to 2005 - Scott Pro Racing (Aluminium Hardtail)

5) 2007 - Ridley Cobra (Carbon Hardtail with Shimano XT and Disc Brake)

6) 2008 - 2009 - Tomac Automatic (Aluminium Full Suspension)

7) 2009 - 2010 - Tomac Carbide XC (Carbon Full Suspension)

8) 2011 - On-One Inbred (DN6 Chromoly Hardtail)

9) 2011 - Current - Pipedream Cycle Scion (Reynold 853 Chromoly Hardtail)

Guess, I did not go through too much bike in the span of close to 20 years of riding mountain bike after all. But I guess, I have kind of coming full circle. Started with Chromoly and now back to riding one again. I must say this love affair with the metal on two wheels have bring along not just the fun, pain and sure pleasure but also other more inward benefits.

Life on two wheels brought along the friendship forged that lasted and also a great perspective of the preciousness of life. It draws one closer in the spiritual sense of the surrounding environment and the importance of safeguarding those thoughts and gifts.

A bike is not just a bike but the personification of the owner and his love for the cycling and his appreciation of life.

The New Steed

This is a very interesting year. A year that I disregard weight, modern technology but went straight back to an all time classic in my choice of bike. Call it back to basic, I started going on a hunt for a steel bike that I truly and surely going to keep it long term in my arsenal of bikes.

My mountain biking love affair started way back in 1992 when I was 16. I was introduced to mountain biking by my then teacher. To cut the story short, we do not have many high end aerospace technology then. Carbon Fiber was available but then it was still in its infancy on the bike development, then there is the cool Aluminium and of course you have Titanium which to a 16 year old boy, the price tag will be too much to bear.

Scion fresh from the package

I was introduced to Chromoly, the steel material that was more common then as it has a very hardy property and beside rust and a little weight issue, it is consider one of the toughest. In fact, I start and went through 2 Chromoly Steel bikes before I migrate to Aluminium. So impressionally speaking, I do have a love; hate relationship with Chromoly Steel. Love the rides and dampening, hates the weight and the maintenance.

Scion, all setup and ready to roll!

I started the year with a good old DN6 steel frame called the On-One Inbred. I was enjoying it for about 3 months. Happily riding it and for a decent time and then, suddenly remembering that this british design bike is a little bit off on the weighing scale (a little of weight-weenie bug in me). So, I started on a quest to hunt for another piece because I know for sure that I will not be happy to keep the On-One Inbred as a potential Heirloom in my bike collection. So, I stumble upon Pipedream Cycles. I have known this brand for five years and was hoping to see some shop in Singapore would bring them in. Finally, a company decided to bring them in and I found them in a local bike shop.

Scion 2nd outing in Mandai

I picked the lighter and more slimmed down version of the Pipedream Steel range. It is called the Scion for the weight and it runs on the Reynold 853 steel which is extremely strong the weight is really good in terms of lightness. I am really satisfy with the whole hunt for the perfect love affair with a steel bike that I know I will hand it down as a heirloom, provided that it survive the punishment of rides that I will be putting it through.

One Year On...

It is exactly one year and today marks the one year anniversary of the departure of a close friend who had taught me everything I need to know about cycling in my earlier years of being a cycling virgo.

For one year, I have been just going about to get myself busy and rarely, put in a lot of time on the pedals. Building bike, doing cycling related events and doing personal stuffs...that is pretty much. I have not been thinking about the fact that I have lost my closest buddy on March 24, 2010 to an accident that took his life.

This morning, is a weird one as the biological and emotional clock rang once again that reminded me that today is the one year anniversary. I thought that I had forgotten all about it but the gut feeling and the subconscious memory knocks and tugs on my heart.

Today is the day, that I would celebrate the life of my dearest friend, my mentor and my closest brother...Ben, you will always be remembered as a close buddy, a dearest mentor and a big brother!

Ben Mok Pedal On!

A Different Form of Training

My recent change in my relationship status brought me to another level in my training for sports and races. The biggest thing in life right now is no longer about proving and racing to win (though it still irritates me if I don't do well in my own way of benchmarking).

But I have come to realise the importance of my presence to my love one who is also doing the sports. The companionship and the motivation to spur one another to do well and the hugs that comes at the finishing line and the pat on the shoulder is far greater than anything price money.

Some may say I gone softer or even cry foul that I have become a softie. To me, I have learn an important value in life from this experience, no greater gain that I have achieved can super cede the important value of Love, Family, Companionship. You can gain the whole world but if there is the lack of Love and Warm, you are just a empty, lonely fool who has just been chasing after an illusive dream.

Why You Need a Carbon Bike

For the Dudes out there who think Carbon is Cool and the New Black....this is your happy moment!

Presenting Gray Super 7 Carbon Road Bike

I finally got my hands on this unit and in fact, it is so aggressive and sweet to ride this baby. I really can't wait for it to arrive. The best thing, the frame is only S$1999. Anyway, for those who are keen to get a decently priced road bike and nice carbon wheels. Do drop me a line at my email at domloh@gmail.com or 90926716.