Whitney Houston is back!

...that voice! and all her music... her songs ...always so inspiring... so beautiful!

Whitney Houston's new album:
I LOOK AT YOU

'every note still touching gold' -Billboard

Ho Jun Rong

A great pleasure it is in seeing a kid's dream fulfilled.
Jun Rong's first major road race was at the SACA national road cycling championships in 2005, held at NTU. For race exposure, he was brought to Perlis in the same year.

We were greeted with flood when we stepped out of the bus as it reached the place of our destination. The event organiser had to cancel the itt and criterium.

Two days before the road race, sightseeing which included a short trip to Padang Besar in Thailand, was made possible thanks to the support vehicle provided by event organisers.
...photo of Jun Rong with Guest of Honour Member of Parliament and Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development, Youth and Sports Mr.Teo Ser Luck... at Hearts on Wheels reception, Club Rainbow (Jan 2007)

Jun Rong missed on completing the road race just three laps before the finish due to a pile up caused by the wet road surface, Several months after the Perlis Open, he raced at the Teluk Danga International Games 2006 in Johor Bahru, and another race at Gelang Patah, also in JB.

Jun Rong got his first road bike through his hard earned money, from a job part time at a bicycle shop. When we first met, he had said to me that in his heart and on his mind, he had just one wish... which was, to don the national jersey. His wish came true. Jun Rong is now a state cyclist. Racing hard and doing well at the races has made him one of the current top local cyclists. As Jun Rong matures and race with many other top cyclists in this region, we hope he will find and fulfil his destiny!
... photo of riders at start of road race, Perlis Open 2005...

Jun Rong & Friends

1. minutes before the road race 2. at Padang Besar, Thailand

3. flood = criterium (and itt) cancelled

4. a walk to the shops 5. my bike in a tub ;-)

6. children playing :)

7. SWCT support vehicle provided by event organisers 8. race route by the seaside

9. Jun Rong at Gelang Patah

10. itt at Gelang Patah, Johor

11. smiling Farhan

12. with friends at Danga Bay

Phil Liggett & Paul Sherwen

I first met Phil Liggett & Paul Sherwen at the Le Tour de Langkawi in 1998 where I was hired to assist the Ltdl secretariat for two weeks. I followed the tour from Langkawi-KL. The day I enjoyed most during the tour was when I was allowed to follow the race... in the Race Director's car. The LTDL Race Director was Mr. Pat McQuaid, who is now UCI President (since 2005): http://www.uci.ch/templates/UCI/UCI5/layout.asp?MenuId=MTI2NDU&LangId=1). This was on the climbing stage up Genting Highlands. Wish I can print photos of this memorable stage directly from my photographic memory :)

The above photo was taken at the Hyatt Hotel, Johor Bahru. Paul & Phil... they're always laughing and smiling!!! I lurve their commentary on all the tours! They the best!

Re: Game for Bali?

SWCT turned five in April with new candles on a newly revamped website: www.swctevents.com

One of the key articles that may interest you is the Bali Expedition. Besides this, you may also want to read an interview conducted with the Director of Photography who was behind Jack Neo’s very successful film, Homerun. There is also a little update on SWCT’s documentary for your reading.

Re: S O N I A The World Awaits You

1.Sonia posing for the cam before the tri begins 2.Sonia at the start of mtb race in the boys under-15 category 3.The race begins 4.Sonia at age 10 racing in the women's category - 2007, Singapore

Sonia Chua is blessed with sporting talents. Her sole inspiration and mentor had always been her mum Serene, and dad Kevin. They now live 2,422 miles across the oceans. In his email, Kevin wrote “Sonia is growing from strength to strength”. He says that she now swims and runs faster than her mum and dad, and in the cycle, they are also no more a match for her.

I’m sure moving down under has brought new meaning to this wonderful family, and that life begins at 12 for Sonia. School is going well for her and recently this precocious little girl completed with fantastic race results in the mtb cross country and triathlon racing events. On top of this, her first participation in a road team time trial also had an awesome podium finish. Sonia and her teammates were champions in the 30km ttt and blew away even the senior teams. She is the youngest member of "The Rubber Duckies” whose age range is 12-15. In mtb races, the under -13 cat course is too short for her, so she has to compete with participants of a different age group in a category listed as ‘Boys under-15’.

We look forward to more great news. Will track racing be next?

Sonia. You are a child of tomorrow. This world awaits you and all that you will be.

"Boldness has genius, power and magic in it
Whatever you can do or dream you can"

1.Tri bike leg
2. The Rubber Duckies = Champions

- photo credit: Kevin Chua -

Re: Poetry from the Darkside

I chanced upon an article I had kept two years ago... was written by one who went thru something which probably many of us do not understand. He penned his sentiments poetically and pointedly.

Let it Fall

To you who revisit my writings, I beg your forgiveness for I have no wish to revive the dead. The dead will indeed bury the dead, but the sprightly song of the hills will continue to reverberate in the souls of all but the few whose ways were destined to bring shame upon themselves and any who would share in their vomit.

Indeed I taut my words as strings on a bow for already I have need to pull arrows from my bleeding heart.

When goodwill turns grown men to slothful ills, let goodwill fall that good men may be spared the bloody mill. You who read, who love your wheels and ride the hills, yours is the keeping of the circuit’s gentle slopes, its bends and pastoral sounds ...use things, love people, not the other way around.

L O Y A L T Y

Definition of the word 'loyalty' from Encarta dictionary: state of being loyal; the quality of being loyal

Synonyms: faithfulness, devotion, allegiance, trustworthiness, constancy, reliability, fidelity, dependability, steadfastness

Loyalty.

Now you see it (Here today)
Now you don't. (Gone tomorrow)

Re: Training Rides; Neighbouring Hills & Highlands

A hill training ride tops any other. If we're not riding the Kampongkaki Circuit: http://www.kampongkaki.blogspot.com/ we'll take our bike just across the causeway.

In line are some nice climbs several hours drive from our doorstep. Genting & Frasers have been our playground for many years, with Cameron Higlands recently being my personal favourite @,@

One of the most memorable rides I'd done on mtb (Kona Explosive on 1.5 semi slick tyres) was my first century ride from KL to CH in Dec 1995. I've not repeated the ride to Tanah Rata via Tapah (the old road) since that day. The next day we set off for Gua Musang through the logging trails, arriving in the little town of Gua Musang at 3.30am. Other than the numerous tours in Bali and East Java, the awesome rides up the mountains in Chiangmai and Kanchanaburi remain unforgettable. I also enjoyed Gunung Jerai in Kedah and the long winding hills in Penang as well as the switchbacks on Penang Hill. Take many deep breaths before you start your engine up this monster Penang Hill. Surprisingly, Langkawi has some nice hills too. If you are looking for other hills near KL, check out the Semenyih Dam (Hulu Langat) & Kiara (great for off road rides).

In my view, the ultimate climax for any hill ride/sprint in Malaysia would be Gua Musang>>CH>>Gunung Brinchang. You will love it!

Training Rides

I had always enjoyed the 40km ride to Kota Tinggi from JB causeway. Lurf the feel of it even on 4 wheels (if you include the steering wheel... it would then be a 5 wheel drive!). Over the next few training rides via JB town, I'll be enjoying the aircon on 5 wheels and the Nikon F3 which has recently kept me busy. This cam is a wonderful gift. Truly.

Cycling from Tg.Belungkor or Tg.Pengelih is great for some. It would suit newbies, or if it is your first bike trip there. The 'traffic free' route is a plus. If you reside in the east; love lounging in a bumboat and/or ferry; and have the whole day to 'burn' this would be for you. For other cyclists and non-easterners who may feel the same way as I do, we will not find Tg.Belungkor or Tg.Pengelih appealing anymore, for the simple reason that some 'unproductive' hours spent from the moment we jump out of bed to the time on the roads to Changi, followed by the journey on the bumboat/ferry to Tg.Pengelih or Tg. Belungkor FT *yawn* is a drag. An absolute drag..

I personally prefer the roads from JB northwards (e.g. Kulai, Pontian, Kukup, KT, Mersing, Endau, etc.). Training within any part of Johor with the company of a support vehicle, was unheard of ...in the late 90's to the turn of the new century. However, I will not hesitate to use one these days. Get hold of a support vehicle, even if you are purely a recreational cyclist. Better safe than sorry. Safety First. Always. In all ways.

Delayed Update

Photo (on the right) was taken five days before Lynn's first training ride to Mersing/Sedili.

My apologies for the slight delay on the updates here: http://www.swctnautilus.com/ - a minor revamp is currently under construction. Stay tuned :)

SWCT is five!

Singapore Women's Cycling Team has just turned 5.
Look out for the latest update: http://www.swctnautilus.com/
by May Day :)

All Kinds of Everything

I took a shot of this little girl in Dec last year, as we were on the climb to Cameron Highlands via Simpang Pulai. She reminds me of me when I was little.

Photo of the cake from Murnis' digicam. Luv the cake :)

3 MUST SEE FILMS

NOT ONE LESS
A film from Zhang Yimou
A story of courage and triumph. A look into the rural Chinese culture and the struggle for survival, not to mention education of the children.

WAR DANCE
A film by Sean Fine and Andrea Nix Fine
A feature length documentary. The war stole everything, except their music.

WAR PHOTOGRAPHER
A film by Christian Frei with James Nachtwey
About the film\ Quote "Every minute I was there, I wanted to flee.I did not want to see this.Would I cut and run, or would I deal with the responsibility of being there with a camera" (James Nachtwey)

Kawah Ijen, Banyuwangi (East Java)

These photographic images were captured in 1993, thanks to a borrowed little camera and a precious roll of film. My heart moved, as I trekked up Mt.Ijen and passed sulphur miners who, with their load of sulphur, walked gracefully with bandaged flip flops. Each fading print was kept in a box but not forgotten.

The landscape is absolutely breathtaking. The sulphur miners' work is arduous and backbreaking. Their lunch was a simple packet of rice. Only rice.

Each basket of sulphur weighs an average of 80kg. The sulphur miners incredibly carry their 80-100kg load of sulphur up and down the crater. They have to bear with the toxic sulphur dioxide fumes, with only their worn and torn clothes as protection. It is a 1.5-2hr walk down to the base of the crater. This is where the miners work, breaking up pieces of sulphur before carrying their load to the rim of the crater. From here, they continue their walk to the weighing station along the route down the volcano before making their final descend to the collection point (in the midst of a forest), where a truck awaits their arrival, and the sulphur.

The sulphur miners' ascend up the volcano begins a few hours before dawn with their work ending just before sunset. Twice a day. Seven days a week.

Thanks to the workers at the sulphur mine for these images.

"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes"
- Marcel Proust

scents & waterfalls O november rain

just love the waterfalls in this november rain
like the sweet scents of jasmine.. and roses
love the entrancing scent of certain incense too
for the warmth it brings to a beautiful crisp morning
so soothing
so serene
sweet enchanting scents and waterfalls
O november rain

Jasmine and bangles

bangles & jasmine buds at Little India

The Magnificent Kampongkakis Celebrate 3rd Anniversary

Our heartiest congratulations to you, Dear Kampongkakis, on your third anniversary today!
Good men and timeless..... i n s p i r a t i o n s http://www.kampongkaki.blogspot.com/

........"Flowery dew and mystic charms
May bliss and good health fall into your arms" .....

Genting in 2006

I just viewed a vdo clip of my bike trip to Genting with way2ride, Dennis and Jun Rong in 2006. Desmond was soOO kind to drive us to KL. We used his car. Jeannie joined us to vdo & capture us on digicam. On this trip, I spinned on my Rocky Mountain middle chainring with all my might! We rode to Semenyih Dam on day two. August 2003 was my second ride up Genting Highlands, using a road bike on this climb for the first time. A few months before this, I was in a road accident with a head injury. Ouch. O. One of the guys who was on this 2003 trip, literally smashed on to the walls on the way down. He miraculously survived the crash. No broken anything! O. I just had a wild thought about riding up using the tandem bike or bmx! I agree with you. Let's leave this 'bright' idea as a wild thought!

Alas, I must bid Genting farewell. Thanks to the scenic and beautiful roads up CH, this is where I would take my bike to these days. Frasers Hill is scenic. The gentle climb up is inviting. I will re-visit.

Glow. This is what I see of every plant and tree as I ride up CH and reminisce my off-road ride from CH to Gua Musang thru the logging trails from 10.30am (with one lunch break at tanah rata) to 3.30am with no other meal stops till we arrived at GM in that hour of the morning to find a 24-hr kofishop! The day before this, I had ridden from KL to Cameron Highlands via Tapah (old road). It was a tough first century ride on the highway.This trip, Dec 1995.U n f o r g e t t a b l e.

Ramadhan

It is that time of the year already! The fasting month is one day after tomorrow!

C.G.I.

My heart beat is uncontrollable! The Cameron Graduation Initiative is almost here.
There has been a problem linking the old SWCT website to the revamped website. We are now here - http://swctnautilus.com/

Happy Lunar New Year!

Members of SWCT will be cycling across the causeway... just for prata ( roti canai ). I shall name this bike trip the "JB prata ride". We'll then cover some very scenic route in the Western side of Singapore...and this will be the "mini-tour of Singapura".

Won't it be nice to have my ALAN track frame ( pic on the left ) ...set up ...for Singapura roads ? ","
The first track bike I saw on the streets of Singapura was a 3RENSHO ...it is mighty awesome! ...like the owner of this bike!

Happy 16th January 2008!

Happy New Year!

Eleven months ago on this day, it was two days to the Chinese New Year, and was also two days before my bike trip to Mersing. The weather was blazing hot on the day of the trip, and rained on our return journey only from Kota Tinggi towards JB. The cold rainy afternoon on the road home was to be the beginning of a magical journey into 2008 for me.

"If you keep your destiny in mind, every moment in life becomes an opportunity for moving closer to it"

Search for something bigger than ourselves to commit and strive for

The Paralympic Games is the pinnacle of elite sports for athletes with disabilities, just as the Olympics is for able-bodied sportsmen. The term Paralympics does not refer to an event for paraplegics but rather to an event that parallels the Olympics.

I participated at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games in the track events for the 1km time trial and 3k pursuit, riding the tandem bike piloting a visually impaired cyclist racing in the women's category. This gave me the opportunity to compete against the world's best and experience the life of an Olympian.

We not only honour dedication and accomplishment, but give life to the dreams of people with disabilities everywhere.

Lets keep the heart, the soul and the magic of this beautiful sport alive and inspire others to join and take pride in their cycling lifestyle.

MZ's M&M

Michelle will be participating in The University of Washington Medical
Centre Seattle Marathon on Nov 27. To date, she's done four StanChart Marathon, was at the 2007 Phuket Laguna Marathon in June this year, and also in Penang, followed by another one in Bintan.

In between her runs this year, MZ was at the City Duathlon, Aviva 70.3 and will be on her way to Lumut for the Powerman before she heads for the marathon in Seattle.

When I first met Michelle two years ago, she'd just bought a road bike. She bought another road bike just a few months ago...but seems to run more than go out on bike rides...hmm...but..

MZ's marathon mania takes a short break tomorrow, as she joins me and our cycling kakis on a hill climb spree with her bike!

Fit and Fabulous Margaret

Margaret completed two days of cycling from Tg. Belungkor to Mersing (150km) and then Mersing to Desaru (150km), for the charity bike'n'blade event...with so much ease. Believe her when she says 'I have no problem with the hills'...and believe me, she knows how to deal with the hills :))

We parted ways on the last day of bnb (9 Sep)...and I was very happy to bump into Margaret at Havelock Road when I was cycling home from Bukit Merah View on Sunday, 30 Sep (two days ago). Half an hour before this, Evie and I had just flattened the kampongkaki circuit, after which I went to meet Gynis, Judy and Lawrence to show off my gorgeous steel bike.

Margaret's in her usual high spirits...all smiles and cheery...also on her way home after a bike ride at the East Coast with her kakis (Bikers 21).

My first meeting with Margaret was at the Upper Thomson Road Longhouse, when she signed up for 'Hearts on Wheels'. Since I've known her (in Nov '06), she'd done one marathon, two charity rides, two half marathons, a 520km ride to Malacca & back, and is now preparing for another marathon (Dec '07). All this done within the last 9-10mths. Margaret's training runs in the past 2-3mths would have been 20km per session. Impressive this woman is...who is 65.

Margaret: lovely & wonderful grandmother; wonderwoman!

D & J... They saw. They conquered.

Deanna, after completing 3 laps of kampongkaki circuit Cat 2. It was done in a time of just over 4hrs. She'd done her PBT a few weeks ago.
Jeff finished the 3 laps under 4hrs. This accomplishment gave the delightful couple a reason to flash their glistening white teeth. They're usually barely on home ground you see..... literally! They'd always say they have little time to train, but whenever they meet us at Beo Crescent, it shows from their faces that they want to go all out on the climbs... no secret training meh?

The kampongkaki circuit is unquestionably the best hill training circuit found on home ground. On a scale of 1-10... I give it a ten!!!

Rainbow in my Heart

Other than the usual doodling, I'd not done any painting or drawing since I was a little girl, and I never dreamed that a beautiful rainbow would grow in my heart... that it would give me wings, and that it would make my eyes open wide.

Three days before the Charity Bike'n'Blade Event, I was at Club Rainbow with children who attended an oil-painting workshop conducted by Jyune. My assignment was, to inspire... and guide, one or two little budding artists as they held their brushes to paint on a rainbow theme.

I had always been on the lookout for rainbows so that I can make a wish, but now I know that I can find beautiful rainbows deep within my heart :)

Douglas started this painting with the shape of a heart and two words with colours of his choice. He has a heart filled with rainbows... which coloured me with beautiful smiles and happiness!

SONIA...blazing the trails at 10

At nine, I knew only the running track. I was at all schools' sports meets racing against girls in my age group. I started riding a bicycle when I turned twelve.

Here is Sonia. An abosulte dynamite. She blazed the trails at the tender age of nine and now at ten, competes at mtb cross-country races, in the women's category. There is no doubt that we will see this pint-sized powerhouse with podium finishes anytime soon! All behold!

Whatever You Can Do or Dream, You Can