85km long ride

It had been a long time since I went the Kranji-Woodlands-Jln Buroh route. Three of us - IN, JN and I - started off at 4:15 am, up Bt Timah, turning left on Clementi to Commonwealth Ave. Then it's up Queensway and Farrer to Adam Road. Traffic was light at this hour, even for a Saturday.

A short pit stop at the SPC petrol station, and then it was off to our usual Mandai route. IN was strong - he's improved tremendously since the last time we rode together. I led after the second rest stop at Mandai shell, trying to keep a steady 27 to 28 kph. At the end of LCK, we waited for JN, who had cramps.

A bunch of Joyriders (the pinoy brothers) caught up with us along Jln Buroh and we rode with them for a stretch. The only reason why we could follow them was that there were many traffic lights along this stretch. Once we hit the west coast, we were dropped like hot potatoes. They were averaging 35 kph, and topped 40 along the straights. The speed session took a lot out of us, and cramps got the better of JN at the Clementi junction, and he called it a morning.

IN and I proceeded up the west coast ramp to get a feel of the aviva route. Headwinds, but IN was really pulling well at 34 to 35 kph. I was happily riding the draft, just trying to ignore my sole butt. Took the downramp before Keppel and went via Lower Delta. This little stretch was short but steep climb. Then it was River Valley, Patterson, Stevens back to Trevose.

Here's the ride on garmin connect. The first 18 km or so were not recorded as I forgot to hit the start button.

It was a tough ride given the three weeks break, and I was just hanging on. I found it a challenge to keep up with AY and PK on our Sunday 38k ride the next morning. Skipped RRR -- ain't no hero. A long long way to go, and would need to put in longer distances.

Registered for the TriBob Bintan training camp. A 120km ride on Sat and a trial OD on Sunday. Should be good fun.