We took part in the NTU bike rally yesterday (ok technically two days ago since it’s past midnight). Woke really early, at 445am.

We left home to cycle to East Coast at 555 am, and reached East Coast (Start point) at 630am. Flagged off from ECP.

Order of checkpoints:

1. East Coast Park

2. Labrador Park

3. Nanyang Technological University

4. Kranji Dam

5. Khatib sports centre

6. Serangoon Stadium

At this juncture (it was about 2pm), we had just reached the Serangoon stadium checkpoint (which is like 5 minutes from my house) when the ominous sky started shedding a few drops… so we moved into the bus stop, and barely 5 min after, it started to POUR. Not rain, TORRENTIAL DOWNPOUR. And then I found out in the newspapers today that some big trees were even uprooted! So we waited. Technically ,there were 2 more checkpoints – Changi Beach, and finally, back to East Coast.

But since

a. We were not sure if the rally could even continue because of the rain (they would have had to call it off for safety if it didn’t let up); and

b. I was barely five minutes from my house,

We went home when the rain decided to subside a little.
We later found out that all the cyclists were swept on the buses and lorries to Serangoon stadium, and then many were transported to Changi checkpoint, where they cycled the last leg of the journey.

Kilometres in total: 128.

Kilometres we completed (including the distance from my house to ECP): Close to 100?

We went home to bathe, and then we drove to ECP all fresh to collect our goodie bags and chow down lots of Carl’s Junior. So much for calories burnt =)

It was still fun though! And for those who ever cycle along Mandai Road (on the way to the zoo), there are EIGHT grueling slopes to contend with.

Who wants to join bike rally next year!