Night Cycling

Went for night cycling on Friday night. And this was my only my second night cycling session. Can't remember when was my first and last time (but its during the time in ECQ...). The bicycle shop closes at 10pm, so we all (D, S and me) decided to leave office for dinner at 7pm. But that StupidGenius was late again... :P... He had wanted to meet us straight at ECP but found that his bike was not in working condition. So by the time he came it was near to 8 liao... And so we went Raffles City to have our dinner before taking a bus down to ECP.

Before the start

Reach there and rented the bikes just before 10pm. Then set off towards the East direction. Nothing much happened really until, I fell while trying to stop on a side kerb, near a drain, thanks to SG (ok lar... it was my bad....). Got some cuts just below left knee, so wanted to find a toilet to wash my wound. Then cycle further down a bit and saw a pub/cafe. Wanted to go in and 'borrow' the toilet but was refuse entry by the staff, who said it was only meant for members and customers. SG said I should have 扮可怜, and maybe I could have got in... Nonetheless, manage to find the public toilet a little distance away.

Why still so happy after injuring myself?

Checkpoint 1: Changi Village

Continue our journey east from ECP, despite my injury. We ride along the super long Changi Coast Road after exiting from ECP. I think we took 1 hour plus to complete that road to finally arrive at Nicholl Drive and then turn into Changi Village. This means that the road could be like more than 10km assuming we were travelling at a speed of 10km/h. Along the way, saw quite a few cyclists riding in the opposite direction. Also found that there were some couples having a date here near the hangar. Didn't know that this could be a dating spot until I saw it myself. But the pre-requisite is that you must have your own car to come here.

Think we reached at about 1130pm or so. Stopped by at the hawker center for some drinks... Went to a convenient shop to buy some plasters for my wound before continuing.

Changi Village

Checkpoint 2: Old Changi Hospital

SG suggested going to a haunted house up on a hill. But he did not know where exactly is the place. So we continue our journey down along Loyang Avenue, and then make a U-turn to go up into Halton Road. Finally ended up at the Old Changi Hospital. As S has put it, the building looks dilapidated. Think we should be more worried about the building collapsing rather than other stuff, if you know what I mean.

While leaving, a bunch of youngsters came to the place. So we decided to tag along and went into the main building. It was really an old run-down place.

Checkpoint 3: Changi Boardwalk

A little further down Netheravon Road and up towards Cranwell Road was our next destination. Although this wasn't really a checkpoint for us, but I felt it certainly deserved a mention. A pity by the time we came, there were really nothing much we can see even if we took to the walk. I reckon this could be a good place for dating, although it's a bit out of the way unless you have your own transport... :)

Checkpoint 4: Bedok North Road Hawker Center

After this, we went on our way back to the main road (Loyang Avenue), and this was another long journey before we arrived at the next stop. We took a turn into Loyang Way, passed by the Prisons HQ and Selarang Camp. The route from Loyang Way right up to Upper Changi Road North was full of ups and downs (sounds like the journey of our lives too).

From there it was another long straight road from Upper Changi Road East, where we passed by Singapore Expo and Tanah Merah MRT, right down to Bedok North Road. Finally we reached our destination at this hawker center at Block 85, where there was a famous 肉挫面 (mincemeat noodle) stall. This I have heard before during my Army Days but did not get to try it then. Quite surprise that I could still find my way here after some years.

More about the 肉挫面, actually there were 2 stalls side-by-side here selling. One of which is selling only 汤面 (soup noodle), while the other got sell 干面 (dried noodle, but not sure if it sells only that). Anyway we ordered from the stall selling the soup one. SG himself was so hungry that he ordered 2 bowls of noodles while the rest of us shared 2 bowls as well...

Fengshan Zhong Xin, at Bedok

Checkpoint 5: Bedok Reservoir Park (map)

Next up is the Bedok Reservoir Park. From our last pit stop, we went on to Bedok North Avenue 3 and arrived at Bedok Reservoir Park at the junction of Bedok Reservoir Road. This park think I came before on one of the Saturday Life Runs during NS. We cycled one round around the park trying to kill some time... hehe... Not sure how big the park is, but I think it could well be around 5km... And indeed the building on the right while we were cycling through was Temasek Polytechnic (just as I thought... ). Rested for a while at the bus-stop outside the park before we were on our way again.

Checkpoint 6: Geylang Lorong 9

It was another half an hour before we reached our next checkpoint at Geylang. Went westward from Bedok Reservoir Road all the way until the T-junction of Eunos Link. Followed the path of Jalan Eunos before making a right turn towards Changi Road. From then on, it was all the way straight down to Geylang. SG thought it was pretty near until he saw the sign saying Geylang Lorong 41.

Beancurd and doughstick

The traffic along Geylang Road was quite heavy, though not usual, as this place is famous for its night life. We went to 永和豆浆 at Lorong 9. By this time, I was feeling a bit tired liao. Although each of us still ordered a set of 豆花 + 油条.

Why the person in the center look so sian?

Checkpoint 7: East Coast Park

Finally, it was time to go back to where we came from. We left the shop at around 4+ and make our way back to ECP. Cut through Sims Way to come to Mountbatten Road. Then go down towards Fort Road and finally back into ECP. Took our time to ride back to Mac as we still had plenty of time on our hand. By the time we reached, it was still quite early. But actually saw people skating in the park already.

Went to nuah at the slide just outside of the Mac. At the same time, engaged in an interesting conversation with the rest, although most of the time, I was only listening, deep in thoughts. Soon, the sun is up and it was time to return our bikes already. And that marks the end of another (I would say) fun-filled cycling session.