Tour de Singapore

I injured my left sole in Saturday barefoot LSD, after I stepping into a gravel (washed to the route by heavy shower) in 1k and insisting to finished the 22km run. The cost is only one run this week. And I did not feel well for a weekend LSD. The only substitution was a endurance biking. So I decided to finish my 1st Singapore tour, that was planned a few month ago.

In the early stage of my Sundown marathon training, I'v already extend my bike route to NUS Kent Ridge Campus in a weekend endurance biking which rounds up half of Singapore. All I need to do is complete the west part and close the loop. I referred to latest NTU's Biking Rally route because I never touched the west part of Singapore before. I don't want to get lost in the highway, exhausting in searching for the next exit. Later my experience told me NTU's route was rather biking friendly: long and smooth ride and least turns-- all I need to do is memorizing few turning points and follow the road. And I also checked the possible sites for re-fueling and toileting, making the journey even smoother. The journey schedule to be 6 hours according to my speed on MTB. So I set off 3:45am in the morning from my Pasir Ris flat after having my breakfast, 3pcs bread and a cup of Milo, taking another 3 for supply.

I followed Pasir Ris PCN to Changi Coast Rd, then turn to Changi Coast Walk before ECP, and led to East Coast Park Service Rd. The journey was very easy except the head wind in Changi beach Rd. I kept average speed of 19~20kph and HR of ~115bpm. I reached the 1st "supply point" at the end of East Coast Park: Car Park B1 on 5:15am. It was  just before 30km mark (turning to Fort Rd). I took the toilet there, and fueled myself with 2 sips of water. The facilities was rather goo there: toilet, vending machine, even open shower. It was too early and only one runner warming up there. I set out again after refill with the tap water.

Next I followed Fort Rd, Mountbatten Rd, Nicoll  Highway to Esplanade. To my surprise, Esplanade theater was light off and in a complete darkness, while the skyline was still bright. Then I passed Shenton Way and switched to West Coast Highway. The head wind was gone and my speed increased to 21kph at the same HR. And ~6:30am, I reached my 2nd "supply point" at West Coast Park Car Park 2, 48km mark right after Clementi Rd. I had no problem to find the toilet with the aid of Street Directory on my iPhone in such a darkness. It was not so early but I only saw few runners and bikers in PCN. I began to feel hungry and took a piece of bread for supply. Then back to road again. A whole new journey to me.

At 50km mark, I was directed to Jalan Buroh instead of turning to Jurong East Town. The moon was round and high, over the Pandan reservior, too pity no suitable rest station for me to take the pictures. The traffic was fast there and view not so leisure due to the industrial surroundings. I had no difficulty to find Jurong Pier Road turn after 56km mark and directed to Jurong West,  passing Jurong Birds Park, instead of going to Tuas on NTU's route. At 59km mark, I reached my 3rd "supply point" Jurong Central Park, and consumed another piece of bread. It was 7:45 in the morning, there was a lot people exercising in the park. After toileting I was back to Jalan Boonlay, my next station is 16km away.

After the narrow Jalan Bahar, the road turned to wide a smooth at Lim Chu Kang Rd. And I began to see bikers, my speed recovered to 21kph. The view from 67km mark to New Tiew turn (69km mark) were amazing: all green  and you could even smell it. The New Tiew Rd was full of turns and slopes. Here I met bunches of peloton riders. And cars and lorries just queuing after them, through this narrow road. Then I knew it must be biker's favorate route, rural and full of fun! The 6km fun was soon terminated by the big damn of Kranji reservoir (75km mark). It was already 8:30am and I had the last piece of bread. The smell of reservoir was bad and toilet not clean. I Took a picture (from where could see Johor Bahru) and back again.

The road condition to Woodlands was not so good, and traffic was rushing. But soon it ended after I switched to Woodlands Rd. I then turned to Woodlands Ave3, following the MRT trail. I didn't go out most circle like NTU because I want to play safe, to make sure not get lost by following MRT. After 9km ride on Woodlands Ave3, Ave7, the road led right to Canberra link, and turned green again. It did not last long, 1km later I switched to Yishun Ave7. And I could not rest at Yishun Neighborhood Park as schedule, because it turned out to be a hilly park. I didn't want to waste time searching for toilet and move on.

When the road ended at Yishun Ave1(92km), the nature view began again. This Ave crossed Seletar reservoir damn and ended at Seletar West Link (94km). And soon after the Seletar Airport, it led me to Palau Punggol Barart, very isolated, but I did see a few biker and runners, even in the hot sun.

After 99km ride, finally I reached Punggol PCN. I was almost home!

Though I was abducted away from the PCN by Punggol 17th Ave. This odd road was rather fun, with a lot of turns and very big slopes, I reached >40kph in one! And then I reached famous Punggol Water way. And I found a red earth bicycle path led me by the shore, to Lorong Halus Wet land. The park was amazing, I'll take my family here later.

My trip ended 10:30am, and total millage clocked 107.8km, my moving speed was 19.6kph, calorie burned 3505kCal, 70% of which should be contributed by fat burning according to Phil Maffetone. I did not feel tired, nor any muscle sourness. It was a good experience, and a healthy workout!

The route:


Additional refreshing points:
24hrs McDondalds available @
1, 27km mark, Eest Coast Park CPC3
2, 49.5km mark, West Coast Park CP3
3, 59km mark, Jurong Central Park CP