Hi guys, I'm Nathaniel, you can call me Nat. Some of you might recognise me from my days at Chapter 2 Cycles. I was the mechanic for Chapter 2 Cycle for about 12 to 13 years before I decided to venture out and start OneBike Asia (@onebikeasia). Having my own place and starting my own business was always my dream since I started cycling 18 years ago.
What sparked your interest in cycling?
Like most of us, friends got me started into cycling as a leisure weekend hobby, and soon before I realised, it became a part of my everyday life. It was fun, and help took my mind off work, and gave me a sense of freedom that I wanted to share with others. Back then, with Ben Cheong, we started regular group rides from Ang Mo Kio where we were based. From there on, the love for solving everything bike related issues gradually helped me to start OneBike Asia.
Couple of years back, a chanced meeting with Christian from Para Cycling Federation of Singapore led me to join their team as a volunteer mechanic, many of which are run fully by volunteers from different platforms at that time.
What motivated you to become a volunteer with them?
Because, it was just something that I got out of riding, and being able to explore places I don't usually get to go, and experiencing different terrains such as the mountains in Taiwan. I wanted to be able to share these experiences with others, and also as a way to give back to the sport.
What was your most memorable event throughout the years of volunteering for Para Cycling Federation?
That is a tough question. Having travelled along with the team for the Para Sea Games and Para Asian Games, I would have to say the most memorable one would be the first as I got to travel with cyclists like Ang Kee Meng, Calvin Sim, Sarah Tan as well as other para athletes Emily Lee and Jackson.
During the Para Asian Games, we had the opportunity to stay in a Sport Village, which was a first for me. We got to meet bigger, stronger teams of para athletes teams from various countries like China, Japan and Korea. I had an equally memorable experience for both events.
I thank my ex-boss Ben Cheong for guiding me into cycling as a sport and into this industry. I met many good friends along the way through cycling, and Calvin Sim was one of them. Although I was already good at cycling at that point, I found my calling as a bicycle mechanic as I felt I could never attain their level of cycling (laughs).
What is your choice of apparel when it comes to cycling?
My priority when it comes to apparel choice ever since I started cycling has always been comfort and cutting. Most of the time, what you pay is really what you get. I may choose a lower price range for my group set, tires or wheels, but I would advise anyone who is into serious cycling to consider proper good quality items for helmets, bibs and jerseys as these are items with the most direct contact with your body, which are essential for a comfortable ride.
My favourite brand for cycling bibs for the past 7, 8 years is ASSOS of Switzerland, which in my opinion is the benchmark of quality for bibs. For jerseys, there is a wide range of choices for various body types. Although I am not really fussy, as long as their cutting is the right fit for me. Cutting for jerseys is everything, just like how important it is to have a nicely fitted shirt, material quality being second. Velocio is my top choice for jerseys, as their cutting fits me best.
How do our interested readers engage in services of OneBike Asia?
We are active on social media, with most of our contact details on our website at www.onebikeasia.com. We are also reachable via our Whatsapp, email, messenger (FB), DM, PM. Do check out our FB (@OneBikeAsiaSG) , IG (@onebikeasia) for frequent updates.
]]>Interesting story about YZ. Well I met him at OCBC cycle’s expo when he and his wife were just starting to cycle. Then we became friends and later colleagues. We’ve worked on many projects together, many made it past the drawing board; some really good like our Velo Velo club Kit and Tesserae 1 and 2.The collaboration with him was often enjoyable, fun and stimulating and often took many days or even weeks but the process became more fluid as we got to know each other better.
YZ and his family moved to the USA towards the end of last year and the Covid19 pandemic struck shortly after his transition. I can only imagine how challenging it is for him and his wife with a newborn to assimilate into a new environment and culture usually, now made worse by the outbreak and racial tension. I have been keeping in close contact with him to catch up on events in his life. And yes, I do miss the easy banter and the brainstorming we had over teh-oh peng (iced tea).
A while ago, we just completed a custom team kit for OneBike Asia, and he started experimenting on designing podium shoes.
Yz: “So how? (Is it) Nice?”
Me: “hmm, do you have other designs?”
Well, like any business owner, I wasn’t adapting to the Circuit Breaker well and feeling worried and anxious on what awaited.
Yz: “ok, how about this?”
He knows me really well. Seems like he is well prepared with plan A & back up plan B; saving the best for last.
“Love it! I want it!”
It’s hard to explain; but when you see THE one, you just know it.
After some to-ing and fro-ing on choosing the brand to make the shoes for us, we decided to make a pair for everyone in the team. And Vans shoes were our choice for comfort and design (as with when choosing any cycling jersey house to carry). I really wanted to find a way to cheer the team up during these trying times. Since it was possible to customize the shoes individually, YZ communicated with everyone in the team to give each of them the option to showcase their individual style. Almost all of us chose the doodle graphics which was hand drawn by YZ a while ago and one of the most fun one we made together. He even doodled on the wall of the shop as a gift before he left for the US.
Welcome to the Velo Velo team. We’re showing off who’s the proud owner of which design. Share which design you like in the comments! We might make a limited run for all our special customers.
Cheers,
Jon
How about a short intro?
Choon Huat:
Hi friends, it's Choon Huat here, most know me as Ah Huat or Donaben. I’m a full-time cyclist and have been racing professionally for Terengganu Inc. TSG Cycling Team for the past 6 years.
Velo Velo:
How are you getting through this period?
Choon Huat:
Honestly, the whole CB has been rather boring. Prior to CB, most of my time were spent abroad racing and training, and that’s pretty much the nature of my profession. This couple of months is actually the longest stretch I’ve stayed at home in Singapore in the past 5 years. Training goes on for me, with bulk of it being switched indoors with trainer and Zwift sessions.
Velo Velo:
We recently spotted you doing 10000M elevation on Zwift in a single ride! How did you do it?! and Why?
Choon Huat:
Oh ya, the Everlasting ride. I got inspired by Mark Cavendish and the other pros. Honestly, I had no idea how hard it would be, but always wanted to give it a go. I figured this challenge would let me know where my fitness stand at this moment. It was mental, and painful to say the least, but was very fortunate to have friends who supported me virtually, and special shoutout to those who bought Zwift accounts and rode through the pain with me. It was deeply encouraging and kept me powering through the entire 11.5 hours.
Velo Velo:
Share with us what are your hobbies other than cycling? (We were told you treat your coffee seriously....)
Choon Huat:
I’ve been dipping my hands into coffee recently, come to think of that, CB did gave me plenty of time to perfect my coffee shots and latte art. But I really do enjoy the entire coffee making process every morning.
Velo Velo:
Any general advice on cycling kit or apparel?
Choon Huat:
Different brands offer various cuts and silhouettes, you should definitely try them on to feel the difference. But do go for one that you feel comfortable in, as you might be in the kit for a short to long while. Ultimately, I always go back to the lighter weight options, they do well under our humidity and heat. I would also advise using chamois cream, it does help especially for my long rides or races.
Velo Velo:
Champgranola - Your recent endeavour, tell us about it, and more importantly, how do we order?
Choon Huat:
Champgranola is a small home based venture that started off in my own kitchen. Granola has always been a staple part of my diet, having to watch my calories and what I consume carefully. Initially, I baked them mostly for my own consumption, it always fills me up for long hours, and also suppressed any urge to snack uncontrollably. Friends who tried it suggested that I should offer them for sale, and that’s how it started.
The ingredients I used are all natural and unprocessed, the sweet flavour comes from honey, instead of syrup. All these in the hope that it remains healthy for everyone and become a potential replacement for unhealthy snacks like photo chips.
Currently, it is available in 2 options, Classic ($18) and Premium ($20), both in 500 grams packages. Premium cost slightly more with the addition of macadamia and cashew nuts. I am exploring having them made into smaller bars so it can brought along for rides. Stay tuned and order via DM at @Champgranola.
Velo Velo:
Any last thing to say to our Velovelo friends/fans out there?
Choon Huat:
I hope everyone stay safe, it has been a difficult period for everyone. But let’s all do our part, and work towards battling this pandemic. Hope to see you guys on the road riding, and do say hi if you see me.
]]>During the circuit breaker, I was involved with a pilot program with Team Singapore. We mentor students from disadvantaged backgrounds, providing care and support for these youth to feel less alone and be more hopeful for the future to come.
https://www.myactivesg.com/read/2020/5/fostering-one-strong-beautiful-life-for-the-less-fortunate
Through this program, I managed to meet a few like-minded people and athletes who started another meaningful project called We are Hopefull. Hopefull creates, gathers, and provides engaging educational resources for children and youths from less privileged communities by collaborating with a network of local expertise.
These educational resources complied in the box called Tinker, targeted at children 3-14 years old. Tinker comprise of activities and material with various themes. From science models to crafts to comic books. The goal is to bridge the resource divide and make holistic learning available to all. Read here for more info: (https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/survival-kits-to-engage-and-inspire-kids-from-needy-families-during-circuit-breaker
This Velo Velo Care Pack is to show gratitude to you for showing us support during the circuit breaker period.
Paying it forward, we hope this gesture extends support to similar businesses like ours.
Items enclosed in the Velo Velo Care Pack have been carefully selected from unique independent companies that we love. We hope these items provide you much-needed sustenance during these trying times and also support small local businesses offering their services through passion for their craft.
Drive you nuts, perk you up and touching you.....softly. our way of saying thank you.
Champgranola is home-baked by local champion cyclist Goh Choon Huat (IG@Donabengoh) and his buddy. By using their secret nutty ingredients to provide awesome nutrients and protein, satisfying your breakfast is filling your body with much-needed energy to see you through the day.
Ready to kickstart your day.
Perk Using only the freshest, quality beans from Africa and Hawaii, these beans are roasted weekly in Singapore, sent out to all consumers within 48 hours.
They are strongly committed to an ethical, sustainable product by paying farmers directly above fairtrade prices thus supporting their local communities.
We get your caffeine fixed and fuel your soul through the day.
Assos activewear cleanser from Velo Velo is an antibacterial treatment that is formulated to clean your clothing, keeping fabric colour vibrant while maintaining the elasticity and softness of the fabric. Best of all, it is PH-neutral and skin-friendly too!
Soft and sensational.
Well, for starters, Velo Velo doesn’t sell any sunscreens, but it has long been our focus to offer kits that are really suitable for our tropical weather. After dealing with various brands, we’ve curated a collection of kits that we think are better constructed for the heat and humidity.
Here are some recommendations:
The name is never so relatable as it is now. Riding in solitude and away from everyone else. Finding yourself in this new times of self discovery. With 3 new color and a revamp design of the last Solitude.
The SOLITUDE jersey has full mesh side panels and perforated fabric on the collar, arms and back panel. We find that the mesh side panels provide significantly more ventilation compared to their Mechanism range. Fabric used, proves to be quick drying and low moisture absorption.
Pas Normal Studios Navy Solitude Men's Bib (SGD325)
The SOLITUDE bibs are also Constructed with rectangular perforations and a fine mesh back panel, the soft bib straps offer unrivalled levels of ventilation.
This highly breathable kit should keep you dry and cool in our hot and humid climate. Do take note that the cutting is tight and will usually require a size up from your kits from other brands. Explore the collection here: Pas Normal Studios SOLITUDE
The brand the professionals use. Since its inception, Katusha Sports has been working hand in hand with the world tour riders with each of their kit development, and their obsession with quality has become evident in their selection of fabrics, materials and even their cuttings.
The SUPERLIGHT jersey features 37.5® regular mesh fabric on the front panel and 37.5® superlight mesh fabric under the arms and on the back panel, offering excellent moisture management and fast wicking.
The SUPERLIGHT bibs are also extremely lightweight and highly breathable. It features a wide elasticated mesh band above the knee ensures optimum fit, preventing the "riding up" effect and further reduces overall weight
Combination of stronger linear structured knit fabric on the front and back panels with lightweight fabric on the side panels, creates a perfect balance between weight and durability, coupled with the 37.5® fabric on the jersey should make Katusha SUPERLIGHT the choice for the heat. Explore the collection here: Katusha Sports Superlight
Easily, one of the most comfortable kits around. Velocio has always believed in making their clothing from the ground up, being all inclusive, experiential and welcoming. That is why you will find their fitting to be more accommodating to various body types.
Velocio Gold Yellow Triangles Ultralight Women's Jersey (SGD170)
The ULTRALIGHT jersey is made from RECYCLED Ultralight Perforated stretch polyester. The minimalist jersey design and collection is made for maximum breathability, minimal weight and exceptional comfort on the hottest of days. The fabric used for the jersey is also updated with SPF30 sun protection. We especially love the low collar design, finally a jersey that doesn’t choke you.
The ULTRALIGHT bibshorts has been redesigned to live up to its name; with an all-new high performance 140gsm stretch woven fabric for the lightest possible weight and higher compression than the previous generation. The innovative fabric provides enhanced breathability and wicking/drying as well as a deep black high opacity finish
The award winning RADIATOR Jersey is Velocio’s answer to the hottest of summer weather. It’s namesake is derived from the magical fabric used across the jersey front - Polartec Delta, a complex knit made with Tencel that actively cools you as you move through the air.
What we love so much from the guys from Velocio is their commitment to ‘A Better Way’, from committing to sourcing their fabric and materials from environmentally responsible suppliers, to giving 1% of its revenue to environmental causes and ensuing their manufacturing partners follow EU labor guidelines which oversee conditions of employment, discrimination, equal pay and the protection of pregnant workers. Explore the collection here: Velocio Ultralight and Velocio Radiator
Yes, the grand-daddy of bibshorts launched the new Equipe series in late 2019. The entire kit is made with racing performance in mind - picture this - cooling the engine (body) is especially important. The highly elastic 3D knit fabric is specially developed to maximize breathability and moisture transfer from the body.
The EQUIPE RS features minicheck Tex, an Open 3D knit fabric that has truly exceptional breathability that promotes quick drying. The pockets and sleeves are made of our ASSOS-developed Push Pull warp-knit textile with high UV protection (UPF 50+). Highly breathable, this fine gauge knit with bi-stretch is quick drying and very comfortable.
The fabric used in the EQUIPE RS Bib shorts Type.441 is a patented 40-guage warp knit, developed specifically for compressive hold and silky comfort. Proven to be very capable of moisture wicking (idroFil fastDry). We love the added UPF 50+ protection, the odorControl, and of course the durability.
Even the chamois have micro-holes to provide additional airflow, just like the air vent in cars. As the name implies, this is a Aero/Tight fit even when compared to the other models from Assos. Contact us if unsure of the sizing. Explore the collection here: ASSOS Equipe RS Race Series
All the kits recommended are used and tested by the team. They are all top of the line in terms of cooling your body down and looking good while riding. Let us know your thoughts and if you tried and loved any of the kits above.
You’ve bought your kit, and you love it on the ride. Now, how should you take care of it in the wash? We're always going to tell you the best method is to hand wash the kit, and to do so immediately after the ride. The good student would do that and probably stretch for an hour while waiting for the laundry. But hey let’s be real! I like to finish a ride with a nice cold brew, cool off under the aircon, have a nice shower - any order is fine. So as you can see washing isn’t always in the top 3 things to do. So I’m going to share some (realistic) tips to help you make your kit last longer.
I only recently heard about "Indoor Bib shorts". Initially, I had dismissed it - bib shorts are bib shorts and should fulfil both outdoor and indoor purposes. Why separate the two and create confusion? Come on, we chase the early hours of day in Singapore (and I am not a morning person). Picture me with half an eye opened at 5am fumbling for what to wear before the coffee kicks in. Note to self - always prepare everything the night before - your bike, your gear, your kit.
With the new “stay home” ruling and more riders getting on Zwift, I've decided to revisit this “indoor bib shorts”. However, I still believe any bib shorts should be usable on both occasions and you should not limit yourself and the product. There are however some qualities that make a bib short more suited for indoor than outdoor and here are some of them.
Price
Riding indoors does not require the thinnest lycra or the additional pockets. Temperature can be controlled and the risk of falling on gravel and snagging your kit is rather low. So just focus on getting a pair of bib shorts that is a good fit for your body type and one that comes with a good chamois. Now that should bring the price down. Look for the base model of the various brands and save the money for other upgrades.
Durability / Toughness
We sweat a lot more while riding indoors and perspiration is unable to wick fully from our gear, hence leaving an odour. If you ride often and hard enough at Zwift, you would notice your bib shorts often pooling with sweat. This accumulation wears down the bib short significantly as bacteria consumes the protein left behind. Invest in a pair that is made of durable and tough lycra which will take a longer time to be worn down. While also being hardy enough to endure a hard spin in the washing machine.
Good Chamois
While spinning at home, we don’t get those organic breaks like getting off saddle at the traffic light or stopping at the petrol kiosk for a water break. Unconsciously, we are focused on our task at hand - clocking the miles and the hours. It is inevitable that we sit longer while riding at home than when on the road. With an extended duration on the saddle comes extended pressure on your rear end and tailbone. Hence good support with the help of a firm chamois will be able to hold its shape longer and thus less sore on your butt. Take note if you're riding in an aggressive position as a thicker chamois in the front might numb delicate areas. Moral of the story - never discount on a good chamois.
Laundry bag and Sport detergent
Lastly, with all the sweat and proteins stuck in the bib shorts, a hard wash is a must. Remember to use a laundry bag to protect the fabric from tumble and snags; a sport-specific detergent to remove all the sweat, bacteria and proteins stuck in the fabric. This will keep the bib shorts lasting long and smelling good.
Here are some recommendations for indoor bib shorts that you can look at.
Men
Assos Black Mille GT Men's Bib / https://www.velovelocycle.com/collections/assos-mens-bib/products/black-mille-gt-mens-bib
Velocio Black Foundation Men's Bib / https://www.velovelocycle.com/collections/velocio-mens-bib-shorts/products/black-foundation-mens-bib
Peloton de Paris Domestique Men's Bib / https://www.velovelocycle.com/collections/peloton-de-paris-mens-bib
Women
Assos UMA GT Evo Shorts
https://www.velovelocycle.com/collections/assos-womens-bib/products/uma-gt-evo-womens-half-short
Velocio Black Foundation Women’s Bib /
Peloton de Paris Domestique Women’s Bib /
https://www.velovelocycle.com/collections/peloton-de-paris-womens-bib
Meanwhile what else do you think makes a good indoors bib? Let us know by commenting below
Bars are closing and there are no movie screenings to go to. Gathering of more than 10 people is not allowed and most clubs have canceled their social rides. The good news is that we are still able to ride abide in groups of 10 or less and cafes are still open.
Amidst the Covid-19 and global reactions, this phrase keeps coming back to me - tough times don’t last; tough men do. Cyclists are some of the toughest people around. We love to tackle mountains and break our own speed records. After all, that’s what Strava is for. So instead of looking at what we cannot do, here’s a list of things we can do to get stronger.
Ideas to even out that boredom
Zwift
Time to get that pain cave. Approval from the partner should be easy as this is definitely a necessity and you need it to de-stress! Yes, the struggle from boredom during the stay at home is real. An outlet to de-stress is critical.
New to Zwift? Here’s a list of riders to follow:
Improve your core and flexibility for better cycling
Having a strong core is so important. How often do people complain about lower back pain or stiff shoulders? It’s because we tend to exert our backs to pedal instead of having our core work for you. Cycling long distances train your endurance and stamina. However, being in that position for extended hours also keeps your muscles tense. As much as we want to get off that saddle to enjoy a nice cold brew, always remember to stretch. Stretch almost immediately after your workout, while your muscles are already warmed up.
For core and flexibility exercises, we encourage you to take advantage of the many free online workout videos.
Eat healthy
My wife works with many scientists who are researching viruses and vaccines. There are many types of viruses in the air at any point in time. Yet we don’t necessarily get sick from every one of them. The key factors are the concentration of the viruses and also the person’s immunity. So you know what to do. Start incorporating healthy options like adding more vegetables and fresh fruits to your diet. I recall that episode of panic buying at the supermarkets during the feared lockdowns - people bought toilet paper, beer etc but left the broccoli. The moral of the story is to incorporate healthy options.
Shopping
The mall experience is not only a way to pass the time but importantly a chance to feel the fabrics, test it against your own bodyshape etc. But hey, we want you to be responsible and abide by the government’s regulations. That’s why Velo Velo is making shopping easier for our customers to choose the right size for them. Look out for our improved size recommendation guide. Also, we allow exchanges where possible in the wrong sizes.
Watch out and take advantage of the various promotions that are on offer now!
Netflix and GCN
Remember all the videos you told yourself to watch next time. It’s now or never. Time to catch up on all the GCN videos and download the GCN app. Submit all the photos and put our country on their radar! Finally, learn what everyone is talking about when they type “I love CLOY.”
So guys, stay safe, be responsible and listen to the government. See you on ZWIFT!
Jon C
Why Assos?
Even if I disregard their long history with cycling apparels (about 40 years), I cannot ignore their expertise and obsession with the cycling apparel, bibs specifically. Imagine a group of engineers nerds in a round table fussing over every single detail in a piece clothing that you casually put on before every ride. Now imagine every one of those engineers are cyclists too. No all are pros. Many are cyclists like you and me, so they understand the pain of trying to fit a pear shape body into tight Lycra. The focus of their entire energy lies in the development and refinement of apparel. Nothing gets produced that won’t elevate your riding performance to another level.
ASSOS Black T.Mille S7 Men's Biib : https://goo.gl/A37bUe
So why Mille?
Value for Money
At S$210 it is the cheapest Assos bibshorts you can get. But it doesn’t mean you are getting bad lousy stuff. You are still getting high quality material and workmanship at reasonable price. Simply put. It’s getting top end Assos tech at reasonable price. It’s a entrance to what Assos can offer at a basic level. This is the minimal level bib Assos feels every bib should be. Soft to the touch with an expensive feel
Fitting
Assos is made for normal cafe riders too. Not everything is about pro and not all of us can fit into a pro kit. Assos takes that extra baggage we carry into consideration during the design. Just observed how the straps are positioned to produced a more accommodating fit. In additional they employ Type.429 Titanio, a textile, engineered with expertise that uses a 4-way stretch to maximise the elasticity of the fabric
Padding
Key to the comfort of the shorts is the purple padded insert. It's one of the best on the market. The T.Mille features a revolutionary 8mm of memory foam insert offering a deft balance of performance and comfort. On top of the memory foam is the ASSOS Waffle, an unique three-layer foam used in our inserts with perforations that make it light and highly breathable. All these supporting pad are stitched to the bibshorst only at the front and back via their 'goldenGate' construction, that leaves the midsection to move independently of the shorts.
Durability
The 4-way stretch fabric supports your body with optimal compression, and each of the panel used in the construction of the bibshorts are cut in such a way that it is exact in every area without putting any excessive pressure on you. The hard-wearing Type.429 Titanio fabric has also proved to withstand hundred of miles on the bike and countless machines washes.
Long Distance Mileage
It's ready to go any mileage you can pedal. You will definitely notice how the ' goldenGate' technology allows for more freedom of movement and eliminate friction and chafing. This is especially evident over longer rides. This entry-level bib is one that will push you to ride it to the max and almost forget the mileage ahead.
For many, $210 is a lot to spend on a pair of shorts, but if you want to invest in your cycling wardrobe and if you have some long rides coming up, you know you really cannot go wrong with the Mille bibshorts.
Drop by either of my shops (Midview City or OUE Downtown Gallery) or dealers, OneBike Asia(https://goo.gl/zUE8Mo) and Loue Bicycles (https://goo.gl/ccQCyG) to speak to any of our product specialists. Alternatively you can get your pair of Mille Bibshorts at our online store here: https://goo.gl/A37bUe
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As we start 2019, Velo Velo Singapore brings you a small gift guide. But first, let all of us, the team here at Velo Velo, wish everyone a happy new year. We hope the guide will provide you ideas for your loved one (and if you’re lucky, maybe you too).
Christmas ain't over. Christmas celebration never ends on Boxing Day, good ole 12 days of Christmas carol (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tReKR_ar5Ls) has been on repeat over here with us.
Let him or her stand out from the crowd.
Alba Optics design iconic sunglass and marry them with the latest modern technology. The brand offers a beautifully designed product to wear and totally functional from a technical point of view. Their range of offering is huge, with colour popping neons, to TONE collection with 3 comfortable colour tint, making it versatile for both the wee morning and night rides that we do in Singapore.
Alba Optics Delta GF Pink Darkside sunglasses (SGD219)
Alba Optics Delta Mr Green sunglasses (SGD219)
Yes, #Sockdoping is as real as it gets.
The easiest way to up the ante with the overall look is through socks. Each pedal revolution only serves to emphasis the choice of socks. While traditionalists will stand by “White is Pro”, we noticed over the years the increasing number of riders popping flashy colourful socks. Help his or her personality shines through with the gift of socks.
ASSOS Holy White Gt Socks (SGD22)
Defeet Doughtnut Process Blue (SGD18)
It’s a Lifestyle, We are all made of Cycling.
Be it relaxing on a rest day or pedaling a leisure commute, we cyclists want to be able to show our commitment to cycling while off the bike. Do you notice your cycling friend giving a secret nod of approval to the guy wearing a cycling T-shirt or carrying the ever iconic musette bag. The camaraderie is strong. The Afterall, cycling doesn’t really leave us, does it?
Assos Black "Made in Cycling" T-shirt (SGD65)
Pedal Mafia Musette Bag (SGD22)
It’s true. Some jerseys that hide our festive weight gain better.
Diet plans were temporarily shelved for the festivity, we are guilty as charged. Cycling kit designers are also humans, and not all of them have skinny stick insect-like bodies. Most of them deploy clever designs, adding coverage or contours to where it needs to be. A tip will be to choose darker colours around the tummy, and fabric that stretches more around the waist line. (But wait, this is still not an excuse for them to overindulge yah, do remind them if they are overeating)
Velocio Men's Army Tricolour (SGD210) Assos Cento Evo 8 jersey (SGD305) featuring Sens Classic Tex fabric used on the arms and the bottom part of the front panels.
Gift the lifesaver, bonking is really horrible.
While it's common sense for most cyclists to fuel before rides, most tend to forget to replenish depleted glycogen stores, driving themselves into the much dreaded “hitting a wall”. As the saying goes, ‘if you’re hungry, it’s too late’. These clean natural Lucho Dillitos energy bars have proven very useful for us at Velo Velo. You never know but this might be the lifesaver your friend will thank you for.
Lucho Dillitos Raspberry (SGD2.50)
Save money, preserve the performance of his or her cycling kit.
Yes, cycling kit doesn’t come cheap. Our advice is always to hand wash each of your kit. Also, regular detergents can sometimes damage the technical fabric used. Delicate on elastic fibers and pH neutral, ASSOS Active Wear Cleanser neutralises odours, enhances textile breathability and maintains sharp colour sublimation. (A compact 300ml size is ideal for traveling.)
ASSSO Active Cleaner- 300ml
Lastly, if you are still undecided, and want pure flexibility, a gift card will solve your headache. Choose from denominations as low as $10 and you don’t need to worry about expiry dates. Shop at https://www.velovelocycle.com , free local shipping and overseas orders above SGD200 will qualify for free shipping.
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This Japan summer, Velo Travel took full opportunity of the cool weather and hosted its first overseas adventure. A 7 days trip will take the riders through the surrounding the mountains and lakes, passing through neighboring towns and cruising along the coastline. With everyone participating in the Niseko Classic, it will be everyone's first time experiencing a UCI level race.
The Arrival
10 hours passed and it was Friday, at 1 pm. Everyone disembarked from the plane and made their way through the custom and baggage claim. Hiro-san, our friendly Japanese guide was there to greet us all. With a quick introduction and head accounted for, we boarded the coach and headed off for Niseko.
A 3-hour journey separates the airport and the hotel. Home for the trip was Always Niseko, a hotel started by a fellow Singaporean cyclist. The cool hotel is tailor-made for the cyclist. Well equipped with bike rack for storage and basic bike tools, fellow cyclists can stay there with a peace of mind.
Less than an hour, all the bikes were racked up and ready. With the bike aside, everyone slowly settles into their rooms and prepare themselves for dinner at the neighboring Yamada town.
Located about 15 minutes walk down the road from the hotel, the town is the epicenter for tourists during the winter month. The small town is well equipped with restaurants, convenient stores, and other hotels. There is even a bicycle store.
The Initiation Ride
The first ride in Niseko started cold and gloomy. Nicely situated within the hotel, Element Cafe provided the breakfast before the maiden ride. Riders gathered themselves together at the hotel lobby after the sumptuous breakfast.
13-degree Celsius cold wind greeted the riders on the 56km journey towards Makkari town and back. The mountainous terrain was made obvious with stretches of rolling hills paving the way towards Makkari Town, reminisce that of Singapore’s Mandai Road.
Journey back was made more pleasant as sunlight starts to peer through the clouds and warm the day up. We ended the ride with the collection of the Niseko Classic race pack.
The collection point was situated on the top of a hill in Yamada Town, halfway up Mount Annupuri. The climb’s 9% average gradient makes our Mount Faber look like a walk in the park. It was a good glimpse of what is to come for the following day.
The Race Is Over
The 140km race flagged off at 635am sharp with the riders rolling through a 6km neutral zone. The beginning proved to be the toughest as 2 big climbs paved the first 46km. The first climb instantly breaks the whole peloton, scattering cyclist all over the mountainside.
A fast 6km descent awaits at the end of the first 8km climb. Smooth tarmac paired with the gentle bend on the descent see some brave riders hitting speed well above 80kmh. One of our fellow riders manages to hit 87kmh! Thereafter, a series of short climbs paved the way to the start of the biggest climb of the race.
The 35km point marks the start of the King Of Mountain segment of the race. The 12km journey takes the rider up towards the KOM point at Shinsen-Numa marsh. At 5% average gradient and 580m elevation gain, it's the make it or break it point for all the competitors. Having only 2 hours to reach the KOM point, it was the first cut off point for the UCI race.
Being a Gran Fondo World championship qualifier, it was hardly a walk in the park. With elevation equivalent that of 8 Mt Fabers, only a handful of our riders managed to ride up the mountain and reach the Shinsen-Numa marsh. Only 2 riders managed to make it past the cut off time. The rest were picked up by the sag wagon at Shinsen-Numa marsh and ferried back to the finish line.
The strong few who made pass the first cut off point enjoyed a long 20km descent down to Hinode district, towards the Shiribetsu River. It was all flat riding along the Shiribetsu River which leads them towards the coastal town of Minatomachi. Thereafter, they roll back inland along the other side of the Shiribetsu River.
A 10km climb up towards Hinode district welcomes riders back into the mountains. The 4% average gradient climb is part of the KOM segment for the shorter 70km race. Finishing off the race was a series of climbs with the Yamada Town climb topping things off.
The Recovery Ride
Still beaten by yesterday’s torturous climb, 3rd day of riding was a 2 part event. A relatively easy 53km recovery ride brings the riders around Mount Yotei. Post ride, riders paid a visit to neighboring town Otaru for some much-needed recovery munch.
A 35km journey brings everyone to the east side of Mount Yotei. Sitting there is Kyogoku town, home of the beautiful Fukidashi park. Natural spring water flows down the mountainside and through Fukidashi park. Visitors can enjoy the tasty spring water at their own pleasure.
What seems like it could possible glitch on your strava is a very straight 8km road that span across 3 towns. Situated about 4km out from Fukidashi park and no traffic light to slow down for, all riders went full gas, finishing whatever that is left of their legs.
The easy ride ended just before noon, leaving the whole afternoon for the visit to Otaru. The 90 minutes coach ride cuts through the valley of Mount Tengu and Daikokuyama, along the beautiful Yoichi river. Passing by Yoichi and Oshoro Bay before reaching Otaru town.
The small harbor city house many colonial buildings and as well as the beautiful Otaru Canal. At the heart of Otaru sits Sakaimachi Dori. Lined with many beautifully built western styled buildings from the 1900s, the street houses a huge variety of shops and restaurants.
Accurate Forecast
The 5th day in Niseko was designated for an epic ride towards Lake Toya, around it and back. The 130km hilly journey will fetch the riders a total of 1400m in elevation gain. However, with remnants of rain from last night and a possible rain forecasted during the ride, our Japanese guide advised us to cancel the ride for safety reasons.
Under the advice of our guide, the ride was eventually canceled and replaced with a road trip down to Lake Toya. Japanese weather forecast proved to be accurate with showers drifting in and out through the day.
The riders took a bus ride through the planned cycling route towards Toyakoonsen town, which is located at the southern tip of Lake Toya. Sitting at the foot of an active volcano, the town felt the full wrath when Mount Usu erupted back in 2000. Remnants of destroyed buildings were still present to warn visitors about the power of mother nature.
Post lunch, a short bus ride brings the group up towards another active volcano, Mount Showa Shinzan. Located at the top is the Showa Shinzan Bear Ranch and a cable car station that bring visitors up to the rim of Mount Usu. The weather wasn't on our side as rain clouds hovered over the mountaintop, covering up the beautiful view of Mount Usu.
Finishing off the road trip was an onsen bath back at Toyokoonsen town. The hot spring sits along the coast of Lake Toya and overlooks the beautiful Nakajima Island. The hot spring proves to be the perfect way to relax on the cold rainy day.
The Epic Ride
Perfect would have been an understatement to describe our last day of riding in Niseko. The weather was great, food was excellent and the scenery was beautiful. It was a bittersweet everyone roll into the 120km journey out to the coastline and back up into the mountains.
The sun was out, lighting up the beautiful mountains and coastline. Basking the full glory of the beautiful day, we made way towards the small fishing town of Suttsu. Lunch was at Suttsu Oyster Village that sits along the coastal road leading towards Suttsu. The obscure wooden hut serves up sumptuous seafood that was freshly caught off the sea in front of the restaurant.
With the stomach filled and cravings satisfied, the day continues with a ride up north along the coast towards the town of Iwanai.
It was an exciting yet daunting experience, we have to ride through several long tunnels that span along the coast. Heavy vehicles sped pass us as we try to negotiate through the dark tunnel. Each tunnel was a few kilometers long and the vehicles were loud in the enclosed tunnel.
A quick refuel at Iwanai town prepares everyone for the final leg of the day. With no time cut to rush for, everyone rode with ease and took their time riding up the Mount Waisuhorun, soaking up its full beauty. After 20km of climbing later, everyone took a quick break at a beautiful vantage point which overlooks Mount Yotei.
With the beautiful Mount Yotei as a backdrop, everyone gathered for a well-deserved group photo, marking the finale of the trip.
Reality starts to set in as everyone makes the long descent back to the hotel. Sun was already setting as we reached the hotel. Reluctancy filled the air as everyone starts to pack their bicycle.
Element Cafe lightens the mood up with a sumptuous spread of Japanese delicacies for dinner.
Jonathan Chua, the man behind Velo Travel, took the opportunity to officiate Velo Travel. A very special leather wristband marks the new beginning. Going on a Velo Travel adventure earns each a special stamp on their wristband, a reminder of the fun time and epic adventures.
The Departure
A week later, the same journey that brought us to Niseko has brought everyone back to Chitose Airport. With a light bow and a wave, we gave our thanks and said goodbyes to our Japanese guide.
Want to join us for more fun trips?
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The cycling bib shorts have been the cornerstone of cycling apparels for many years now, giving cyclists around the world a much pleasant riding experience. However, finding the right bib shorts could just be as tough as finding the right saddle. Whether if it's an easy long Sunday rides or a fast pace road race, the choice of bib could mean the difference between outright comfort or hours of pain and discomfort.
Golden Rule: Do not wear underpants beneath the bib shorts.
Designed to be worn like a 2nd skin, bib shorts are meant to be worn without anything between the chamois and the butt. Wearing underpants beneath the bib shorts could result in serious saddle sore and abrasion when the fabrics get caught between each other.
Image: Pas Normal Studio Mechanism Bib
The most crucial component of all bib shorts is the chamois. It is the primary contributing factor for comfort. Companies have invested much into chamois research, using premium fabrics and multiple layers to achieve the optimal density for comfort. This sometimes contributes to the much higher cost of some premium bib shorts. Fortunately, with the advances in material technology, one could bag themselves a $100 bibs short that is as comfortable as their $300 counterpart.
How come so? The chamois may be the main factor for comfort, but there are also other components that made up the cycling bib that will affect the overall comfort
The chamois is meant to mould with the shape of your butt, providing cushion along the area of contact with the saddle. The most important areas are where the pelvis sits on the saddle. Lower tier bibs shorts might have a single thickness chamois. Higher tier bib shorts use various foam thickness and density, keeping it thin where cushioning is not needed, and more support where it is required.
Bib shorts with such complex chamois generally yields a more comfortable ride. The chamois should feel reasonably soft and have some flex for it to mould your butt. A good chamois should mould to your butt nicely and almost feel non-existent.
Image: Morvelo Standard Chamois Vs Morvelo Nth Series Chamois
When comes to choosing the right chamois, there are 3 key deciding factors. Gender, riding style/discipline and weight.
Gender - There are key differences between men's and women’s chamois, each with shapes to suit the gender’s physical anatomy. Anatomically, women’s have a wider pelvis than men. Women’s specific chamois is made wider to accommodate their wider pelvis. Men’s chamois has a cutout or channel running down the middle. This helps to relieve pressure on the men’s perineal region. Unlike men’s, women’s chamois has full foam down the center to help protect soft tissues from abrasions. The front area of the men’s chamois is made thinner to accommodate the men’s baggage.
Image: Women's Chamois Vs Men's Chamois
Riding style/discipline - There are various type of bib short catered to different riding style and discipline, and depending on the type, the chamois varies as well. You may want to choose a bib short with that has thicker chamois for long endurance riding, while thinner options are better suited for shorter rides or racing. Some chamois are designed with channels or perforations to wick away sweat during long rides. Chamois inside triathlon bib shorts are much thinner to allow triathletes to run in them without restricting their movement. Similarly, chamois for commuters are thinner as well to allow ease of walking without much restriction.
Image: Long Distance Endurance Chamois Vs Time Trial Specific Chamois
Weight - Chamois made for long endurance riding tends to be denser as well. Over a period of time, the foam inside compressed from the rider’s weight, losing its cushioning property. A denser foam insert allows the chamois to retain its shape and thickness. Heavier riders can opt for such bib shorts which are better at cushioning their weight. Likewise for lighter riders, one can opt for thinner and less dense chamois.
The primary purpose of a bib shorts is to mould the chamois onto the butt and hold it in place during the ride. Its crucial to find the right size bib short to fit your own physique. A bib shorts that is too big may cause the chamois to sit loosely on the butt and shift around during ride. Excess material will cause possible saddle sore and abrasion. A bib shorts that too small may cause the chamois to press tightly against the groin and perianal region, resulting in numbness. Excessive tightness form the bib shorts may cause the stitching to “bite” into the skin, causing irritation and possible skin rash.
Image: A well fitted Pedal Mafia Tech+ Bib Shorts
How well the bib shorts does its job is largely influenced by the fit. The fit is determined by the type of fabric used and how the individual fabrics are stitched together. A bib shorts with more panels tends to give a better fit. However having more panels also means more stitchings are required, which may result in irritation and abrasion.
Image: Velocio Luxe Bib Shorts utilized their own 3-panel design to achieve better comfort
Image: Morvelo Standard Bib Shorts uses 17 panels to improve their overall fit
Most premium bib shorts uses a complex combination of fabrics and panels to improve the fit. The property of a fabric is determined by the blend of material used and how the individual fibers are weaved together. Some shorts are made with more breathable fabric to help cope with riding in hot weather, while some are made with thicker or fleece infused fabric for cold weather riding.
The construction of bib shorts varies from brand to brand. Some brands emphasize on a more “Pro” looking fit which are much tighter and longer. On the other hand, some brands using more stretchable fabrics which fits better on cyclists with “Sprinters” quads.
Gripper
Second to chamois, the simple gripper is probably the next most important component to look at in bib shorts. Staying true to Velominati Rule #7, the gripper could be a winner or rule breaker in the search for razor sharp tan lines. A good set of gripper will stay in place and prevent your bib shorts from riding up.
Most often, elastic hem lined with silicone stripes or dots are used as gripper. However, one may experience skin irritation from the silicone blocking up pores or digging into the skin. Most brands and manufacturers have opted to line their hems with broad highly elastic fabrics as grippers. These grippers rely on elastic compression to hold themselves in place, reducing the need for silicone stripes or dots.
Image: Morvelo(Left) and Velocio(Right) have opted for thick elastic silicone infused hem for their grippers
Higher tier bib shorts usually comes with this broad highly elastic hem as gripper. Some have tiny silicone particles infused into the fabric to improve grip, while some has gone without any silicone help, only relying on elastic compression and a broader gripper. They tend to be more comfortable and cause less irritation.
The Right Bib Shorts Checklist
Check out our Velo Velo Online Store for the full range Men's and Women's cycling bib shorts. Alternatively you can drop by our physical store at MidView City or OUE Downtown and give them a try!
]]>Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia. Situated 350km up north of Singapore, the City will play host to the 2017 South East Asian Games. Considered by many as the epicenter of Malaysia’s cycling, the city is splatted with many cyclists and bicycle shops. Planning for a cycling route is never of a problem with their wide variety of road and terrains. Options of fast flat roads around the city center for the speed demons or the long steep climbs on the outskirts for the mountain goats. Either will prove to be fun and challenging for everyone.
In lieu of the SeaGames fever kicking in, Velo Velo Club decided to host a 5 days trip up to Kuala Lumpur and explore some of the infamous climbs that paved the outskirts of the city.
On the minivan
Day 1 took us about 6 hours of traveling from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur via a chartered mini bus. The bus was nicely tailored to fit 6 riders and their bicycles, with some rooms to spare for baggage. The custom was relatively crowded as it was a public holiday, but everyone made it through the Singapore and Malaysia custom faster than expected. We managed to land ourselves a nice accommodation in Putrajaya. Coincidentally, it was situated just minutes away from what will be the epicenter of the all of the SeaGames Road races. After unloading the bikes and getting ourselves acquainted with our new home, we set off on foot to explore the neighboring area. Basic necessity was within 10 minutes walk away. A mini town housing multiple supermarkets and eateries have everything we needed for our stay. After grabbing our dinner and some groceries, we head back and set ourselves down for tomorrow's itinerary
Day 2 got us up bright and early as bike shop hopping was our top agenda. We managed to pop by some popular bicycle shops based on the local's recommendation. Top on our list was The Bike Artisan which was situated on top of a roll of nice cafes serving delicious coffee. Definitely a good post ride hangout spot. After an early dinner, we head back home to suit ourselves up for the Putrajaya Night Ride happening later at 8 pm. We decided to roll out relatively early and went for a lazy scenic ride exploring the surrounding area. Much like our park connectors, a nicely paved path runs along the river that surrounds the Putrajaya Boulevard. There were also food trucks parked along the path to served you some of the local delights.
Exploring the city before the night ride
Before long, it was half past 7 and we slowly make our way to the gathering point of the Putrajaya Night Ride. Happening almost every night of the week, we saw 50 over riders gathering outside a small Laksa Kiosk located along Putrajaya Boulevard. The ride will take us through the nearby highways that encircle the Putrajaya Boulevard. Fast pace the ride was with strong riders from neighboring clubs turning up. With no traffic lights to slow you down, the pace will be as fast as your legs can be. The main loop was about 40km long with an additional 15km extension around the Putrajaya Boulevard for the faster few. The rides end at where it started, so one can grab a quick serving of Laksa to ease their post ride hunger. If you are not a fan of Laksa, afraid not as the area is littered with other food options that just a short ride away, so nobody goes home hungry.
Jon looks tired....
Morning rain greeted us as we woke up early for the 2nd ride of the trip. Undeterred, we got dressed, loaded our bikes up onto a chartered van and drove down to meet with our Malaysian friend, William, over at Kajang district. The meeting point was a Chinese eatery that serves up some old school morning breakfast. We took our time with the breakfast and waited for the roads to dry out. Soon the sun came out and the road was drying up. Everyone finished up their coffee and began to roll off for the ride. William and his cycling buddies were kind enough to lead us for the ride. The route took us through the well-known Lekas Highway which played host to the annual Shimano Lekas Highway Ride. First time riding on the highway, it was a daunting experience rolling alongside speeding vehicles. However, the experiences soon took a positive turn as drivers greeted us with their horns as they drove by.
Weijie rocking his Morvelo kit and Carol on her TSH kit
Nice smooth tarmac paved our path for a good 25km with no traffic lights in sight. Clueless of the full details of the route, William decided surprised us and took us on a detour off the highway. We were surprised indeed. About 2km out, we were greeted with a 2km climb. Average of 5% gradient with the steepest at 9%, the climbs ended with a scenic view overlooking the Lekas Highway. After the descent, we were immediately greeted by another climb. Longer at 3.5km, the climb was much gentle with an average gradient of 4%, but a short 10% section did take our breath away. A long descend came after and soon we found ourselves in Seremban.
Everyone was so happy after the climb
We took a lunch stop over at Seremban before making our way back. Hungry from the morning, we popped by a popular bakery that serves up some pretty delicious puffs and buns. We bought ourselves some puff to accompany our lunch over at an eatery.
Puffs all fresh from the oven!
With hunger satisfied and water bottles filled, we rolled off for home. The return was a thrilling experience with a long 7% descend down into the Lekas Highway. The 5km stretch was gone in just 3mins and soon we are back on familiar roads. Soon we saw storm clouds rolling in behind us as we make our final push back. Turns out to be a blessing as the clouds block out the scorching afternoon sun. Luck was on our side as we manage to finish our ride right before the sky pour on us.
TLC joining us in the Fight Cancer jersey
40 minutes later, we are back at our place in Putrajaya. After quick wash down of the bikes, everyone took their turns for the shower. It was almost 6 pm after everyone had cleaned themselves and dinner were top of the agenda. We decided to take a gamble and took an hour long drive up to an interesting restaurant recommended by our Malaysian friends. Situated on the top of a scenic hill off Ampang Jaya, getting to Veg Fish Farm Thai Restaurant proved to be a bit of a challenge. But it was all worth the trouble as we were served with a wide spread of delicious food cook in Thai and local Malaysian style. The food was pretty fresh with produce pick from their backyard farm. Everyone left the restaurant happy as well as a few kg heavier. Food coma hit us hard as we make the long journey back home.
Food time!
The 4th day was the highlight of the trip as we challenge ourselves to tackle the infamous Broga loop. Our planned route took us through the 3 Infamous climb and other smaller peaks along the way. The day starts with an hour drive to an eatery located in Kampong Batu Lapan Bela where we will meet up with our Malaysian friends. The eatery was very easy to spot with multiple bicycles hanging out on the bicycle rack provided by the eatery’s owner. We started our ride with eggs and toast before making our way to the very first climb. Nicknamed Hantu, the first climb sits just 12km out from the eatery. The quiet winding road stretched all the way up the climb with the morning mist shielding us from the sun. The ghostly climb stretched 3.5km long at an average gradient of 6%. Present too were some double digits segments that haunt our still half asleep body. After a fast 2.5km descend down Hantu, we continued on a 49km journey through the rolling hills of the Broga Loop before the next major climbs.
Our first try on Broga Loop
What awaits us ahead was a climb up the road of Bukit Tangga. 5km long and an average gradient of 6% the 4 lanes road was nicely paved with smooth tarmac. The most exciting part of the trip was what that came after the climb. As the phrase goes, what goes up must come down, the long 5km descend Bukit Tangga was just exhilarating. Easily hitting the speed of 70 odd km per hour without pedaling, the descent will test all your guts and skill. A relatively flat 18km journey took us to a small town of Titi where we had our lunch stop. Lunch was served from a popular eatery that cooks up delicious Wonton noodles. Everyone made quick work of their lunch and took some time to rest before pushing off for the final climb.
Lunch Point at Broga
It was about 1 pm and the roads were scorching hot from the Sun. With stomach and water bottle filled, everyone continued the final push to the last climb under the blazing sun. A 13km journey leads the rider to the start of the final big climb. The climb will take the riders on a 14km ride up through 3 peaks with Genting Peres on the last. The first climb up to the 1st peak is 4.5km long with an average gradient of 5%, followed by a quick descent down to the bottom of the 2nd peak. 2.6km with an average gradient of 4% was the climb up to the 2nd peak. After another quick descend comes the toughest part of the ride. Exhausted, the riders have to dig deep riding up a 2 km climb with an average gradient of 8%. Thankfully a support van was present at the top of Genting Peres for riders to rest and hydrate. Gradually, more riders began to cross the peak. With everyone accounted for, we began the long descent back down to the morning’s eatery.
Weijie making sure everyone is back
With more than 7 hours on the road, everyone was totally exhausted and hungry. After a quick gulp of homemade barley by the eatery, we load our bike up and make our way for dinner. Lucky for us, the Veg Fish Farm Thai Restaurant was just 15 minutes drive away. Still drenched in our sweaty cycling kit, we sat ourselves down and munch away on the sumptuous dinner. Spirit was high as everyone was chatting away and reminiscing the afternoon ride. Talks on the next trip back have already begun over the dinner table.
Happy meal after the ride
As we make our way back to the van, we gave our heartfelt thanks to our Malaysian friends who had lead up through the rides. We waved them goodbye as we slowly roll off for the journey back to Putrajaya. As we got ourselves clean up for the night, we slowly began to pack for tomorrow's early departure.
The journey back home was quick as we reached the custom pretty early, avoiding the weekend crowd. To end the trip on a high, all of us sat down for one sumptuous meal together before disembarking on our journey home.
To see more of our road trip, check the photos here.
Check out the Morvelo and Pas Normal Studios kit.
To know more about the restaurant we visited, click here.
To know more about Velo Velo Club and our future rides, click here.
Many of our customers will now know about Morvelo Apparels. It is one of Velo Velo's very first brand. I love their designs and the excellent bibshorts. It's my go to bibshort for long rides due to their excellent compression, fit and chamois.
Morvelo is based in the city of Brighton, England and they ride their bikes everyday. They are an intentionally small team of four working to their strengths, keeping all product design, graphic design, marketing and customer service in house and using specialists for everything else. Morvélo is also independently owned and self-financed.
To understand more about the story behind the brand, I did a short interview with the founders some time back.
Here's their story.
1. Tell us about your inspirations for the designs that we can expect to see in the upcoming autumn winter season.
The inspiration for the design comes from the worlds of fashion, sport, art, music, and film as well as a healthy dose of pop culture. Only for the more vintage designs do we ever look to the cycling world for inspiration, looking at retro designs. For AW2017 we have limited the color palette so you can mix and match across items, even if they are not the same design.
Morvelo Unity Evo
2. We hear that your bibs have received some accolades and positive reviews. What goes into the design and manufacturing process?
First and foremost we are riders and really do ride everything. It's not just a marketing ploy. So we get to try and test first hand. We've been racing bikes for over 25 years so have a deep understanding of what it takes to make a quality product having ridden in a huge amount of kit over the years. So we test, then get our team to test, taking on feedback all the time. Even when the product is launched we in-house over the years so all out products subtly evolve. Manufacturing is done in a small Polish factory run by an English guy who just so happens to come from our home town of Brighton. He's was a top amateur and set up his business in his wife's parent garden shed in 1989 so the grass roots approach is much the same as ours. Fabrics all come from Italy, as do the chamois because frankly, no-one else comes close. We've tried others but Italy is the best. Reflective details and trim come from Germany and the lycra binding from France so it's a purely European affair
Morvelo Reflective Tab found on their bibshorts
3. How do you choose the fabrics, stitching, testing of the kits etc?
Riding, riding and more riding. We pick fabrics, look at companies inside and outside of cycling to see what construction methods they are using. Try them out. Keep them if we are happy and more often than not modify as we don't ever accept there is a final solution. Our products, even though we are super happy with them, will always continue to evolve.
4. Many factories mass produce their kits but you still take pains to hand make your kits in Europe. Why did you decide to do that?
It started off because we couldn't afford to make large numbers. We are entirely self-financed, starting in 2009 with £500 and a box of t-shirts. We continually reinvest and so grow at a steady and organic rate. Only European manufacturers had the flexibility or inclination to do small numbers. However, we got to know the factories so well and love working with them so much we have stayed with them. Only our new rain jackets and MTB shorts are made in China because we, unfortunately, couldn't find the quality we were after in Europe. However, 95% of our clothing is still made in the cycling heartland.
Spring Summer 2017 Fifty kit
5. We'd like to get to know the team better. Between yourselves, Oli and Dave, how do you split the work on who designs and who does quality control?
Dave leads the design, Oli the product development, Lois the marketing and Danni the customer services and logistics, although we cross over on everything from branding, marketing, social media, events and coffee making. We are all riders so try and test all products first-hand every day so we are all aware if there are any quality issues. Because we are a small team we take feedback very personally and act on each and every response. There are no departments or board meetings. We are all completely involved in everything we do. It's our passion not just our job.
Thanks so much for the interview and insight into your brand. Can't wait to see the upcoming season!
Morvelo are a group of cyclists creating their dream kits and sharing with other cyclists. They have constantly evolve and always improving. Wish to try a Morvelo? We are having a end of season sale for their Spring Summer 2017 collection. Check them out here.
]]>Velo Club with TFriders and West Coast Riders jointly organized the Batam cycling trip. Read about their adventure here from a single rider perspective.
]]>by Tan Wei Jie
To many local Singaporeans, a visit to Batam Island of Indonesia would always include lots of shopping and sumptuous dining of the local Indonesian produce. For local cyclists, however, a visit to Batam would be more of an adventure than a holiday itself.
Batam is situated down south of the equator, just a 45 minutes ferry ride away from our HarbourFront Ferry Terminal. It consists of multiple islands that are connected together by series of short bridges. Batam Island is the main island where the most tourist would visit for their holiday. Situated further down south of that are Galang Island and Rempang Island which are connected to Batam Island by a series of bridges. 6 bridges connect the 3 islands together and collectively, they are known by the local as Barelang.
On 15th July 2017, a group of 40 odd riders gathered together on a journey to challenge themselves to ride through the 6 bridges of Barelang. The atmosphere was high as riders wait for their disembarkment at HarbourFront Ferry Terminal. Excitement soon turned into horror as everyone makes their way through the custom and down to the ferry. It was pouring heavily over in Singapore and every bicycle was sitting out on the ferry’s open deck, embracing the full glory of the morning shower. Undeterred by the sight, everyone made their way up the ferry and got themselves comfortable for the journey ahead.
The 45 minutes trip past quickly. Everyone was all excited, busy chatting and psyching themselves up for the ride ahead. To everyone's delight, the weather was on our side over at Batam. We were greeted with cloudy overcast and cooling wind, everything was as everyone has hoped for. Forewarned of our arrival, the Indonesian custom cleared us quickly. Within minutes, everyone was out of the ferry terminal and reunited with their bicycles. With all the cycling gears on and water bottles filled to the brim, everyone gathered for a briefing of the day's itinerary by David Ho, the Head Honcho of WCR. The brief ended with a quick group photo of the day’s participants. The terminal soon echoed with everyone’s clipping in of their pedals, marking the start of the epic ride.
24km was the distance for the ride from the ferry terminal to the very first bridge. The distances may be short, but riding through the busy streets of Batam and navigating through Batam traffic was intimidating for some. Staying together in a large group of riders definitely helped with everyone looking out for each other. Dispatch motorbike marshals were on site to help direct traffic away and guide us through the busy traffic. Road condition was a bit sketchy, but the potholes were nothing too difficult to navigate around. 16km in and we found ourselves requiring to make a right turn at a major junction. The motorbike marshal made quick work of the Batam traffic and cleared a path for everyone to filter out for the right turn. Soon on-coming traffic stopped and the dimly lit traffic light to turn green. Everyone clipped into their pedals and roll through the right turn and that marks the start of the Barelang route.
With just 8km more to the first bridge, the road soon turned to smooth tarmac and traffic was down to the minimal. From there on it was a straight route all the way down to the very southern end of Galang Island and a U-turn back to the 1st bridge. Stronger riders soon began to take the lead of the group as we slowly rode into the first hill. Soon everyone broke into smaller packs and rode with their friends of similar pace. The 8 km journey to the first bridge was no easy stroll through the park. Even with their fresh legs, it still proves to be an uphill task for many. Realizing that similar terrain paved through the whole stretch of Barelang, riders soon start to ease off and slowly pace themselves through the climb.
Not before long, the very first bridge was in sight. The iconic Beralang bridge stood out from the background, standing tall like a giant, overlooking the low lying shop houses that run down the sides of the road. Riders rode through the first bridge with delight, with some snapping selfies of themselves riding through the bridge. With a fast descend down through the 1st bridge, riders were soon greeted with the 2nd and then the 3rd. The first 3 bridged were situated closely together within a distance just 3km. 5 km later comes with the fourth bridge. The 4th bridge marks the start of a grueling 24km of undulating hills that roll through the very spars lands that spread through the whole of Rempang Island.
After about 2 hours and 55km into the ride, riders took a stop on the 5th bridge for a quick top up of their water and nutrition from the support vehicle. Just 24km left to reach the southern end of Galang Island before riders make their return back to the first bridge. The last 24km will prove to be the hardest with series of long flats and the toughest of the climbs nearing the end. With the cloudy overcast, the cooling weather almost went unnoticed to most riders. The weather took a wet turn as we rolled past the last of the 6 bridges. The light drizzle that greeted us before soon began to turn heavy, and before long, we were all drenched. The rain seems to be a much-needed blessing, cooling our already exhausted body.
80km in and 3 hours later, riders finally reach the southern end. Support vehicle was already present with water and nutrition on standby for the rider’s arrival. The few that still have energy left in them, took in whatever they could and soon set off on their return leg to the first bridge. Some of the exhausted few that reached the end threw in the towel and boarded the sweeper bus. With a ferry to catch, time was of the essence. A sweeper bus was present to pick up riders that could not meet required timeline. Due to unforeseen circumstances, many could not make it through all the 6 bridges and reach the southern end. Few have made the decision to u turn early along the way, while some turn to join the last pack of rider heading back to the first bridge. The exhausted few boarded the sweeper bus.
About 4 hours and 20mins later, the first rider crossed the 1st bridge again to reach the end of the ride. A total 135km was covered for the full distances with an elevation gain of more than 1200m. Soon, more riders slowly begin to pour in. The bikes were quickly loaded up onto a lorry which will be ferried to the terminal for loading onto the ferry. Exhausted riders were ferried to a nearby resort for a quick wash up before settling down for a much need lunch. Lunch was served in an air conditioned room with local produces cooked in Indonesian style. There were stir fried prawns, steamed fish, batter fried calamari, deep fried chicken, just to name a few. Also, not forgetting the good deals on the beers help some washed down their food.
Time was 3.30pm, Batam time, everyone one was done and filled by the sumptuous meal. As food coma slowly sets in, everyone made their way to the bus for the journey back to the ferry terminal. The 25km journey took us about 40mins, with the skilled bus driver made quick work of the busy traffic and got us back to the terminal without a hitch. As we brought ourselves down from the bus, we were greeted but the very same flight of stairs that we had gathered that very morning. Everyone sat themselves down comfortably on the stair as we wait patiently for our turn to clear the custom. Jonathan Chua and David, the 2 who helped organize the ride, took the opportunity to conduct a quick debrief for the ride and also gave a big thanks to all the participants for their attendance.
A gentleman walked out from the terminal and gave us the green light. Not before long, everyone was on board the ferry and getting acquainted with their seat for the journey back to Singapore. The 45 minutes went by quickly as everyone was busy reminiscing the events of the morning. With our passport scanned, everyone was soon reunited with their bicycle. After a quick check on the head counts, everyone gave their goodbyes and went off on their long journey back home through the concrete jungle of Singapore.
More of the photos here.
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]]>Explore Tai Chung and Wu Lin with Velo Velo Club
Located in Taiwan’s Taroko National Park, Nantou County, Wu Lin is the highest paved road in the country. Offering a splendid mountain view and a magical view of the valleys, it is definitely on the bucket list of many cyclists in Asia.
Departing from Singapore, (a mainly flat country, our highest climb is about 90m elevation), a group of cyclists with diverse experience in both cycling and life gathered to take on Taiwan.
Some have never ridden 5 days in a row, some have never even gone above 1,000 m elevation, and others have never flown with their bikes before. However, the promise of a good experience made us all look forward to the trip.
We began our first day of riding during the early hours in the morning. Breakfast was simple with local dishes but many were too nervous to eat. From Puli Township in Nantou County, we were attempting the easiest of the three routes up Wu Lin.
Starting from 445 meters elevation, we headed towards the mountain as the town was waking up. We were enjoying the comfortable weather of 29 degrees with breezes coming through the valleys. The road was constantly smooth and clean. As we began ascending the mountain, we were met with 6-10% gradient and the occasional double digits gradient for the first 50 km. The mountain ride offers a different experience to what we get in Singapore which is mainly flat. There are also no traffic lights that we can rest and the non-stop climbing was beginning to strain our legs.
As we rode on, the town at our back faded away and eventually disappeared as we entered the valley. In the mountain valley, we became part of the postcard image that we often see on the pictures of magazines. We actually had to resist taking photos or we would be stopping every so often. Thankfully, our support drivers were also photography hobbyists and captured many of those beautiful moments.
Taiwan’s 7-11 convenience stores are famous for being everywhere and having everything. The 7-11 certainly did not disappoint even high up in the mountains. They provided us a place to rest, hydrate and regroup. Even at an elevation of 2,050 meters! As we were at the highest and final 7-11 of the climb, the weather started to change. It became misty and the temperature started to fall. We continued to push on, determined to get as high as possible before the weather defeated us. The temperature continued to drop and with visibility plummeting to under 5 meters. Coupled with the rain and strong wind, it became unbearable and dangerous for us to keep going. Only 2 of our veteran cyclists managed to make it to the top of the peak, stating this as one of their toughest climb ever.
Photos and celebrations at the peak were kept short, as we would quickly hide in the support vehicle and warm ourselves up with hot ginger tea prepared by our experienced guides.
The second day of the trip brought us to the beautiful Sun-Moon Lake, Yuchi Township for a recovery ride. Being Singaporeans, we did not expect that an “easy" ride would still rack up 1,000 meters in total elevation. Thankfully it was spread over a distance of almost 80 km. With some rest points planned into the ride to visit local attractions as well as taking photos in front of the popular lake, we had great fun basking in the sights and acting like a tourist for once. The ride round the lake was full of rolling hills and we did our first long descent of 8km, something we cannot do in Singapore. This made all those climbs we have done worth it, and some of us manage to hit a top speed of 80km/hr!
The third day’s challenge was at Meishan’s famous 36 bends in Chiayi County. We were halfway through our road trip and the idea of doing a 1,000meters elevation ride still feels daunting. A warmer temperature of 31 degrees at the beginning of the day seemed to forebode us.
We rode the first 6 km with a climb of 300 meters before we reached the bottom of Meishan which falls under the Alishan National Scenic Area and began our climb of the 36 bends. We rode up switchback after switchback with signages telling us how many we have passed by. After some time, we forgot how difficult it was and how many there were to go. All we knew is that we just needed to keep spinning till we got there. Upon reaching the top of Meishan, we thought it was the end but our “nice” guide told us our destination was a tea plantation another 300 meters high and 5 km away. Digging deep, we continued the climb. In the end, all was worth it as the view at the tea plantation was amazing. The light drizzle and mist added a magical atmosphere to the place. After basking in the lovely ambiance, we happily “reap” our reward by rolling back down the hills we have worked so hard to ascend.
Our fourth day began with rain in the morning and it made us wonder if we had to give up
riding that day. We still decided to press on anyway, but pushed the start point closer towards the destination at the suburb of Lugu Township and ride through Zhushan (Bamboo Mountain) to Xitou Monster Village. The intermittent rain made the experience of riding through Zhushan magical. The misty atmosphere combined with rays of light shining through the bamboo fields created a magical atmosphere. Soon we ended our ride of 1,000 meters elevation over 24 km. Being drenched from the rain, we briefly rested in the Japanese Monster inspired village taking some photos before hopping onto our support vehicles and back to the hotel.
For the last day of our trip, we rode north up from Taichung City towards Sanyi Township as a recovery ride before we heading back to Taipei on the same day to pack our bikes. The last day was planned to be an easier ride in the countryside but as we would have known by now, climbs are everywhere in Taiwan, and any rides would easily get us an elevation close to 1,000 meters. We ended our rides at the old Sheng Xing train station which was built in 1908 as part of the Mountain Line, and called it a day, ending our 5 days road trip. Now it was time for several days of rest and shopping in Taipei City before returning home to Singapore.
Over the five days of riding, we had covered a distance 254km and a combined elevation gained of 7,814 meters, fostering cycling friendships that would hopefully last us for a lifetime. We experienced the warmth and hospitality offered by our Taiwanese support staffs and tasted local delicacies made from freshest ingredients from Taiwan which are famous for agricultural produce and most importantly, wonderful cycling experience through these picturesque places that we would never get in Singapore.
The hardest part of the trip is actually going for it. Once you are in it, you can do it. The support offered by the group throughout the ride kept all of us going. Although many felt that we have not prepared enough for the trip, will you ever be? We have an unfinished business with Wu Lin and will definitely be back to settle it.
Interested in organised rides out of Singapore? Join the Velo Velo Club. Enquire at info@velovelocycle.com
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