TnT's Workout Blog

After the descent we visited Hindhede Quarry, an abandoned granite quarry that operated until the 1980's. When the quarry functions stopped, the place started to fill with water, since the granite is impermeable. The original water level was at 18 meters below the sea level, and was rising in 1990's about 3.5 meters a year. With that pace the quarry was predicted to overflow at 35 meters above the sea level in 2008. Apparently it did not happen, but the depth of about 50 meters is still impressive.

We spent quite a while observing a baby turtle swimming with his mom in the quarry. Afterwards, we had a late lunch at OldTown White Coffee.

The pictures on right feature a house of a former Arab spice trader, which later hosted a restaurant, closed since the economic crisis caused by SARS, and some colonial houses built by British and now occupied by upper middle class expats, such as some Finns, as we notice.

Recently we upgraded our running gear quite a bit: we both have brand new heart rate monitors and foot pods --- Tomi has a Suunto and Tei has a Polar. We also made some investments to apparel that is supposed to keep our heads cool and the sweat from the eyes. Yesterday, we got new bicycle glasses in the nearby spectacle shop. The salesperson spent about an hour with us explaining things and suggesting different models. We were happy about the good service and our new Oakleys. As a promotion we received ultra-cool carbon fiber cases for our glasses.

Iran scored twice early in the match, the first goal from the penalty kick, and thereafter Singapore showed very little willingness to play. With the 3-1 win Iran guaranteed a place in the final that will be played in Qatar.

As usual we start with an afternoon ride to Changi Village on Pasir Panjang, Telok Blangah, and Keppel Road to Nicoll Highway, and finally to East Coast Park. The park is a nightmare as usual with a erratic riders and all (we've ranted over this enough before). We have head wind all the way. Still we make it to the Village in almost two hours.

Next morning at the Changi Point it takes us just 30 minutes to get boarded. The gasoline smell is strong and the sea is quite rough today, so it is hard not to feel sick on the bumboat ride. Plus some people smoke in the boat, and dump the empty cigarette boxes in the ocean :(

From the ferry terminal we have a strong head wind to Pulai Desaru Beach Resort: it takes us three hours to cover just 40 kilometers. This is the second time we ride in Pengerang, so the landscape looks at least moderately familiar.

Saturday starts mostly sunny and breezeless. We have ahead of us about 50 kilometers of a quiet country road that follows the coastline of South China Sea. Except for occasional potholes, the road itself is in rather good condition, and there is practically no traffic: a car or a motorbike passes us every fifteen to twenty minutes. A pack of ten or something bicyclists, mostly teenagers probably from one of the beach resorts, come up and they are the only riders we see today.

After a couple of hours we reach an area with several kampungs, which conveniently come with restaurants and stalls serving drinks and snacks. We get a lot of honks from by-passing vehicles but we take them to be friendly ones: in general the drivers behave nicely, and pass us at distance and do not speed up when passing. The kids are also the same everywhere: we hear "hellos" or "bye byes" from houses and yards, and it doesn't stop until we greet them back. We probably make their day for weeks :)

Ten more kilometers and we find two stalls at a crossing that sell fruits. Vendors or just customers, we can't tell, are eager to get us in for some kopi, iced juice, and pisang goreng, which this time is served with chili sauce.

We have had some earlier today, but now we hit the hills. We have done 30K uphills with 6-10% grades before, even with the full load of panniers, tents and sleeping bags, but in this climate even a 2K uphill of a moderate grade is tough, let alone tens of them. The last few kilometers we ride among the shuttle buses transporting resort guests from Tg. Belungkor ferry terminal.

Finally, on our last day of riding we get some tailwind. And it is still not raining. We meet quite a few Singaporeans coming up for their Sunday ride when going to the ferry terminal at Tg. Pengelih. Some of them just say hi, but others wish us a happy new year. Happy New Year!