Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Ride for Rations 2013

We have six EZ Riders who have signed up for this charitable cause.

The ride will be from Malacca to Singapore on 6 & 7 July 2013.

The objective is to raise funds that would provide a substantial amount of monthly rations to needy families as identified by Sunlove Neighbourhood Links, which is a project set up by Sunlove Abode for Intellectually Infirmed Ltd (commonly known as Sunlove Home), an organization registered under the Charities Act.

Most of the residents include: senior citizens; having no sources of income; suffer from and, or are recovering from medical and intellectual infirmities; and are dependent upon minimal financial help and handouts to cover rental, conservancy, electricity and basic food.

Each cyclist has to pay S$250 for all the expenses for this trip.  In addition each cyclist has to raise a minimum of S$500 which will go entirely towards the purchase of the monthly rations.  The target this year is to support 250 families and to raise at least S$220,000.

This is definitely a worthy cause for all of us.  Please help us achieve this target.  

You can approach any one of the participating riders should you want to make a donation.  

Thank you.


The six riders are: Victor, Raymond, Chee Hwee, Dennis, BC and Chee Hua.

Another adventurous ride to Sedili



Our group, consisting of 4 guys have targeted our destination at Balau, whilst the ladies group of 3 to Sg Rengit and the 1st group of 5 to Sedili. This arrangement was well planned prior to our departure from Changi Point. Upon reaching Sg Rengit and after further instructions were given to the ladies, the 1st group resumed their ride to Sedili. It was quite some time before the support vehicles appeared and the 2nd group moved off towards Balau.

The morning sun was soothing, quite cloudy with slight wind which we took it as an advantage and an opportunity to ride faster but not speeding, hopefully to reach our destination earlier, but as the hours passed, the weather became hotter. Fortunately we were mentally prepared for the hot weather and that change in temperature did not affect us very much. The 1st group was no where in sight, probably they were 30km to 40km ahead of us and that did not bother us as our destinations were different. 

Even though this was not our first ride on this route, while cycling and looking ahead, far beyond the horizon, the steep road reaching towards the sky is always testing our mental attitude and endurance. If both or either is weak, it will sap our energy and make it very difficult to reach our destination. We overcame this misconceived perception and we journeyed on.

Within our group it is quite normal that it was split into 2 smaller groups, with Victor and myself leading, Soh and Tham behind. Two of us had about 2 stops for rest and quenching our thirst before we reached Balau. That’s where John came along to provide us with some water and bananas and at the same time, informed us that Tham had a punctured tyre. 


Tham's bike minus the punctured tire

Soh & Boon Hiang helping to change the tube


Both of us have a long rest while waiting for Soh and Tham. Finally they came and four of us did enjoy a peaceful rest especially in a shaded area away from the sun. We did not wait for Tommy to deliver our lunch as the resting place also served as a food centre. We had our lunch there.
 
Riding back to Sg Rengit was similar as coming, climbing uphill and worst, under the scorching sun. Victor and I made it back by 3.00 pm. We were told that Tham got cramps about 10km from Sg Rengit and both he and Soh came back later. We had a good rest while waiting for the 1st group to return.

Adventures are challenges defying the odds, and adventurers pace with challenges all the time. It can be rightly said that our group are the adventurers and knowing what lies ahead, we have the mental attitude, endurance, perseverance and energy to accomplish our mission. 

 Written by Raymond