The Challenge to Change

THE CHALLENGE TO CHANGE
If you can't accept losing, you can't win

OCBC 40km cycling challenge. Whoa it is here again. It sounds familiar to those who have taken part last year and now it is repeating its call. Excitment abound and with big banners fluttering all over the branches and especially OCBC headquater, its clear print splash across the entrance, the atmosphere has an intoxicating effect on the previous participants and send aspiring message to the new entrants. Early birds registration flashed across many monitor screens, causing a big influx of enrolment just as quickly. As it gets closer to the big day, intense anticipation can be felt amongst the cyclist, nation wide. Not to be left out of this drama like event, EZ Riders like others, was naturally sucked into the atmosphere. The full force, sixteen of us, registered as early birds for the event. Four ladies and twelve guys in all. That was a splendid turn out. The total participants, young and old, was more than 9,000. A whopping figure considering cycling is a new activity amongst the population.

Members of EZ Riders have turned out regularly cycling at various routes not just to practise for the event, but as a healthy activity even long before the 40km challenge was first organized. And during these recent practices, useful tips especially on safety, were exchanged amongst the members, cautioning to avoid inconsiderate cyclists. In fact, within our group, there were more new participants this year, so the emphasis on riding skill is more intense, going the full 40km without stopping. A few days before the big event, pick up of members and bikes were arranged, time and gathering at a certain place was confirmed. Anxiety was felt within the members on the eve of the event, and who knows, some might have experienced sleepless night.

Before dawn arrived, and lo and behold, to my surprise, most of the members were at the rendezvous even before 5.30am. Their faces, especially the ladies, were radiant with anticipations. Our spirits were high and ready for action. Even though in the dim light, our colorful jerseys stood out prominently silhouetting against the dark background. Making full use of the spare minutes, final touch up, adjustment and attachment of sensors to our bikes were made. Then we made our way riding slowly to the F1 pit starting point. That was a short but mesmerizing ride, when each and everyone's heart felt supreme, wishing to be glared upon by envious pedestrians, motorists and by-standers.

We reached the F1 pit very quickly and was immediately confronted by the huge crowd, where earlier we were large, but now, was swallowed up by the sea of participants. From there some of us were ushered to the holding area according to the numbering series and to wait for the signal to commence. This was the first group and the size was really huge, far more than it should hold. Anyway nobody bothers but anxiously waiting for the signal. It finally came, the front lines sprang ahead but due to the huge number, the riders at the back have to wait for the front to clear before they can take off. We were part of this group. Once the front was cleared, we followed and riding cautiously not to hit anyone's back and also to steer clear on our left and right. As it gathered momentum, the speed equally going faster and all of us were surging ahead trying to pace with the faster riders. In this frenzy moment, all of us were separated, doing his own riding. However, on and off, we did saw each other and riding side by side for a short period before we dispersed again. Half way in the race, I distinctly heard someone behind me clashed with a very loud sound. I couldn't stop as there were many riders behind, but for one moment, I prayed and hope that that cyclist was not one of us. In events like this, clashes and seeing cyclists lying and moaning along the road side were not uncommon as many of them simply speed, zig zag in between riders and not slowing down at bends. I was aware of these hazards, so I just followed the faster rider in front of me. I just kept telling myself to be alert and not to allow my ego over-ride me. Just after slightly more than one hour, our first group completed the circuit, and to my relief, no one falls. Another forty five minuts later, the rest of our group including the ladies returned, and again, everyone came back in one piece.


It was a great ride, satisfying to the body and soul, and everyone of us felt exhilarated as can been seen from all the faces.

We discussed about the event happily and some enquiries were made on their cycling and how they have manoeuvred so well to reach the finishing line so safely. A startling fact became to surface, that most of them have made effort “to restrain” from being part of the undisciplined pack racing round the circuit trying to be the first at the finishing line. That was a very interesting discovery, and I am going to emphasise and add value to this fundamental and magic word “restrain”. In fact, my idea of writing this article is not on the OCBC Challenge. It is of least important to me. It was the “change” of our members in their riding habit that prompted me to pen this important message and hopefully to put across, embrace and keep it. That is why I name the title of this article as such, making use of this important event to synchronize with my observation.

In this ego centric world, why do people participate in competition? It is because they want to be known, to be the best or the first, to be recognised and thereby to stand out among the crowd. Members of EZ Riders is no exception. It is a fact that in every individual, the ego latent in us can be very devastating, not only to ourselves but also to those around us. It is fortunate that EZ Riders does not exhibit an extreme case of egoness, but rather on a milder form of aspiration. Even so, sometimes with a slight let off, it can also be disastrous resulting in tumbling and causing injuries to the body. What surprises me was that on that cycling event, most if not all, EZ Riders displayed an awareness to ride safely and did not went all out to be in the race. Recognising the hazardous situation, even the aspiration within us was absent, unless on a wider road, we picked up speed, otherwise it was virtually cruising at high speed. Even a member mentioned that he did not ride when the flag off was signalled, and instead, he walked with his bike for some distance before he actually took off. That was unheard of. Normally on our regular cycling routine, he will be the first to shoot off, always stressing the one in front very closely, and that, caused accidents. It can happen that if one's concentration is focused totally trailing closely behind another, one will absent mindedly let go of one's guard, and will not be able to react fast enough if unintended contact is made with the front rider. This will caused a domino effect with the rest of the rear riders. This has been proven and it must be a very painful experience.

The gratifying fact was, there was “change” that was least expected from someone who treasured conceit and not letting embarrassment overtake his pride. It was not only him who “changed” but most of us as well, and it was felt amongst us. It was because of our “restrain” not to be involved in riding that can be harmful to ourselves and others, is intrumental in this “change”. To “restrain” from doing some activity that is not beneficial to us or others is a virtue. Understanding this “change” and the ability to accept transformation within ourselves is incredibly soothing. Not realising it is just like the Singapore Flyer, which is behind us in the above photo, that goes round and round in a never ending journey, with tumble and fall along the way. I am glad we dare to “change” and have seen “changes”, and that matters most.

Recalling the period when we took up cycling in the beginning, we were a wild bunch, racing up and down the connector like crazy, always trying to outride one another. As we matured, we developed better riding pattern, comprehending safety issues and extending our riding distances, and yet, we tumble and fall. Why, because we did not envisage the risks to be careless, trailing too close to one another, not willing to change our mindset and accept our wrong views. Discipline is the key word to rectify our problems.

We can ride fast and far without any incidents as long as we maintain our discipline and to be aware of our thoughts. Couple with that of taking safer routes at a safer time can eleminate unnecessary accidents. This has also been proven right when we went for long rides, locally as well as in neighbouring countries. Having said these, implementation on these conditions should apply in order to have a safe and easy ride. We can ride fast and can be easy on our pressure and still enjoy the fun. Wouldn't that be more easy going, meanful and enjoyable in cycling.

Exercise “restrain” to “change” for the better. Until then, EZ Riders will truely live up to its name.

“The best of all conquerors is one who conquers himself”