It did not start off well. The plan was to park at F2 carpark which is well frequented (and hence safe to leave the car overnight), cycle the 3km to Tanah Merah ferry terminal, so it's free parking and yet close enough. However, I led Zi almost all the way to Changi village before realizing we've missed the turn. Some 11km, mentally distraught, 1 hour late and a bloodied elbow later (fell with cleats again), we arrived at the ferry terminal. I wanted to go home, really....
Thankfully I endured. The trip was great fun. I really enjoyed the cycling, even though it was hilly ALL the way! We conquered 190km of hills over 3 days in the blazing hot tropical heat. And now I feel much more comfortable with my cleats. Yes, do not waste the cancer!
Bintan's road conditions were surprisingly good - for the most part. We only encountered 1 or 2 bad patches, lasting at most a couple of kms. And the logistics were very well organized. We had 2 support vehicles, 1 in the front which carried ice cold drinks for us and also led the way, and a pickup at the back to picks up quitters. On the first day cycling in, we cycled portions of stage 1 of the route for Tour de Bintan. It was totally deserted (no cars at all!), freshly tarred, with rolling steep hills. That was when I learnt that Corinna could climb a 60degree gradient hill, turn back to glance at you or snap your photo whilst still climbing, then continue on her way as if it were flat ground. Sigh...
We stayed at the Ocean Bay resort over by Teluk Bakau, our contact was their manager, Tracy Ho (tel +62811699571), email tracy-ho@yahoo.com.sg or info@oceanbaybintan.com. The rooms was rustic (read toilet flushes directly into sea and no AC) but they more than compensated with excellent service. We had way too many meals including tea break & supper on top of lunch/dinners, they had a housekeeping cart which came by and they'd change your sheets daily, and I really liked how they tried to comply with all requests (giving Zi 4 hardboiled eggs for her carbo load after day 2 or 124km for her special tea break).
I also learnt that Peter can do a really mean job of massage - I was almost putty after his shoulder massage, thankfully my knees didn't buckle afterwards.
Group was a motley bunch of very easy going, lots of easy laughter. Dan is an OB doctor with a mean sense of humour and he was part of the team on the first test tube babies. Kevin (the organizer) is an ENT doctor, there's also a lawyer and a professional entertainer within the group. Ezi (the entertainer) loves Zi and called her 'babyface'. Oh yeah, not sure why, but Zi was rather popular ie she got teased a lot by everyone.
Yeah, I had fun. Only downside was Matthaeus Cheng had to make his appearance while I was away! But I've explained to him, he seems ok with it. I may be biased, but he is really good looking! Perfect proportion facial features, long-limbed and very soft hair.
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