LTA speaks on road safety and "Black spot Scheme"

Taken from LTA FB page

Taken from LTA Facebook communications on 5th May. 
"LTA takes proactive measures to keep our roads safe. Our road safety engineers conduct regular safety audits, where they comb through our roads, day and night, walking and driving, to identify short-comings. We also have schemes like the Black Spot Programme, which systematically identifies and treats accident-prone locations through the implementation of road engineering solutions at targeted locations. 
Other notable schemes to improve road safety include the installation of Your-Speed-Signs, traffic calming measures, crash cushions, curve alignment markers, advance warning lights and bus stop bollards. 
As the agency responsible for the development and management of the public road network, we take our work seriously, keeping Singapore’s roads safe for all road users."

Maybe LTA team can consider looking at what we have already done as a community...  Do you think more can be done to make our roads safe? I just find it crazy that LTA can have electronic eyes setup to curb illegal parking but still moving so slowing when it come to protecting the cyclists. What do you think? 

One too many by Mr Han of Straits Time

Click here for a bigger image
This is an commentary by Mr Han which I felt had a very balanced point of view on traffic accidents and what needs to be done. Please do have a read. I just hope the Powers that can best effect changes takes up citizens feedback seriously and not treat us as "pest" and noise which is conveniently ignored.
Thank you Mr Han!

Stripe 26" Touring MTB designed by Mr Fang of the Magic Stripe Bike shop, Taiwan

That's my bike! 

I got poisoned by this MTB at Taiwan bikes shop which is a must go for foldie lovers. Previously trip, I had got my Tyrell AM-7 wheelset here too. As I understand, mini velos are slowing down and they have diversified to road bike and MTB.
I wrote this blog entry as I wanted to share this cool MTB  and thank Mr Fang for his efforts. He was really nice to work OT to pack and send it to my hotel.... at Midnight as I was catching a flight the next day. Thank you very much! I promised to ride more and blog about it sir!

Packed and ready to deliver to hotel... this is around midnight... I know cuz I was waiting at the lobby and he was not there..:) 

Mr Fang and me... after sealing the deal

While peeing at the toilet .. I saw top secret chain cleaning method of Magic Stripe... must learn from Pro

This is the address of the cool shop
Stripe Magic (魔術方塊摺疊車專賣店)
104 Taipei, Taiwan台北市中山區復興北路36巷1號1F
His online shop is here
Facebook shop 

Oh.. if u like to know more about Taiwan bikeshop.. Do read up a very extensive Steve blog entry of Taiwan bike shop here... it is good poison!

Stripe MTB with front and rear eyelets for racks, water bottle. Disk brake mount only

Columbus Spirit tubes! It is lighter than I thought!

The bike I test rode..... which was recently used for a Taiwan Round island trip

Nice mounting points for rear rack. This is a Topeak Super Tourer rack (for Disk brake)

Mr Fang personal single speed fat bike using the same frame. Check out the tyre clearance!

It doesn't look much and is simple. It is just a simple practical MTB which is built in a sensible configuration with good quality steel. I had an opportunity to test ride the bike around the neighbourhood. 
At his shop, there were 2 bikes which had just came back from a Taiwan Round island and I asked if I could try the bike. Mr Fang agreed and pumped up the tyres for me to ride. It felt strangely Surly-ish(stable and nimble) but lighter.  Rational and nothing fussy.  Thats why I like it... and bought it.

More about this. STRIPE is Mr Fang in-house brand, self designed and produced by a big manufacturer for Magic Stripe. After buying it, I googled and asked my expert friends..  it is good tube! Columbus Spirit triple butted steel! 

Technical product details by Mr Fang here 

• Italian Columbus Spirit. One of the top steel available. Light and strong . Manufactured by a Major Bike OEM from Taiwan - excellent strength!
•  Mechanical Cable Disk brake group set ..... easy maintenance and good braking in adverse condition..... Good for long-distance travel and less worrying about brake failure
• Fork frame have eyelets and mounting for easy modification(add rack, mudguards, extra bottle cage). Best for touring purposes!
• The most significant feature: accept special order!! Cater to your specific needs and requirement {customized specifications extra charge!!}
• Frame three-year global warranty
• Taiwan design / manufacturing / assembly in Taiwan goods - highly recommended!
• Promotion period - the province's Delivery free local shipping !!
• Suggested retail price: 38,000 yuan (full bike) 

Mr Fang, boss of Magic Stripe designed the bike with the intent to do unsupported (panniers) touring.  Recently, he also supported 2 girls on their dream to do a Taiwan Round island, which I thought was extremely nice of him to do so. 

Here are their facebook page  ; upon reading their FB entries, you can feel their passion and fun. We were all young once.. let's do it! 

I almost did not buy it as it was quite a hassle to bring back. I was concerned about it but my dearest wifey looked at me told me... "just buy or tomorrow I have to come back and bang Magic Stripe door...Kim really understand my pattern haha. 

Now all it remains is more leave and more riding. Yeah! 

Looking back 1 year time. Our princess and why we bring them along

Desmond Chia  posted this on Facebook. It was 2 photos of Momo and Cayla.
1 which was taken during our first Taiwan trip to Wulin- March 2012 and the other is the recent April 2013 trip.
I can't describe this feeling well enough but it feels amazing and also makes me abit emo. Similar to the feeling when I wrote this http://smallwheelsbigsmile.blogspot.sg/2011/11/soon-they-will-be-big-and-u-will-miss.htm

Kids really grow up very fast and how I wish I could "freeze" this moment in time.  Momo will be going to Primary 1 next year and I think such fun fun trips will not be possible next year due to school work. 
I am not looking forward to the crazy workload and rigid educational system (which speaking to many parents) just zaps up all the creativity and spontaneity in life. 

Kim, Desmond, Shelby and myself are just normal parents. We just want the best of our children. Which leads me to question myself constantly. What is "Best" and what are the "things" I want for Momo. 

Looking at the future. How uncertain it is and ever changing. I would say it is to concentrate on values. 

Happiness. To be happy with yourself.  Have fun. Even when things are tough and not going your way.  Mommy and Daddy will always, ALWAYS be there for you.  The slopes are the best teachers...  :)  

Courage. Courage to try new things. Courage to say. "I don't know, haven't done this before but heck, I am going to try it"  The Taiwan trip allowed Momo, Cayla to try new things. Playing in the rivers, eating strange food and doing "crazy" things. Like cheering Team LCSG Taiwan up mountains.

Teamwork.  Many of us have just one kid. This creates "the world revolves around me" mentality. Through the planning, execution of the ride/trip.  They(Momo and Cayla) participate and also understand the concept of a TEAM. No one is an island. How with common ideals, things get done well and with lots of fun.
I guess, this is really why we bring them along for this kind of trips. Also very glad, speaking to Encik George Lim- he understands why and plans it this way. Nothing world distance record breaking but memorable trips for friends and family. 
What are your thoughts? Any tips to share? 

March 2012 - 1st Taiwan trip  (Momo and Cayla) 

April 2013 - 3rd Taiwan Trip

17th April 2013 Day5- Hualien and her PCN

17^th April 21, 2013.  Wed, Day 5

Fullset of photos here

Group shot before rolling out

Guo Ger woke up early to get us breakfast

HuaLien and her PCN routes
Hanging around Hualien. Staying at 南埔庭園民宿 NanpuTingyuan, Guo ger and Fang Jei place. Actually it really feels more like a home. I guess that’s why we coming again to this place. It is not fancy but it feels nice and homely. Best of all, the 7-11 is just outside the front gate!

meat pastry that tastes sooo good!

Tiger giving Darren some tune up

In the morning, we rode around the PCN to Seven Star bay. Hualien first section is quite "Jurong Benoi" feeling. Meaning it has lots of concrete, Marble factory and trucks. Not too nice but as you ride on, the view changes and becomes much more pleasant. We saw the fantastic coast and also met an old gentleman cycling. He is 82!!! 

goofing around and just chilling

the nice red bridge

our lead, Encik George Lim

zipping in Hualien PCN

We also saw this huge concrete wave breakers /anti landing devices 

Lisa and AiLim with the nice sea view

82 and still riding!! Salute!

Chris showing why MTB... 

picking pebbles at Seven Star Bay 

I fell here trying to ride the BF on the pebbles... fail.. cannot. Maybe the Surly Moonlander can 

strangely therapeutic with the waves crashing   

having a break and nice chat with friends 

This is the fish that is associated with Seven Star Bay. Moolah fish

Encik Chut power!!

We reach Seven Star Bay in no time with all the chatting and joke. We also see the "Mola Mola" fish which was hugggee.

a nice fisherman let us see the catch.. a moolah... machiam steath plane.. and much bigger then I tot

After Lunch, we rode to Li Yu lake which was quite scenic. Encik mentioned it was a slow ride but as usual, he bluffed. We blasted there and the return leg was really fast. Lucky I got my pocket rocket which responded very well to a speedy challenge. 

Bridge towards LiYu Tang

Tiger @ Liyu Lake

Julien

Punchek

slopes.. not so bad la

Darren admiring the awesome lake views

Tomorrow we will also go towards that direction, except we going to Mu Ku mu yu. Thats the local equivalent of Taroko Gorges, minus the chinese busload of tourists. 

16th April 2013 Day 4 - Downhill from Tai Pin Shan

16^th April 2013 Tues, Day 4

TaiPingShan, CuiFeng Lake and downhill to foot of TPS

Full Set of Photos here 

The view on top of Tai Ping Shan... and I overslept......

Family photo to remember the moment

I overslept. Haha..  By the time we woke up, it was already 0615. I quickly got out to see the sunrise. Or what was left of it. The air was crisp and the fog disappeared. There was only George and Desmond out on the viewing deck to watch the changing morning sun colors. I guess yesterday uphill must have KO-ed all of us.  Should be better today... I hope..

Beautiful colors

Crisp air!

Are you ready? Let's roll!

Ready as I can ever be!  Pierre the energizer bunny

Breakfast followed and we prepared to roll. George gave another safety briefing. Stay on a safe speed – less then 30km/hr and space out. Don't follow too closely with each other. And of course, this is Taiwan, keep Right!

We cycled to Cui Feng Lake which is along the plateau (less slopely) and the nice weather meant a sweat free and cooling ride.

Tiger and Desmond warming up... hayyy shou hayyy shouu

Gary lent me his Gopro to capture the downhill part... I hope it turns out good

Marcus with his Raleigh Tourer

For today I took my DSLR and took many of the folks carving down the mountain…. Whheeeeeee…  left and right, repeat 50 times… or more… brake brake and left and right… this is scary but fun!

Desmond share the chocolate leh...

Uncle Julian on a upslope! 

Whhhheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee -Lisa

Ai Lim on her Pink TSR Moulton

Desmond carving with his Dahon TR!

Full concentration!

Slowly does it.. 

Elisha with this BF NWT  at one of the numerous hairpin turns...  

doping..

My trusty BF that got me up and down TPS!

In no time, we reached the Visitor centre (3/4 down the moutain) and as I lifted my camera, the metal buckle attached to my DSLR snapped! Oh gosh, it is my lucky day. 30 second earlier..  my camera would have fell off….  Lesson learned. Check and recheck your equipment. And recheck your equipment. 

Someone was definitely watching out for me... 

all the animals come out to play! 

We reached the base of the mountain in one piece, no accidents! Encik George was visibly relieved as he sat on the floor and rested for a while. 

Heng ah.. no need to medical evac... Thank you Encik for ur constant advice!

yummy Bento!

We had our lunch, packed the bikes into the van.

Then it was a long 2 hour drive along the coastal line (Su-Au highway to Hua Lien) to 南埔庭園民宿. Flatter terrain awaits.. haha!