Event took place on 6th Aug 2023 and the signing up is by the usual chanel , Active SG app. Beside that I also signed up for the swimming competitions but realised that I could only go for one event , 100M freestyle. These activities are under the Pesta Sukan category which is Sports SG ‘s initiative to bring on the sports spirits to all types of athletes.
The round island cycling challenge route is the same every year. The good thing is the checkpoint are the same. There are 4 big checkpoints to clear and riders should go back to the same point where they chose to start, it was also advisable to go the anti clockwise direction to be able to see all the designated sign boards.
Morning Crowd
on my way to sports hub
The 2023 Version
Last year I cycled with Oswald, Jac, Yong Loong , Katherine and her hub Nigel. I was not able to finish it as I also signed up for swim competition for the Pesta Sukan. But this year, I decided that I should stick on the full cycling. Glad that I made that decision to complete the circle. This year only me and Sally went together, she is my Monday running club friend. I thought of just keeping the activity short and sweet. Glad that she could come and join me.
Instruction and info on the race by organiser
My Bib
Cycling Starts
Tanah Merah Coastal Road
The event took place on 6th Aug Sunday morning 7am. Me and Sally chose the Stadium as the check point for us. I must say this year the scale didn’t look as big as last year. We set off from the East, the first part was to Tanah Merah Coastal Road. It is really nothing much there just roads, some riders too the Park connector instead of the main road, me and Sally went for the main road as I need to rush to finish the route. Reason being that I need to go for my Pole recital rehearsal in Robinson Road at 4 Pm and I was really tight for time. Sally is usually not a main road rider, but because of me she really pushed it for the roads. The sun was getting very hot and scorching. We reached the first big stop Pasir Ris Sports Centre about ten plus. A lot of refreshment like banana were almost out , I think this year the refreshments are not so bountiful compared to last year.
QR code to scan
Towards the North
At Yishun stadium
From the East we cut through the Seletar Air base and Yishun Dam towards the Yishun Sports Centre. By this time it was the hottest hour of the day. We stopped a bit longer here, and Sally was kind enough to forgo her lunch at a proper place just that we can end the session fast. There were only bread left at the Yishun station. Even the isotonic drinks were out, it was really quite bad, but thank god there are still mineral water around for us to top up. Only the main sports centres have food and isotonic. The rest of the mid stations just had water to top up and they are not cold.
Lim chu Kang
Yishun was really very hot at that time of the day. The rest of the stretch in the North is really quite challenging as we were exposed to the hot sun starting from Mandai all the way to Lim Chu Kang. The last pit stop water point was Sungei Buloh before we enter the endless highway. This pitstop was even worse, there we snapped the last drops of water and more were just on the way. Could see some riders already in fainting mode.
Journey to the West
Jurong Stop
Sally and me pushed on and finally reached Jurong Sports Centre which was near to NTU. We had a short stop at the petrol kiosk near the stop. After scanning the QR code using our sports sg app, we were all dried up and the refreshing cold drink from the kiosk really saved the day. Going down towards the city was more of a norm for me as I am more familiar with the west. But I missed one petrol kiosk check point at the Pandan Loop area before heading up the West Coast Highway. Luckily , Sally was on a look out for me and reminded me to go back for the scan. I managed to get some cold drinks from the kiosk for us too.
The course
The 4 finishers!
Ending it
Really cannot wait to end this as the weather was getting really too much. Traffic was getting heavy towards the city, was worried a bit for Sally as she was not used to riding on the roads. But I guess the 100Km plus of experience since the morning had made us stronger. We reached back the start , Stadium station about 3 pm. There we met Katherine and hubby and we had some cameo. Took a bit of rest before I rushed off for the dance. This year they gave us water bottle instead of jersey and turns out the bottle was leaking , quite sad about it. But overall, it was a good experience.