​Having a bike never really crossed my mind until I met Sam. He was always cycling everywhere, which made me feel a bit left out when he went off for his rides. I didn’t own a bike, and there was no OFO or any of those rental bikes back then (which people don’t appreciate the accessibility of it).  FOMO quickly made me realise that I needed my own bike!
 
Sam gave me clear instructions not to buy a bike for its colour, so I bought I bought the prettiest pink bike that I could find. In bike spec terms it was like a tank, but I loved it. My first long bike ride was with a bunch of boys who clearly knew what they were doing. I was behind the pack the whole time, having no idea how to use my gears (which weren’t the best anyway), being scared for my life from all the traffic and having rubbish endurance in my legs. I was fit back then but clearly this bike ride put me to shame.

​When was the first time you started cycling?
At 38 years old, I had to lay off running due to plantar fasciitis and picked up cycling. That was when I realised my triathlon dream, which I harbored since I was 19 could become a reality!

Any races you have take part? And how did that go?
Completed my first Ironman at 40 years old in under 13 hours and my second 2 years later in under 12 hours, which I did not expect. I'm also qualified for the IM 70.3 World Championships in 2019 & 2020.
 
Now that you have been cycling for a while, what are some of your guidelines when purchasing a new bike?
The right size, a bike fit to be comfortable for those long rides is important.
 
What’s your favorite cycling apparel brand? From jersey to helmet?
Betty Designs & Purpose.
 
What do people not tell you about cycling?
That falling is part and parcel of cycling, even when  you’re a seasoned cyclist. Be prepared to wake up at ungodly hours of 430am to cycle while the traffic is light and while u may earn the respect from fellow cyclists due to your discipline, work ethic and results. 

When was the first time you started cycling?
Probably back in 2013 , I had a Trek MTB that was a wee bit too heavy but I wasn’t doing the Bukit Timah trails or competitions back then.
Road cycling I picked up perhaps 2015?
 
Any races you have take part? And how did that go?
My first road bike races were part of a duathlon and triathlon back in 2015, placed 2nd and 4th I believed, and then in New Zealand I completed the off-road 60km Lake Taupo.
 
Now that you have been cycling for a while, what are some of your guideline when purchasing a new bike?

• Depending on level of as a cyclist and what you would like to spend , you have to plan a little ahead of you, as you will get more serious to upgrade parts in the future.
• I’d look always at second hand bikes, there are so many on the market in fabulous condition.
• Make sure you have a bike that has parts on the market .

 
What’s your favorite cycling apparel brand? From jersey to helmet?
I wear Odlo as it was sponsored previously , but I like some of the Swiss made  items called Assos,
My gloves are Assos I picked up at East Coast.
Road Helmet Giro and Kask
MTB helmet -Troy Lee
Mountain bike shoes - five ten

What do people not tell you about cycling?
That you should go through a basic course and get to know your bike.  You should also get it fitted, as positioning is important so you don’t get injuries .
 
What’s your advice on women taking up cycling?
It burns so many calories,if that’s what you are looking for. It’s Low impact on the knees, it’s fantastic cardio and it’s as hard as you want to push .
 On a mountain bike,you learn so  many skill sets , it feels like real racing and keeps you on your feet and sharpen your decision making on the course.
Road biking for me is training my mental grit when I am alone and on longer more monotonous rides .I love cycling because you can be alone or In a group.

When was the first you started cycling?
I joined the RCC(Ralpha Cycling Club) in November 2016, but started cycling and exploring the roads and PCNs (Park connectors) since July the same year.

Any race you have take part? And how did that go?
The most memorable was the 100km race in Batam, ridden with one of our club cyclist, Jessica. It was painful, but fun to do it together with a friend. We suffered together and helped each other to finish the race. We were in so much pain, not knowing what we were in for, and physically my feet was hurting from ill-fitted shoes!

Now that you have been Cycling for a while, what are some of your guidelines when purchasing a new bike?
Get yourself an appointment with a professional bike fitter before making that (expensive) purchase! 

What’s your favourite cycling apparel brand from jersey to helmet?
I am privileged to be a Rapha ambassador, and I wear Rapha products - ranging from bibs, to baselayer, jerseys and socks. My shoes are the Rapha Pro Team shoes and they fit my feet like a glove. As for the helmet, I love the KASK Protone. I only own this model, but in several colours.

What do people not tell you about Cycling?
That cycling does show people’s true colours! When we are riding up mountains, racing on flat roads, your riding etiquette, how you react and behave when you are “suffering”, is a reflection of who you are personally. That being said, no one said cycling was easy! But the suffering brings joy, and the exploration on the bike with friends and loved ones brings unforgettable memories, that we all continue to speak fondly of, in years to come.

What’s your advice on women taking up Cycling?
Start easy, and if you have a friend who is into the sport, do it together, build confidence, support each other. When you are confident enough, join a group, ride together. You’ll realize that some of your lifetime friendships will be made within this community. And most importantly, have fun!

Part two is all about the gears. From helmets, jerseys and padded shorts, the list goes on. Of course most of these are non-essential for cycling but all help to provide comfort during a long ride. Also wearing a jersey, means that you don’t have to carry a bag with you. Cycling jerseys come with all these fancy pockets that can carry the essentials during your ride. Once you have transitioned yourself to taking cycling more seriously and have ogled at all the tight colourful tops from fellow cyclists, i'm sure you will want a pair. 

Cycling jerseys either keep you cool or warm, but high end options will also protect you from harmful UV rays. Their aerodynamic design and materials help reduce wind resistance, which will make you faster. 
 
When I first started cycling, I hated the look of my cycling shorts and refused to wear them, but I soon realised the difference they made. After my first long bike ride, I was hospitalized and needed a minor surgery, due to my vanity of riding with my tiny running shorts.....never again! Wearing padded cycling shorts feels like your sitting on a cloud, even after 50km of cycling.  

If you want to  level up your cycling. Here are some of my basic accessories to have and where to get them from below. Of course the more serious you become, even your socks and sunglasses matters. 

1) Cycling padded shorts 
2)Jersey
3)Helmet (most important)
4)Cycling shoes & clipless pedals

If you do come across any local stores that aren't in this list, do drop me an email. For now enjoy shopping! 

 ​We are a local home-grown company, started by 2 avid cyclists in 2015 under the moniker The Cyclist Mess. We believe in providing affordable jerseys for our fellow cyclists while giving what you deserve - Quality, Comfort and Style. 
Website: https://www.thecyclistmess.com

At Velo Velo Singapore, we are both retailer and proud distributor within Asia for the cycling apparel brands you've come to love. These include Morvelo, DeFeet, Pas Normal Studios, Velocio and Handlebar Mustache from America, Europe, and Denmark. We carry a comprehensive selection of cycling jerseys, bibs, riding skirts, socks, T-shirts and other accessories for the serious, leisure, petite or plus sized cyclist.
Website : https://www.velovelocycle.com

Heat and humidity can be detrimental to one’s race performance, affecting your form severely. It was through his own struggles with heat in triathlon races that set Noor Ashikin Aziz on this mission – to develop the most comfortable and cooling performance wear for triathlon, cycling and running.
Noor searched fervently for something that would help to keep him cooler and when he couldn’t find anything, that’s was when he decided to develop his own line of kits specifically tailored for the specific state of use in Southeast Asia.
This was how PURPOSE was born.
Website: https://purpose.asia/

A firm believer of quality goods and services, the company was  conceived in late 2012 with the aim to assist each cyclist's needs and fellow cycling stores around the globe to cultivate a cycling culture and friendly environment for bike commuting, our mission is to promote cycling to be part of our daily lives.
​Website : https://www.cycleprojectstore.com

Bikeinn, your online cycling shop, we have everything that is necessary depending on your needs. We are a company of cyclists dedicated to helping more people enjoy the benefits of riding a bike. At Performance, we believe we can improve lives and contribute to a better world through cycling. We all approach life with different stories and special experiences that have shaped us into who we are as individuals. Deep down, it´s a love of adventure that brings us together inspires us to push the limits of what we are capable of, and daily rediscover the freedom found when we first started pedaling. Check out our collection and find amazing deals and prices of top brands such as Mavic, Northwave, Sportful, Garmin, Spiuk, Castelli, Shimano, Ortlieb and even more.
Website: https://www.bikeinn.com/

Founded by Simon Mottram in London in 2004, Rapha makes the world’s finest cycling clothing. For 15 years, our products have redefined comfort, performance, and style for cyclists from absolute beginners through to WorldTour professionals.
Website: ​https://www.rapha.cc/ap/en_AU/