Radzi's new bike..

Lending a helping hand...

Sometime back, my cycling kaki Mohd Radzi Mohd Noor had stated his interest on getting a Tern Joe P24.
This is basically a 26" folding bike from Tern and its what he wanted.
So, being the responsible foldie and a friend, I placed an order from K2 Asia.
It was a long and disappointing wait.
After six months, I was told by the company's rep that the bike is currently not being produced.
It would have been easier for the K2 guy to break the bad news so that I could search for an alternative dealer to get the bike.
K2 left me in a lurch and as expected, they just laughed it off while we breath in mud.

No worries, Singapore to the rescue!

I told Radzi that if he really wants the bike, I am willing to make a day-run to Singapore to get it.
He agreed and asked around.
This led to My Bike Shop in the West Coast area.
I never had a good experience with this bike shop.
Last time I was there, some long-haired Baboon gave me the shit face.
So, that said, I had to swallow my pride and bear the shitty treatment Singaporeans would usually give us Malaysians.
But I was wrong. 
The situation was otherwise.
We drove down to Singapore and right to the shop, found a place to park and went down to business.
A guy by the name of Denis who manages the place had greeted Radzi.
Compared to Mr Baboon, he was rather polite.
And speaking of product knowledge, this guy is prepared to take on any questions. Pretty impressive.

Radzi, sealing the deal with the Denis dude..

Mission accomplished..

I guess that the K2 Asia people were scared shit about selling Terns in Malaysia. 
They just want to play safe by selling what they think is suitable for the local cyclists.
I don't blame them because the last monkey who ordered the bikes ended up with a container load of low-end models.
At the Singapore bike shop, the guys know exactly what they want to sell.
In fact, the Denis dude wanted to push his Tyrell bikes, citing that they are the best bikes in the Galaxy.
He even cited the winner of the OCBC Foldie Challenge, a Singapore national cyclist who clocked in more than 50km/h on the sprint the finish line.
"Aiyaaa.. If the winner is an Ah Soh from a HDB Flat, I will throw all my bikes into the sea and get Tyrell, you have my word!," I told the Denis dude.
Jokes aside, this guy is professional. He even tried to sell saddles to Radzi and recommended a Wellgo quick release pedal. Wellgo? What!!!!!
Anyway, the nice thing here is seeing the guy preparing all the paperwork and trying to get a GST refund for Radzi, which I knew, won't happen because it's meant for airline passengers.

The store's mechanic setting up Radzi's bike

Happy camper: Radzi and his new Tern

The deal sweetener..

I must say that I am amazed at the good PR at this bicycle shop.
We traveled all the way to the island, spent more than eight hours on the road and when Radzi paid for the bike, the Denis dude threw in some freebies.
He gave a bottle cage, bell and a set of blinkers.
At the end of it, the guy pulled out a rabbit out of his hat.
He gave him an "ass saver".
This is some sort of fender and when I asked him how much it costs, he said "12 Singapore Dollars.." 
Well, FUCK THAT! I am not going to pay 12 bucks for a piece of flimsy plastic. 
Anyway, it was good gesture and I can't fault the Denis dude for being courteous.
Only thing I observed that he was being absolutely nice to Radzi all the time because the cash was coming out of his pocket.
As soon as we've loaded up the bike, I began the four-hour drive back to KL.
To Radzi, it was a befitting birthday present.
Way I see it, I had fulfilled my vow for a friend. I would have done it for him anyway. 

24-hours in Singapore: Part 1

Obligations..

I haven't been to Singapore for over a year.
Having said that, I don't really missed anything.
Recently, I felt that it was time to pay a visit to a couple of old friends.
Partly, to hand them my book and re-connect with my contacts.

A simple plan

I booked a flight via Jetstar Airways. 
Boarded their flight to Singapore from Sepang before and felt that this is one of the best budget airlines around.
A return flight costs RM167.96 inclusive of taxes.
This is by far, cheaper than taking a bus or train. Driving is out of the question due to time constraints.
But the killer here is the hotel.
I didn't want to bother my friends and booked a room at the Ibis hotel in Bencoolen road.
For a night, it costs RM497.75.
This is by far, the costliest traveler's hotel I've stayed in.
As for the schedule, I've planned to meet up with three people.

Flying over Muar in Johor

Minimalist: My pack

Over the Southernmost tip of Asia: Tg Piai in Pontian, Johor

Drive, Park & Fly

Michelle, my wife had suggested a drive to the KLIA carpark, leave the car overnight and pick it up the next day.
A return trip on a cab would cost more than RM100.
So, the parking tip was rather sound.
I drove over to the KLIA,parked and checked-in at the row to board my flight.
Boarding was at 07:50am, so, there's plenty time to burn.
KLIA as it seems, is a boring place. Nothing left to do, but wait.
When the boarding call was made, I made my way to the pre-booked seat. Very cramped and just nice for a short-haul.
When the plane took off, I realised that after 15-minutes, it was cruising over Muar in Johor.
I watched as the vessel had crossed Tanjung Piai, the Southernmost tip of Asia and made its landing approach at Changi Airport at the eastern side of the island republic.
Before the trip, Michelle had warned me about the 7kg hand carry baggage limit. 
Seems that everyone was hauling shitloads of stuff and I was the one who traveled lean.

Moving on with the mission...

My first destination was Ngee Ann city.
Went to the Takashimaya shopping mall and helped myself to some yakitori.
Later, I took the train to City Hall MRT station and tried to look for the New Balance concept store. My attempts were futile.
Took a walk to Waterloo street where Camper's Corner is located and found my old friend Calvin Tay.
I gave him a copy of the Food Trail book which I also autographed and was rewarded with some Belgian beers.
The plan was to meet Stanley Tan, a fellow Malaysian and link up with Dr Peter Chua, an old friend of mine..

Peter and my book

Chimay, a fine Belgian Beer 

With Sesh (left) and Stanley (right)

Singapore part 2

At a food court in Waterloo st

A discovery: the Adstragold microbrewery at Chijmes

Nick Chia's T3 Bicycle shop in Upper East Coast

Green move: Singapore MRT allows folding bicycle in its train service

Nick and his wife at their bike shops in Upper East coast road, Singapore

Barely weeks after a quick run to Singapore, I had to accompany Michelle who attended the OSEAH exhibition in Suntec City convention centre.
For me, my mission was to locate the Com Shop, a place where I used to get my radio stuff.
The store had moved from Sim Lim square to the Upper East coast road which is roughly about a 25-minute bus ride from Victoria Street.
I picked up my Icom V-85's battery pack for my extra radio set and a speaker mike to go with it.
The next day, I spent much of my time searchinig for electronics and visiting the Velocity sports mall in Nouvena junction.
Later, I went back to the Upper East Coast road and caught up with Nick Chia, owner of T3 Bicycles whom I haven't met for years.
We caught up for lost times and after three days and two nights in the island republic, its time to head back to KL..

Singapore swing

My ride to Singapore

With Bernard Teoh in Campers Corner

My buddy Dave and I at Handle Bar

There's few reasons for me to travel to Singapore these days.
One exception was the fact that my buddy Dave Mundell made a port of call in the island republic and another friend Sesh Anthony had celebrated his birthday on the same day I visited the country.
For starters, the exchange rate really sucks and with each RM1 I bring across the causeway, its 30cents in Singapore currency.
This is expected to get much worse.
Anyway, I also caught up with Bernard Teoh, one of my old time friend from school.
We had lunch at Waterloo street and a coupla beers in Campers Corner's new premise at the same area.
Later in the day, I caught up with Dave and had a few more beers with him before meeting up with Sesh and his lovely companion Adeline at a bar near Tanjung Pagar.
Since I was totally bushed, my day ended early.
The following morning, I chose to cruise around some retail spots and later had dinner with Sesh and his girlfriend before boarding a flight back to KL.