National Runway Cycling & Skating 2009 part 1.

Venue: Paya Lebar Air Base

Woohoo.. Today is National Runway Cycling & Skating 2009.
Its an event organised by the RSAF (Republic of Singapore Air Force).
The RSN (Republic of Singapore Navy) organised the earlier Singapore Biathlon on March while the Army will organise the Singapore Bay Run on August which I have signed up also.

This is my first time attending this event. It is held at Paya Lebar Air Base and the only chance for us peasants to visit and cycle on the runway tracks.

I signed up for the butt aching 45km shimano endurance challenge. Plus the additonal to and fro distance of 10km each, i would be clocking about 65km at end of the event.

Woke up at 0615 hrs. Got myself prepared.

1) Bike
2) Helmet
3) Gloves
4) Sun glasses
5) Camelbak MULE. Put tons of ice cube in my 3 litres hydration bag followed by 1.5 litres of 100 plus.
6) Wallet
7) Handphone

Set off the Paya Lebar Air base around 0700 hrs. At downstair a family is loading their bicycles on a lorry. Easy 10km ride to the air base to conserve energy to tackle the 45km route.

Reach the airbase around 0745 hrs. There are already a lot of cyclist and skaters there with more coming in. Cleared the security checkpoint and proceed to the hanger to register myself for the endurance race. Its 3 loops around the air base. First 8km is on runway and the rest are on normal road. Its a relative flat course.
Every loop, you are supposed to collect a rubber band at the lap check point. So in total, there are 3 rubber bands to collect to represent 3 laps.

The horn went off at 0830 hrs to signify the start of the event. As usual, since it my first time, my objective is just to finish the 45km route. The fast cyclists managed to overtook me at the 27-28km mark. Rested for a drink at the end of the second lap and took at power gel at the start of the 3rd lap.

Managed to finish the 45km at around 2 hrs 15 minutes.

Went back to the carnival, visited some booth, bought nasi lemak at $3 (egg + chicken wing inside) for breakfast.

After eating, went back to the hanger to collect the certificate.

Proceed to ride back home. On my way home, the tiredness is beginning to show and i was so happy when i reach sengkang. Managed to reach home slightly after noon.