SCC Cycling Session to Sentosa

4 September 2021

It was 4 September, the first Saturday of the month: ride-day for the highly anticipated SCC Cycling Club’s “Ride to SENTOSA” promoted by our cycling enthusiast-in-chief Fatimah.

Cassie, our ever-efficient organiser-in-chief, had touched base with the heavenly lords and a rain check at 6am on the cards was not necessary - maybe it was the onion and chilli trick!!

So it was a lovely Saturday morning when the early birds checked in at the SCC carpark, catching the first rays of sunlight. By 7am, 12 earnest cyclists were all geared for the start.

Flag-off was a little delayed- the President turned up in his full cycling gear to the shouts of “Breakfast on you!” Soon, 12 eager enthusiastic cyclists set off towards Sentosa.

As the cyclists spread out along Fullerton Road and Collyer Quay, it settled into obvious groups - there were the racers of 5 (oblivious to what’s behind) and relaxed mid-group of 3 and 2 sweepers - pedaling at different paces along Shenton Way, Keppel Road (under the viaduct) towards Sentosa Gateway.

Crossing the bridge to a resort island felt good, as though we were going overseas - missed for a long time!

The first unofficial stop was at the end of the extended Gateway Bridge when the runaway front runners realised the team leaders were left well behind. Initiative “Regroup at Sentosa Cove” message was conveyed on the chat.

Next was a few gasping uphill and exhilarating downhill rides which took quite a toll on most of us. It was a rewarding ride through Sentosa Cove and W Hotel with a break at Quayside Isle for coffee and a magnificent morning view of the Marina.

Soon we had regrouped – with Fatimah and Cassie rounding up the rest – and the various break-away groups recounted their different experiences reaching there. Cassie related her collapsing seat ride; Zoher decided to be the rescuing Mechanic only to rip it further, leaving poor Cassie with an unstable bicycle! But then it was time for scenic photos, and that task was duly completed.

Next was to proceed to the beach strip. Zoher took the lead, leading up a long uphill ride only to reach Sentosa Golf Club; this led to a mandatory u-turn and downhill thrill ride to the amazement of those still on the way up!

We finally found the correct route to the Palawan and Siloso beach strips. Meanwhile Cassie, struggling with her bicycle, decided to head back with Marianne for company- a good move to be front runners!

At the end of the beach strip at Shangri-lah Rasa Sentosa, the main group proceeded along Siloso road back to the Gateway. Then it was along Keppel Road and Robinson Road, through the heart of the financial centre in daunting road traffic catching up with the front runners, and back to SCC. All 12 accounted for, safe and sound!

To round it up: a rewarding breakfast at SCC. Truly it was a morning well spent!

Written by Srini Srinivasan