Initiation

You know what they say when you enter the army and get commissioned as an Office-sir - Initiation. I got mine with a little twist of surprise but escaped the many cans of beer and humiliation by the skin of my teeth. It happens everywhere…wedding, birthday, promotion, sometimes for fun.

It's the same for riders. I still remember vividly how I fell at the junction (somewhere along Yishun Ring Road) simply because the hybrid bike was new (coupled with the fact that I was on clip-ons for the first time) and no one helped me up when I fell with my feet locked onto the peddle. THAT, was initiation for me on the new bike, now gone.

Tonight marks the memorable yet not so memorable journey towards King Albert Park with our dear Mr. Kevin Thio. Yes, every dog has its day so will every bike. It happened along Bukit Timah Road, somewhere off Namly Ave. You see, an Toyota Vios can never beat a Ferrari unless you surprise it. I mean, you get the idea. And so….Out of pure concern to check if (me) this slow rider was catching up, he turned his head to look.... BANG! It’s called the curb. The double yellow line shifted along with the narrowed road. The luxuriously well coated, splendid decorative sticker-ed, fierce looking Titanium frame took its first bite onto the tar road. The bike’s fine saved for the usual scratches and the kyo-yard-ed aero bars. (No worries Kevin, they still look good and they sure function well.) Nonetheless, it remains as a tough looking fellow proving its worth and of course, the induced commando spirit of the rider. Well, Kevin sustained minor injuries such as a tiny 50cents coin sized bruise underneath his left elbow and a nicely done up Char Siew Bao on his left knee. His arms ate some grass too. What a way to protect the bike – human body first, then bike.

That was his initiation for the brand new titanium frame. Well, at least it came. Next time when you fall, you wouldn’t feel so bad and who knows, maybe he would have mastered the art of falling without scratching the bike. J

Happy riding to all riders. Ride safe, keep your eyes in front.