NEWS: A GREAT START TO A NEW PLAYGROUND
THE ONE-NORTH CYCLING CHALLENGE IS NOT YOUR USUAL BIKE EVENT
The One-North Cycling Challenge 2018 is not the usual biking event most had came to expect. It has less aggression, more inclusiveness and attracts a wider age and skill ranges of crowd. More meek than the usual? Maybe to some, but definitely a great day to gather bikers from all over.
A GREAT DAY TO RIDE
We have came to expect biking events to have a certain type of vibe. Over the years, we have events like the MTB National Championship, Mettle Games, MTB Carnival, Urban Wheels and the recent Singapore Open Enduro just to randomly name a few. While these are great opportunities to validate one's capability and hangout with fellow bikers of the local mountain biking and street riding scene, they are usually not as forgiving to newbies. We totally understand that there is a time for everything and there are only so much an organizer can do within the time slot of an event. Priority would usually go to the bigger target market group. At the same time, we are also fully aware that events that are not as adrenaline-driven usually get less hype and participation. Such is the characteristic of a sport born out of action, guts, glory, blood and sweat. And so, it came across to us that the Cycling Chap guys were really taking the road less travelled when they dabble in a series of family-oriented and kiddie-friendly events.
Then it drawn on to us on what we had neglected. In our constant search for adrenaline rush from this sport, we have somewhat forgotten that we could actually get our families and kiddy friends/relatives/children a chance to share our passion. And a event like One-North Cycling Challenge is a great start.
AT ONE-NORTH
The day was blessed with good weather. Running concurrently were the Strider One-North Challenge, Bike Trial Challenge and Urban Gravity Challenge.
We saw 3 groups of participants – the family group where the kids were the star of the show, the tight-but-few trial bikers and the more commonly seen gravity mountain bikers. It seems like there is something that suits everyone, all happening at the same time.
As expected, the event which drew the most crowd was the Urban Gravity Challenge, and it was made up mostly by racers from Youth and Open category age groups. In recent high profile events like the Nat Champ and Singapore Open Enduro, we saw how aggressive the Youth Category was fought. At some point, we even felt that the fight was as fierce, if not more, than the Open category. And here they are racing at a new course. What does this show? It shows that the Youths in our community are firece warriors. Given the chance to show their salt, they would do all they could to prove themselves. They just needed a way in.
For the rest who didn't come to race, the various event stations made for a good experience.
TRULY A EVENT FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
Not all events are child or even rookie friendly. One-North Cycling Challenge seems to fill in the gap where the more aggressive events left off.
While strolling through the various race event stations, we met Team Psyclepath, a team of 8 riders from 2 families, in full team livery glory and hanging out at their own quiet corner between race runs. The parents and kids joined the same Urban Gravity Challenge. Now this is family-bonding in action! Hope to see this cool team in more events to come.
(Ed: We are aware that there are many biker parents who brought their families together through cycling. All these parents put in great efforts to share and encourage with their children the joy of cylcling. As such, we do not imply that Team Psyclepath is the ONLY family team that has such commendable efforts. We just happened to chance upon them and took the opportunity to snap a photo of them. Great role models nonetheless! And here's another shoutout to all the Strider Challenge families for bringing their kids to a great race event!)
Besides being a "family day", the Gravity Challenge shows that it is perfect training ground for young riders to gain some experience into the world of racing. This is valuable to riders who wish to particpate in more aggressive races in time to come. We respect and appreciate the effort by The Cycling Chap (along with supports from JTC, Shimano, Gain City, Nparks and Red Bull Singapore)
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
Idea is king. We hear that in many versions over a million times. Events are not easy to orgainise, especially in land-scarce Singapore. While we can stick to our routine rides and be happy with just a couple of ride routes (local trails or the usual city night ride routes) we can also take it out of the box and make use of occasions like this as a happy get-together, friendly race day among both old and new friends. See you at the next round of Cycling Challenge.
For more photo of the One North Cycling Challenge, click here.
For Urban Gravity Challenge Results, click here
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