Asian Cycling Championship 2012

18th February 2012 was the Asian Cycling Championship 2012 Men's Elite Road Race. The days before were the Women's Elite RR (Dinah and Serene), Men's Junior RR (Ryan, Benedict, Harith, Noel), Men's U23 (Junrong, Ah Huat, Travis, Lemuel) and the ITT (Marcus, Noel, Travis). I think Singapore Cycling has hit a new high after this year's ACC, and this is especially evident in the men's Junior and U23 race. In the junior race, Ryan and Noel came in 7th and 11th respectively. In the U23 race, Junrong and Ah Huat was pulling in the front to chase back the breakaway. Eventually, Junrong finished 15th. It was commendable that we are now actually making the race, rather than just sitting in the peleton, suffering and not physically able to do anything.

Now, for the men's elite Road race, it started with 69 riders. After 9 laps of pain and suffering, my left neck finally seized up and I have to abandon the race. The effects from the crash in Chiangmai was taking over my body. I almost caused 2 riders to crash on 2 occasions as I was losing control of the left side of my body. I was really scared that I will crash into a corner as I could not even grip the bar properly. In the end, the police Marshall had to help me off the bike as I could not hop off. I guess nobody really understand the extent of the pain I was in. I was crying out to God with every pedal stroke, every acceleration and every single effort that I had to make. My team mate called out to me, but I could not do much. Sometimes I tried to go, and when I did, I have to cause even more pain and suffering to myself. If anyone else was suffering, I can say that I suffered twice or even thrice as much. I felt that I have let my team mates down, but there was really nothing else I could have done. I hope they will understand.

There was a break that went away in the middle of the race and we decided that we had to pull it back. Together with Eugene Wacker (Kyrgystan, ACC ITT multiple Champion), we worked to pull back the break. It was 4 Singapore riders in the front. From a spectator's point of view, I bet all Singaporeans felt some pride and joy. From a rider's perspective, it was pure pain and suffering.

Well done to my team mates, Jiwen (39th), Vincent (25th) and Marcus.

Junior Champion from Japan.

My Team mates.

Champion of Asia 2012 - Wong Kam Po.

The Petronas Towers, first time seeing it.

New Shoes Arrived!

My new shoes just arrived! Speedplay specific, can't wait to get my feet in them. I will post a review after a few rides. Hope the lower stack feels good!

2010 DMT Prisma - Speedplay specific sole.

Brutality of the Crash

Here are some pics from the crash in Chiangmai on 30th Jan 2012.


The RUDY PROJECT helmet cracked in 2-3 places. Thank God for the helmet, my skull was spared.


Another crack.


Courtesy of Vincent Ang.


Accident Scene.


The elbow right after the fall, upon waking up from concussion.


At the hospital, in my sexy wind vest.


CT Scan - fortunately, my brain and skull is fine. Thank you RUDY PROJECT.

The aftermath of training camp: Road to recovery and ACC 2012

It's been 12 days since my crash in Chiangmai, of which 9 days have been spent back in Singapore for rehab. I came back on the 1st of Feb (Wed) and put up at a good friend's place over at Varsity Park. I did not want to go home. I know my parents and grandparents will be unhappy and they will start nagging and stressing me out, thus the decision to not return home. At Reuben's place, I rested relatively well. When I came back, I made appointments with the Doctor and Physio immediately. I could not sleep properly initially because I was not use to sleeping on one side, but at least I could 'rest' in peace.

During the first few days, it was a hassle to change the dressing, to keep it clean so that the stitched wound will not get infected. I had to shower cautiously and it was really frustrating. I did some riding on the trainer but sometimes it was just pointless as the lesions will hurt and my entire upper body was just so tensed and sore.

On Monday, a week after my accident, it was time to remove the stitches. I couldn't wait. One thing out of the way. The stitches came off nice and the wound healed pretty well. For the whole week, I scheduled physio at SSC. I met Shreya, and she was of great help. She told me that the whiplash had 'trapped' lots of unwanted energy in my body, that was why my muscles are so tensed up, sore and tight. I have to go for light massages, heat treatment etc to release the tightness. I kept my fingers cross and did what she told me religiously.

Yes! Stitches removed!

Today, I am feeling much better. Although my neck is still giving me some problem, I am optimistic about heading to ACC next weekend. When I make hard efforts, my neck becomes so tensed and tight that I feel some form of migraine on the left side of my head. It just shoots up. The right side will then follow and tighten up as well. I just have to keep going back for physio and do the little exercises that will help me. Fingers crossed.

Heat treatment.

All taped up.

Tubi Grip - Compression for the sore arm.

Shreya said that an accident like that can take up to 6 months of physiotherapy to completely heal. I hope I am a fast healer.