WITHOUT LIMITS: February 2013

This year, the International Cyclefit Symposium (ICS) 2013 was held in Brunel University, London from the 24th to 26th of January 2013. The ICS is a 3 day forum focusing on bikefitting and the relationship between the human body and a bicycle. It is a unique event and the only occasion where all the disparate branches of cycling science and the fitting community come together for a collective learning experience. It was attended by bikefitting practitioners from all over the world, professionals from the Medical community, Academic community as well as Bicycle frame and component manufacturers. An international line-up of speakers who are leaders in their particular field each presented for 45 minutes, and after each presentation, there was a chaired Q & A session from the symposium to try and learn from each other and also establish 'best practice' for fitting and related disciplines. At the end of each day, there was a demonstration/participation fitting by an experienced technician.

The ICS 2013 had really been an eye opener and it was definitely a privilege to be able to mingle with the best in the world of bikefitting. It was great to have medical professionals, physio therapist, the big bike brands (TREK and SPECIALIZED) and the different schools of bikefitting (Serotta, RETUL and Bikefit) all gathered together. I also had the chance to see and test new equipment at the symposium. There were new bikefitting tools and aids that allow for a more visual and comprehensive analysis of the bikefit process, providing the bikefitter with crucial and accurate information for assessment, at the same time, making it easier to convince and explain to the client what is going on throughout the fit process.

The speakers certainly made me think a lot and plant several ideas and questions in my head. It almost seems like bikefit encompass so many things, and getting more. What made the symposium so interesting was there was so much discussion and the Q & A after each speaker spoke got quite intense at times.

Apart from the Symposium, it was my first time in London and I really like the place. I brought my bike along (as usual) as I still had to train. The weather was not too ‘friendly’ as it was really cold. On good days, it would be 2-4 degrees Celsius. It was really dreadful riding in the cold, especially when I just had training camp the week before in Perth which was could get as hot as 46 degrees!

I went to London city on the second and last day of my visit (6 days in total of which the symposium covered 3 days). I took the “tube” which is their version of our Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) which is a good 1 hour ride from Brunel University. I managed to catch up with Sam Jo! I also visited cafes, walked around to look for/visit the places of interest which I usually only get to see on TV or magazines. I’ll let the pictures do the talking;).

I certainly hope to return again next year for the symposium to learn and also see what has changed and how we have progress as bikefitters. I hope to be able to improve myself and bring bikefitting in Singapore/SEA to the next level. This will definitely be possible with constant research, practice and exposure to the bikefitters/fitting in North America and Europe, where the overall standard of bikefit is already at a good level.

Yes, snowing all over the place when I arrived.

Was nice to catch up with Sam!

Most popular bike cafe in London.

Inside "Look Mum, No Hands".

Only on TV.

London Bridge is falling down...

Ximo! Fellow bikefitter from Spain who we spoke via email and finally met in London. He was my tour guide in the city. What a nice guy and was absolutely pleased to have met him there.