Trashed

To Changi, 91 km. Another university training ride. This time there are a few more new faces compared to last week, but still a far cry from the targetted 40. We head for East Coast via West Coast. East Coast is jammed with cars and people. Instead of taking a break, I cycle for home via Changi. A roadie passes by and I sit on his tail at a humane 35 km/h. He peels off and I'm alone again, but not for long. A mud splattered guy shoots past me; he's so splattered, I can't make out what make of bike he cycles. He thrashes me, speeding up Loyang Avenue on knobbies and a filthy drive train. And I'm on my slicks ... My headset is trashed too; it gets loose after a few bumps on the road. The long term solution will set me back at $700, for a new frame, fork and seat post, since spares for 1" frames are hard to come by. I stop by a bikeshop for a look. A girl asks me how to attach a light to her helmet. I tell her, then move on. A bus cuts in front of me. Like a rag to a bull, I race with the bus, leaping ahead at 46 km/h.