Same road, different journey

Jun distance: 104 km (all time low in a month since 2002)

To Kranji, 68 km. Things may look the same, but a small change may lead to a big difference. Like what a tiny puncture does to a bicycle. Or an empty seat in an organisation. What difference one person makes depends on who the person is. As a mountain biker, I see obstacles along the way - and ways around them. As I approach, I see greater granularity and pick my line. I also see a place where, if there's a dog around, the dog will be. A black shape appears. It does not bark. I do not yell. It does its thing. I do mine. Forewarned is forearmed. It doesn't have a chance. It stops as the distance between us grows. I slow down but keep my eyes peeled in case it or its pals sneak up. Always vigilant, always safe. Even if it takes a tiny chunk of flesh off me, that would be too much.

It's about time

Sembawang Road, 36 km. I'm back on the road after a week's travel and the aftermath of jet lag. A roadie in yellow says "hello" and slips past me. I tail him at 33 km/h. My knobbies hum with joy but my dry chain squeaks in protest. He slips out his phone, which is "hands-free": both hands off the handlebar. We reach a fork in the road and part ways. At Sembawang Park, the police are there. There is a poster of fugitive Mas Selamat. Half the heel of my cycling shoe breaks off. Its first ride was in Oct 03, at a mountain bike race on Penang Hill. Since then, it has been in more races and several expeditions. When things rot away, band-aid can't do much. I was forewarned; inspection had shown cracks. When it comes to fundamentals, catastrophe sometimes creeps up rather than happen suddenly. Surprise despite warning, if one looks away from the signs.