The past few days have been busy. Basically my weekend was burnt by the DSO trials and the inaugural Singapore National Concrete Canoe Competition. The later turned out to be a good experience, seeing how my teammates and the guys from civil engineering had put in so much effort to create 2 race-worthy boats from concept to actuality. Amazing effort and a great success for the NUS teams! Despite the somewhat lacking organisation, the event still had a good friendly atmosphere. Too bad i don;t have pictures yet!

Back to cycling:

I finally completed my 1987 Bridgestone 450 on Thursday, and took it on its true maiden ride during the commutes from home to lower seletar, to school and back! Each leg was an adventure in its own right!

Added some more bike parts today and now the bike is near 100% complete!

Here's the break down:

Frame: 1987 Bridgestone 450 racing frame ($240)

Stem, Handlebar, Brakes, Bartape: Dura-ace / 600 / Look ($40)

Seatpost Bolt: ?? ($5)

Headset: ?? ($12)

Brake Housing: Shimano ($21)

Brake Cables: Shimano (Free thanks to Daniel!)

Saddle: ??? ($15)

Waterbottle Cages: (2 X $10)

Brake hoods: Shimano ($15)

Wheelset, Tyres: Mavic Cosmos, Kenda 25mm

Chain: Taya singlespeed ($12)

Cranks: Truvativ Touro 170mm 39T

Chainring Bolt spacers: Yong Seng Screws washers ($2)

Pedals: Shimano Ultegra PD-6600

Lights: Cateye EL-400 / Cateye LD600 / KnogFrog

Frame pump: Topeak Road Masterblaster

Brake Calipers: Tektro (From my Giant TCR)

Basically the bike's made up of some 2nd hand parts, parts transfered from my other bikes, and a few new bits. Total expenditure: $382 (actual cost inclusive of transfered parts: ~$1100). Involved parties in one way or another: Togoparts, Benson Cycles, TEF bikers junction, Passione Bicycles, Gee Hin Chan. On gripes left unchanged are my custom chain-ring bolt washers.

The ride: Basically this is a singlespeed. Which means there is no option of increasing or decreasing the gearing to suit the terrain. The only way to increase speed is to increase cadence. The only way to avoid leg blowout from uphills is to gather momentum and muscle my way up the hills. Basically, I now finding myself paddling in ways i normally never would: Going 120 rpm downslope just to maintain 45kmh, and really grinding and mashing the paddles on the uphills so that my legs don't stall.

It's an exciting idea to think how i'll improve once i get back on my TCR composite =)