Month of Dec 2008

The papers and all the news reporting about bad economy but this was the month I really enjoyed. I had a number of major fine dining (Au Petit Salut, Miz U Cafe, Equinox cum New Asia Bar, Sofitel at Senai, buffet dinner at Orchard Hotel, etc etc, etc. GOD Bless!!!
Cheers to myself and also come into financial bonanza$$$$$$ !!! What economic downturn are they talking about? GOD provides! Believe in HIM and all taken care off. Amen

old kallang airport road - street party

HOG was invited to boost up the street party at the Old Kallang Airport Road. As usual, met at HDS at appointed time 5.30pm but was never on time. About 25 bikes turned up to support. had a good ride to Old Kallang Airport Rd but was told to wait for 1 hour before the actions start so went drinking and mutton soup at the food centre with Eunice, Andrew F, Dod & Fong. When Andrew Chu turned up, the convoy was moved into position minus the 5 of us, still enjoying our drinks & food but we joined up anyway. However, due to family gathering at Downtown East for dinner, I had to leave before the event was flagged off. Had a good laugh at Downtown East (Yes Man)
Read the Sunday Times the day after !!!

2008-Christmas Toy Run

This ToyRun was also in tribute to our Santa Klaus Kaiser. Members also observed a minute of silence for fellow HOG, the late Rick Smith. This year, less riders turned up. It was also on a different style. We gathered at HDS, amended the HOG Constitution to cater for the Muslim Riders on the Annual D&D, unfortunately very few Muslim Riders turned up to vote for their requests but the Constitution was supported by all to cater to their needs.
We then rode to the S'pore Flyer and was greeted by the under-privileged children from the Central CDC (KidsREAD)and goody bags were distributed. The GOH was Dr Lam. The ToyRun was followed up by LOH bbq at Shore Restaurant (couldn't attend as my family has carolling at Hougang Mall).

Rick Smith

Well, another has bite the dust whilst enjoying his ride! Rick Smith - 54 years of age

National Bike Week (S'pore)

Well, we have our own National Bike Week. I went on Friday (28th Nov 2008) night at the late hours when most booths are about to close, anyway just to have a glimpse of them and being a patriotic S'porean, to support what's "National".
On Saturday, I rode over to HDS to represent the HOG and we rode to Police Academy (fond memories as in 1972 April 11th, I was there for the 1st time of my life to be recruited as a Police Officer). Here, many makes of bikes were represented.
The we were marshalled to National Stadium carparks for regrouping as the convoy was huge (making an impact) before we rode to the Flyer. Well, nothing much on shows, very bland and too simple! We had our lunch at O'Leary and late scooted home! So much for the Natioanl Bike Week, can't hold a leg to those in M'sia and the ones in Thailand, no where and no way!

Toy Run 2007

guess who

Invitation from Red Devil MC

Red Devil Rock Singer & JoKiNg

Red Devil MC has their 2nd annual bike meet, HIT N RUN 2008 on 9th Nov 2008 at 16 Aloha Loyang. I participated on their evening activities for a base entrance fee of $6.00 and supported the club with a purchase of 2 T-shirts ($30.00). As with Red Devil, live music is a must so the atmosphere was loud and electrifying. Met many old riders and renewed friendships.
Prior to the 9th, on the evening of the 8th, Philip and I were joined by some new riders (AndrewF & Eunice, Andrew C, Dod S, Jordon, Fong, San Chuan) at Black Angus, Orchard Parade Hotel. We drank to a tune of $394.20. Then we rode the evening out to 11 Changi Coast Walk, SAFRA Resort Sea Sport Shore Restaurant and had another session of drinks ($118.15).

Passing On of A Good Acquaintance in my Riding Circle

Last Sunday evening 26/10/2008, I received a SMS saying that fellow HOG member Kaiser whom I affectionately addressed as Emperor has passed on. I was shocked as he is of a young age (49). Anyway, that's life and I had known him since the day he started riding his (7777) ultra classic to pick up his then girlfriend Farida at B/147 Tampines which I was also staying at that time. Later, they moved out to Loyang Valley and we still met regularly either on HOG events or across M'sia rides. He was also an active member of The HeadHunters and known as Houdini because of his appearing & disappearing acts.
The funeral procession to Mandai Crematorium was yesterday (31/10/2008 Friday), with so many fellow Head Hunters coming across from M'sia besides our local HOG & other groups joing in. Fellow rider Tom Chandler was again the pastor for another HOG. The procession to Mandai Crematorium from S'pore Casket was a huge queue of Harley m/cycles besides some others.
As when everything was over, we headed to his home at Loyang Valley and reminisced the good old days with lots of food and drinks. I met his 2 other brothers & sister, his family wife Farida, son Simon & daughter Asheley besides the wife's family members whom I know since the days at B/147 Tampines Ave 5.
And a last minute dash to Church for All Saints' Day!

Educational Rides

HOG Singapore organised a ride to 2 places locally on 26th Oct 2008. The first was to the Bedok New Water Centre (the only centre amongst the many for visitors and guided tours). Well, it was something that all Singpaorean can be really proud of. You should know how we are being threatened with the water supply by our neighbouring country. Now the table is turned on them. Their excess water which is a money-making natural commodity is now flowing into open seas instead of properly channelling for our usage. As the saying, when chased to the wall, even the frightened dog will fight back... haha.
Next we had a hearty sumptuous lunch at a Muslim Restaurant before hitting our next point of visit..., to the AirForce Museum. I am surprised by the way our AirForce started with 2 borrowed Cessna to what it is today, a formidable well- trained AirForce with state of art aircrafts, manpower, weapons, etc. I supposed this is another part where any patriotic Singaporean must be proud of. The situation a neighbour behaves has really made us sit up and take proactive actions to be a peace loving small country. We do not have a choice, I believe, watching how a neighbour reacts.
After that, it was free & easy so JoKiNg (me), SanChuan, Fong, Dod, Andrew Fletcher & partner rode to Changi V and have beers!
Then I realised that's a Sunday and Mass to attend so I excused myself to spend some time with The Almighty.

2009 model launch (20/9/2008-Saturday)

HDS annual new model launch. XR 1200 Sportster with the new designed pipes and bags!

Swing KPE (13/9/2008)

1 of the many Lamborghinis

Vintage delights

Convoy KPE Swing

The Group making HISTORY on the longest underground Expressway in South East Asia- KPE

It was legs-dragging to be up so early for the event as the previous night of partying at our HOG Annual Dinner & Dance.
I did not meet the convoy but rode there alone and was too early so no hassle to move in, except to excite the early crowds of joggers being brought in by the bus-loads. They are supposed to be in the Guinness World of Records for being the longest procession of Lantern Parade for this Mid-Autumn Festival. Some joggers are on the competitive list for the 5 & 10 km respectively.
There were vintage cars, followed by taxis (2 different companies using compressed natural gas), the Lamborghinis (Gallardo, Superleggera, Murcierllargo) and Lotus.
Our Harley Convoy came in much later and was made to ride all over before coming in. I was watching with glee..., seeing the convoy being moved around to the exasperations of the riders. Since I was the early bird, I also had a good hearty breakfast provided on the starting point and by the time the convoy came in, I am filled.
The Lamborghinis owners were proudly revving up their engines (sound) to our delight until fellow rider of Night Rod Louis started his bike and showed what a sound he has on his CFR finely tuned pipe. It beats all and as quickly, the owners of the Lamborghinis stopped their engines. Wow! That's what I loved about.

We were then ushered in as the front line convoy with lots of sound wanted and we didn't fail them especially with Louis' pipe. After coming out, I left the convoy to be with family and time for Sunday Mass... LORD bless!

Annual General Meeting cum Dinner & Dance 2008

The AGM started with a round island ride from HDS at 3.00pm on a Saturday (12/9) and landed at the Zoological Gardens (Lodge) at about 4.00pm. It was a very well chosen place amidst the thick foliage with lots of fauna and flora. We were made very welcome by the staff which I appreciated very much.
We got our Tony Goldman as Director and assisted by Barney Philips. I had tried proposing Colin Hughes when I came to understand that Chris Wesley is stepping down but Colin turned down my proposal.
After AGM, it was a short break for the Zoo staff to rearrange the Lodge to a Dinner & Dance setting. We had a live band fronted by all Caucasions which I personally think is most appropriate and sutiable. The buffet was good, wine and beer free-flow, music was inline with HOG's functions and great fun catching ups with other riders. The Zoo also threw in a good show. HDS new GM Dorothy was inspiring besides being sporting. I am always lucky on the lucky draws. Paid $50.oo for the D&D and got every single cents back on the lucky draw besides the many souvenirs.
Ended the night late, hoping to be readied for the next morning event..., the Swing KPE ride!

KPE Swing & Opening Rehearsal Ride

JoKiNg & friends

Harley Davidson riders (1st to vehicular group to be in the KPE) - front row 5th-JoKiNg

It's a Saturday(6/9/2008). Harley Davidson bike owners are invited by the organising committee of the "KPE Swing & Opening Ride" to grace the occasion and today there is a briefing and a partial rehearsal. Besides us, only vintage car owners, top-end car owners like Lotus, Lamborghinis are invited beside the taxis....... well !!!
We met as usual at HDS and rode off from there to the Tampines Rd and moved into the newly completed KPE (longest in South East Asia if not Asia). There was a slight drizzle but the atmosphere of being there was "if I have to explain, you'll never understand". We were the first to ride the length of KPE and briefed by officials for the actual day "swing & opening" flagged of by none other than our President Nathan himself. Be there and be an owner of a HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTOR CYCLE as the saying goes..., the last biker on this Earth will be riding a Harley !!! Cheers

105th Anniversary Ride - by HDS (30 Sep 2008)

Simon & Colin (replica)

At the Flyer:(left to right standing) Agnes, Angie, JoKiNg (sitting) Simon, Colin, Mark

That's JoKiNg & Wife Angeline

Me? 2nd bike on the right !

I missed the previous night gathering at HandleBar due to a working place "bollywood nite" at Raffles Marina at Tuas.
It was a ride that I told Angie to come along. Although I've been riding (Harley Davidson bikes) for more than 14 years, she has never been on a convoy ride before. We took off and smacked right in the middle of a heavy downpour. Since we had taken to avoid getting wet twice along the PIE but still got caught, we decided to ride on. Well, as usual at the meeting point of Dempsey Road carparks, many early birds had turned up and most are drenched. We got our goody bag and later rode convoy from the above carparks via Singapore famed Orchard Road right to the S'pore Flyer. Here's where the eating and drinking commences until late into the evening. All in all, there were closed to 300 bikes on a rough estimates, many of whom I have not seen for sometime are being seen. It was a good ride though, it was also my first close look of the S'pore Flyer although it had been operational for sometime already. Anyway, again it happened...., I was on the evening Channel News Asia Bulletin!

once again, raffles marina tuas anniversary's invitations

It has been raining cats & dogs the past few days so when I took a look at the sky this morning, it was like, well...gotta get the bike out for a spin and since Raffles Marina Tuas has invited Harley Riders for their 14th Anniversary Celebrations, why not? I arrived early, of course seafront parkings, just beside the berthing area, had my coffee whilst waiting for some other fellow riders to turn up. It was not a long wait anyway..., Dod Sng & Andrew Chu came rolling in with their "sewing machines". We then combined to have mee siams, satays, rojak and beers to gulp down. It was a nice cloudy morning with an air of festivals, regattas, magic shows, snake charmers, belly-dancers, taekwando displays and many leggy models manning the car booths (mini-coopers and some others). Families with children splashings in the pool and many babes strutting in their teeny-weeny bikinis...... wow! Good thing is that I met an old family friend (rider too) Mr Nigel whom I have not seen for sometime already.
By mid-noon, then the 1st convoy of Harleys came in. It was then, the head of the Raffles Marina catering, Mr Martin Chan came over and called out my name.., JoKiNg and handed over booklets of food vouchers and an envelope of beer coupons, compliments from the President of Raffles Marina Club, Mr Francis Lee. Well, now food galores and drinks freely flowed until late afternoon when I remembered it is a SUNDAY and I have to be in Church at least, for a reflections of the week. I then took off and ran into heavy downpour..., all wet!
Well, a quick bath and change and Holy Trinity Church bound. GOD bless!

Jack's Neo - Money No Enough II

As a token of appreciations from local movie producer Jack Neo, HOG members were invited to have a preview on the screening of the movie, "Money No Enough II" on 3rd Aug 2008. We were amongst the Guest-Of-Honour MP Mdm Lim Hwee Hwa and many LTA officers. Well, as for my personal opinion, we were made to film more than 4 hours onn site in the blazing sun and out of it, appears only for a few seconds. I still can't connect the relevance of having a convoy of Harley Davidson bikers riding past a couple of a "cub chye". I honestly don't see any connections with our parts although it is just a glimpse. Luckily for me, being the last biker in the convoy, I was seen though. Being a "calefare" in the movie is better off than our poor HOG bikers! Anyway, I took it as......, we are immortalised so long as the movie is around. Self-consolations, yeah! HaHa!

Ah Boy (TopGun) requested me to ride for his niece's wedding, although a wet day! It was fun as usual with lots of "makan makan" and opportunities to meet many other riders. The joy of being remembered by fellow bikers although we have never been riding together as passing friends beside the organised ride..., is a feeling of gratitude and being wanted. That's a true biker friend, Ah Boy! Cheers!

jurong west sports & recreation centre

L to R : Pang Jiamin, JoKiNg, Pang Jiating, Jessebelle Lim Jiajia, Pang Jiaxin (pretty young ladies)

The convoy riding past the VIPs and crowds on the stands!

The evergreen................ JoKiNg with National Colours in balloons !

This was being requested by the school I am with to have a convoy to help celebrate the National Day Observance Ceremony. It was a last minute thing and gladly.... with much appreciations, the following riders supported me eventhough the meeting time was on a Sunday 3rd August 2008 at an unusual early hours......., 7.30 am (wow).
I had Jess Ley (heritage softail), Jimmy Ho (fatboy), Hashim (roadking), Sabar & daughter(roadking), Dod Sng (sportster), Andrew (rocker), Hashim's fellow Independent member (apologies name forgotten - sportster), Salleh Ridhwan (night train) and me (roadking) to grace the occasion. It was a happy scene with us entering the new stadium tarmac and the crowds really roared to see us riding in. Gives all riders a sense of feelings that 'if I have to explain, you will never understand'
The bikes were fully decorated with white and red balloons (national day flag colours) and after the event, I even rode home with the balloons. A cruising police patrol car with the officers gave me a fright but they encouraged me with their thumbs up and along the way home, many Sunday outing vehicles slowed down to take pictures of me...., well ! What a blessed me !

some of the many events

Well, we had our R2R again but unfortunately, only 1 KL rider Mike Gan turned up. I took the opportunity to ride with him around Singapore after picking him up from HDS.
The next morning, I left home early and that was indeed a blessing, I later realised that those riders going over half an hour later, were caught in a massive jam along the Singapore side. Since the appointed time and with added another 1 and a half hours of waiting, I decided to ride on my own up to KL. Along the way, I caught up with some early birds so there was no fear of losing my way once inside KL. I even had a durian feast with Tony, formerly from Samsoon Motors! Great fun in KL HRC as usual. The ride back was smooth and the best thing about this event was.., either way was cloudy with no rain...., a dry ride up and down. Time for Sunday Mass back home, GOD bless me indeed!

The SOUTHERN MOST TIP of mainland Asia !
Hi,
there was..., considered a huge turn-out this morning, close to 40 bikes for the trip to Tanjong Piai. Surprisingly, many are new riders with some expatriates recently posted here and conversely, a few of the older ones are going back to their homeland like Peter, Rene Heim and others. There were also a new group of LOHs (very sexy indeed) tagging as pillions.The ride was slow but the scene are typical Malaysian scenes with kampongs and many fruit orchards along the way. Wild animals like the common macague, iguanas and squirrels can be seen too if you are observant enough.We had a sumptuous lunch at the floating pier where they also run a resort like hotels. We had tin-foiled baked fish, steamed fish, prawns in rendang, prawns in tomatoes ketchups, tomyam soup, fried squids, fried rice, mee goreng, 3 stewed vegetables with hot brewing coffee or iced-cold lemonade. After that we rode to the MOST southern point of mainland Asia to check the place out. It is a boardwalks trails with mangrove trees hovering all over, egrets, sea hawks, all those insects connected with mangrove swamps with watch towers all over the place ideally good for couples to make it out. The most southern point has a globe like structure to claim its status being so. I considered another conquest after riding up Cameron Highlands (Gunung Biringchang) recently to the highest possible route by vehicle in peninsular Malaysia which was 1 conquest. The ride back was leisurely and supposed to end at Handlebar's free food and drinks compliments from Rene Heim who is leaving Singapore back to Germany but was caught in a sudden downpour at Clementi side so I headed home instead.
Cheers!
Hope to see more NARRs around such trips (only Patrick was there excluding me)

Cameron Highlands

Simon started it all with, "hey, long time no ride". So the timely reminder spurred me to sign up for the Cameron Highlands Ride organised by HOG Mr Barney for the Labour Day Holiday. Together with Mark & Audrey, we rode earlier than the main group and as usual arrived at Concorde Hotel KL way before the rest. Stayed a night rocking away at HRC with Mike Gan, Joey, Vinxx & partner before the next morning, joining the main group to Cameron Highlands. Along the way, took off ahead and waited for the main group at Tapah. Put up at Lakeside House, rode up to Gunung Biringchang (6,666 feet above sea level-highest in peninsular M'sia), to Gua Musang, (unfortunately no musangs anymore nor any Guas), later to beefarms, butterfly farms, nicknack shops, waterfalls, tea-gardens/kiosk). Departing day headed earlier to take the scenic route down and back home with good speed and scrappings of footrests.