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.