Survival Guide - Extreme Cycling 42km: NParks Parks Connector Network (PCN)

Alright, as the title says it all, I shall start off with a reference to Sandra Leong's article in The Sunday Times, 16th December 2007, Pages L8 and L9.



Ms Leong writes a pretty good article describing the newest gem in the East for couch potato slouches - the opening of the new NParks (National Parks) Park Connector Network (PCN) which connects the major parks in the east together in a loop of 42km. This includes East Coast Park, Bedok Town Park, Bedok Reservoir Park, Sun Plaza Park, Pasir Ris Park, and Changi Beach Park.

She opens her 3rd paragraph with, "You can wheel it from Siglap to Pasir Ris to Changi and back in as little as two hours..." Well, just for the record, I think that this is almost IMPOSSIBLE, unless you:

1) are on steroids
2) know the whole route like the back of your hand
3) cycle like a madman and not enjoy the sights along the way (which goes along with point no.1)

Ok just kidding.

Granted that points number 1 & 3 do not apply to her, you would really need a good idea of where to go, and really peddle your way through if you want to finish it in 2 hours. Anyway, as I said, Ms Leong wrote a good article, but I felt she left out certain useful information, which I thought I'd fill in for future PCN explorers.

Starting point - Carpark C4 East Coast Park:

So on a bright sunny Friday morning, Susan, Jan, Dawn and I met at East Coast Park (ECP) Macs Carpark C4 at 11am to start our little adventure..

Tip 1: If you are driving and intending to park at Carpark C4 as in the newspaper report, weekday charges are best at $2.60 per entry, whereas its $2 plus for the first hour on weekends and public holidays, and plus plus after that.


All bright and chirpy at the start!

Since we did not have any bikes, the obvious next move was to rent the bikes!

Tip 2: Cheap bike rental - SDK bike shop at $7 for 2 hours. If you walk out at the Macs towards the beach, and facing the sea, turn right and walk for 10 metres. Its the bike shop there.


East Coast Park ECP!

Yep, after renting our bikes, we decided to find the start point of the PCN - the Siglap Park Connector. Now, you must understand that people like me who only visit ECP once every 5 years, do not know where that park connector is. -_-" so from the bike shop, the 4 of us turned right towards park area A..


Remember this? Along the way, we passed by the traffic police school circuit thing that they used to send all the primary school kids to, to learn about traffic rules and stuff.. Well, some things don't change, and i certainly remember the overhead bridge and the make-belief "Shell" fuel station.. Hee..

So we cycled for about 20 minutes, before we encountered this construction site blocking our progress. Hhmmm. Sandra Leong didn't mention anything abt a construction site. Nevertheless, being gung-ho, we still rode into the construction site, amidst the curious stares of all the workers in there on a Friday morning.. After 10 minutes of rocky terrain, common sense prevailed, and we decided that it was like the wrong way?!

So we backtracked all the way back to Macs, where we decided to bring along the street directory =P now, we decided to turn LEFT from the Macs instead of right as previously, and true enough, we soon found the official starting point of the PCN!


A rather nondescript-looking overhead bridge. The only hint to its importance of being the startpoint is probably that it has ramps up the bridge making it accessible to bicycles, and of course, the rather small signboard..


and the even smaller wording on the ground. -_-" (which would have passed off easily for graffiti if we weren't specifically looking out for it.) But memorize these 3 important letters, for they will be your best friend for the whole journey!!!

Tip 3: Starting point - Siglap Park Connector - is at the intersection of Areas C & D of ECP! i.e. facing the sea, proceed LEFT from the bike shop.

Geesh. We wasted 1 whole hour getting lost before even starting our adventure proper.


Overlooking the ECP expressway from the overhead bridge!

So we finally got onto the Siglap Park Connector, which snaked along parallel to this large canal. And it was quite a relief when we actually got to cycling proper. However, the route was littered with multiple dismount-mounts as there were many road junctions to cross. Thank goodness for the aptly-placed traffic lights. But the multiple stops became quite tiring and time-consuming.


One of my "favourite" signs encountered along the way.. And, NO, I didn't cause that! =P


Finally we arrived at Kembangan MRT station! By this time, due to our losing our way earlier, it was close to 1pm already! Urgh. And that wasn't even the end of the Siglap Park Connector yet.


One of the highlights of the Siglap park connector is that it trails into the heartlands, so that you literally travel along the back of the HDB flats, and get to come into close contact with people going about their daily activities like marketing and going to work.. Of course, as the report correctly notes, it gets crowded during peak hours, so time your visit! =P

Pushing on, we made our way across the network of traffic lights and cycling paths, only to find ourselves at the First and Only major Roadblock of our journey:


Yep, no slopes this time. Its back to manual labour. As the newspaper described, you can wheel your bike up along this narrow concrete column along the sides, but its still potentially tough for the smaller sized girls..

Tip 4: Bring a guy along with you (for manual labour =P) or at least till NParks changes the overhead bridge to one with ramps.

Somehow, we navigated past that, and moving on, we actually reached Bedok Reservoir Park! Hooray! Our first landmark!

Checkpoint 1: Bedok Reservoir Park


We were so happy to see the park, we went in and took so many photos! Haha!





Having followed the sign into Bedok Reservoir Park (BRP), we started getting lost (Round 2), cos we didn't see anymore of our best friend - the 3 lettered PCN - anymore upon entering the park. So we followed along the edge of the reservoir, wondering how to head to our next stop, Tampines Sun Plaza Park.

Ah.. Here's where the street directory came in useful! No it didn't have any park connectors in there, but we surmised the general direction of Tampines, and decided to leave the BRP and follow the roads in the hope of rejoining the PCN route.. And as we were leaving the park, we stumbled upon the PCN trail!

Tip 5: Do not enter the parks. (Yes, it connects the parks, but the route doesn't enter the park per se!! It sort of runs parallel to the main road next to the park, so if you follow some brown signboards and enter the park, you'll lose the PCN trail!!)


Yes! Smooth sailing all the way to Tampines MRT station, with the route running underneath the MRT tracks! En route, passing by the Catholic Church of the Holy Trinity in Tampines (which I know MC goes to).

We finally arrived at Tampines MRT station at close to 2pm, where we were just plain bushed. And having taken so long, we were starting to wonder how Sandra Leong managed the whole route in 2 hours, cos reaching Tampines MRT was only like 1/4 of the journey?! We fueled up at the Cheers and Old Chang Kee before heading on.. Well, its kinda hard to grab proper lunch since we had to look after the bikes.. So finger food and fluids..

Tip 6: Bring a picnic that you can eat at any of the parks along the way if you don't wanna stop for lunch. Just remember to clean up after that. OR, bring a bike lock to lock the bikes at the Tampines MRT station along with thousand others, then go for lunch. =P

So we pushed on!! Cos we didn't wanna still be stuck travelling come night fall! Moving on, we travelled through Tampines town..


past the Tampines polyclinic where I did my Family Medicine posting..

Checkpoint 2: Sun Plaza Park



past the SunPlaza Park with its interesting animal-themed playgrounds.. Crocodile! Kangaroo!


and then towards Pasir Ris park, winding along the canals of Tampines.. And of course, pushing our bikes up along another overhead bridge over the TPE this time..

Oh, saw a few people trying to hook mangoes out of some mango trees along the way, but guess I'd better not snap any photos before they kill me! =P Heh.

Checkpoint 3: Pasir Ris Park


And finally we reach Pasir Ris Park! Haha, I think its pretty obvious that we stepped up our pace and cut down a bit on the sight-seeing portion.. =P

Let's see, time check: 3pm plus? Waayy past the 2 hours.. -_-"




Still, that didn't stop us from taking a few more photos of the mangrove swamps at Pasir Ris Park!

Remember Tip No.5 above? Well, we made the same mistake and entered Pasir Ris Park (getting lost Round 3), only to find a dearth of PCN signs again.. So yep, we finally figured out that the trail had so far been following the roads, so we backtracked out to the mainroad, where we rejoined the PCN trail after locating our 3-lettered friend.. =P


Yes, its this road junction! Don't enter Pasir Ris Park! Follow along the roads, with Downtown East on your left..

Anyway, the next stretch was going to be one of the most trying ones! The Pasir Ris and Loyang connectors are literally next to the road, with relatively fewer foliage coverage, so its really quite hot.. Not to mention the elusive gentle incline of the Pasir Ris connector which makes you wish for a motorized bike instead. -_-"

Oh wells, tough it out! Cos the Loyang connector is generally downhill, and the breeze in your hair is worth the whole journey.. =) Well, the guys would probably recognize this stretch of road, cos its the familiar roads leading towards Changi and a certain ferry terminal to a certain offshore island.. Hhmmm. =P

Oh, Jan's bike started giving her problems, which Dawn promptly fixed.. So..

Tip 7: Bring along someone who knows about bikes! If you're like me, totally clueless, and the bike dies somewhere far away, well, good luck then! =P

So the Loyang connector branches off abruptly off the main road into the Changi connector, winding through the nests of Changi holiday chalets!


Changi connector!


winding through the various chalets..



before reaching Changi Village!

Checkpoint 4: Changi Village

Another good place for a slight pit stop for you to fuel up and a toilet break if needed.. Though the latter is probably not needed cos I think I literally sweated out all the green tea & water I drank in.. =P

Oh, and its daytime, so there aren't any undesirable figures to be seen. =P


Follow the signs and cross the bridge over to Changi Beach Park!

Now, this is the ONLY park (other than the East Coast Park and the Bedok Town Park, which somehow I thought was fused with the Siglap Park Connector - maybe I didn't notice the sign clearly), that the PCN actually uses.. As I said earlier, you don't really have to enter the other parks previously passed, but here, you actually travel inside the CBP's cycling path to the best part of the whole PCN!

Tip 8: Look for the signboard saying "Coastal Connector 3km" and follow it, cos otherwise, there's nothing else to follow. Don't worry, you'll reconnect with your 3-lettered friend at the end of the path. =)

Checkpoint 5: Coastal Connector

Now, this is probably one of the most scenic and best parts of the whole route, cos its:

1) 1 straight route, with no traffic lights to dismount in between;
2) relatively shielded by trees on both sides
3) you get a fantastic view of the beloved Changi Airport, and hear the planes roaring as they take off near you..



And its a whopping 8km, so enjoy!

End point: East Coast Park

If you're tired already, here's good news! We're back after the final Coastal Connector! Although, you do have to travel through sections D-G of the ECP before you reach the start point again, which is another 20minutes if you're fast, and 40 minutes if you're not. =P

On the way, remember to catch a sight of Singapore's own cable-ski facility..


Of course, if you've read my previous post last year, I went to the one at Batam and had a great time there! Dunno abt the cost at Singapore though, but the Batam one cost about S$80 for 1 day's use.

And yes! We've survived Extreme Cycling - 42km! Travelling through/past 6 different parks, 7 different connectors - and getting lost 3 times - we took a whopping grand total of 7 hours.. Urf. (Eh, we got lost so many times loh, don't laugh. So smart you go lah. Hhmmm, but then, after reading this, you won't get lost like us loh. Unfair. =P)

Ok lah, considering that we got lost so many times since we weren't exactly familiar with the area (hey, 2 Westies and 2 NELians don't exactly make for easy navigation of the East), and that Jan wasn't feeling too well, and we took our time on the sight seeing, I think we did quite alright, cos if you minus away the time we spent being lost, we took about 5 hours in all to travel the distance and enjoy the scenery, with lunch break included.. =))

Though it is possible to finish it in:

- 6 hours max: if you don't get lost and you really take your time to enjoy the sights and journey along the way
- 5 hours: if you don't get lost and cycle a bit faster
- 3 hours: if you cycle like a madman.
- 2 hours: if you cycle like a madman, know the route and don't get lost, and don't have too many people blocking your path along the way, and that all the traffic lights obey you and turn green in your favour whenever you reach the traffic junctions. =P

(I'm sorry, I still don't think its possible to finish it in 2 hours flat unless you're quite the athlete and cycle consistently for all 2 hours, plus navigate your way. Ok lah, you're welcome to prove me wrong, and leave a comment here. =) But of course, this trip was done by 4 rather unfit people, so cannot help it lah =P)







Haha, at the end, past 6pm, I think our bottoms were quite glued to the bicycle seats.. I was still surprised that I could drive after that, and yes, 1 day after and typing this post, the only physical reminder is a sore back and an unwanted tan.

Oh alright, so I wanted a tan, but I didn't think i'd get one since it was so cloudy and threatening-to-rain throughout the whole journey. But hey, guess Singapore's Sun does have special powers.. Think I'm a bit red along the arms and face, but thankfully nothing burnt. =)

Tip 9: Wear sunblock. Susan's the only smart one in this aspect. =)

Tip 10: Have lots of fun! =)

Oh, as a final note, there's actually a smaller loop encompassing the ECp, Siglap Connector, Bedok Town Park, and the Bedok Connector that's only 18km, so if you're rushed for time, that's good too. =) Though according to the newspaper report, there's another flight of stairs there that needs manual labour. =P

And yes, so we've finished, and I think the girls will think twice before agreeing to follow me on another of my hare-brained ideas of an excursion gleaned from newspaper reports.. (well, lucky those who bailed out on us at the last minute cos of prior commitments) And I don't think they're going cycling any time within the next 1 year at least. =)