This Friday night, I looked up at the sky and noticed how beautiful the weather was. It felt cool and pleasant outside, and I thought it would be such a waste to simply stay at home. And so, I decided that tonight would be perfect for another night cycling adventure!
But before heading out, I needed to fill up my own “fuel tank” first LOL.
For dinner, I decided to eat more than my usual meal because I knew I would need the extra energy. I got myself a fried fish, an egg omelette with vegetables, some sautéed cabbage, and sautéed spinach. It was a simple but satisfying meal, and I felt that it was just what I needed before cycling around the neighborhood.
After dinner, I prepared my bicycle and started my ride.
The night was really pleasant. The roads were beautifully illuminated by streetlights, and there was something relaxing about cycling while watching cars pass through the intersections. I also came across some National Day decorations that were still beautifully lit up. Singapore always looks a little different at night, and cycling gives me the chance to slow down and appreciate these small details.
I eventually passed by Marsiling Admiralty Park, where I decided to stop for a while and take some photos.
However, somewhere halfway into my ride, I noticed something strange.
My legs were getting tired much faster than usual!
At first, I thought that maybe it was because of the terrain. There were a few hills along my route, but none of them were really steep enough to make me feel this exhausted. I continued cycling for a while until I eventually stopped at a resting area near a hawker centre.
While resting, I suddenly thought of checking my bicycle tires.
I pressed them with my hand and… surprise!
They were soft LOL.
That immediately explained why cycling felt unusually difficult tonight. It honestly felt like my bicycle had doubled in weight because I needed to put so much more effort into every pedal even when cycling on fairly level ground.
I even posted about my little struggle on Snaps just to vent my disappointment, and thankfully I received some funny comments that made the situation more entertaining.
One commenter suggested that I should always carry a small hand pump. That made me realize how useful even a mini pump could be during longer rides. Another person shared that she once went on a cross-country cycling trip with friends and couldn’t understand why she kept falling behind—until she discovered that she had been riding with a flat tire too!
After tonight, I can definitely feel her pain LOL.
More importantly, this experience taught me a useful lesson: always check the bicycle before going for a long ride.
Checking the tire pressure only takes a few seconds, but it could save a lot of unnecessary effort later. Riding with very soft tires can also be distracting, especially when you are wondering why your bicycle suddenly feels so difficult to pedal.
Despite the struggle, though, I still managed to complete around one and a half hours of night cycling.
So in the end, I’m still happy that I went out tonight. The weather was beautiful, the city lights were relaxing, I enjoyed the ride, and I came home with another cycling lesson to remember.
Next time, tire check first before adventure! LOL.
