27 June was looking perfect, weather was good and there was not much wind on Changi Coastal Road.  The discovery of a flat front tire was not too thrilling but my spirits were still high in anticipation of a good performance.  Furthermore, Thursday’s training at Changi with my new Rolf Elan wheels proved money well spent (despite it burning a hole in my pocket), I was even more confident!!

The rest of TA members arrived shortly and 2 sets of training rollers were brought out for us to do our warm-ups (quoting the words of Director Sportif, “you got to be warmed up to the extent that you are sweating at the start line,” see at least there are some of us that listen to you!!). Boy, was I impressed!! 

Whilst on the rollers, Max called out for the remaining Rojak teams to report to the starting line.  We all proceeded there (I could feel the butterflies setting off in my tummy – this being my first ever road race).  Teams were released in two minute intervals. Beef and myself started getting worried when Dean and Porky were nowhere in sight. There was still no sign of them when we were at the start line due for takeoff.  At that point Beef lamented,  “that’s it, we are out they don’t get to the start line now”.  Just then, both of then appeared from their additional warmup round.  The official did a countdown :”3, 2, 1” and off we went. 3 laps round the circuit to complete by first road race.

Lap 1 : A consistent and easy pace of 36km and nicely drafting and executing our switches as strategized. Beef kept reminding me not to go too fast in the beginning. My fear of flipping on the U-turn was eased off when I managed to clear the first one.   The 2^nd u-turn for lap 2 was slightly better (Phew!!)

Lap 2 : Still clocking decent speed of around 38km (I think), we managed to overtake Team Ascender that started after us  (hope of podium placing seemed possible!!).  Maintaining our pace we headed back to the start point ready for the FINAL LAP (now I know why they say time trials are painful)!!

Lap 3 : “That’s it time to kick it in!!” – I told myself.  Unfortunately, the sudden slow down at the U-turn point and my trying to sprint off resulted in sudden lactic buildup, I  struggled to close up the gap behind Beef and had to shout to him to slow down.  Somehow, perhaps all getting into the “last-lap” zone – he did not hear my shouts first time round and I drifted further back.  When he realized it and shouted to Dean to slow down (who was also in the “zone”), the gap got dangerously huge. All this while Porky was trailing me.  Beef then got Porky move up in front of me to close the gap, thus allowing me to ease off and take a breather.  Porky moved to the front and closed up the gap allowing me to take shelter behind him and pickup speed again.  At this point, I determined to go all out and perhaps got carried away  and without realizing that Porky was still going a tad bit slower (thinking that I was still struggling to catch up), my front wheel rubbed against his back wheel.

“Shit!!” was all I could think out.  The next thing I knew I was sitting in the middle of the road in a daze wondering how we could pickup the bike and continue on (there went our hope for a podium placing…sob..sob..). I then thought, gosh my wheels, my bike - OUCH!!  Somehow, my helmet was removed and it was then that the other TA members (Dean and Porky) saw the gash on my head and decided to call for the ambulance – and by coincidence a SACA official vehicle swung by. (Actually, when I heard the crash, she was lying in the middle of the road and not moving. I immediately, turned back to the start line, which was about 800m away to get the ambulance. I passed the bemused officials and activated the ambulance - Beef) The ambulance came by, and Sting aka Director Sportif aka Retired Racer (as so proclaimed) was appointed to accompany me to the hospital.

Arriving at Changi Hospital, I was brought to see the doctor who took a look at my head and commented that I may have to stitch up the wound if it was too deep and that would mean shaving that portion of my head (Oh no – this would ruin my “Single and Available” status, Mauh..ha..ha…. I mean who would even think of asking a girl with a bald patch out, besides just having a good laugh??!!)  An x-ray was done to ensure my head was in one piece and the nurse started to clean up my wounds.  Thank god, the doc decided that I could glue up the wound (as so described: they literally use the strands of your hair around the wound to close the wound followed by application of the glu). To top it off, I was not allowed to wash my blood stained hair for 2 whole days => imagine smelling like a walking sanitary pad!!

Wanker, the appointed driver came by in his red Honda limo to pick us up and take us to Changi Village where the rest of TA were and the day ended with dim sum and Tsing Tao Beer!!

My greatest thanks and appreciation to Sting – for being a wonderful companion entertaining me with all his stories and “jokes”, Wanker for being the designated driver, Beef – for allowing me to add on to his 2^nd DNF race, (whatever – Beef), Coach for sending his well wishes and the rest of TA members!!  And to TA for making this my first ever road race, first ever road crash, first ever helmet crack and first ever ride in an ambulance!!