Biking has always been a big part of my life. My father rode motorbikes back in the day, and even had a touring bike once, the rockstar; my mother, like yours probably, just wasn’t into two-wheelers. It certainly didn’t help when I was in an accident involving a motorcyclist at a very tender age and then almost tore my left arm off during a cycling accident in school.
As luck would have it, I would be constantly exposed to riding all kinds of bikes later on. Even army conscription had me riding an off-road scrambler as my official role and duty to country as a scout.
Then one day I bought my own bicycle and rode it home and haven’t stopped since.
I’m pretty stoked about bikes and pictures, so imagine my excitement at the opportunity to shoot the Singapore National BMX Championships finals.
Cycling, like photography, is one of those things you can do alone whenever you feel like it. It gets lonely but you’ll always find the kindred spirits. Sometimes you'll even meet national riders like Tan Hong-Chun (pictured) who'll tell you it’s not about beating you; it’s about being the very best version of me.
He beat everyone anyway.
The thing about mountain biking is that there's always someone watching you, hoping the best for you, giving you well-meaning advice that worked for them.
Then show them what you're made of.
You take in the atmosphere. You psych yourself up.
You dig deep.
Or smile and have at it. I highly recommend it.
Pumped up.
What are these photos about? (Optional)
This event was held at Tampines Bike Park, and it’s possibly the very last time for this event, or that I would ever see this place before it turns into a spot for public housing. To many of us, these grounds hold a very special place in our hearts.
Some of us began our mountain biking journeys here. Friends have even started bringing their offspring to be introduced to this little world we call ours.
Alas, things must end.
In June 2014, Tampines Bike Park will be closed for good for future housing development by the government. We’re told we might see a new bike trail in a different part of this city, but you just know it won’t be the same. This place has life that we poured into. We've been here every weekend. We've been here for overnight marathon races with riders from across the world. I've broken cranks here from pedalling too hard. Friends have experienced their first jumps here and conquered fears.
This place that only a tiny portion of this increasingly metallic city calls a second home will soon home thousands of people who may never know its history past their concrete walls.
But we’re okay.
Nothing will ever stop us riding.
© 2026 gent
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