This year, in lieu of the Hari Raya Haji Celebrations, the Bikers Aid will be organizing the “Ibadah Kurban 2007″ for the tsunami and earthquake victims in Jogyakarta and Aceh.
The bikers aid are seeking your kind donations. These monies will be contributed for the purchase of live sheep to be distributed to the needy as food. With each sheep costing $170, you may consider pooling this amount as a representation of your association.
The last date for donations is on the 10th December 2007. For more details, please contact the Scooter Owner Group Club, Mr Ramle Ismail and Mr Wan.
As expected, the TAA Charity Ride was fun! It is always exciting for me to ride together in a convoy along with the other two-wheelers. Its a pity that the convoy was much too short though.
I was worried that I was unable to get to the Kallang carpark, which was the designated meet point for all the bikers. I had a tendency to get lost on the road and was still unable to read maps. Luckily for me, while riding on the expressway, I met up with a huge group of bikers whom I assumed were on their way to the carpark. It was so cool to see them and I felt proud to ride with them.
Eventually, I reached the Kallang carpark and was marshalled to a group of riders.
Marshall 1 : You can ride with the gilera group there (points)
Me : But I’m not riding a gilera! :P
Marshall 2 : Oh a Vespa, your group is at the other side.
Me : Thanks guys!
I knew I was with the right group when saw a large procession of Vespas – both classic and modern. I finally met up with the rest of the vesporeans who were present, Moon_star, Kahwoon, Natsume, Mengster and Un-Sith whom was representing the group.
I admired the multitude of colours and varieties of two wheelers. There were so many types – Harley Davidsons, Scramblers, Hayabusas, Ducatis and many others. There was a festive purring of engines everywhere.
At length, we got on our scooters and lined up to start the convoy. I turned behind and saw a facinating looking man with a long white beard on top of a Harley. He could have been Gandalf in an alternate universe if he becomes a biker.
As we rode in our convoy, I noticed the excited looking pedestrians as they pointed at animatedly at our convoy as well as the awed looks of the car drivers. It was so funny to see that I couldnt help but to chuckle. There was a road marshall who rode beside us to ensure safety.
Shortly after, we reached our destination and drove in the compounds of the Malay Heritage Center. Huh? Thats it? I wasnt satisfied! It was such a short ride!
We parked around the quickly filled compound went to explore the center as well as Muscat street outside. The area was lined with food bazaars selling all sorts of delicacies.
The gang chanced upon a pink drink and were curious to know what the black seeds at the bottom where. Mengster explained that it was Bandung Selasih, a rose syrup drink with milk with sweet basil seeds. It was refreshing and crunchy – wonderful to have in the hot weather.
And a hot weather it was! It exacerbated my thirst and I longed for a glass of bandung. We were supposed to wait till 5.30pm for the charity presentation, but with over 2 hours to kill, I persuaded the gang to enter the museum as it was cooler and much more entertaining than doing nothing.
Entry to the Heritage Center for the charity riders was a dollar and four for normal days. I revisited back my roots and marvelled about the facinating history and artifacts. Modernisation has made it impractical to use now, but these items are so intricate and beautiful, proof of our naturally artisan traits. I nearly forgotten about items like these :
I like looking at the display and the old photographs. I liked to imagine myself in the picture and transport myself to what the people in the picture were thinking and feeling.
Upstairs, I saw a tribute to some of the noted malays whom have contributed to arts like Zubir Said whom composed the Singapore national anthemn as well as P. Ramlee who was arguably the most talented and versatile man whom had sucess as a scriptwriter, composer, singer, filmaker, actor, comedian.
We have such a rich heritage. Even as a Malay, I was facinated and enlightened by what I saw.
I took my time looking at the display and at length and stepped out of the building to see that there was a lively crowd outside filled with visitors. Festive music was played and a host in a malay costume was emceeing.
I didnt stay for too long aftwards as I felt rather lethargic after the days activities, but to what I last heard, the TAA has raised about 34k which is not a bad sum :)
I still had the same problems the next day, but I had to bear with it as I needed the scooter to get to work and night class.
On monday, the leak was even more than what I anticipated. Engine oil was spilling out on the floor! I was so alamed that I sent it for repairs immediately.
After work, I went down to the workshop and the mechanic and I finally saw what was causing the problem. It was the engine chassis. It had a split!
Me : What could have caused the problem?
Mr Wee : I have a scooter of the same model as yours too. It could be caused by too much pressure – If you had a passenger and they shook your scooter, that could have caused cracks in the engine.
Me : This is very bad.
Mr Wee : There are two options. Option one is to replace the entire engine which costs about $700. But I’ll recommend you to take option two – I’ll use a sealant and cement the split together. This will be cheaper.
Me : Ok, lets go with option two and we’ll cross our fingers.
—
I got the scooter back yesterday and so far so good. No leaks after parking it overnight and after a ride to work today, its still dry. There looks like a patch there but its actually a stain from the leak and its actually dry.
Still, I’ll keep my fingers crossed.
Sidenote : There will be a TAA (Tabung Amal Aidilfitri) Charity Ride this Sunday. There will be a convoy ride of approximately 1000 bikes and scooters to an end venue, where the presentation of donated funds will be held.
If you have a two wheeler, come and join us! Riding in a convoy is fun! :)
For the past few weeks, there has been a trace of brown liquid and drops of coolant on the floor each morning when I take the scooter out of the carpark. And though it wasnt leaking much, I was still rather concerned. I didnt want to risk having my scooter explode on me!
I sent my scooter to Tong Aik on saturday morning and I met the mechanic, Mr Wee, whom handled my scooter the last check up. He promptly took my baby under his wing.
While waiting for Mr Wee to complete the check, I met Yaoming, a fellow vesporean. He recognized me from the Vivo Vespa event and approached me. I learnt that he was collecting his scooter.
Yaoming told me that he was on his way to go the Big Bike Fest and will be meeting the rest of the vesporeans later. Initially I contemplated on going to that event, but having already been there last year, I wasnt too appealed by its male-oriented activities.
There was a bike stunt performance that seemed interesting to me. But even that didnt make me feel all that compelled to go.
At length, Mr Wee told me that he could not trace any obvious flaws and needed time to inspect my scooter more thoroughly. I headed for home.
I took the bus.
After the convenience of my scooter, it feels so different taking public transportation again – sitting passively on the seat, blocking out the sound from the mobile-tv, staring at the scenery, and then finally lulled off to sleep and waking up blearily just in time at my stop.
Come monday morning, I walked to the bus stop to head to work. It was the same scene of over a year ago. The same listless people waiting for their busses. Some familliar faces. The annoying auntie pushing her way to the front to enter the bus.
I received a call by Mr Wee later at work telling me that my scooter would be ready for collection in the afternoon. Luckily, my brother has already finished his shift and was willing to give me a lift to Tong Aik.
Unfortunately for me, I was wearing a pair of skirt on the day. Though I was confident of wearing a skirt on my scooter, little did I know that I would re-enact the infamous scene as Marilyn Monroe in the seven year itch, being a pillion to my brother, all the way to the workshop.
Speaking of skirts, after collecting my scooter back from the workshop, we were on our way back home. My brother noticed that there was a guy on a class 2A bike whom almost fell off his bike when he saw me. Gosh! Has he never seen a girl wearing a skirt and wedge shoes on a scooter before? :P
I should wear skirts more! :P
But anyways, when I get to the carpark these this morning, I am greeted by this :
I missed out on much of the activities for the Vespa Club first year anniversary. But I still had an eyeful looking at all the colourful and interesting scooters of all sorts of shapes and size.
When I reached Wild Rocket at Mount Emily, I could see lots of people lounging around over at the verandah. Most of them looked a little tired, probably from the activities that they did this morning.
Some of the Vespa Club members explained to me that the participants did a number of challenges around Singapore. It sounds fun, though I have to admit that I didnt miss it all that much in account of the rain and traffic due to the Iron Man Triathlon on sunday ;)
So I walked around and looked at the rows of beautiful vespas. I enjoyed looking at them. There’s something just so unique about it – a work of art by itself.
Like this Green PX150. I really like the paint job for this one. Green is such a beautiful colour. This owner has impeccable taste. *thumbs up*
Though this scooter isnt really my type of style, once has to admit that it is very eye catching. This very flashy chrome laden vespa even comes with a babe. The fact that she’s wearing green makes the vespa even more valuable :D
Isnt this Hello Kitty Vespa the cutest? :D This scooter is such a head turner that its even stomped! Now I’m considering of respraying my scooter and stick a rinaz avatar! :)
Soonafter was the lucky draw and then the prize giving presentation :
Winner of the best overall vespa
Winner of the best paintjob Vespa (Coincidentally, I nominated this Vespa the best looking vespa at the Big Bike Fest last year)
Very lovely scooters indeed! Do you like scooters? Would you get a Vespa? :)
With thanks to redmini03, pauche and novi03 for the pictures
Its been raining very heavily in Singapore these few days. So much so that the roads has been about an inch high of rainwater. If only I could part the water like Moses, this would be very very cool indeed!
In the weekend, Malique and I were talking to each other on msn and suddenly we talked about the wildly popular umbrella song.
Malique : Did you know that there is an alternate version? You can be my cinderella. Ella ella eh eh eh.
Marina : Haha! That reminds me ofRidj’s remake. Hey! We should totally make an alternate version using to Vespa. Espa espa eh eh eh. Hahahaha! Wanna collabo?
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