OCBC Cycle participants give event the thumbs-up

SINGAPORE - They came with fancy bikes and some in fancy dress.

And most gave the OCBC Cycle Singapore the thumbs-up as the two-day event ended on Sunday with the mass participation segment, The Straits Times Ride (23km) and The Sportive Ride (42km). In all, over 7,300 cyclists hit the streets from Saturday to Sunday.

Kate Williams, 38, a first-time rider in the 23km category said: "The route was challenging with its climbs but the downslope afterwards was thrilling. Ending the ride in the National Stadium was the highlight of the race. It is my first time inside here and it is gorgeous."

Martin Tan, 72, who took part in the 42km category, felt that the course, which began from the Sports Hub and ended in the National Stadium, was not easy for those who were not physically prepared for the ride.

The retiree said: "There were a couple of inclines and hills and you can see people pushing their bike up because they were too tired. I saw three cyclists crashing after they completed the downslope but it (the injuries) did not seem too serious."