As part of this year’s GetActive! Singapore 2020, the Singapore Cycling Federation (SCF) launched its inaugural SCF National Day 2020 Indoor Cycling Challenge. This event is one of the many programmes supported by the Active Enabler Programme initiated by Sport Singapore (SportSG), which aims to encourage Singaporeans to remain active and connected with friends and loved ones through of home-based sport activities. The challenge will comprise both community and competitive events that will take place virtually from the comfort of one’s home.

Photo: SportSG

“Beyond 2020, we are looking at having both the virtual community and competitive ride events as a regular feature in our annual calendar of events. It is of strategic importance for the SCF as it provides an added avenue for both recreational and serious riders to be able to continue to train and compete from their homes, complementing on-road activities. Separately, we are also hoping to tap on the large pool of e-Gamers to also come forward to try out virtual cycling which essentially combines the physicality of cycling with a gaming component when they are able to view their avatar in action,” said Dr Hing Siong Chen, President of the Singapore Cycling Federation.

Virtual Community Ride Event

SCF launched its virtual community ride event on 4 July 2020, led by Singapore’s very own Double Bronze SEA Games Medalist (2019) and Singapore Road Champion (2018 and 2019) Donaben Goh Choon Huat. Together with Donaben, 148 participants including riders from Singapore’s National Development Squad, National Training Squad and members of the public, took part in an hour-long virtual Community ride route on ZWIFT, an online cycling platform. In their virtual world of Watopia that spanned about 37 kilometers, this event was an eye-opener for many members of public who for the first time, tried Indoor Cycling.

The next virtual Community ride will take place on Saturday 18 July 2020. Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, Ms Grace Fu as the Guest of Honour, will be participating in the Ladies Ride alongside Singapore’s 2019 SEA Games Silver Medallist, Luo Yiwei on 18 July 2020. More information on the Community ride can be found in Annex A. Registration for all community events is free and interested parties may visit this link to sign up before 17 July 2020.

Gearing up for the upcoming ride, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, Ms Grace Fu said, “Despite challenges brought about by COVID-19, Singaporeans have found creative ways to adapt and continue exercising. The SCF National Day 2020 Indoor Cycling Challenge is a good example of how we can come together as a community through sport. Let’s continue to stay active and stay strong, as we overcome future challenges together.”

Apart from the series of three Virtual Community Rides, the SCF will also be organising two Community “Chase” events taking place on 12 and 19 July 2020. This involves giving members of the public a one-minute head start, accompanied by a chasing pack of riders from SCF’s National Training and Development Squads. Registration is now open and is also FREE and interested participants may visit this link to sign up for the event.

Virtual Competitive Ride Event

The SCF National Day 2020 Indoor Cycling Challenge will culminate towards National Day, with the competitive events set to take place over the National Day weekend. The 36km (Men’s) & 27km (Women’s) Challenge will be held on 8 August and the 28km (Men’s) and 17km (Women’s) Individual Time Trials will take place on National Day itself. Mr Lim Teck Yin, CEO of SportSG, will be participating in the 36km Challenge on 8 August as Guest of Honour.

There will be five race categories (Elite, Masters, U23, Junior A – 17 to 18 years of age and Junior B – 13 to 16 years of age) and a total of 20 different race categories suitable for those from 13 years of age. More information about the 20 different race categories can be found at this link.

For the virtual Competitive race, participants will be charged $50 per entry, with a limited-edition event T-shirt sponsored by Warrix Singapore. These T-shirts are also available for sale to Community Riders at $15 each. Registration for the events are now open at our website: https://www.cycling.org.sg/ and will close on the 29 July 2020.

An Introductory Video on Indoor Cycling and High Intensity Interval Training as well as details for all events and updates can be found on the Singapore Cycling Federation Facebook page. Details are also available on www.cycling.org.sg.

Chronological Summary of Event Dates

• 4 July - Completed (Community Ride with National Athlete, Goh Choon Huat)
• 11 July - 4pm (Community Ride with National Athlete, Calvin Sim)
• 12 July - 4pm (Community Chase)
• 18 July - 7am (Community Ride with National Athlete, Luo Yi Wei)
• 19 July - 4pm (Community Chase)
• 8 Aug - from 9am (Road Race Challenge)
• 9 Aug - from 9am (Individual Time Trials)