RIDE OF HIS LIFE

How does a novice mountain biker become a national champion in just over a year?

By withstanding hours of pain, going through weeks of tough training, and putting in months of continual hard work, says Lieutenant (LTA) Tan Hong Chun.

Although he has been cycling since young, the 26-year-old Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Commando only started competitive cycling in the middle of last year when he was training for the Ironman competition, a triathlon which involves running, swimming and cycling a distance of 180 km.

While the cycling part was to be conducted mostly along roads, LTA Tan decided to add to his training by picking up cross-country mountain biking. He was instantly hooked on this sport.

He explained that for racing on roads, you would use a bicycle with sleek tyres. The terrain is smooth tarmac, with gradual slopes. But for mountain biking, the terrain is far more demanding.

"Steep climbs, sharp down-hills, vegetation terrain you expect in a jungle, as long as there is a trail for the bike. Sometimes, you may also have to dismount and carry your bike. In road racing, you need endurance and fitness. For mountain biking, you also require certain technical skills," said LTA Tan.

This means a comprehensive knowledge of your bicycle, like which gear to use in different terrain, to feel the traction in your tyres, to know how to shift your body weight about as you go downhill to get the best speed.

After months of intensive training, in September, LTA Tan participated in the National Mountain Bike championships and emerged as the best in Singapore.

While he is now a member of the National Cycling team, his quick ascent to the top was no easy climb. While preparing for a competition, he is on the bicycle's saddle for up to nine hours almost every day, training both in Singapore and overseas.

"During the weekends, I sometimes go to Genting with a few friends in a car. They drop me at the foot of the hill with my bicycle and I cycle up to meet them at the top," LTA Tan said.

When he first started mountain biking competitively, LTA Tan felt he needed to put in the extra effort, to be on par with the other national cyclists who have been competing for many more years. But he does have an edge over them - his Commando training.

"Cycling is a 'pain sport'! But while you require great strength and endurance, only the one who is strongest mentally to take the most pain, will ultimately triumph and win the race."

"While cycling, I sometimes face extreme challenges and pain. But I then realise that as a Commando, I have been through tougher training that has stretched my mental strength even further! So I just grit my teeth and keep on going."

While LTA Tan is looking ahead to more local and regional competitions coming up in the next few years, he feels that his journey so far is a form of victory itself.

He explained: "I wanted to prove a point to others. Even though I am new to the sport, with commitment, mental strength, and I wanted it bad enough, I can still do it!"