The KYDRA Club
Complete Newbie’s Guide to Completing the Singapore Round The Island (RTI) Cycling Route
Leisure cycling was one of the activities that gained traction during the COVID-19 pandemic. More than ever, people took to the saddle as a new way to explore the city they call home.
As cyclists got more comfortable on their two wheels, they sought increasingly more difficult challenges to conquer. One of the most popular and coveted challenges attempted by cyclists is the Round the Island (RTI) cycling route.
By reading this guide, you’ll get to grips with everything you need to prepare to give yourself the best chance of completing the RTI safely and enjoyably.
Before Attempting The RTI
Make no mistake, doing the RTI will test the mettle and resolve of even the most seasoned riders among us. At a respectable 15km/h to 20km/h speed, you would be cycling for more than 8 hours over the course of the day, excluding rest stops.
Even if you are physically fit, we recommend you gradually build up towards your RTI by completing shorter rides. This will get your body conditioned and accustomed to cycling over long distances efficiently.
Since you will be out for an entire day, you will also need a way to bring along necessities, especially water. You might need a few trips to discover what works best for you. For example, the minimalists among us can live with a simple cage-mounted water bottle; others prefer to wear a hydration bladder to drink on the go, and there are those who love their ice-cold drinks in thermal flasks.
By doing step-up training, you’ll also be able to discover and rectify deficiencies, such as making ergonomic adjustments to your bicycle, understanding what kind of attire you prefer, and making sure you are completely comfortable with navigating pavements, roads, and the Park Connector Network (PCN).
If you have a medical condition that might preclude you from strenuous physical activity, always consult your doctor and seek clearance before attempting the RTI.
Planning Your RTI Trip
To help you plan your RTI trip, here are some key questions you need to answer. This will impact what you bring and what you do on your RTI attempt.
1. Who Will You Be Doing The RTI With?
We suggest you bring a friend (or more) along. Having team mates is better for safety, since you can look out for one another while keeping spirits up during long, gruelling stretches of the journey. In any case, you can keep your loved ones informed of your progress using apps like Strava’s Beacon live location sharing.
2. What Time Will You Start Your RTI Trip?
If you do a day trip, there will be more human activity on your route (for better or worse) and it will be hotter. However, more shops and malls will be open, which expands your options for food, toilets, and supplies. Night trips are more cooling and have quieter roads but require more detailed planning for pitstops. Plus, if you are not accustomed to staying up at night, this might pose its own challenges.
3. What To Do During Gear Malfunction?
If you do not have the expertise to rectify problems with your bicycle, you’ll be forced to retire for the day. You will need to then find a way to transport you and your bicycle home – this can take the form of using a spanner to dismantle your front wheel and hopping on a cab, or using the services of a specialised ‘bicycle taxi’ provider.
4. What Will You Do If It Rains?
Check the weather forecasts beforehand, so you know what to expect. If you are proficient with cycling in mildly wet weather, packing rain gear will allow you to still make progress, albeit a little more slowly. Know that if you are forced to abandon your RTI attempt, you’ll have to find your way home as well.
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View DetailsWhat To Bring On Your RTI
Here is a suggested packing list you might want to consider taking.
Obviously, the more items you bring, the more prepared you will be, but it also means you’ll be carrying more weight on your journey as well.
To save on weight, you can choose to forgo just-in-case items you can easily buy if needed or distribute the items among your teammates.
While you’re preparing your gear to take with you, consider your apparel, which will keep you feeling and performing your best.
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For men, we recommend the Resurge Muscle Tee II and Elevate 6" Lined Shorts, which are made with quick-drying, sweat-wicking materials to keep you dry and comfortable all ride long.
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The Sierra Kyro Midline Bra and Kyro 7" Pocket Shorts are perfect for ladies, giving you the perfect balance between support and freedom of movement. Optionally, throw on the Limitless Tank for more protection from the sun or the chilly night air.
Check out the Kydra store for more information and have your pick from a range of colours.
D-Day: Highlights of What to Expect on Your RTI Route
Here’s an overview of the entire RTI route – broken down in phases of roughly 20km each – along with major navigational landmarks you’ll encounter. As mentioned, you can start (and end) your RTI at any point, so you can refer to the respective phase that is applicable to you.
1. Start at the Lorong Harlus Red Bridge -> Turn Right on Punggol Promenade Nature Walk -> Ride along the Punggol PCN -> Turn Right on Seletar North Link -> Turn Right on Yishun Dam -> Yishun Avenue 1 -> Yishun Avenue 8 -> Simpang Kiri PCN -> Admiralty Roads East & West (23km)
2. Admiralty Road -> Turn Left on Marsiling Park -> Turn Right on Woodlands Avenue 3 -> Woodlands Road -> Kranji Road, Loop & Way -> Neo Tiew Road -> Lim Chu Kang Lane 3 -> Turn Left on Lim Chu Kang Road (19.45km)
3. Jalan Bahar -> Jurong West Avenue 4 -> Turn Left to Pioneer Road North -> Pioneer Road (7.8km).
Once you reach the T-Junction at Pioneer Road, you have two choices for the next phase: 3) Takes you towards Tuas and the famed Lamp Post 1, while 4) bypasses that and makes a turn towards the city.
4A. Turn right and continue on Pioneer Road towards Tuas Viaduct -> Tuas West Road -> Tuas Avenue 3 -> Tuas South Boulevard -> Tuas Lamp Post 1 (18km)
4B. Turn around and retrace your route taken in 4A (18km)
5. Head down Jalan Buroh -> Turn Right on West Coast Highway -> Pasir Panjang Road -> Telok Blangah Road -> Keppel Road (20km)
6. Anson Road -> Straits Boulevard -> Sheares Avenue -> Sheares Link -> Bayfront Avenue -> Gardens by the Bay -> Marina Barrage -> Skyline Promenade -> Garden Service Road -> Turn Right at Rhu Cross and continue on the PCN -> Fort Road Bridge and along the entire East Coast Park (20km)
7. Coast Walk -> Turn Right on Tanah Merah Coast Road and take the PCN along Aviation Park Road, Nicoll Drive -> Changi Beach Park PCN (18km)
8. Turn Left on Changi Village Road -> Turn Right on Loyang Avenue -> Turn Right on Pasir Ris Drive 3 -> At Pasir Ris Drive 12 take the Lorong Halus Park Connector -> Lorong Halus Bridge (10km)
Stay Safe and All the Best!
We hope you found this guide useful as you embark on your very first RTI.
When the time comes for you to attempt your RTI, we’d love to hear about it! Use the hashtag #KYDRARTI so that the #KYDRASQUAD can cheer you on!
Stay safe and enjoy the ride.
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