Been there; done that. Very good! Ever wondered what the family that is struggling for a living is dreaming of? Just food on the table. Yup! Just 3 square meals a day! This is precisely what Bike Aid has been doing through its Ride for Ration (RfR) events since 2011. The RfR is a journey; not a destination. A journey that meanders through the heartlands of Marsiling, Chai Chee and Hougang with pit stops at homes in need. Coupled with that occasional peek into the health of the children and their performance.
Which brings us to Ride for Rations 2017. With the same objective of providing monthly rations to families living in one to two rental rooms. Through a ride covering 240 km from Malacca to Singapore.
Ride for Rations 2017 is yet special in more ways than one. For it also marks the Silver Jubilee of Bike Aid (Singapore), the entity that organizes Ride for Rations and has been raising funds through cycling for many other charities before zooming in on Ride for Rations. 25 years of cycling and fund raising! Wouldn’t it be nice to partake in this silver jubilee effort?
The cause for the ride:
To raise funds to:
- provide monthly food rations to 380 needy households in rental flats and who are registered with outreach of Sunlove Abode for Intellectually Infirmed Ltd (a registered charity) at Chai Chee, Hougang and Marsiling
- provide monthly breakfast packages to 200 school going children living in the above and other estates through Sunlove.
The aim: to raise
- $320,000 for monthly food rations to 380 households
- $60,000 for monthly breakfast rations to 200 school going children
100% funds raised will be used for the above purposes by Sunlove Abode for Intellectually Infirmed Ltd.
As we contemplate on RfR 2017, let’s keep in mind that the ride is to benefit households living in 1-2 rental rooms; have no sources of income; elderly with no children; whose children are not supporting them; single parents; suffer from medical and intellectual infirmities; and require financial help to cover rental, conservancy, electricity and basic food expenses.
The rations purchased with the funds raised will be distributed monthly at Chai Chee, Hougang and Marsiling.
Dates:
25 August 2017 – Depart for Malacca via coach
26 August 2017 – Cycle Malacca to Batu Pahat
27 August 2017 – Cycle from Batu Pahat to Singapore
Fund Raising Obligation & Registration Fees:
Each participant has to raise minimum of $840.00.
Each participant must pay a registration fee of $280 (shared room) or $350 (single room) for expenses related to the ride, excluding charges incurred due to the registration and payment portal. The organising committee consists entirely of volunteers and receive no renumeration.
Cycling Route & Other Details:
Maximum of 150 cyclists supported by at least 40 support crew. Fund Raisers are also welcome.
Cycling route: trunk roads that are scenic, affording non-interrupted distances ranging from 2-10kms and having mix of flat roads and slopes.
Ride for Rations is not a race; while providing an opportunity to cyclists wishing to test their prowess, the event is also aimed at amateur and recreational cyclists with our sweepers traveling at about 18km/h.
Participation is subject to acceptance of Rules and Regulations for Ride for Rations, raising of funds specified above and acceptance to indemnify the organisers. First time RfR participants are also required to attend a briefing on RfR, participate in a total 2 rations distribution at 2 of the estates by April 2017 and also in a physical readiness ride.
For more information, please email: enquiry@bikeaid.org.sg
Bike-Aid (Singapore) reserves the right to reject applicants for Ride for Rations 2017.
We cannot save all the starfish that are washed ashore, but …….. we can make all the difference to the ones that we throw back into the water. They survive. What pleasure is there in turning a blind eye to those in need? Whatever the form of assistance given, it involves sharing our blessings and assets, be it time, money or simply a listening ear. 
…..and so we all did in RfR 2016. It was an awesome experience for all the 170 riders and over 50 support crew to have committed 3 days to the ride from Malacca to Singapore. A motley pool of people they were, many meeting for the first time ….. but united in their fervour to ensure others had bread on the dinner table. They didn’t sacrifice their time. Rather, they shared their blessings.
In the proces
s, raised a record amount of over $372,000.
But that’s missing the point. Translate this into the number of meals that may be p
repared. Yup, providing monthly rations to over 385 homes in Marsiling, Hougang and Chai Chee. To fellow Singaporeans in our community who unfortunately aren’t as blessed. People living in one or two bedroom rental flats, some of whom can barely walk to the community centre downstairs to collect their rations.
What about the children in such homes? Are they to be exposed to a life of misery and poverty too? Certainly not, if we can help. Help we will, with a daily heathy breakfast to start with, so that the mind is alert in school. The funds raised will see this healthy breakf
ast program expanded to 175 children this year.
To take a holistic approach in extracting the children 
out of the poverty trap, we witnessed in September the opening of the Sunlove Study Corner …. a place conducive for the children to study without the clutter, distractions and noise of the homes. Funds for the Study Spot were raised through Prudential Charity Ride in 2015. Volunteers have stepped forward and thus far the following has been organised: Games Days; Scratch A Mind leadership cum coding; Movie cum Dinner outing.
We belong to a universal brotherhood. As we focus on the needs in Singapore, let’s not forget others in distress.
RfR 2016 saw the debut of a new initiative to help others across the causeway. The riders called at the Kiwanis Special Children Centre. The joy on the faces of the children as they interacted with the riders and gave a performance made the call all the more special.
As we move forward, all that is certain …… is that we will keep sharing.
Write up by Manjit Singh Randhawa with photo selection and arrangement by Eugene Wee. Photos credits: Desmond Foo (The Third Eye).
What a thriller the year 2015 has been for Bike-Aid (Singapore).
But what thrillers are there for the beneficiaries of Ride for Rations (RfR) 2015? Would they not be concerned more with what is on the stove and on the plate? let’s reel back to the year in action in Bike Aid.
Wasn’t it awesome that as cyclists filled their pledge cards, another programme “Giving Back to Cyclists” was unfolding. What more with workshops on proper cycling techniques, preventing cycling injuries, proper stretching and even yoga!
Alright, now payback…..and everyone did. Raising funds so that 330 households and 100 primary school children can continue receiving their monthly rations and daily breakfasts respectively. As we raised, we raced……or rather cycled. 240km…. from Malacca to Singapore. There were moments of fun….and pain….like the head winds for over 40km from Batu Pahat onwards. Where nature brought our speeds down to the teens….as if telling us that such is the pain too of empty stomachs.
Thank God, it wasn’t all in vain. Just like other supporting events…..the 1000km ride that dovetailed in with the Malacca-Singapore ride…….the sale of potted plants, photo portraits and the recycling of bicycles for resident.
But wouldn’t giving a fishing line be preferred over giving fish? Certainly, if only we could nip the problem of poverty in the bud. And the idea of a study corner for under privileged children began to gain traction.
Thanks to Prudential, Prudence and all sponsors without whom there wouldn’t have been the Prudential Charity Ride. It was on a bright, sunny morning that 165 cyclists took to the road…..covering either 50km or 100km round island. With the blazing afternoon sun, would you blame some who found a short cut and covered 93km!!? After all, the funds have been raised; plans are progressing ….. and soon we will see the birth of a study corner in Chai Chee.
And this will require mentors, volunteers, teachers, counsellors, etc. That calls for another thriller. Make sure you volunteer!!
Ride for Rations 2015 (Malacca – Batu Pahat – Singapore)
2015 was another milestone for Bike-Aid (Singapore). 2 charity fund raising were organized — Ride for Rations and Prudential Charity Ride. Prudential Charity Ride was based on the idea of helping to shape a better future for the children and youths residing in the Chai Chee estate, much in line with giving a fishing line over giving fish to nip the problem of poverty in the bud. Thus the idea of a study corner for under privileged children began to gain traction and Prudential Charity Ride was organised to fund it.
Ride for Rations (RfR) 2015, the 5th in series was held on 22nd to 23rd August; involving as many cyclists and support crew as in the year before; namely about 150 cyclists with close to 20 support cars.
The spirit of RfR lived on through RfR 2015, which was entirely planned, run and managed by volunteers, who did an excellent job of it. The satisfying
experience of past participants, both of the ride itself and their involvement in the cause, saw RfR 2015 registration being brisk and fast.
Similar to RfR 2014, RfR 2015 also included a RfR 1K route, where about 10 cyclists cycled a total of 800 km unsupported and they dovetail into the final leg from Malacca to Singapore, covering a total of 1000 km.
Unique to RfR 2015 was the “Giving Back to Cyclists” through workshops on proper cycling techniques, preventing cycling injuries, proper stretching and even yoga!.
The weather conditions during RfR 2015 were indeed more challenging this year even though the RfR 2015 route was the same as before – imagine having headwinds for 40 to 60 km of the route on both days with intense heat on the first day. Participants even cycled on about 1 km of road being re-surfaced, even though this section was inspected as fine a week prior to RfR.
RfR 2015 also saw the involvement of motor-bike support crew escorting the cyclist from lunch point on day 2 to Singapore, some of whom have been inspired to cycle in 2016.
Against initial concerns of RfR 2015 ability to meet its modest fund raising target of $320,000/-, RfR 2015 surprised all by surpassing the target and raised $346,000.00.
RfR funds will support 330 needy families and resident in Chai Chee, Hougang and Marsiling registered with the Neighbourhood Links of the charity, Sunlove Abode for Intellectually Infirmed Ltd with monthly food rations worth $70/- and 100 school going children with monthly breakfast rations. Bike-Aid (Singapore) is liasing with Sunlove to increase the number of children receiving breakfast rations
through RfR 2015 by a minimum of 50%.
As in past RfRs’, RfR 2015 had plenty of positive feedback. Many found it a meaningful and enriching experience in terms of giving back to society and raising awareness of the need for help in Singapore. They also appreciated the thorough organisation and planning of the event including the dedication and commitment of the support crew, noting that it was entirely organised by volunteers.
There was no organizational costs incurred for the RfR 2015. Participants paid for their own accommodation, meals and various other individual costs incurred in the course of the Ride. Thus every dollar and cent collected in donations was channeled to the beneficiary.
Cyclists and supporters, keep the wheels rolling for Ride for Rations 2016!
RfR 2015 video
- Video by Support Crew: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYRww748Rfs&feature=youtu.be
- Video by Indie Cyclists: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBgjLjgwIuo&feature=youtu.be
RfR 2015 write up
Challenge yourself – cycle 240 km from Malacca to Singapore over 2 days for a charitable cause.
Cause:
Raise funds to:
- provide monthly food rations to 380 needy households registered with Sunlove Neighbourhood Link, an outreach of registered charity, Sunlove Abode for Intellectually Infirmed.
-
provide monthly breakfast package to 200 school going children living in the above and other estates through Sunlove.
The aim: to raise $320,000.00
100% funds raised will be used for the above & Sunlove will be custodian of funds.
Households live in 1-2 rental rooms; have no sources of income; elderly with no children; whose children are not supporting them; single parents; suffer from medical and intellectual infirmities; and require financial help to cover rental, conservancy, electricity and basic food expenses.
The above rations are distributed monthly at Chai Chee, Hougang and Marsiling.
Dates:
26 August 2016 – Depart for Malacca via coach
27 August 2016 – Cycle Malacca to Batu Pahat
28 August 2016 – Cycle from Batu Pahat to Singapore
Fund-raising obligation:
Each participant has to raise minimum of $600.00
Each participant must pay organisation cost of $280 or $350, excluding charges incurred due to the registration and payment portal, for expenses related to the Ride. The organising committee consists entirely of volunteers and receive no renumeration.
Cycling Route & Other Details:
Maximum of 150 cyclists supported by at least 40 support crew. Fund Raisers are also welcome.
Cycling route: trunk roads that are scenic, affording non-interrupted of distances ranging from 2-10kms and having mix of flat roads and slopes.
It is not a race; providing opportunity to cyclist wishing to go fast with pacers who will guide at an average of 30-35km/h, the event is also aimed at amateur and recreational cyclist with our sweepers traveling at about 18km/h.
Participation is subject to acceptance of Rules and Regulations on Ride for Rations found at Bike-Aid (Singapore) website and raising of funds specified above.
Register for RfR 2016 through weblink to be launched mid-end January 2016 at Bike-Aid website [www.bikeaid.org.sg].
For more information, please email: enquiry@bikeaid.org.sg
Bike-Aid (Singapore) reserves the right to reject applicants for Ride for Rations 2016.
Challenge yourself – cycle 240 km from Malacca to Singapore over 2 days for a charitable cause.
Cause:
Raise funds to:
- provide monthly food rations to 330 needy households registered with Sunlove Neighbourhood Link, an outreach of registered charity, Sunlove Abode for Intellectually Infirmed.
- provide monthly breakfast package to 100 primary school children living in the above households.
The aim: to raise $320,000.00
100% funds raised will be used for the above & Sunlove will be custodian of funds.
Households live in 1-2 rental rooms; have no sources of income; elderly with no children; whose children are not supporting them; single parents; suffer from medical and intellectual infirmities; and require financial help to cover rental, conservancy, electricity and basic food expenses.
The above rations are distributed monthly at Chai Chee, Hougang and Marsiling.
Dates:
21 August 2015 – Depart for Malacca via coach
22 August 2015 – Cycle Malacca to Batu Pahat
23 August 2015 – Cycle from Batu Pahat to Singapore
Fund-raising obligation:
Each participant has to raise minimum of $600.00 [in 2014, participants raised an average of $1000.00; total funds raised in 2014 is approximately $340,000.00 supporting 330 households, an increase of 25% over 2013, and the introduction of breakfast].
Each participant must pay organisation cost ranging from $280 to $350 for expenses related to the Ride. The organising committee consists entirely of volunteers and receive no renumeration.
Cycling Route & Other Details:
Maximum of 150 cyclists supported by at least 40 support crew. Fund Raisers are also welcome.
Cycling route: trunk roads that are scenic, affording non-interrupted of distances ranging from 2-10kms and having mix of flat roads and slopes.
It is not a race; providing opportunity to cyclist wishing to go fast with pacers who will guide at an average of 30-35km/h, the event is also aimed at amateur and recreational cyclist with our sweepers traveling at about 18km/h.
Participation is subject to acceptance of Rules and Regulations and raising of funds specified above.
Register for RfR 2015 now.
For more information, please email: enquiry@bikeaid.org.sg
Bike-Aid (Singapore) reserves the right to reject applicants for Ride for Rations 2015.
Contribution: “Education is the greatest engine of personal development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor….that the child of a farm worker can become the president of a nation.”
Nelson Mandela
Wondering if you can help in the above through your passion for cycling? Wonder no more.
Cause:
Prudential Charity Ride is being organised to support the set up of a learning corner in Chai Chee for Sunlove Abode for Intellectually Infirmed Ltd, a registered charity & IPC.
This learning corner aims to provide school-going children and youths, at no cost to them,
- with a conducive learning environment for school going children/youth, which is missing in many of the 1-2 room flats they stay in, where the homes are either cluttered, poorly lit or poorly ventilated.
- enhance and uplift of the skills/knowledge/values of the above group through the provision of skills/knowledge by relevant organisations.
Cost:
All participating cyclists are required to pay a registration fee of $50/-. This will cover the provision of 1 event jersey, insurance, drinks and light refreshments at the end of the ride. Any savings will be channelled towards the set up of the learning corner.
In addition to registration fees, cyclists are invited to make a personal contribution that will go towards the above cause.
Charity Ride Details:
June 21st 2015
Flag off: 7.30am from Orchid Country Club, Yishun
End at: Orchid Country Club.
To Register: visit http://goo.gl/forms/eKj15smBv2
Organised by 
Supported by Prudence (Prudential Managers’ Association)
