Ketam Mountain Bike Park
Background
Location
The bike park is located around the fringe of a quarry in Pulau Ubin that was previously not occupied for any usage purpose. Ketam Quarry underwent a major rehabilitation project by National Parks Board (NParks), which transformed it into a green space fit for biking activities. The park includes the German Girl Shrine.
Bike trails design
The design of the mountain bike tracks had been carefully chosen and constructed with regards to the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) standards. The Singapore Amateur Cycling Association (SACA) was engaged as well, to provide consultation and expertise.
The mountain bike trail at the park is designed such that it can be used by leisure cyclists and competitive cyclists alike.
Opening
It was opened to public on 17 May 2008. Entry to the bike park is free of charge.
The 45-hectare park consists of 10 kilometres long of mountain bike trails. It is the first such park in Singapore that meets the international standards for mountain biking competitions. Apart from international standard competitions, Ketam Mountain Bike Park also allows recreational cycling.
IMBA ratings
Ketam Mountain Bike Park currently consists of tracks with the 3 out of 5 IMBA ratings, to cater to cyclists of different skill levels. Trails with the Blue Square code consist of steep slopes as well as narrow tracks with poor traction. These trails are most suitable for beginners. The Black Diamond trails cater more for the middle-skilled cyclists with long step climbs, drop-offs and challenging obstacles. The most challenging trails of all is those coded as Double Black Diamond. These trails have a variety of extra steep climbs and drop-offs, sharp corners and tricky obstacles.
Skills park
Cyclists get to experiment with the obstacles in these parks and take their skills to the next level. The Dirt Skills Park is designed as a circuit with compact tracks and appeal to a wider genre of cyclists. In Freeride Skills Park, one can find the course strewn with natural and man-made obstacles which are technically challenging.
Facilities
Shelters are strategically located along the tracks. These shelters double as resting points for tired cyclists. To guide cyclists around the island, signs are positioned at the key locations such as the intersection points.
References
- ^ "17 tourist attractions Singaporeans never go to". Time Out Singapore. 15 October 2019. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
- ^ Speech by Ms Grace Fu at the Launch of the Ketam Mountain Bike Park Archived 2009-05-26 at the Wayback Machine, Ministry of National Development, 17 May 2008. Retrieved on 26 May 2009.
- ^ More Bite for Bikers, The Straits Times, 18 May 2008. Retrieved 26 May 2009.
- ^ NParks launches Ketam Bike Park at Pulau Ubin Archived 2012-10-19 at the Wayback Machine, Channel NewsAsia, 17 May 2008. Retrieved 26 May 2009.