Published on August 26, 2014
Image courtesy of the Singapore National Parks Board (NParks)
Modern Singapore still has many surprises up its sleeve, among them is Pulau Ubin, a near pristine island oasis with some of the best city-fringe cycling and mountain biking in Southeast Asia – perfect for those seeking a little respite from the city.
In 2007, a superb mountain bike trail network was established; the 45-hectare Ketam Mountain Bike Park, an all-weather, manmade route that has solidified the island’s unofficial title of “Bicycle Island” with over 10km of mountain bike trails.
If you're up for an adrenaline-infused two-wheeled challenge, then the Ketam Mountain Bike Park is ready to oblige: the park was designed with International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) standards in mind. With trails meeting three out of five IMBA-recognized difficulty ratings, the park serves all types of bikers, from recreational weekend warriors to hardcore mountain bike enthusiasts.
Off the trails, bikers can also take on the park's "Freeride Skills Park" for competitive trials that engage riders with a series of obstacles; or the "Dirt Skills Park", designed to accommodate riders of all skill ranges. Shelters and conspicuous signage increase the safety and comfort level for park visitors.
By using the gravel roads you can also reach the more remote areas of the islands, including the 100-hectare Chek Jawa wetland area, which has a walkway and viewing platform, affording great bird and marine life spotting opportunities
To get to Pulau Ubin, you can take a 5-minute “bumboat” ferry from Changi Ferry Terminal.
Elsewhere on the Web: Read more about Ketam Mountain Bike Park, Pulau Ubin on the Singapore National Parks Board's official page. Also, you can find more local biking trails on Singapore National Parks Board's page on cycling.
