A Weekend with QUOC in Singapore: Alleycat, Conversations, and Social Ride

Last weekend came and went in the blink of an eye.

We had the pleasure of hosting Quoc Pham, the founder of renowned cycling footwear brand QUOC, along with his team members James and Drew, here in Singapore. It was Quoc’s first time visiting the city, and he was excited to see what it had to offer—and more importantly, to meet the people who have been supporting his brand over the years.

For James and Drew, it had been over five years since their last visit—pre-COVID—and they could only vaguely recall the pace and energy of our bustling city. With just two nights for Quoc and three for the duo, we planned a packed weekend: two memorable rides and a special evening session.

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Saturday: Alleycat Adventure

We kicked things off on Saturday morning—not with a standard social ride, but with an alleycat-style ride designed for fun, spontaneity, and exploration. The concept was simple: riders could participate solo or in groups, and their mission was to decode the manifest, locate each checkpoint, and complete a small task at each one.

The twist? Each checkpoint featured an event sticker that participants had to find—and snap a selfie with—as proof of completion.

The goal was to ensure that Quoc and his team had fun exploring a foreign city, rather than taking part in a more structured or competitive ride. Engagement with fellow cyclists could happen naturally—after the ride, over coffee and conversation.

And it worked.

The energy that morning was electric. Quoc, full of enthusiasm, declared his intention to conquer the alleycat challenge. Familiar faces at the briefing added to the warm, vibrant atmosphere.

Once the manifest was handed out, the ride was officially on. As organizers, it was incredibly rewarding to see riders enthusiastically puzzling out clues, plotting routes, and racing off on their bikes with determination and excitement.

Despite some of the checkpoints involving climbs, the first two participants returned in just about an hour and a half. Not bad at all!

Everyone gathered at Liberty Coffee, where Diann and her team served up cups of truly delicious coffee. Quoc gave a short talk about how the brand was founded and shared some of the challenges they faced in the early days.

Prizes were awarded to the top three finishers, and everyone helped themselves to donuts from Caffé Pralet—a perfect end to the morning.

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Saturday Evening: Couch Chat with MAAP LaB Singapore

Later that day, the QUOC team joined us for a Couch Chat session hosted by MAAP LaB Singapore. This initiative by the Australia-based brand aims to foster informal, honest conversations with global cycling personalities—riders, tastemakers, founders, and more.

The evening's emcee Sherry, did a stellar job moderating the Q&A and keeping the atmosphere relaxed and engaging. The community came together once again, this time over cold beers and piping-hot pizzas, generously provided by the team at LaB Singapore.

It was a night of laughter, shared stories, and meaningful exchanges—a reminder of how special this cycling community truly is.

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Sunday: A Scenic Wind-Down Ride

We wrapped up the weekend with a social ride on Sunday morning, thoughtfully curated by QUOC regional ambassador Jasper Tan (aka Vilecorpes). The goal? Keep it chill and scenic—an easygoing ride to show the QUOC team a side of Singapore they might not have expected.

Despite our city’s compact size, the route was refreshing and offered a different perspective of Singapore’s charm.

The ride concluded back at our little storefront in Tiong Bahru, where we were once again surrounded by smiles, good vibes, and even better conversations. Thanks to our amazing QUOC regional ambassadors—Michelle, Joshua, Ram, and Georgienne—everyone was able to connect and chat with Quoc before he jetted off to Girona for Traka later that day.

To everyone who came out—whether for the alleycat ride, the evening Couch Chat, or the Sunday social—thank you. Events like these wouldn’t be possible without your enthusiasm, support, and community spirit.

We’re already looking forward to the next one.
Till then—ride safe, ride happy.

Photo Credits : Haiqal

More photos here