Bukonomics; before it was bikeconomics

Wheels of Happiness

Angono, Rizal Philippines  | December 31, 2013

New Year is but 8 hours away.  Happy New Year everyone.

Today I biked to:  Antipolo Church, Teresa, Morong, Baras, Tanay and Pililla.  I went to church first in Antipolo where we got the blessing for safe travel from the Virgin of Good Travel.

I also visited the Memorial Park in Morong.  Then I ate lugaw at Simples Lugawan in Maybancal (where you have the horse with the large dick)

Then to Baras, Tanay and Pililla. and then back.  There was so much traffic in  Teresa, Morong, and in Darangan up to Bilibiran.   Many people buying?  No simply lack of good traffic management:   many parked cars on the road, vendors on the street, vendees on the street too;  tricycles doing U turns,  traffic enforcers not doing their job.

To All Our Recyclists Friends, Happy New Year, Cheers!

Wheels of Happiness

Angono, Rizal, Philippines |  December 31, 2013

Today is the last day of 2013.  Looking back to the year (that was 2013) we had undertaken some extreme, very long, difficult, challenging, thigh burning, long busting rides:

1.  Manila to Baguio ride
2.  Angono to Lemery ride
3.  Angono to Kaybiang tunnel in Ternate climb

These were true tests of our endurance, speed, determination, courage, equipment and our character.
And we all passed the test.  Not so many bikers could do what he had done.  We belong now to the stratosphere of real bikers.

For the first time in my life, I could call myself as a Real Cyclists (Re Cyclist)

I started out in cycling as a therapy for painful back legs (rayuma).   A doctor head of PT in  MM hospital prescribed to me a bike as a cure to an ailment that would make a paralytic.  Lo and behold, after two weeks of biking on a P3t mountain bike, my rayuma was gone.  My mobility was back:  my blood chem became normal:    uric acid and cholesterol.   The BS went down but not much.  I had to do more.

I ended up with five bikes;  I sold my mountain bike.   The two others were given and/or sold.  I have three;   the two others are spare. You never know when  you get flats as you leave house.

Managing biker's pains

Wheels of Happiness

Angono, Rizal, Philippines   |   December 30, 2013

 

One of the biggest problems of athletes exercise loving citizens is management of post exercise pain.  As a long distance aficionada before, as a biker, I had my shares of pains.

Mr. Willy Cunanan cant bike because of pain in the knees which even started while in the ship.  He had to bear the pain for 10 months.  He cant bike for a distance because the pain gets worse.

Mr. Jess Verches on the other hand complain of back pain after the Kaybiang tunnel Ternate, Cavite ride.

Here are my thoughts on the said complaints:

More pictures of the Recyclists Party on December 29, 2013 - Exchange gifts and raffle

Wheels of Happiness

                                       It is Richard's turn to call out who gave him the gift

Criscar Resort, Adelina St, San Carlos Hts,  Tayuman, Binangonan Rizal Philippines |  December 29, 2013

Here are more pictures of the Recyclists 2010 Christmas party make it look like a Christmas party.   The gifts were named and numbered and numbers l to 23 were drawn and as those who got the first number got his price, called out the name of the giver and the giver calls out his number and so on.

VM raffled off 5 items mostly bike parts and accessories.  He then gave out corporate giveaways.

Awarding Certificates of Achievement to the Sturdy, Strong, Fast and Determined Recycllists

Wheels of Happiness

                                    Preview of the certificates prior to the distribution

Villa Criscar, Adelina St, San Carlos Hts, Tayuman, Binangonan Rizal  |  December 29, 2013

The way I looked at it, the most important part of the days event was not the eating, nor the singing nor the exchange of gifts, or the raffle.  But it was the awarding of Certificates of Achievements.  It was the graduation of sorts, a signal achievement for having worked so hard to finish those long rides.

The Certificates of Achievements were for the Lemery and Ternate ride.   VM and Pres Luis gave out the certificates

It is not only a proof to our wives and families that we really biked out there, but gives us the bragging rights of how much we improved in terms of guts and endurance.  We may not be the TDF riders, but riding 200 km, out and back,  puts us in different territory.  It is going back and forth to Bugarin 3 times during the day, from Angono.   And it is a non stop effort.

So guys, congratulations.  Keep this up.  We are proud of you, as you are proud of yourself for having worked so hard. And you all deserve to get this certificate.  Cheers.

What are these MTB at San Carlos doing? Why are they being towed?

Wheels of Happiness

Villa Criscar, Adelina St, San Carlos Hts, Tayuman, Binangonan, Rizal   |  December 29, 2013

As we were having our Christmas party/get together at this resort/villa, were wondering as to what the MTBs were doing.  A lot of unusual traffic was going on the whole morning.

As the resort was going uphill, many MTBs were being towed by motorcycles and this was being repeated. many times.  How in the world would a biker would be lazy enough not to bike up by being towed up, and then repeating this process several times.

Criscar resort in Adelina St, San Carlos Hts, Tayuman Binangonan, Rizal

Wheels of Happiness

Binangonan, Rizal Philippines | December 29, 2013

                              A business without big sign is a sign of of small business?


It took me a while to learn and remember the site of our year end party.  Criscar resort.  Someone told me to turn right to Rebecca, then turn right again.  It was the wrong turn.  It was right in front of the road at Adelina, (going up to the water tank) from Gate 1.  It does not seem to be very unique nor had good signage nor a good PR to be well known.  Maybe this post will drive traffic to their site. (or maybe they do not have website?)< I found out they have website which they can improve further.  Villa Criscar

Maybe they email:   jorgeus.george@gmail.com  How they  can have simple landing page website, cheap.

Christmas Get Together of Recyclists at Criscar Adelina San Carlos Hts, Binangonan

Wheels of Happiness

                        Seating on the Criscar driveway, cooling themselves in the hot afternoon

 Criscar Resort, Adelina St., San Carlos, Binangonan, Rizal   PHL  | December 29, 2013

We just finished the Christmas get together for the Recyclists at Criscar in Adelina St, San Carlos St. Tayuman, Binangonan, Rizal.  Some 24 Recylists including those who came from abroad arrived.  Willy Cunanan just got of the ship, Richard Ang had a bad crash at C6 last December 1 on the way to Ternate.  Jose Atanacio whom we have not seen for quite a while reappeared.  It was our year ender - a year end celebration and a happy and memorable one.

Christmas Get Together (Party?) of Recyclists today December 29 2013 at San Carlos Heights

Wheels of Happiness

Angono, Rizal Philippines |  December 29, 2013


 

I have been texted and we talke about this last December 22, 2013 at Maybancal Morong Rizal that today is the get together at San Carlos Heights Subdivision and the venue is sponsored by VM.  The place, a resort,  has been contracted for the whole day.   And the members would start coming in by 9:00 am.

It would be  potlach (potluck, potlach?) Kanya kanyang dala ng ulam/food.  This may be the first time to attend such a gathering.

I understand that Engr. Francisco would be coming.  (His last appearance was the birthday bash at the Golden View in Los Banos last June.  He appears only in June hahaha)

Then there would be certificate of recognition to be awarded to bike achievers, for the long rides they have joined:   Baguio, Lemery, Ternate, Tagaytay city

There would be exchange gifts too.  Each one is advised to bring gifts worth at least P100.00 each


 

Merry Christmas to one and all; a prosperous 2014 wish

Wheels of Happiness

December 25, 2013

 


Maligayang kaarawan sa ating Mahal na Panginoon, Jesus Cristo.  I did not join the long ride. I went to mass at 8:00 am, stayed at home.  Did the posting.  Our Lord's Birthday happens only once a year.  So why not spend it with him?

What did you do today?

Merry Christmas to one and all

Year end review of the Recyclists 2013 events

Wheels of Happiness

The year is about to end, and this site wants to remind everyone and to reminisce what we went through the year.  It was a truly great year.  The year was marked by several very hard and challenging rides.  It is now so hard to catch up with the Recyclists.  90% of the riders are Hali Maws.  They do not like to be overtaken.  Riding to them is 35kmh.  Their average speed is 45 kmh.

When you try to keep up with them, you end up stronger and a little bit faster.  Now I know I can do riding with the wind whistling at my helmet and my ears.

Merry Christmas

January 27, 2013 5th Baguio Ride






February 24, 2013 Tagaytay Ride;    Choco2 injured in an accident; recovered fast





Bisikleta Iglesia, March 28, 2013



Araw ng Kagitingan DOT ride marshalling; we had no photo, I did not join the ride.  It was the month of the Boston marathon bombing

May 12, 2013 ride to Pililla afte which we condoled with family of Rommel (Smith).  His brother Sabas died from a blood clot in the brain (a stroke)




 June 23, 2013 birthday celebration at LosBanos Golden View Resort




July 30, 2013 Tagaytay ride; Master E had 3 flats;  rain marooned us in a hotel in  Alabang



Bike ride to Bosoboso, Vics Bulalohan, August 11, 2013

September 2013 was uneventful

October 1, 2013 The Lemery ride



There was no long ride in November because of the Pacquiao fight, All saints Day, the Yolanda supertyphoon, and the Angono fiesta.   (It was also the birthday of Master E;  it was celebrated in Angono, Rizal)

And finally,  the December 1, 2013 long Ride to Kaybiang Tunnel Ternate Cavite  200 km total, out and back, with 20 km of hill climbing

I rode today December 24, 2013 Christmas Eve

Wheels of Happiness

Angono, Rizal  Philippines   |  December 24, 2013

It is a day before Christmas. Merry Christmas everyone.

How to Say Merry Christmas in other languages - Natalie Hinare

 

Starting out late

I rode today.  I was supposed to work today.  But the janitor of the building was not informed.  So were not able to enter the building and work. It is supposed to be a special non working holiday. I sent people home if the janitor did not arrive by 830.  It was an opportunity to bike.

I left at some minute after 9:00. And there were too many delays:   traffic in Angono commercial area, in Bilibiran, Pantok, and in Morong.  I was surpised that I reached Morong at 10: 45.  But I think I was doing 30+ in the open.  I attacked the hills.

I passed via the Diversion in Cardona on the way to Cardona.  I think, this Cardona diversion is extreme (No wonder a lot of vehicles meet accident at this place.)

On the way home, I chased a group of QC riders.  I kept pace with the peloton.  I think I got stronger after joining the Kaybiang tunnel ride.

Bukos are gone

I tried to look for bukos (young coconut) to replenish my potassium.  But the cheap bukos are gone.  Most are sold because of high demand for buko salad.  The buko I ate cost P20.00.  They normally sell for P10 to 12.

It was hot and arrived past 1:00.

I inquired for cleats (mine are rather worn and I find difficulty in inserting these now) But the sales clerk were busy and I had to leave after waiting for quite a while.







View Larger Map

To give or not to give to children lined up along Bugarin

Wheels of Happiness

Angono, Rizal  | Philippines

                                    "Kuya, papasko po!"

Merry Christmas to one and all.

In the past, I brought many P5.00 coins as I biked or changed P100 to throw to kids lined up along the road asking for their papasko.  "Kuya, papasko"

Last year, I was warned by a store owner not to get so enthusiastic about this gift giving.  "They gamble or use this for tong its" and it does do them any good.

DSWD also circulates the directive not to give these kids because it encourages children to grow up in a mindset of mendicancy if not of patronage.  It does not make them resourceful, but dependent and clinging vines. 

What is the right thing to do?

 x

 x

 x

Unusual views at Morong Rizal on December 22 2013

Wheels of Happiness

Morong Rizal  Philippines   | December 22, 2013

                                  Reflection of the mountain and skies on a rice paddy

Merry Christmas to all our readers and followers.

Here are some unusual views at Morong Rizal.  One reason why I usually stop  - to take pictures for this site.

 x

                                        A heron in  seedling bed

                                Sierra Madre mountains at sunrise.

                                Heron bird in just planted rice field

This Pililla MRF does not belong here; what do you think?

Wheels of Happiness

Pililla, Rizal  Philippines    |  December 22, 2013

For many places, eco tourism, tourism, and in this case bike tourism bring in revenues, income to the residents.  We have seen this work in Bohol, Cebu, Palawan and many places in the country.  The great and picturesque views draw in the bikes, motorists, and the sales from goods that eventually end up in the coffers of the LGU.  I call this bikenomics.   Without the bikers and motorcyclists, and other tourists, sales of these establishments:  restaurants, souvenir shops, etc. is drops to below their profitable levels.  I saw this on weekdays.  Only the viajeros keep up the sales but not so much.

One batch of bikers and motorcylists can ramp up bills up to P2,000 in one sitting and there could be 5 up to 10 groups or even more during week ends.

Great Views at Bugarin

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines   | December 22, 2013

I like the peace and quiet as I ride up to Bugarin. It is just a battle between myself, the gravity, the wind, as I pedal up Bugarin.  There I can admire its pristine beauty.  The difficulty toughens me up, they beauty gives me back my sense of self and sanity from the week's pressure and work.  I like it here, albeit briefly, so with other bikers.

                                 View of Laguna Lake from KM 69

                                    Grassy hill at KM 67

                                      Clear blue skies, carless roads

Did you notice this on the way up to Bugarin? Gift wrapping the mango fruits?

Wheels of Happiness

Merry Christmas to one and all.

 

                                   I thought these were Christmas decors?!

As I biked  up to Bugarin today, I noticed something unusual, past KM 61 and approaching KM 62. The manggahan.  The growing mango fruits were wrapped in paper bags. And there were thousands and thousands of them.

Curious, I asked what is happening from the persons near the mango trees.

Well they say they are doing that to protect the fruits from insects which destroys the fruits.  It costs P0.25 each to cover the fruits.  One package contains l00 paper bags, for a deal of P25.00.  Young boys from Cebu and Bohol are doing this job.   Now we know!

                                Those dropped paper bags are paid

                                   One pack is 100 pcs and each worker gets P25.00 per pack

My less than P100 rechargeable LED flashlight on Fuji Bike (Do It Yourself)

Wheels of Happiness

Angono, Rizal  Philippines  December 22, 2013

Merry Christmas to all cyclists around the world, and those who love good health and long life.!

After two rides which saw us arrive late and dark passing through C6, I decided to have my own lamps at the bikes. It is a safety move.  I punctured my tires during the Tagaytay ride.   I was uncomfortable just riding behind the beam of somebody elses flashlight.

I tried to evaluate the available flashlights:

1.  Richard Ang's flashlight cost P450.00 with mount, excluding the AAA batteries which should set you back by Php 100.00++ and this lasts up to 3 hours at most.

2.  The Cat Eye halogen lamp. This cost P1,500, uses halogen lamp and uses 4 AA batteries.  My it is expensive to maintain.   I gave up on the one I bought. I have to own a battery store/factory to keep up with its maintenance.

3.  VMs Led lamp with a rechargeable battery cost P2,000.00.

4.  The Chinese made LED flashlight that are rechargeable.  It does not need battery, and one charge is good for  10 hours of use.   The 4 LED costs P69.00 (what a price) and the one that I just acquired only P45.00 with one LED.  Surprisingly, this brighter.

All you have to do is to mount this as per this You Tube video/post.

And above is the finished product.  All for less than P100.00  (P72.00) to be exact:

P45.00 flashlight
P23.00 stainless steel  pipe clamp
P4.00 for cable tie clamp.

DIY (Do it yourself is cheaper)

Improvised Bike LED lamp

Cheap bike light mounts

Why dont you try doing this?  It is cheap to do and will really light your way at night.

What penalties shall we impose on guys who do not join the rides?

Wheels of Happiness

Angono, Rizal  Philippines   |  December 22 2013

                                           Oh guys, Ok na sa inyo yon?

It is 2 days before Christmas.  Merry Christmas to all cyclists, and all the guys who like to be healthy and strong.

Gerry Y and Nolite were here this morning.  They did not join the punishing never to be forgotten challenging bike ride to Kaybiang Tunnel, last December 1, 2013.

Oh what is the penalty for the two for missing the ride?

I suggest, it is fair to have them ride round Jalajala ten times.  Hahaha.  Will they?

If they do, they will be fit and strong.

Our bike ride today, December 22, 2013

Wheels of Happiness

Angono, Rizal  Philippines   |  December 22, 2013

 

                                      Papasko po Kuya  at KM  63

Merry Christmas to all cyclists and health loving people all over.!

I left at about 6:30 this morning.  It was still dark by then.  I went to the Sacred Heart Church, said my prayers and left.  There was no mass.

I was joined by Ado in Bilibiran, and we just rode and spun  And we told stories about Kay Biyang Tunnel (the Ternate ride)  The other cyclists from Taytay were amazed at what we did.  He stood up and raced by Mambog and I kept up until the downhill to Cardona.  I showed the way at Callahan.  And maybe I was 30 secs ahead by the time we hit the Morong Cardona boundary.  I took pics of the pollution.  And let Ado passed by.  We were in Simples Lugawan by 7:20 and a handful were there:  VM,  Joel, Gerry Cataps, Vic, and later came Master.  Many did not bike.  Jun Francisco was the topic of discussion.  We had our usual lugaw and buchi.

Then we rode out to Pisong Kape by 8:15 and we were there by a little under 9.  I was with VM at peloton until KM 53 where I stopped for pictures.   I then allowed the 7 11 guys and Choco overtake me at km 57.   I went past Pisong Kape and went up to Bugarin to buy buko.

Links to other interesting sites

Wheels of Happiness

Links to other interesting sites:

ANGONO CHRONICLES 
     Articles and pictures about the land of Higantes, great artists, and food

TSALAP TALAP
    Articles about pleasureable things in life like food, clothing, and other aspects of plaisir

METRO MANILA AIR POLLUTION WATCH
    Situationer on air pollution in Metro Manila, Rizal, and elsewhere in the Philippines;  its bad effects on health and climate.  Suggestions on what can be done

4x4 OFF ROADING EXPERIENCE
    Features off road vehicles, off roading events, and experience

VIRILE MEN
    About virile men, alpha men, relationship, courtship and loving, men and women.

Having fun with Ben this morning, December 20 2013

Wheels of Happiness

Angono, Rizal Philippines | December 20 2013

                                    Ben, the two of us rode this morning to Wawa

I met Pres Luis and Ben at the park this morning.  Pres Luis said it was his first time to visit the park and he discussed the Luisiana ride on Christmas day.  I declined to join so he did too because it the birthday of the Lord. I said I crashed on a Christmas day ride.  So nadala na ako.

Then I saw Ben as I was leaving to get camera.  I had a chance to take his picture.  We talked about his cure from prostate and my advice.  So he calls me by my aka:  Sir Dok (leng)  I am happy that he got well from my advice on prostate.

                                     Ben on a MTB, the previous owner died after he bought it

Other views in Iloilo City December 15, 2013

Wheels of Happiness

As I have said earlier, I was not able to bike because I was in Iloilo city. At the time I was supposed to be biking I was taking walk around the the downtown area of Iloilo city

                                         Iloilo city public market

                                     The equivalent of  Dangawa?

                              Lanterns galore;  I understand they were sponsored by companies

                                      Postal bank - not well known in many areas in Philippines?

                         Wide street with planting strip in the middle gives better view and traffic control

                                     Lanterns for sale

                                        Filipino Chinese welcom arch

                                          Jaycees tower

                                    "...by free men through free enterpise"

 x

                                  Mayana at pots along city street

                                     Christmas is in the air

                                 Hong Kong pandan at streets of Iloilo

                                   Uncollected trash or littering?

                              The broken glass syndrome - what are the wrong things that you see?

                                 Still part of the public market

                              Modern building materials used  -  cladding

                                     Sarabia Hotel tower

                                   Christmas decor at the entrance door

                                       Christmas decor on the table

                                          Dmax Isuzu is a popular vehicle

                                   Statue at Jose Rizal St.