Saturday, August 30, 2014

11 tools you need to maintain your bike - from Cycling News

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal  Philippines   |  August 30, 2014

From cycling news - bike tools

There are 11 tools you need you need to maintain your bike.  I have only  9  .  I do not have the torque wrench and the top of the line cable cutter.     I was able to buy all the tools as one set from Villamayor bike shop for only P1,400.00. It was made in Taiwan though.


I rode to the Tikling Cabrera road yesterday August 29, 2014

Wheels of Happiness

Angono, Rizal   |  August 30, 2014

I biked to Antipolo yesterday up to Lores, via the Kaytikling Cabrera road.  This is the home of the DECS, Provincial Jail of Rizal, and the Sto Rosario Memorial Park.  It is rather a challenging and steep ride, more challenging than the Fibertex, Beverly Hills Climb to Antipolo

There are 3 hills:  the one at ABC building, then the next one at Victory Church, and the 3rd one after the 2nd gate of Maharlika .  It is about 2 km, the last 500 meters that turns sharply to the left leaves you breathless.

It rained while I was climbing this and before I had to stop 3x for this ride, this time I did this without dismounting

The aborted Pagsanjan ride today August 30, 2014

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal  Philippines   |  August 30, 2014


                    The view from the ice plant at Cardona


The President of Recyclists Luis posted this at the facebook that we will ride today to Pagsanjan and we would assemble at Sacred Heart Church at 5 30 am.


"PAGSANJAN RIDE" AUG. 30, 2014, SAT. ASSMBLY TIME; 5:30 AM AT TAYUMAN CHURCH.... DEPART AT 6:00 AM : 1ST PITSTOP AT PISONG KAPE; 2ND AT MANAY'S RESTO : 3RD AT PAGSANJAN CHURCH; TYPE A 2014 UNIFORM.....

I went to Sacred Heart church at 5:20 and waited until 5:40 but no one was there probably on account of the light showers.  I thought that for most Recyclists Plan B is also Plan A (go ahead with the ride no matter what)  I was in full battle gear except the cycling shoes.

So I decided to bike at least to Cardona.  Lo and behold, there was no more rains and the roads were dry.  We could have gone ahead.  Did they proceed with the ride?  I met no one on my ride back.  I met only 5 mountain bikers.

May I say that I rode well since I slept well last night for this ride.  I did Montevideo easy at 53 x 21 doing about 20 kph, Callahan at 53 x 23 at about 15 kph sitting down.

I did LLDA going back to Montevideo at 53 x 23 at about 12 kph.

                            Dry road in Cardona



                        At Callahan view from the iceplant


             Another view of Callahan from Morong side
                       I brought the GTS
           

Friday, August 29, 2014

I have a kumpare pala who can "hilot" ("finger" is his term) aches and pains from sprains and strains

Wheels of Happiness

Angono, Rizal   |  Philippines

Last Sunday, August 24, 2014, Armin Z and I rode back together home from Morong.  He had an appointment, and I was not fit for the Sierra Madre ride. I had to accept my limitation.

However right after the Callahan ascent, at the Cardona town proper, Armin complained of pain at the left leg rear of knee. He said he must have "ipit" of veins at the left leg (strain)  So we had to bike ascent to LLDA near Montevideo slowly. I suggested one leg pedalling (right only)  In short we manage to ride home and I accompanied Armin to a kumpare, Robert who took care of my sprained big toe which immobilized me.

Unfortunately he was not there.   I understand Armin came back, they had a "hilot"session.   Ruben said in a naughty term "fingering" I suppose Armin's condition was cured?

Some of the Recyclists had difficulties at the Sierra Madre ride last August 24, 2014

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal, Philippines   |  August 30, 2014

Gerry, I and Jun Jun Verchez met yesterday near Majusay bakery.   We talked about last Sunday's Sierra Madre ride.

Gerry said that the troop reached Angono at 2 pm. This he said was a little bit late because as early as the Sampaloc portion of the ride, many were all ready struggling -  some walked the last part of the climb

I did not join the ride ;  I had no mileage and was coughing.  The Sierra Madre ride starting at Sampaloc is of extreme difficulty requiring stamina, and strength.

There are several difficult hills to be tackled:

1.  Sampaloc
2.  Sierra Madre
3.  Foremost
4.  Going back to Garden Cottage
5.   Boso boso
6.  Olalia hills

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Ducati Multi Strada bike - the ultimate in motorcycle technology

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal  Philippines   | August 26, 2014

2014 ducati multistrada 1200 s touring - DOC540022

From Topspeed

This may not have place in a cycling blog.  But it is very amusing to review this kind of high performance bike.

I happened to watch the Nat Geo feature on Megafactory.  It featured Ducati factory and the coverage was on the manufacture of Multi strada  It is a multistrada because it is a four in one bike:   touring, sports, enduro and urban, all controlled by a brain.

What we should admire is the technology used in the bike:

1.  The valve system.  -- It does not use the traditional spring for the valves to retract but cam system.  Springs have tendency not to push back valve because of mass and thus have phenomenon known as spring bounce.  Springs could not could not keep up with high rpm limits of motorcycle  (as much as  10,000 rpm)


Monday, August 25, 2014

Jorgeusbiker chased and even overtook much younger roadies yesterday

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal  Philippines   I   August 25, 2014

I intended to have slow drive to Morong yesterday.  So I chose light gears and rode at leisurely pace of say 18 to 22 kph and using low gears.  34  x 17 and 34 x 19.    So it went from Tayuman to Cardona.   However near the crest of Montevideo,  two riders overtook me. One with Yellow Orange Jersey with white bike, and other one with yellow bike and pink jersey.  They were ahead of me by 100 meters all of a sudden.  I caught up with the pink rider near the crest of hill before Iglesia in Cardona. Then the orange yellow rider loomed right before the Cardona municipal hall and caught up with him at the foot of the hill of Callahan. He recognized the bike that I brought as belonging to VM I was ahead of him going up till Mary  Hospital but he stood up and left me by some ten meters near the iceplant.   And was side by side with him at the summit. I overtook him downhill and was ahead but I lost steam at km 43 to 44.   I caught up with him after the market and even surged ahead of him at Namay.  If the Simples lugawan was the finish line, then I  was the winner.

The two riders were very much younger than me.  When I asked the yellow and orange rider, (he said his name is Ramson and from Taytay) he said he was 40+ and was surrpised I rode that hard and even overtook him

I was not able to join the Sierra Madre ride

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal  Philippines   I   August 25, 2014

I was not able to join the Sierra Madre ride.  No excuses.   I was not physically fit -  I lacked the endurance rides to tough it up, I had injured toe and I was coughing (the fuel injection aspiration system was blocked and not working properly)

I biked yesterday to Morong at  6:15 am.  And I arrived there about 7:15. And the rest of Recyslists were there for the ride:

Pres Luis
Master E
Alan
Angel Balubar

Looking guwapo and like artista when wearing cycling uniform

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal  Philippines   I   August 25, 2014

I have been getting very encouraging, heart warming comments from friends whenever they see us wear our jersey uniforms.

1. Bong Baysa remarked yesterday that he thought he saw a "movie star"  he could not recognize me yesterday when we met each other at the Angono bridge undergoing rebuilding at about 6 am.   (Well maybe Bong was recovering from sickness.

2.  Lugaw vendor (wife of Popoy) said she was surprised that a "Pyolo Pascual" clone was buying lugaw from her store;

3. Many friends say we look younger by 10 years when we wear the colorful jersey uniform, the helmet and the very expensive eyewear.

Truly clothes make a man. And this appearance may attract more fairer sex.  So I thought as we get glances from ladies even at Antipolo church.

Father of Engr June laid to rest last Saturday, August 23, 2014

Wheels of Happiness

Angono, Rizal  Philippines   I   August 25, 2014

The father of our kapadyak Recyclist Engr. June was laid to rest last Saturday in a cremation ceremonies held at 4 pm at Holy Gardens Memorial Chapel and crematorium in Angono Rizal.  The said business is headed by VM Jun Vic.  Only Engr June and a sister were there to witness the cremation and this writer and his daughter. The two sisters of Engr June were teachers of Jorgeusbikers daughter while at Assumption Antipolo.

The rest of the Recyclists visited the wake last Tuesday, August 21, 2014 at Transfiguration of Christ Church in Mahabang Parang. at about 10am (after Jorgeusbiker left)

Vaya con Dios.  Go with God.  For the Papa of Engr June

Friday, August 22, 2014

Prayers and condolences for the late Father of kapadyak, Recylist Engr June Francisco

Wheels of Happiness

Angono, Rizal  Philippines  | August 22, 2014

After the hill climb and visiting the Antipolo Church (I did not finish the mass) I rode to Transfiguration of Risen Christ at ML Quezon Avenue past Mission HIlls to condole with the family of Franciscos whose father died  at the age of 77.  Our Engr June Francisco was fortunate to be there at 8:00 am in the morning and welcomed me warmly.  He introduced to me to his brothers and sis, some of whom came from Indonesia (as educators)    His two sister happened to be teachers of my daughter in Assumption Antipolo.  (Later my daughter became a colleague because she taught for a while in Assumption)

His father was an educator, a businessman, and who looks like he is brilliant.  He constantly probed his children's critical thinking  while having a meal.

Some mt. bikers from Mitsubishi arrived later.  Gerry Yamsuan was there (and left his carbon fiber Ridley at home)  Engr June used to be Mitsubishi as an automotive engineer - well trained in Engine and transmission tech in Japan. He works now at Sanden as Logistics Manager and Team Leader in Toyota Production System.

The other Recyclists came later when I left, Engr June texted me.

Vaya can Dios to June's father.  God bless

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Bike ride to Cabrera Road (Hilltop) yesterday August 19, 2014

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines   | August 20 2014

I rode to Cabrera Road (Tikling going to Hilltop) yesterday. It was a holiday because it was foundation day of our town  I have not biked for the last 3 weeks and I thought  I would not be able to climb the steep hill. A truck lost its brakes and plowed into vehicles at the Manila East Road at the said road.   I was looking for a building and unfortunately, distracted by the effort of hill climb, was not able to located this.

Jeff saw me and asked how come I was at that place.

I am surprised that I was able to negotiate the climb easily. I used 34 x 25 and very easily I reached Zuri.  (3 hills summit later before descending and one final ascent going to Lores)

Later during the day, I told the people whom I met, that earlier in the morning, I climbed the Tikling road and they remarked I must be strong.

Maybe

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Weekend again at Panay Island

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines   |  August 13, 2014

                   Riverside Inn, opposite U of San Agustin

I was in Oton Iloilo again to  meet with several people, meet with several govt officials regarding our project in Oton Iloilo.   I landed at the Iloilo International Airport in Sta Barbara.  I flew in together with the chairman of St. Peter Life Plan who was welcomed "bongga" by their staff.

I was able to meet the govt  officials one before noontime, the other at 1:30.  I stayed at usual at Riverside Inn where the room costs only P455.00 for senior citizen (aircon, and with cable TV, single occupancy.