Thursday, February 26, 2015

This street dancing at Mabalacat called Caragan delayed our Feb 20 ride by at least 30 minutes

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines  | February 26, 2015

We were delayed in our ride last Friday February 20 2015 because of a street dancing celebration called Caragan. It named after an Aeta Chief named Garagan  who was  married to a Mabalaquena.

The entire length of Mabalacat from the poblacion up to SCTEX flyover  held up all traffic at MacArthur Highway to standstill... Mabalacat mayor plans to have this fiesta a national event.   Here is the You Tube video


Mabalacat facebook







Image result for caragan festival 2015



Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Lessons learned from the recent Baguio climb

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines   | February 25, 2015

Happy EDSA rev (29th year)

Where is the Spirit of Edsa 1986 (did we just replace the dictators with new ones, the commissioners, but used the old system and values)

In biking, it can never happen that we use the old system to achieve outstanding results.  Certainly we should have learned our lessons.  Some interviews show lead us to some lessons:

1.  Invest in a trainer.  Vhen has one (given/courtesy of Engr. June)   Tito plans to buy one.  You can practice a lot of things on the trainer:   leg speed, sprint, ILT and a lot more.  Not to mention being able to practice on a rainy day.

2.  Hydrate often,  Eat every two hours.  Or bring along chocolate, banana, or even rice cakes.  Drink before you feel thirsty, eat before you feel drained out.

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Visit Surigao

Wheels of Happiness

Puwede kayang magbike adventure diyan?  Napuntahan na yata yan ni VM?

Visit Surigao


enchanted river in hinatuan


Tinuy-an Falls Bislig

Can we successfully climb the Sungay?

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines     |  February 24, 2015



Right after the Baguio City climb, I returned to Manila to attend a wedding on the 22nd to be held at Balai Isabel in Talisay, Batangas.  Since we had some business to attend to in Dasmarinas, we chose to go by way of Aguinaldo, then descend towards Sungay (before DAP) after the road to  Sta Rosa junction. And the ascent to Tagaytay looks terrifying.

It is about 5 km from town proper and 4 km of difficult uphill, with switchback.  Which one is more difficult?  Kennon or Sungay?



                      That is a sharp and deep bend to the left


                   Well paved and marked roads with shoulders







                         Overlooking Taal lake


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Feeding stations at Angono Baguio City ride last February 20 to 21 2015

Wheels of Happiness

Angono, Rizal Philippines |February 24, 2015

          Breakfast at Jollibee Urdaneta on February 21, 2015
Master E, JB, Richard, Meong, Vhen and Chito

We resupplied and retanked our fuel tanks as we rode at the following areas:

February 20, 2015

1.  SM Marilao   8:00 am  breakfast

2.  San Fernando City crossing -  11 am snacks

3.  Dau   12 am  -  lunch at Abis place

4.  San Manuel   8 pm -  snacks at 7 11

5.  Dinner-   Maxs Urdaneta (kami ni Sir VM, Matmat, and Master

   Eating bibingka, egg and bananas at SM Marilao parking

                  The bibingka is Joels contribution


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               Group pics after taking candies and soda at San Fernando junction


             Abi was the main attraction at lunch at Dao.  The food servers were wondering where we came from because we asked urgently for food and water.... (We asked which way to Batangas?}


           Having been fed and hydrated ready to ride again

February 25. 2015

1. Urdaneta City  -  Breakfast    6:00

2.  Shell Select -  Sison Pangasinan  -  7:30

3.  Camp 6 -  Snacks    11:00 am

4.  Lunch   Baguio City Inn   3 pm


 x                   Lining up for their turn at Jollibee:  Vhen, Echo, Netoy, Master, Gerry - mabilis itong linyang ito.   Sa line ko 3 lang kami inabot ako ng 30 minutes


             Meong, Gerry, Jimmy, Netoy and Vhen enjoying their breakfast.

At Urdaneta City Jollibee


                Rommel, Luis, Weng, Tito, Joel, Gerry, Echo


                        Verchez brods


                   An all M table:   Joel Gerry and Diego


                      Our sponsors:  VM and Mat2


                      Chito, Vhen, and JB


                   Master, JB, Richard, Meong, Vhen and Chito


                       Richard tending his bike




At Shell Select, Rosario, La Union



                        VM


                        JB


                       Pres Luis


                 Junjun,  Richard, Chito, Jess, Jeff


       Smith, Joel, Luis  Tito, Meong, Gerry, Echo, Val and Jess


                            JB now seated; included in the photo



                     Echo fixing something on his bike


                      JB and Val;  old companion in BC ride


                        Jess and Chito

At Camp 6
        The first 8 Gerry, Diego,Tito, Chito, Richard, Jeff, Echo, Netoy
  We bought plenty of food:  biscuits, water, soda, pakwan, energy drink, P5 for CR use.


                         JB now part of the first 9





At Baguio Inn



          We had our lunch at 3 pm.  we were so hungry I bet we could have eaten wood.  We had sinigang na baboy, pla pla and pakwan