I was able to finally conquer the Eastridge finally

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
April 30, 2016

I have been biking for almost 8 years now and still I was unable to climb Eastridge especially between the first elbow until the 2nd gate of Unamonte.  Today I was finally able to conquer the climb.  I was fearful that the bike would willy,and unable to resume the climb in case of a stop.  I had to use the granny gear (most of those who climb do)  I used 24 x 30.

                      My mosso bike resting at Unamonte

                             With co workers at the office

 He had xt group set, excluding his knee and legs ha6

                 This place is MTB fav because it challenging

Bike ride to Jalajala today.

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
April 28, 2016

Despite the extreme noontime heat, biking goes on.  I left at 6:00 am today, just aiming to go to Pisong Kape in Pililla I brought the SARS bike with large gears (11 - 36, 2 x 10, 53 39)   I am happy with this set up because I try occasionally pedal with heavy gears at 53 x 13 or 53 x 11, and I can now move the bike at speed at this gears.

I was in Morong by 7:00 am, had breakfast and started for Pililla by 7:30.  Was in Pililla by 8 and started for Jalajala by 8:15,  was in Jalajala by 9:00 and was back at Pililla by 9:30. Was home by a little past 11:00

I am happy because I am still fit, because I do not get dizzy yet because of the heat. And I could feel my legs and thighs getting stronger  

Bike ride with Gelo to Tanay Today April 26 2016

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
April 26, 2016

I rode today with Gelo at 6:00 am to Morong first had breakfast at Maybancal where we stopped.  We both rode on MTB.  Then I said that we would ride to Tanay. I planned to ride up to Km 58 so that we would complete 30 km of ride one way.  However we coasted up to Pililla and Gelo said I scammed him

Gelo and I exchanged bike at Cardona Binangonan border so that I will experience how difficult it is to ride his bike.  He has been campaigning to buy my SAVA bike.  Yet I was convincing him to continue using the bike using low years and spinning.  But I found it is really difficult to speed up the bike.  It is really a challenge.

It was a challenging and memorable ride for me and Gelo

Orville Tiamson's MTB is a bike of lights

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
April 24, 2016

We met Orville Tiamson, the famous Angono artist, and professor in visual arts who brought his MTB to Wawa. It drews ahs and ohs because there were about two dozen lamps, powered by individual batteries and one main 12 V battery:   the small lamsps were about  15, and two flashlights, one main headlight, and two multi bulb LED, aside from the tail lamp. I guessed he must have spent about 20t for these fixtures.   He merely smiled.  He said he invested in these because he does night rides because it is cooler (not at daytime when it is very hot lately) and after he crashed in Cainta, because he had just one lamp.  He is right we should invest in safety  (I should invest in one additional flashlight)

We should do night ride to Baguio soon. There was this MTB rider from Mangahan an ex PA who did a Baguio ride  and it took them 18 hours 4 pm until 10 am the following day. They had lunch and took the bus on the way home

Bike ride today with Reymond and Gelo

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
April 22, 2016

                             Gelo and Reymond;  I sold Gelo
                              the red shorts, the tops and helmet


We, Gelo and Reymond rode to Baras today.  We set at 6:00 am from Pag asa Shell station and we were back by 9:00.   It is distance of 44 km out and back.

We rode out to Baras and then came back for lugaw and coffee at Simples lugawan. Reymond paid for the Lugaw.  We met Papa Ric there.

Reymond chased a duo from BCC up to Morong.  I stuck with Gelo who may be discouraged by going with fast bikers.  I waited for him at Callahan and at Maybancal.

I did some sprints at:   Callahan, between Morong and Cardona, between Lagundi and Baras and at Calumpang on the way back.

                              Lady joggers at Callahan

               Gelo pumping up at Callahan near ice plant

Bike ride yesterday with Gelo to Antipolo

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
April 20, 2016

We Angelo Mahigop who is from Batanes and Bo. Pag asa in Binangonan rode  yesterday  and I together to Antipolo City.  We had MTB. (He has a fixie too)  He is in his twenty's, young and light in body weight.

We met at Shell Aurora at 6:00 am and he is apprehensive because this will be his first Antipolo ride.  I told him since he has climbed Diversion, Antipolo is a piece of cake.  I told him that if ever he finds need to stop, we will stop.

We overtook about a dozen MTB including a road biker and we did not stop until past Beverly Hills,  And we resumed and I told him to be ahead, he left me by 50 meters, without him standing up.

We went to the church, had his bike blessed.  He conversed with a biker from Rosario, an ex PA man Johnny who had a GTS bike with 42 gear.   He said he and several others biked up to Baguio on a night ride.  They left at 4 pm and arrived at Baguio at 10 am the following day.  He said this is better because there is not much traffic and cooler.  It is hot these days to bike

Night ride to Baguio City anyone?

Warranty service for the SAVA MTB

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
April 19, 2016

I had issues with the SAVA MTB beginning last Sunday.  The front wheel wont turn freely as is rotated.   It will turn only for 3 to 5 turns and stop.  (If this is was an issue when we climbed the wind turbine in Bugarin, then I could have done better)

I thought it was about the brake. I tried to open the front hub and found out that it was a little bit stuck. I could not open the hub with my tools so I loosened the hub and oiled it, and placed some grease. It turned a bit much looser.

I brought it anyway to the bike shop, Villamayor parts where I bought it and the mechanic Vito,  He said there is a service warranty  He removed the hubs (we have the same tool, and regreased the ball bearings.)  I could have done it myself.

ISSUES SOLVED.   Sava MTB  is ok again

High intensity rechargeable Bike King bike lamps

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
April 19, 2016

                            The LED output could be focused because the flashlight is telescopic

I recently acquired through new friends Reymond Pactao who studies in Quiapo a Bike King rechargeable high intensity LED flashlight.  It has a bike mount. It cost P350 with the bike mount  The extra battery set me back by P100 and the charger P50.00   It is made of aluminum  tube and LED and emits 12,000 lumens of light power.  The flash light can be zoomed.  It found it to be useful and to my liking.  You can use this as an ordinary flashlight

                                           The charger the carrying case and spare battery

                                           It has sturdy aluminum body with clip for everyday use

                                             The green button is the switch

I had bike ride with Gelo and Reymond; friends at Wawa Ecopark

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
April 7, 2016

We had a bike ride last Friday with some of acquaintances at Wawa ecopark:  Gelo:   a young artist with MTB (Trinx) and Reymond (who used to work at household at Forbes of the King family -  Kings Court, Anito and Victoria Court) who has a Mosso rode bike which had Durace group set. He got it from one of the King scion.  (I told him Rappler got me as an authority on Victoria court Interview by Rappler on Victoria Court

We met at 6:00 am at Shell Pag - Asa (Gelo lives at Pedro Cruz which just had a big fire last Saturday) and Reymond lives at Paceo Blanco near LTO)  I brought my SAVA bike with me.  We rode up to Maybancal Morong and had lugaw at Simples.  On the way back we rode through diversion.  There, the two left me on the second bend but I overtook them before the Crystal East entrance.  I left them also at LLDA, but they left me from Darangan to Tayuman

We then went to the place of Reymond.  Reymond used to live in Mandaluyong. they are from Puerto Princesa Palawan.   He is now a full tme student taking up criminology.  His brother bought a 4 storey house in Paseo Blanco and they are renovating the house.  His brother works at ME.  I there learned too that Gelo hails from Sabtang Batanes. (I happened to have toured with the family Puerto Princesa and Batanes.)

I requested Reymond to buy me a powerful 3,000 candle light rechargeable LED bike lamp in Quiapo.  (He told me this morning when I met him on my way back from Morong  that he bought it all ready last Friday)  Yesterday, he was at Wawa and brought the flashlight with him.

Today, Sunday is the birthday of Reymond and he invited us to attend his handa.

Happy birthday - Reymond.

Legal Bike Cheats to help you bike faster!

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
April 17, 2016

Here are some cheat guides which are legal to help you bike faster:

1.  Aerodynamics-  clothing, bike, posture:   bend your elbows, make your body parallel to the top tube

2  Caffeine.  Caffeine can increase your speed and endurance by as much as 30%.  I hope it would not be declared as PED.  How about Viagra that increases diameter of blood vessels in lungs to cause a rider to have more RBC carry more oxygen.?

3.  Beetroot

4   Tactics  (as drafting) or lead outs

5   Equipment -  lighter is better;  light power train:  chain, crank, shoes, cleats cogs.  Light frame, Light wheels set, tires and interior.   But when you upgrade, upgrade:   your skills, lose weight and practice using the equipment to the hilt.

I had conversation with father of owner of Padjak MTB shop at Manila East Road

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
April 17, 2016

Is this the bike he was talking about that sold for P41t?

As I was about to leave for bike ride today this morning, the father of the owner of Padjak, the new  MTB bike shop in town near LTO.   He bought pan de sal and but rode a full susp MTB with Deore XT group set.  He said his son, the owner of Padjak just assembled a carbon fiber MTB with top end parts (probably XTR, carbon fiber parts, Easton carbon fiber.)  Congrats.

He said that Mars Kingdom P41t bike is titanium wow.  (Maybe it is not the one:   Mars Kingdom. Titanium Sava bike with XT groupset  or is this carbon fiber version Deckaro

My newly installed 10 speed chain broke at Diversion and I had to do a triathlon on the way home

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
April 12, 2016

I was supposed to be simple uenventful ride a recovery one, a light ride to Baras, could have been back by 10 am.  But I arrived at 11:30 because I did a triathlon.  On the way back from Morong, going via the diversion road, my newly installed chain  snapped.  I had to look for somebody with pliers to get back the chain together.  I found one at a vulcanizing shop before Callahan. I managed to get the chain back.  My plan was to walk up the hill, and then coast down, put the gear in low low ratio so as not to force the weak chain connection.  So I did that in Callahan, Look, and LLDA.  It was fine going until Darangan when I had it fixed by a bike shop.  I shifted up before Pantok and the chain was left on the road.  Fortunately, I found it.  I had to walk till Bilibriran.  From Bilibiran till Pag asa, the Villamayor Bike Parts, The installation was made in Angono and Vito said the there was poor fit of the pin. I had to shove my legs on the road (a la trolley scooter) to speed up the face and lessen damage to the biking shoes.

So next time, always bring a chain tool, even if you have a brand new chain.


It was triathlon because there was biking event, walking, and then dousing oneself with plenty of water. (swimming)

Vito reinstalled the chain using the missing link this time. Upa- pang kape

There were five halimaws who made it to Real and they had a great time

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
April 11, 2016

I conversed with Gerry Cataps yesterday and asked him about their Real Ride.  Only 5 made it to Real:  he, Jeff, Alan, Pres Luis, and Chito F.   They said they left Luis behind who was came 30 minutes later.  They were in Real by 11:00 am. and back Sunday at Pisong Kape by 9:00 am.

Gerry had told me something interesting.  They did not spend for an accommodation.It would have cost them P1,000 a night.  Besides, being a holiday, the lodging were full.!!!!  He befriended a barangay official, a lady who happened to be a kababayan (from Bacolod and Gen San)  The lady let them spend the night at the barangay hall.  They spent only for their food drinks (plenty of it)  They were allowed to take a bath and launder their clothes. They were given tables to drink on, even parilla for sinugba (they bought fish) from fish market and fishermen (just like in San Felipe)

Regearing my SARS roadbike

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
April 11, 2016

                                         FSA carbon fiber chainwheel crank 53 - 39


I regeared my SARS road bike, inspired by the Mt. Province, Banawe Sagada ride last June to lower gears. I had 3 x 10 set up, with Deore triplet 44 32, 22 set up with 11 to 36 rear cogs, medium cage rear derailleur.  It had so many issues though. When at 44 x 32 the chain jumps to 32 without provocation resulting in loss of timing or failed climb.  It wont go down to 22 when asked for.  So it was better to use a mt. bike.

But you have issues with MTB:  it is heavy (none can match the lightness yet of road bike even the wt of iron bikes.  And the friction with wide tires easily tires you out.  So the ideal is the road bike that has low gears when elevation gets high.

The solution according to experts and mechanics is to go to 2 x10 or 2 x 11.  But such are expensive proposition even for a MTB. Your 2 x  10 crank, xt will set you back by 7t.  And you are not even sure.

So I experimented with putting back the original chainwheel/cranks set of FSA 53 39. I hope it will fit the chain.  Fortunately I had to buy a new chain for `10 speed. The mechanic said that the chain was pretty worn out (I could see the clearance of the chain in some section of the chain wheel to be from 0.5 to 1.5 mm.) That was after 4 years of use and long distance riding to Laguna loop, Real, Atimonan,

How to ride faster and safer

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
April 11, 2016

Here are some tips for your improvement of speed from GCN:

1.  Look where you are going
2.  Practice your skills
3.  Ride/practice drafting
4.  Relax
5.  Dont wear underwear
Watch the video for more tips:









How to ride faster with less effort:

Unable to join the Real Ride

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
April 11, 2016

I would like to apologize to Pres. Luis for breaking my word in joining the Real Quezon ride.  I had vertigo the night before, unable to stand up straight when I woke up April 9, 2016.  The extreme heat and eating popcorn probably laced with MSG probably made me dizzy and had vertigo.  The other alibi could be the biking hard last Thursday 3 loops at Cardona diversion

It was also the 65th birthday of my wife. Was she happy that I joined her at UP Town Center, Crisostomos for her birthday celebration with her relatives.

I missed though the 4th grand reunion of former Maunlad Active bank employees/alumni

Real Ride on April 9, 2016

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
April 7, 2016

There is a plan to ride to Real on Araw ng Kagitingan on April 9, 2016.  I will join provided I join the birthday celebration of my wife.  Are you joining?

To prepare for this I did again a 3 loop ride at Binangonan Cardona loop (9 km one way)  So that is 9 x6 = 54 km  + 6 km up Binanogonan Munisipyo x 2 = 12 66 km.  That is a tough loop by the way.   7 hills in all.: Mambog, the Looc Hill, Callahan Diversion (3 hills) and LLDA (going back to Mambog)
I tried to ride Callahan at 34 x 13, 15.  Kaya.

The books recommend sprinting before the hill crest. I could only manage 15 kph going uphill, and 3x hill climb to develop strength and endurance.  (Tito Fabay is doing this as a routine)

At the flats when sprinting I am able to do now 40 kph (up from 35 kph last week) The Island gas sprint is still at 34 kph

                                   You can reach 50 kmh downhill at this portion

                          Pinaka makunat na portion ng climb from Morong (3x na sinalunga)

                        You could imagine the kind of work and effort I put into this ride today

Did I ride yesterday on under inflated MTB tires?

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
April 3, 2016

As we rode yesterday in Lagundi Morong going home from the Wind Turbine farm in Bugarin, Ven told me that my MTB tires were soft (under inflated?)  I thought not because I sprinted several times and led the riders most of the way.  I gave a run for their ride.

Well I checked today early morning and the tires pressure front and back were only 30 psi well below the recommended tire pressure of 65 psi.

I would make it a point that I would check the tire pressure before riding.  I had under inflated MTB tires when I rode the PNP Binangonan Cardona loop race.

Super guapo and super macho pics of the MTB kapadyak I joined yesterday

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
April 3, 2016

These are the memorable and superb pics of the MTB riders whom I joined yesterday to Bugarin Wind Turbine farm.  I had to take some risk taking some of the pics while riding.  For others, I have to ride ahead and wait for the riders to arrive to take their pictures:   one at Callahan, one in Baras Tanay boundary, one in Biak na Bato in Pililla, and last one at OL:

On the way back, one was in Lagundi, and the final one in front of URS in Binangonan:

Admire and savor their great pictures:

Richard MTB kapadyak pictures while riding. Awesome! ( I had to sprint hard to be ahead a couple of minutes to take their pictures
Posted by Jorgeus Biker on Friday, April 1, 2016

Macho, powerful forceful pics to MTB kapadyaks
Posted by Jorgeus Biker on Friday, April 1, 2016

Magnificent high and mighty wind turbines at the Alternergy Farm in Bugarin Pililla

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
April 3, 2016

One can not help but marvel at the high and mighty wind turbines.  We can not describe with words the awe and wonder we have when we are near those electricity generating giants.

Here are their pictures:

The #altenergy #windturbines are magnificent. Words cant describe the power the might, the height of each of the tower. ...
Posted by Jorgeus Biker on Friday, April 1, 2016

The wind turbines are now a tourist attraction. There are so many visitors and many stalls selling food and souvenirs have sprouted near the entrance to the view deck:

More views at the observation deck of wind turbines at #Bugarin
Posted by Jorgeus Biker on Friday, April 1, 2016