Fulfilling my planned distance ride this week

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
December 31, 2017



Happy New Year 5 hours from now.

Today I biked 90 km up to km. 72.5 in Jalajala.  That makes it 90 km ride today

I have done the following rides:

        50 km Wednesday (I had two flats0

        30 km up and back Antipolo Saturday

        90 km today.

        Total    170 km.  Short pa rin sa targetted 200 km at least per week.  But that will do.

I had mechanical problems today:  two flats, and seat that kept on tilting back.  When I checked the parts that were holding back the seat had smoothed out.  I sand papered them to be rough, cleaned the  dirty parts,and we are back in business.

Earlier we had group pics near the Dambana ng Kabayo sa Simples Lugawan:

The tropa went to Angono for picture taking for ID.  I went ahead with my Jalajala ride.

                                   Photos by Jess Verches at Facebook, copied without permission

DAMBANA NG KABAYO

                                                     Mamahaling mga bikes

Solving missing shifts problem of Campy at my Fuji bike

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
December 29, 2017

I rode today up to Morong to fulfill my mileage requirements for the Vigan ride  I had 50 last Wednesday, and today 40 km. I rode on the Fuji Carbon

I was trying to ape Alberto Contador who boasted of standing up going uphill (on slight or medium hills) at 53 x 17- 19.  However, as I used the 6th gear (the 19 teeth) it jumped.   I tried to adjust the cable tension from the front adjuster, to the barrel adjuster, then the screw adjuster.  But the bad shift kept on.

I avoided the 19t and used 21 or 17t to experiment the standing up when climbing the hills (instead of 34 x 25) which was slower and lazier way to climb.  Surely such a practice makes one stronger and faster

So I peered at the gears and I suspected a broken 19t gear. (Whew where will I find a 19t spare Campy cog?) What is saw surprised me:  there is an uneven space between 17t and 19t.   So I removed the cogs from the free wheel.  The trouble was with the spacer.   The first two spacers with the groove was between the 25 23 set with 21 19, and  17.   I placed the flat spacers which caused uneven spacing.  When I rearranged the  spacers and the cogs looked of even spacing, I tightened the nut and tried to shift  It was perfect.

Without this observation and analysis, this problem would persist and the mechanic could have fooled me and recommended something expensive.

Coping with flat problems

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
December 29, 2017

I had two flats when I biked last Wednesday at Calumpang diversion.  Blame it on the rain:   you cant see the broken glass and the broken glass.  Why cant the LGU or DPWH clean the road of broken glass debris.

It was miserable day for me.   Fixing the flat, then being flat again.  And looking for bike shop and vulcanizing shop. (And even heckled by a Vulcanizing shop owner that I should have brand new tires and interior, instead of attending my problem -  some souls could be so cruel and inconsiderate)   Hailing tricycles or jeepneys to take me  home, to be rebuffed.  I had all ready walked two km until Tito Fabay saw me on a motorcycle.   He hitched me, initially I put the bike up my shoulder.  It was tiring though then I just pulled along side to roll  (pretty risky and daunting too when he overtakes and or stops)

And so I had  to fix the flat:

1.  First, I bought an extra interior tube to replace the punctured interior (as a response to the haughty vulcanizing shop owner)

2.  Then I removed the exterior, (a Continental GP)   and was difficult to remove because my tire levers were broken.   And searched for offending objects. And there it was, a long sliver of broken glass which I failed to feel after the initial flat.  It was difficult to remove because it was embedded in the rubber.

3.  I patched the two interiors with holes using dry patch.  I was not in the mood to go to a vulcanizing shop because it was still raining.   One thing that I learned from vulcanizing shops is that dry patch usually work on exterior (of cars) because  they do not move during inflation..  But as you inflate the interior, it expands and weakens the patch adhesion to the interior.  And so what I did was to do the patch after the interior was inflated.

Lo and behold the patch was successful. and my problem with flat was over. (The obnoxious vulcanizing shop owner was mistaken sayang ang business niya sa akin albeit small)

I thought:  I had to replace the conti tires,  I would avoid riding in the rain again.  I would like to ride at the middle of the road to avoid the broken glass;  I had to make  soc media comments on broken glass.
But not need to do that, I was able to fix the flat.   I am ready to ride again with courage.

My bike ride today: December 27, 2017

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
December 27, 2017

                                              Fields of Quiapo at Morong



I did a 50 km ride (25 km one way:   km 27 to km 52) up to Baras Hills.   It rained.  Its good
I have rain coat.  But that did not prevent me from having two flat tire at Calumpang, and I had to walk up to Pantok to look for vulcanizing or bike shop.  Unfortunately, none would service my bike
The jeeps and tricycle were full too.   I was about to cross Pantok when I saw Tito Fabay

He offered to give me a lift up to Angono.  I had to carry the bike on my shoulder which was tiring.  At Tayuman, I just guided the bike running side by side with the Motorcycle.

Inihatid ako sa door namin.   Salamat Tito.

                                                                 Naudlot na pagpapatuyo ng palay

                                                   Solar drier talaga highway.  Nakastock na palay sa
                                                                        roadside

                                                                        TLC ni Mr. Millare
                                                                          panglaro

Maybe we could do a pit stop at San Fernando La Union and have some light snacks

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
December 24, 2017

I checked the Google Maps and I found out that Urdaneta to San Fernando  La Union is 97.2 km
If we leave Urdaneta by 6 am.  We might be there in 4 to 5 hours or say 10 to 11 am. I will be requesting some of the staff of the  business we have there to prepare light food and snack for the kapadyaks

My training schedule to be fit for the Vigan ride

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
December 24, 2017

Merry Christmas greetings to one and all especially to my Kapadyaks Recyclists

Ever since it was announced that we will ride to Vigan it got me hooked to train.  So this week, I rode 160 km;  today it was 80 up to Quisao, Pililla, despite the rains.

                                                      Baha sa ilang portion ng Halayhayin

                                             Parking at KM post 67:   my bike and kapote

                                              The bike, the rice paddies and Laguna Lake

                                                Garden full of ferns and softdrink PET cut bottles

                                          Nice Zen house at Halayhayin, Pililla

                                                     Bakit matrapik sa Modong?

                                            Ay lagpas ng munisipyo from palengke traffic jam

So my training schedule until the first week of February 2018 shall be

Week No                    Long   Ride                   Medium Ride         Short Ride          Total

    1                               80                                 60  Pililla             40                     180     done

    2                             100   Jl2                          60                        40                     200

    3                             120  Famy                       90 Malaya          40                      250

   4                              150  Pagsanjan                90 Malaya          40                      280

   5                              100   Siniloan                  60  Pililla            40                      200

   6                              Noodling, recovery ride, reserve gather energy

Actual                 

   2                                                                                                 50                     

Nice expensive Bianchi Carbon bike seen today at Simples Lugawan

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
December 22, 2017


Bianchi Qaltre

Bianchi Philippines at Facebook

Celeste Cycles PH

This post biked today up to Pililla (KM 58). I stopped at Maybancal (near the horse with no name statue) and had sopas  and two kuntsitas.  As I prepared to leave, I saw a 40sh mayaman looking RB with a Bianchi and it was x4.   And that would be about P200,000+ for frame alone. (3,100 pounds  x 70 =  217,000  The write up on the bike and what  the gentleman claimed matched.

I have dropped all plans of  buying a new bike, and rid myself of upgraditis. I concentrated on riding on practicing the engine. There is no more possibility of riding faster.

But given the chance, I would like to own even an Oltre xr3.   (Mga  P163t, but P146 on sale)   Hehe di masamang magdream.  Or even full carbon intrepida.

The Oltre XR4 is available in various different builds. These are they:

Campagnolo

• Super Record EPS (£9,500)

• Super Record mechanical (£7,500)

• Chorus mechanical (£4,700)

Nice bike of Boyeth

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
December 20, 2017

Yesterday I rode to Morong.  On the way, I heard the usual greeting that Boyeth saw me.  As I was riding back to Callahan I saw him and then at Cardona, at a traffic, somebody saw him all ready.  He turned around fearing it would rain (it did rain later on)

But I saw his nice bike and I requested that I inspect it over a cup of coffee He did.  It really looked like an Orbea with a 105 group set bought from VM (only at P10,000)

Ang gara ng bike ni Boyeth.  Tuhod na lang namin ang iuupgrade.  Ha6

Our oldest biker but with youngest get up.

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
December 18, 2017

Papa Ric and  Edgar were in attendance of Christmas party yesterday.  Papa Ric is our oldest rider and is probably one of the oldest in the circuit today (?)

Can we still reach his age - 85 and ride as strong as he does.

Look at his T shirt;   you might get an idea of secret of long life and biking till 85 and beyond

Merry Christmas party of Recyclists again at Verches Residence today, December 17, 2017

Wheels of Happiness


December 17, 2017


The Recyclists held its annual  Christmas party at the  house of Jess Verches from 10:30 to 3:30 today.  Some rode early today:  Gerry Jimmy, Sec, Nolite, me, and Master (he did not come)

We are now nine years old 2008 -  2017.  Wow...

                                             Gerry  about to sing;  Alan fixing the videoke
                                             Look at the tarp on the event;  lahat baligtad

                                            Photos from Reuters -   kinopya sa FB post ng host
                                                              Thanks Jess



                                   More pictures lifted from Jess V post:

                                                          Gerry C and Joel kept us  entertained

                                            Graces before meals led by Gerry

                                                  A very expensive contribution - ulo ng lechon

                                                   Ang daming food, alak at exchange gifts

                                         Kawawang baboy:   pinugutan na ng ulo
                                            nilitson then sinupalpalan pa ng apple

Invitation for wedding of daughter of Meong.

Wheels of Happiness

Meong took the mke today at the Recyclists Christmas Party at the Verches  residence (thanks again) and invited everyone to the wedding party at the Lykas Venue in Carebi Subdivision at 5 pm on December 20, 2017. (Wednesday)  His youngest daughter will  get married.

See you there guys.  Drinks have been prepared.   (Doon sa share ang passion ni Meong sa pag inom ng sobra ha6. Joke)

Planned Ride to Vigan, Ilocos Sur sometime in February 2018

Wheels of Happiness

December 17, 2017













It was announced by the leadership of Recyclists (we are 9 years old today) in the  Christmas party today at the house of Jess Verches that we shall hold a 224  km one day ride to Vigan, Ilocos Sur by Chinese New Year.  Bus travel to Urdaneta on Friday, ride at dawn on Saturday 260 km divided in 4 to 5 pit stops.  Start practicing now guys. long rides of 150 to 170 km

Kayang kaya. Parang Manila to San Felipe lang, or Angono to Urdaneta.

(Dapat may patsibog refreshment from HGLUMP)  sa San Fernando City

We shall sleep at the house of  Engr. June.  Salamat Engineer.

Merry Christmas

Hardcore addict to the bone riders

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
December 10, 2017

This morning it was cloudy and there was light misty shower when I took off.  However, past Binangonan and in Cardona, up to Morong, the mist turned into shower and then rain. I passed Gerry at Callahan and we were together again in Morong.  He said what are we as riders:   rain or shine.  It is riding whether rain or shine.

Jeff went ahead of me at Island Gas.

On the  way back:  I met: Nolite, Gerry, Sec Noe, and Alan.

Great riders.  Addict these guys.

The super Six today did a reverse Laguna loop in Record Time

Wheels of

Rizal Philippines
December 3, 2017

                                               Pictures from Facebook post of Pres. Luis


The Super Six Recyclists who include Allan, Jeff, Weng and Angel Balubar, Luis and Gerry did a reverse Laguna  loop today. They started from C6 down to Muntinglupa, San Pedro, Binan, Sta Rosa, Cabuyao, Calamba, Los Banos Bay  Calauan Victoria, Pakil,  Sta Cruz Pagsanjan.

By 10:30 they were in Pagsanjan and at 12, were in Mabitac Their ETA was 3 pm.  Wow.  They did a fast clip for their flat ride!

There are two dissenting opinion on the regular route:    Mausok matrapik pag dating ng San Pedro Muntinglupa.  But it is mausok and matrapik in the  morning.

If you do the reverse loop, you are tired when you scale up Kalayaan and Bugarin. Which do you  think is the right route for you.?   The Binan folks I met last week did it our way, hurdling the climbs early on thus from Binan to C6 Taytay, Binangonan, Cardona, Morong Tanay Pililla, Mabitac, Famy, Pangil, Paete, Lumban, Pagsanjan.

I could have joined as the 7th rider, but I got an invitation for 49th home coming of our High School class.  I got as far as Highway 2000 to see the Super Six off

                                                  At Manangs in Bugarin

My ride today on Sava Ti MTB to Medalva Hills

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
December 2, 2017

The PE of our office mates took us to Medalva Hills at Botong Francisco Highway.   It is a challenging uphill climb.  However I had my SAVA Ti bike 3 x 10  XT group set.   There were 3 sections of climb:   one after highway, next is the 500 meter long climb to the crest, and another two steep climb at the subdivision

I had to use 32 x 36 gears to make it easy on myself...

I have my usual 3x ride for the week:   one on November 30, one yesterday and one today.   Ti to Morong on November 30 Sava carbon yesterday to Mahabang Parang, and today's ride.

                  Loyola Retreat House at the background

                    My office mates playing badminton

                                  My Ti Bike and sunrise