Beware of bike grab ( jacking napping) even in a church even a cathedral yard

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
September 30,, 2017

Yesterday I biked to Antipolo using an MTB on hard gear:  44 x 17 and 19.   I went to the cathedral of the said city.  Because of the presence of security guard, I was compelled to go to the bike parking area.  There I met Romeo who is 66 and senior like me from Manggahan.  And Liz from Balara, Q. C.

I excused myself, left my bike to say a little prayer and was in time for final blessing.  As I came back the two reprimanded me for leaving my bike.

They said that many bike jackers abound in the area.  Those who look as if they are agents for vendors, barkers, etc.  just take off their pants and other  clothing,  are into bikers uniform and simply grab the bike (reminds us of grab taxi)

Someone left his bike at the right wing of the cathedral (beside the parish office) and lost his bike in matter of 3 minutes. (Bike thieves accomplish the feat in 1 minute or less)  They said that even in the lugawan, some 200 meters away, do not leave your bike.

The TV is full of CCTV clips of bike thefts, even in broad daylight.  Even chains and bike locks do not work vs their huge bolt cutters.  They  ply their trade with MC or motor vehicles.   The thieves observe and case their victims.   They go after careless people, just like me at the church yard

Dear bikers, many are aware of the steep price we pay for our cherished bike.  Beware.

INGAT LAGI SA ATING MGA BIKE

From Vocativ - Tips from a bike thief -  how not lose your bike

Short intense rides vs long slow rides

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
September 10, 2017

I have gone two long rides (Jariel's Peak, and Majayjay) doing only short rides:   10 to 15 km one way (20 to 30 km) but intense with interval and sprints up to 37 kmh.  I guess that enabled me to survive the ride without injuries nor distress.   But the minimum is 3x per week.  That would be between 60 to 90 km a day.

Whereas before I do week end ride up to Pisong Kape, 30 kms out (that would be sixty) but may be on slow ride.  Not too many sprints.

Which one is better?

Caring for the bikes; wiping and polishing the same constantly

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
September 10, 2017

When I rode to Jariel's Peak with Peter Anonuevo and the  rest of Recyclists, I was stunned when Peter A mentioned that the way to make the Ti bike (which I brought with me for the ride)  was to buy a 3M sandpaper probably 2,000 grit. What sand paper?  I do not even wipe this clean nor dry.

And so beginning that day, I made sure  that the bike was thoroughly cleaned and wiped.  And then rubbed with a special towel to make it shine.

Pre Luis also could not resist wiping his Felt bike clean when we reach the destination.  He makes sure he has a rag for this. I being tired after a long ride could not even manage to change my clothes

I think I did not do this before to my bike during the last 10 years I biked.   I have to devote more time for this now that I am semi retired

Why did Aquileo (Jojo) Fuentes die of heart attack despite being a biker (MTB)

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
September 10, 2017

Jojo was buried in the body crypts section of Holy Gardens Memorial Park last Saturday.  I was not in Angono. I was in Calapan for an agent's Sales Meeting.  Now why did he die?  Did his death defy everything we say about exercise.

I found out the following as I interviewed his relatives and from my observation:

1.   He smoked a lot (as we even joked that DU30 may have him arrested for smoking in public)

2.  He worried about many things that are not of concern of ordinary citizens:  the global warming, the oil prices due to Iran Iraq conflict, the setting of the sun, the LGU project on the river and the Wawa;  He talked about Federal Govt of Germany, Queen Elizabeth and many more.May be it was stressful

3.  He had a stroke before.

He would have survived had he been sent to a hospital, ICU during the 1 hour window when he complained of the chest pains and shortness of breath

I finally got paid for the bike I sold on installment

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
September 5, 2017

Good news!   After several months of follow up and worrying that I lost a 50% of installments on the SARS bike I sold to a young buyer, I found his father and him at our office yesterday.  He paid P12.000 for the balance of the amount due on amortization for the bike.   He said he had difficulties before on the dialysis of his lolo.   The last payment was supposed to be in June.  And now he finally landed a job as a cartoon animator that does business with Warner Bros and Disney.  Great.

I thought I totally lost trust on people I meet, or young bikers who would try to get some of bikes on terms. But no more selling of bikes nor parts on terms.

Thanks God

Jojo Fuentes, katambay na MTB sa Wawa, died last Monday

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
September 5, 2017

I learned yesterday from Vhen Apran, Alfred when I biked to Wawa, that Jojo Fuentes, our katambay at Wawa (an MTB rider died last Monday in their house  at E. Rodriguez of probably hbp.

Jojo Fuentes who ran for mayor was a very colorful person who had various outlandish theories on many things like solar energy, the Caspian sea,  Queen Elizabeth supporting him and the river rehab at Angono.  He would have garnered  many more votes than the 700+ he got last election for mayoralty position had he not spoken nor attended the debate sponsored by the Parish Council.  We may say he had challenges in his thinking but we never told him that.  We enjoyed his talks

His body lies in wake at their house.  We will surely miss him