Riding stronger (and maybe faster)

Wheels of Happiness

This post rode up to Bugarin KM 69, and Nanay Rina last Tudesday, using 50 chain ring, and 28 cogs until KM 66, and  50 x 32 up to KM 69.   That is quite hard gear

Before I used to climb Bugarin at 34 or 36 x 28, or 30t.  But now as a senior, I climb up using hard gears.  They say that is the best way to get stronger.  And feel like young again.   Stopping or getting lazy or easy will not do anything for your physique.  You will get weaker, you get osteoporosis, and back pains

Conversation with Nanay Rina at Bugarin re young riders

Wheels of Happiness

I biked today to Bugarin (a distance of 40 km + from our place.  I took breakfast at her store which is the peak of Bugarin.   There were 3 other bikers, probably in their teens.

While I was taking my breakfast (coffee and spag, a rider whose tire was flat inquired if I had a portable pump.  I said yes.

Then Manang Rina who is 5 years older, whispered that most young riders leave house without having tools and or spare tire.  And Ii said yes, sometimes without PHP.   

What is wrong.

Strange feeling after biking here on televised documentary with TV personality

Wheels of Happiness

It is kind of bizarre seeing footages of the Kristine wrath at Bicol, after having biked to Bicol three years ago (by Sunday Nov 3).  It was nice and scenic.

Now its flooded and scene of destruction.   How easily good things can turn bad.  My heart goes for them.  But like PBBM, cant go there.  They are well taken of by DSWD and their representation

Elderly at a wake thought this post was younger - physically and mentally

Wheels of Happiness

Those who attended the wake last Wednesday of our prospective contractor noted my younger appearance, physique and my mental capacity despite being 73 (will be 74).   They asked for the cause.   I said it was because of biking, some calisthenics, and reading constantly.  The desire to improve self.  

Watching pics and vids of flooding at Bicol

Wheels of Happiness

It is kind of eerie and weird watching videos  and pics at social media of flood and destruction being shown at social media.  I together with 2 others biked to this place for a TV program three years ago next month .  And they were all so nice nod fantastic

Now the beauty is gone.  All destruction and even death.

How this post wished that concrete measures will be done to mitigate the floods.   And that allegations of graft are untrue

Brother of a kapadyak passed away last night due to daibetes

Wheels of Happiness

This gives this post anxiety since I am diabetic.  However I have a quarterly check up and am on medication.  I try to take the drugs religiously

The kapadyak is also a business associate

May his soul rest in peace

Did a Bagumbong ride, and Teresa Loop again

Wheels of Happiness

Did a second Teresa loop last Saturday and via Bagumbong.   The Bagumbong ascent is hard.  There are five hills.   Again tried, except fot the 3rd and 5th hill on 50t chain ring.   

Same with Teresa.  50t up to the Real Cove siko. 

Striving to be stronger and healthier

Wrong placement of spacers and loose goat link caused difficulty in shifting

Wheels of Happiness

As I left house this morning I noticed the chain slipping on the cogs. but only for the high (smaller cogs).  The problem disappeared when I shifted to lower (bigger cogs)  And was especially pronounced in 52 chain rings.  So I had to ride at 36t smaller chain ring. 

I examined my cogs when I arrived home and I noticed that spaces between cogs were uneven.  The 2nd and 3rd cogs had wider spaces.  So I examined further and found out that I placed another spacer on the cog that had built in spacer.   So one cog was wider spaced from another and closer  causing the missed shift.   

Disassembled the cogs from the freewheel, reversed the spacer and the problem solved. 

Also saw that the goat link shifted forward and thus the idler pulley was hitting the cogs, and could not even remove and reinstall the rear wheel easily (as it was in the past)  Loosened the goat link and reinstalled this at 90 degrees  Tried the bike today and as good as new

Biked today, was together with Sir Bubuy

Wheels of Happiness

This post biked today to Morong for business and exercise.  (had to check the site cleanliness in preparation for Nov. 1 celebration)  As I was getting our the site, I saw Sir Bubuy who as on Twitter MTB .He was riding towards Teresa.  

As my grears were not working well, I had to bike at 36t chain ring, 28  and 30 on steep portions   We went non stop from Morong up to start of climb at Teresa.  We took BJ.   Then it was non stop till Taytay at SM.   His place is near Rusi near the corner.  

He said I could still bike well going up because at zigzag I pulled away.  

Crank bolt /cap keep getting loose

Wheels of Happiness

After this post cleaned the crank axle of MTB, regreased this, the crank bolt cap, m20 kept getting loose.   Although this post followed to tighten the pinch bolt well first, tight, the end cap get loose.   I tried putting teflon on the thread.  But still the same.

I have to tighten the same after every ride?

Debate over types of brakes misplaced; we race to get there first, not to stop first

Wheels of Happiness

There has been a lot of debate on:  rim brake vs disc brake  

An old pro described this to be worthless debate as in race we determine who gets there first, not who brakes first.   

So focus on more efficient and sturdy drive train:   pedals, shoes,  crank, chain ring, chaings, cogs, wheel set.   It turned out that rim brakes are faster vs disc brakes being lighter.

Rim brakes rb faster?

Wheels of Happiness

Here is comaprisonn of rim brakes rb vs disk brake.   Rim branke rb is faster.

What is is your experience

Because of lack of investment, my rbs (two ) are rim brakes.   So they are faster?

Will there be a party list Congressman for bikers?

Wheels of Happiness

As we see video of Diwata filing his COC as nominee for vendors group makes one wonder if we have all ready a Party List Congressman for bikers.  Batting for bike lanes, safety, taxes, insurance, vs other motorists.      Pershaps the PRBI moderator ARF could be the one.  We should have one like Bositas to represent bikers.  We still have 5 days remaining.

We could have also a party list for car owners.  Robbie Consunji of AAP representing motorists,!!!

How are Filipinos faring in the Tour of Langkawi in Malaysia.

Wheels of Happiness

We still have a lot of sharpening and hardening needed in international tours.   The only Filipino who figured well was rider Francisco in KOM caregory.  Morales figured in a crash and his collarbone needed surgeery.   Oranza and others show their brilliance once in a while but fadeway in the final phase of the race.  We are ranking in 50th or 60th .  With Francisco 4th in Asian Category

More work still be done in the international arena.  More exposure...

Felipie is No 60 and Navarra is 92 in GC.     Eurosport Tour of Langkawi

Two sudden deaths in cycling

Wheels of Happiness

One was at Antipolo Cathedral  ER, and other one was yesterday, Abeth Ocampo.  Both of an apparent heart attack.  

Rest in Peace, God with God.  Bike forever free.  

When the Lord calls

Eddie Merckxx has now acknowledged Pogi to be the goat

Wheels of Happiness

The TDF and Giro victories did not quite convince Merckxx one of the cycling great that Pogi is the Goat.

But his victory at UCI world chycling championship did.

Pogi wins UCI World Cycling championship

Pogis victory will boost this bike's sales

Wheels of Happiness This post predicts that the triple victory of Pogi will boost sales of this bike brand over the top. Will you buy one too?

Pogacar wins UCI world championship - total domination

Wheels of Happiness

First time in 37 years:   a triple :   TDF, Giro, and UCI World Championship.    Outstanding.

Unbelievable.

Naghihina, mataas bp --kulang sa potassium

Wheels of Happiness

Madalas nang mangyari sa senior ang may dipresensiya sa blood chem.  Halimbawa kulang sa potassium.  Ang kulang sa potassium ay nagiging dahilan ng:   high blood pressure, panghihina.   Ang gamot dito ay

reresentahan ka ng potassium tablets ng doctor.

Ang natural food na pangontra dito ay:   saging, buko buko juice, at balimbling.  Ang isang balimbing at nagtataglay ng 120 mg na potassium.  Ang madalas na pagkain ng balimbing ay nagpapabagal ng pagtibok ng puso, at ng pagbaba ng presyon ng dugo.  

Naglow potassium ka na ba?

Pamamanhid, tusok tusok hindi automatic na stroke

Wheels of Happiness

May nalaman akong kaso ng isang senior na nakaranas ng pamamanhid sa kanang bahagi ng katawan at nag panic.  Akala ay stroke   Sa palagay ko hindi ito stroke kung hind deporma mukha at maayos ang pananalita.  Maaaring dahilan ay nadaganan ang kanang bahagi sa pagtulog, natuyuan ng pawis, os pasma.  Matagal na nagtrabaho, napagod ang kamay at pagkatapos ay binasa.

Ang gamot kaunting masa masahe, at hagod at mag vit B.

Madalas bang mangyari ito sa inyo?

Comparison of Deore, SLX, XT, XTR shifter

Wheels of Happiness

According to the author, SLX and Deore are grouped together on price points and performance, XT and XTR are on one group.  Deore/SLX could cost $15, while XT could be double the price at $30.

But the xt has the advantage of having 4, 3, 2 clicks on the downshift (larger gears) and 2 on the upshift (smaller cogs)   You can push or employ trigger pull (bi directional shifting) which are quite an advantage.

Just like campy shifter.    

So go for the XT.  Fortunately I have xt on my mtb.     

Shimano Ultegra 6700 shifter repair/rebuild

Wheels of Happiness

I used to have these shifters:    6700 and 6800.   I never had difficulty with these shifters.  But this is a guide in case something turns out bad.  It turns out with ridgid training one can do this.  One needs good memory and good spatial logic

Do not try this.  Let the mechanic do this repair.

SRAM shifter rebuild

Wheels of Happiness

Steps:

1.  Remove shifter from handlebar

2.  Remove hood

3.  Remove cable.

4.  Remove cover removing the three screw.  Shift to No. 7 pawl

5.  Remoge the screwa holding pin for the drum

6.  Remove pin

7.  Replace the drum from the donor shifter

8.  Replace the cover

9.  Insert cable

 10.  Replace the hood.     

Repair of sram Red shifter. I only spent P800..00 for this with Mario

Wheels of Happiness

I encountered the same problem with the same problem with my SRAM red shifter.  The drum cylinder where the head of the cable shifter was inserted.  The outer lip shattered and the cable head would not get installed_  it would slip.

The solutions available were :   buy a new shifter, or get a new nylon drum cylinder.  But it SRAM does not support its old shifter with parts.   There was one available at Bike Inn which would set me back by $500.00 (same at Ebay)   We paid all ready but Bike inn notified that it ran out of stock. 

So I ran out of solution.   Just buy the new SRAM 22, or wait for SRAM shifter at the Marketplace.   

I brought this to Mario and he came up with a brilliant solution.  He plastic welded the drum nylon cylinder.  SOLVED.  Only for P800.00.  It could have been P25,000.!!

(I let him do this because the other problem I had was threading the internal cable at the internal cabling system -  it is too much of a hassle)

Why do Pros in tours use bigger chain rings?

Wheels of Happiness

1.  They can run at 60 kph+

2.   Less friction of chains are in middle cogs.   Therefore more efficient.

Why do Pros use bigger chain rings?

Bike repair and improvements are great teacher - and exercise for the brain and hands

Wheels of Happiness

Since this post was not able to bike today, I made the following improvements on my Ti MTB

1. Crank bolt pre load.  Adjusted the preload as advised by GCN.   I loosened the pinch bolt, hand tighteend the crank bolt, and then tightened the pinch bolt.   The crank spun more freely.

2. Cmpression ring. The headset kept on getting loose.  It must be the compression nring that was left out.   So I reinstalled the compression ring.  Hopefully the problem is solved.

3.  Second life to headset bearing.  This post spent P500.00 for headset replacement.  But all that were replaced were two berarings:  the 55 and 44 mm od bearing.   And so I reviewed the parts that were salvaged and they were shells of two bearing.  There was the plastic band that encased the braring for the bottom and two other shells for the top.    The top bearing shell lacked three bearings.  And the top bearing lacked about 20 - 24.  It was good that there were spare 1/8" bearing (left over for the hub repair I bought from Sising.   Sure enough, I was able to reassemble the two top and bottom berarings.   That should save me about P500.00 next time

Bike repair really teach you a lot -  how to repair, improvise and think

Important things to remember in rd and hub assembly disassembly

Wheels of Happiness

When I diassembled the rd and hub  of the TI mtb, this post forgot certain key points:

1.   For the RD: (Deore XT 8000) no clutch

     1.   When you reinstall the rd, there is a stopper that must be at the bottom and the rid cage must slant 180% not 90 degrees.  When I did not observe this the consequences were:

           1.  The central pulley bumps into the chain stay and the 11 cog dfoes not shift;

           2.  The limit screw does not work,

           3.   You cant remove the ws assembly

 2.  For the RD again   When reassembling the spring assembly, you must turn the cage 180 degrees.   Watch the YT video well, adn you can clear the cable attachment by playing with the parallelogram.  It may look like an impossible puzzle to you (but that is whre thinking out of the box in space topology works)

  2.   The axle lentgth  -  It must be longer at the non drive side and not at the drive side, otherwise, again, you cant shift properly nor get the WS out

   

Non bike post - Caitlin Clark outstanding WNBA rookie and getting the same noticed

Wheels of Happiness

Caitlin Clark of Indiana Fever is doing spectaculary at WNBA.  She is getting the WNBA noticed by many sports fan.   She did triple double double .

She brings excitement and awareness to lady basketballers.  WNBA

Hurrah       

Getting your tire pressure right

Wheels of Happiness

You might buy an expensive tire and get the tire pressure wrong;   it is better to have an inexpensive tire but right tire pressure.

Am switching to low priced tires.

Worked the whole afternoon getting my TI MTB in tip top condition.

Wheels of Happiness

On my bike ride to Wawa, I noticed the shifting to be hard.   The headset problem has been solved.  Now its the time to look after the drive train.  These were the things I did:

1.  First, this post disassembled and soaked the rd and fd in degreaser and cleaned them well.  Then the oiled the pivot points.  However I could not get the main spring have the proper tension.   I could only get

the cage to 90 degrees vertical not at horizontal.  Therefore the chain was slack  II tried a dozen times to get the tension of spring back.

2.  I researched at YT and found out that I have to rotate the cage clockwise by at least 180 degrees.  This I could not do since I observed the part that attaches to the cable gets into the way.  (You will be surprised that I was not thnking outside the box.  )  It looked immovable.  The only way out is to move the spring by other means.   I gave up on my DIY and went to the bike mechanic,   He proposed creating a tool to rotate the spring.  Later on he found like solving a puzzle that the parrallelogram can be moved and the cage can be rotated 180 degrees.  Voila.  I gave him P50.00 for the effort.

3.  Then I found out that the cable inside was rusted.   So I had to replace the outer too.   And so I looked for  full length shifter cable and I found one.  My waterloo there is inserting the cable at the changer.   I entangled a cable before.   I had smooth sailing this time.   I replaced the outer at the last 20 cm portion of the cable near the RD.

4.  It took me 4 tries to get the cable to the right tension.  And I had to adjust the limit screws.  The bike would not shift to the biggest and smallest gear.   

5.  Then the rd would not shift back to the lowest gear.  I found out that the upper pulley was hitting the chain stay.  So thats where the B screw adjustment came in.  I scewed in the B screw to clear off the chain stay.   

Perfect.  Now the Ti MTB is a Ok.   But was tired.   Finished at 7:00

Biked to Wawa Eco park this morning

Wheels of Happiness

This post biked to Wawa Ecopark this morning.  I observed that the the lake has overflowed to the road works of the eco park.  There was lot of water lily intrusion.  A number, including a cyclist were angling for fisth.  There was one MTB rider and I took his picture and posted the same at social media.

The water concessionaires must be smiling because they have plenty of water.   God has blessed them (Maynilad and Manila water) with bountiful water supply -   free.  

Still unable to ride because of incessant rains

Wheels of Happiness

Rode only to buy lugaw and buko  from Wawa eco park.   Used the Mtb to ride.

Noted the lake water level to be high only about 7 inches from the edge of the lake embankment.  Soon there will be flooding from the lake.   

It was good to note that the river banks did not overflow thanks to the year round river dredging project by the LGU

DIY carbon frame repair

Wheels of Happiness

One need not worry about repairing carbon frame.  No need to bring to rush this to CNC near Sta Lucia for 4 to 6 figure repair.  You can do this yourself.

Steps:

1.   Do the coin test;   Tap the part you suspect to be broken.  If the sound changes and sound becomes dull, then it is broken.

2.  Remove other parts.   Cover the other parts of the bike, paper, masking tape to prevent epoxy from spoiling other parts of the bike.  Use safety equipment:   face mask, gloves, if needed respirator.   Carbon fiber dusts are bad for the skin and lungs.   

3.  Sand paper the broken part.

4.  Cut the carbon to fit into the broken part.

5.  Mix the epoxy.  Some say 1:1  (hardener to epoxy) some say 1 to 2.

6.  Apply epoxy with a brush (tooth or paint) to the broken part and the carbon fiber.

7.  Paste.  Apply more epoxy.  To be sure, you make this three layers.

8.  Attach compression  tape.    Secure with electrical or duct tape.

9.  Shrink the shrink tape with heat gun or hair dryer.

Carbon fiber repair kit at Shopee. P700+

10.  Leave overnight.

11.  Sandpaper

12. Paint.   

How long does carbon fiber frame last? Urban legend says 5 years

Wheels of Happiness

Most of the bikers I have met say that carbon fiber frames last only for 5 years.  I had a Fuji carbon fiber frame and it was ok for the 5 years I owned it.  I sold it and about 3 years have passed and it seems to be still OK

The video says a good carbon fiber frame lasts for 20 - 25 years.

The advantage of carbon fiber is repairable and its easy even with DIY (carbon fiber kits are cheap and available at many places)

Carbon fiber bikes have been paraded as fragile.   They could have figured in some really bad crash or accidents.   I have had 4 carbon fiber bikes and they are strong and durable.

Other urban legends to be corrected:

1.  The original bikes from Europe are better because they are hand made.    -->> All carbon fibers even those made in China and Taiwan are handmade.  The carbon fiber are cut automatically but they are pasted with epoxy on molds by hand.

2.   China Taiwan OEM carbon fiber unbranded frames are suspect.

Not true.   Taiwan and China have had 20 years ++ of experience in building carbon fibers.  One of my bikes is Taiwan OEM.  It is great.  Carbon copy of the real McCoy.   

Buying breakfast and pan de sal during a typhoon

Wheels of Happiness

This morning, this post braved the heavy rain and strong winds to buy pansit and pan de sal from my suki near wawa.   The vendors praised me for braving the bad weather to buy.  I too praised them for having business as usual.   Typhoon Enteng's wrath?

I feared though for the BB, and headset bearing.    Well, I wiped the bike dry and trained the electric fan to dry the moisture.  

The bre month was greeted by great floods in Rizal

Wheels of Happiness

The "bre" month, September which heralds the start of the Christmas season was unusual -  it was a floody welcome for the month  The whole of Rizal (almost) was flooded:    Baras, Pililla, Tanay,  Mabitac, Cainta, Rodriguez, San Mateo, Cainta.

In less than 12 hours, the rain came and torrents and places which did not get flooded were inundated.

Those places are the places we use to bike.   How could our landscape turn into scene of destruction and deluge for such a short while?

NDRRMC was constantly texting through NTC the yellow and orange rainfall warning. This accompanied the arrival of Typhoon Enteng which was by 7 last night was all ready in Bicol.   Many would have disregarded them.  But they were accurate.  Thank you PAG -ASA, NDRRMC.  

Let us pray for the safety of those who are affected by the flood.  

(The PAOCC chief navigated his way through the flood on a cabinet.  (That is why people of his level are called cabinet officials?)  

What could have been the cause?   Natural -  act of God.  The climate change has caused all the rains to dump unusual amount  of rain.   Denudation of forest, quarrying operations.    

Let us not cheer if there are floods in China.  We are in the same boat.

MTBs head set finally repaired; had to be buy a more expensive headset rather than wait for cheaper bearings

Wheels of Happiness

A 52 and 42 mm bearing set for the head set would cost me less than a 100 php if ordered through shopee or Lazada.  However, we ordered since July   And August was about to end.   The headset of my MTB failed due to long years of use (about 6 years) and my constant servicing(?)

Rather than wait for the bearings, I finally decided to buy a tapered headset from the LBS.  It set me back for P500.00 for the parts and P100.00 for the installation.  It took me a total of only 20 minutes to get the repair done.   I could have done this myself.  But since I was not sure of the bearing size from the head set bought, I let the store mechanics install this.   True enough, the mechanic just replaced the bearing.   55 and 44 mm outside diameter;  he used the new compression ring.   

Sa wakas narepair

The bike, an MTB is as good as new.  Another 5 years of satisfying use/riding/  

Why do you need so many tools and inventory of parts to have a DIY home repair?

Wheels of Happiness

I have noticed that to get a repair done you need so much tools, fluids, and parts to get a repair done.   I noticed that too with mechanics.    You need hex wrench, a screw driver, pliers, cutter, oil, detergent, glue to get a repair done.   

You must also keep old parts for spare screws, washer, wires so that you can complete a repair

After a repair is completed the number of tools and stuff you employed for the repair does not show.

(Answer:   there are a number of steps you need to complete-- from removal of old parts, cleaning, deburring, sand papering, and reinstallation to get the job done.   You need a different tool for each of the step that is why)

What are the tools that you must acquire for basic bike home repair?

Wheels of Happiness

I had the following tools and they are near my bike

1.   A bike stand where you can raise the bike and do your repairs

2.   Hex wrench:   2 to  10 mm.  Most usable are 4, 5, 6.

3.   Torx wrench:  set.   You often use T 25, 30 and 40

4.  Chain cutter tool

5.   Hand pump

6.   Patch kit (P40.00 with about 5 patches, glue, and sandpaper

7.  Rubber mallet

8.  Spoke wrench

9.  Long nose plier

10  Sharp cable cutter

11.  BB removal tool

12.  Bearing removal tool

13.  Press fit for bearing

14.  Rubber mallet

Some of the tools can be in folding multit tool  Many of the bike mechanics use a lot of this for convenience

The YT video suggests other tools.

What I did to my bikes while it was raining hard?

Wheels of Happiness

We were not able to bike because since Monday evening, there were rainfall warnings (and they were accurate -  it rained really hard) there was no choice except to stay at home and do some bike repairs and or maintenance:

1.  S works:

     1.  Reinflated tires, They were down to 40 psi

     2.  Cleaned the chains with degreaser and then applied light oil on the roller

     3.  Tuned the RD.   turned the Hi limit screw inward by  3 turns to remove noise.

     4   Oiled the pivot points of RD and FD

     5.  Wiped the frame and ws with moist rag

     6.  Polished the frame and the bar

2.   Pinarello

     1. Reinflated the tires;  the pressure also went down by 20 psi

     2.  Degreased the chains

     3.  Tuned the fd, turned the Hi limit screw by 3 turns to remove noise of chain on the cogs

     4.  Oiled the pivot points of fd and rd

     5.  Oiled the rollers of the chain

     6   Wiped the frame with moist rag

3.   MTB ti

    1.  It has been on storage for a month so I tested the drive train.  It would not shift to the lowest fd

         The FD was stuck and I had to practice this manually

   2.   The fd and rd alignment was OK

   3.  Oiled the cables for fd and rd

   4.  Wiped the frame and the WS with wet rag.

   5.  Degreased the chain, relubed the roller

   6.  Reinflated tires.  The front was down to 10 psi.  It had to be 50 psi

All done

X ray of legs after dooring accident - no fractures and/or dislocation

Wheels of Happiness

I had to see a doctor as heavily suggested by children to preclude any complications after the dooring accident.  I had to see a doctor, last Thursday, and was schedulred for x ray the followign day   But the diagnostic center was closed.

I was x rayed Friday.  I got the results at 3 pm.  Fortunately the results said no fracture, no disclocation.  Boy was I glad.  Strong bones and legs.    Resulting from frequent ride and heavy gears.

Ingat pa rin.  

Doored at Pililla KM 55; happy that it was not serious - no fractures, no dislocation

Wheels of Happiness

I rode last Thursday planning to go up to Bugarin (80 km , 40 x 2).  However,  this post met an accident -  was doored.  A ranger that had just parked left door suddenly opened, and I travelling at about 20 kph

slammed at the suddenly opened door.   My right bar hit the door, which caused me to swivel.  Fortunately I still stood upright, did not crash.   The right hood was sheared off, the rear wheel was misaligned.  Which was fixed by loosening and tightening the QR.  However the rubber hood was a total loss.  I was able to get it back but probably fell by the way side.

All the driver was able to do was to beg for forgiveness and scratch his head.  No offer to have my wounds treated (there slight bleeding at the left shin) or compensation.

I was still able to bike up to Bugarin in heavy gears.  (Big chainrin)  There was  slight pain, and I requested that I be fetched in Morong.  However there was no reply as the vehicle was on scheduled service.

I was finally fetched at Cardona after a long wait.  The people in the house did not want me to strain my legs for fear of hairline fracture (which has happened to wifey)

I was able to get x ray of my two legs early today  (there was none yesterday being a holiday) and got the results at 3 pm today.

No fracture or dislocatin.  Thanks the Lord.

May we request motorists not to suddenly open their door when they park along highways.  Look at their rear view mirror first.  

For cyclist, maintain a 1 to 1.5 meter from parked about to park vehicles.     Or else you too may get doored.  

Fighting sarcopenia in later years

Wheels of Happiness

With 3 years + 7 decades behind me, I am aware that I am all ready undergoing sarcopenia  -  ie - loss of muscle mass and bone density.  That why I can not risk going off road, or going faster on descent.  

Thus: this post has to supplement biking with some free body weight exercises like lunges, and knee bends with weights.  And has to follow the recommendation that riding be done on big chain rings for added torque and resistance training to counter sarcopenia.   

Thus I try to do DOMSA ride, diversion, Bombongan, Teresa Antenna ride on big chain rings.  These rides leave me exhausuted and drained that is why this post spends a lot of time sleeeping, taking a nap in the afternoon.  

This post expects that he could live better, if not longer with these exercise routines.

Non bike post - women in Carlos Yulo's success

Wheels of Happiness

His mom, his gf Chloe and OT coach Hazel Calawod.  Who do you think affected him most?  Made him a winner?

Mobile PNP Bike Patrols

Wheels of Happiness

PNP on wheels

This post did not know this was all ready operational.  All that I remembered was the Provincial Commander of PNP several years backed loved biking so much  that he conducted his municipal rounds of PNP stations biking with his command.  He even sponsored a 3 lap Cardona Binangonan bike fest.  I finished this.   But he retired all ready.

I saw this bike patrol at SM Center 2 days ago and consisted of a squad of 7. They were on MTB.  A member of the squad mentioned that this was done to have more police visibility in the absence of more squad vehicles, to save gasoline expenses and promote good health amongst the PNP members.

Good.

Do more expensive bikes make you faster and superior?

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No they dont.  Although psychologically they can motivate you to bike harder and faster, in reality maybe they dont.   Its mind over matter.  And if owning a championship bike does that, then it is motivation. 

For me a senior, this is a great plus.   But its the inner drive and enthusiasm that count.  Ti, Steel, Alum bikes are the same.  Its the engine that count.   The core muscles and physical conditioning

It pays to have your bikes clean, properly maintained, greased and adjusted

If you are not racing, bike weight does not really matter much

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Observations have shown that lighter does not mean very much improvement in speed.   But there is also a limit where heavier is not better.  A 30 lb+ bike is not better than 20+ lb bike.   

Lighter drive train does mean a big difference:   chain, crank, shoes, and WS.    

Adjusting brakes of S works (built in) Venge Vias

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Due to wear and tear and passage of time, the brakes of S works Venge Vias have become weak.  No amount of barrel adjustment would make it work.  

I thought over what could be wrong.  ?   The cables may have stretched and the limit of the brake line  barrel adjuster was reached.   So I removed the wheels, adjusted the cable of the brakes (about 2 mm tighter) and barreled down the barrel adjuster to the max.  So that when I turn it counter clockwise, there is a lot of travel for the adjuster to tighten the cable.

Solved.  Saved P200.00 pf for the bike mechanics

Holy Trinity for US basketball team: Curry, Durant and LBJ! Best performance in an Olympic finals (non bike post)

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The trio were hailed as the best the hero of the game.  It was not being a champion but a statement that they are the best.

The only missing championship legacy for Curry -  an Olympic gold

USA takes home basketball gold, wins over France - so much talent (non bike post)

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USA takes home gold in mens basketball with victory over France.  Probably evens up medal haul with China who was ahead as of Saturdday. 

USA simply had too much talent. Curry drilled in 24 points for the victory.   Tatum did not matter much in scoring.   Kerr was right in not using Tatum vs Serbia

Congratulations USA team and to the oldies who made this happen

Biked to Cardona, Bombongan, Teresa Antipolo and DOMSA this morning - riding for strength

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Big chain ring ride -  FTP

To comply with FTP guidelines, and exercise beyond 70, this post tried to bike at challenging destination at big chainrings 50 (on SRAM red group set at S works).  Its all big chainring at Bombongan, except on one hill, and entire Teresa Antipolo and DOMSA climbs (ahon)

Kapadyak riders

At Bombongan, there were 5 riders from Pasig and Taguig who rode with me.  They were initially ahead of me but caught up with me near Alfamart.  Then they stopped at the bridge and sped away until San Guillermo crossing.   Was surprised to see that I was ahead of them before the Mun Building at Teresa.  They went via bukid in Teresa, and then again I was ahead of them past  Real Cove switch back.  Then sped away for good.

Saw some riders from Taytay.  Rhom Antonio said that I was ahead of him in Zigzag (at big chain rings)

There was also Lito Briones who I initially saw at Pag asa stop light.  Then I caught up with him and overtook him.  He overtook me at Pantok and he disappeared.  Aftewards, i saw him again at Teresa Morong boundary and he sped away.    (Doing that to a 73 yo hahaha)

Bukohan at Avida Antipolo after last Climb at Zigzag now sub for T..ng kabayan?

This is the nth time I saw many riders stopping here for a cold drink after negotiating the Teresa Antipolo zigzag.  About 12 riders stopped there -  most of those who 

Made me stronger, strength training beyond 70.

It was not a chill ride.  The ride took my breath away, made my thighs and calf burn,   My feeling is that this ride made me feel stronger.   I could maybe TT for 25 kph for about 5 km.   Certainly much more improvement than when I was younger.   

Imagine riding up all the hills of Teresa on 50 chain rings. At 50 x 32.    

Building muscle at 70 and beyond (non bike post, but concern seniors)

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High intensity cardio training at 70

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Steady state or high intensity?

How to ride 30 kph (or even faster)

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1.  Ride with the wind

2.  Select flat route or downhill

3.  Ride with a group (suck a wheel)

4.  Make your bike aero 

5.  Make yourself smaller

6.  Improve fitness  hiit, attack a climb

7.  Fuel/nutrition

8.  Pacing

9.  Less braking

Non bike post - Phl 26th in medal standing - 2 gold, 0 silver, two bronze

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Sometime we were even ahead of some European countries  We were 19th.  Now we are 26th.  We have come of age.  There are about 200 countries in the Olympics.  Some have not won a medal for decades.  We are lucky we have  2 golds.  It is somehow awesome how some athlete can have 2 medals like some swimmer, the other gymnast Biles, Yulo, K. Faulkner. 

May be its luck also why some nations have huge medal haul.   Or that they chose their battles well.  

When you disassemble your crank, be sure to watch your FD adjustment

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This post always neglect this and after a crank disassembly, the FD could not shift the fd to the large chain ring  More specifically the crank has not been tightened well or got loose when this post used the bike.  All this post had to do were:   1.  tightened the crank bolt,   2,  loosened the high adjustment screw of the FD adjustment screw.  

It seems that with Campy super torque crank has this common problem.  It does not fit most of the BB and there seems to be about 1 mm of play - hence the need for wave washer.  But still there seems to be some side to side movement that is why sometimes the chain falls off.   The video maker recommends using loctite to fix the crank.

Its all very detailed and all complicated that is why many just let their mechanic do the job;   pay them well and let the mechanic do the worrying.    That is why I had to bring the 10 mm hex  crank bolt tightening too.  

Non bike post - how old players: KD, Curry and Le Bron James saved Team USA from defeat vs Serbia

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One of the greatest game ever?   Down most of the game, Curry sizzled scored 36 points (up from measly performance in previous games)   KD clutch points, and Le Bron working hard through out the game, eked out a victory over the brilliant, high scoring Serbians.  Only the veteran grizzles  could have eked such a victory.

Non bike post - Vapor fly Nike shoes - is this mechanical doping? Does it give unfair advantage to the runner.?

Wheels of Happiness Many of the world records broken by marathoners wore vapor fly shoes. Even the entry level runners

Non biking post -doping among Kenyan runners; Kenya is known to be home of world class marathoners

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There are many champion marathoners from Kenya and who set world records.  Kipchoge ran a sub 2 hours marathon.  

Recently some of Athletes have been discovered to be involved in doping. 

Athletes are pressured to dope because its source of livelihood..  Epo is readily available.   (Also trimetazidine)

Our respect for Kenyan athletes has gone down. 

Game changing pedals used at TDF; will they make you ride faster

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New pedal tech at TDF  Will they  make you ride faster?

Non bike post: Gender issues in boxing involving lady Chinese and Algerian boxers

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IBA declared them to be male.  IOC does not think so.  The Italian boxer quit their bout just in 46 seconds saying that she felt like she was being boxed by a man.

We are all embroiled in this gender issues which we do not want to be involved in.

Do you agree with IBA or IOC regarding the issues.   Will IOC disqualify Shelif of Algeria?  She is about to win a gold medal

Is this issue overshadowing the grandeur of Paris 2024 Olympics?

The pride of Homer, Alaska, and Alaska - two gold medals

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Kristen Faulkner.   a Harvard grad, NY venture capitalist turned professional lady biker 

How K Faulkner won the lady's road race

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We did not pay attention to her.  Mostly the attention has been on well known European riders.  The American ladies were not much of a factor before in women's competition.   

Faulkner though has won some stages prior to this Olympic competition.   And a TT competition where she did 49 kph.!

The Europeans thought may be that she would fade away in the final 500 meters but she did not.   

With grit determination, ones dreams to be an Olympic star can be a reality. 

Am star struck by the talent, physical prowess and beauty of this lady biker.  Wow

     

Kristen Faulkner wins another gold in team pursuit

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What a marvelous day for team USA, winning the team pursuit with Faulkner in the team.  Congratulations Team USA.  Amazing.  Its firsts?   Also Faulkner winning in two events

Kristen Faulkner, Harvard Grad wins 2024 Paris Olympic Road race

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31 year old Kristen Faulkner, a Harvard grad, and former venture capitalist at New York, won gold in the  the Paris 2024 Olympics.  Its an interesting story because she  quit venture capitalist job to focus on cycling.  And that she achieved this because she was in injured in a car accident that broke her shin bone.  But she won the race.

It was interesting to note that in the race, the race favorites did not react to her attack with just 3 km to go.  They just looked at each other when she pulled away.

There was a story that when she started biking in Europe, she even lost her contact lenses.  However, when she was assigned to go with break away, she stuck with the job, and even forgot to eat because she was so focused on  her assignment.   She even went on to win the lap/stage

She just started biking in 2017 in New York so that she will be occupied, and to replace her PE with rowing (while at Harvard)

Her former sports was rowing.   She was born and grew up in Homer Alaska contributing to her grit and determination

She said that she was able to use her venture capitalist background to calculate the risk benefits as she biked.  One of the things we must be wary of is if we encounter riders like her who look very well deeply analyzing the data of every rider she may may meet on the road.  They would definitely have an advantage.   

I think riders now are better because they have better coaches, better science being employed to be better cyclists.  Data driven

Congratulations Kristen.

Beating Europe's best. Beat by Team USA

Duplantis wins pole vault gold, Obiena only 4th (non bike post)

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Duplantis wins gold, sets world record in pole vault

Duplantis, the world No 1 wins gold and sets world record.  EJ Obiena despite hard work landed in 4th -  no medal.   Obiena was a medal hopeful.

How hard should older persons train?

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I have been frequently warned about my biking.  Advice has been to ease off, just ride around the subdivision.  And its getting into my nerves.  I avoid long rides, because I could encounter emergencies.   

Training to be DIY mechanic trains your mind to be meticulous and detailed

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This post has maintained that sports and business are similar in approach   you have to train,  you  have observe a process, you have to have a goal, you have to prepare your inputs, study your processes to improve your ride and strength.   You have to watch what you eat and many more.

Same with business.  Above you all, you have to be passionate.

Same with being DIY mechanic.  As I disassembled the Campy crank, I have to observe very well the sequence of removal (to aid me in reassembly)  observe what is abnormal with normal.  I observed the bearing and the axle to be grimy and filled with grit.  There were gaskets that are probably interfering with the rotation of the crank

I had to be meticulous and observant.  Same as in business.  If it is failing, I have to know what are the factors that cause it to fail.  

I know I have continue doing this, ie being vigilant of what can go wrong, Otherwise, I I  will wreck the bike

Pres Luis is reported to be selling his bikes for his wife"s chemo, let us assist him

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I read the post of Pres Luis that he is selling all his 3 bikes, Argon, Felt and an MTB for his wife's chemo.  This is worrisome and a dire situation.  Let us help him

Cleaning and regreasing of Campy crank

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I met Mario Toledo, my best mechanic,  yesterday at a mountain trail road and hastily I consulted the campy crank, (the bearing of which was just replaced)  which has not be been rotating smoothly.  He advised that I should disassemble, clean, and regrease.

Which I did today.  Removal of the 10mm crank bolt (and reinstalling is a challenge).

True enough the crank axle is dirty and the non drive bearing is a little bit sticky.  So I cleaned the crank axle the bearing, and the crank shell. Generously regreased the bearing and the axle with synthetic lighter grease.   How could they all be so grimy after just three months?   Its good that the bearings were still in good shape.

Now the crank now turn faster and smoother.  I must have lost 10-15 watts with the dirty 

Yulo wins second gold for vault at Paris 2024 Olympics (Non bike post)

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First time for a Filipino to get double medal.   Our Philippine contingent has improved medal haul compared to Tokyo Olympics.  

Mabuhay ka Carlos Yulo.   Thank you for making Filipinos shine in the world     

EJ Obiena at pole vault - another gold hopeful? Let us pray for his victory. (non biking post)

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Non bike post - Carlos wins gold for the Philippines in gymnastics

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One cant be proud for seeing the Philippine flag being raised and Philippine anthem being played.  We are no longer a kulelat country.  We can give other countries great competition and effort to best them out.

Congratulations.  Carlos

We can win some more medals?

Climbed Cardona diversion on large chain ring

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In one of the videos on FTP, I learned that aside from sprinting one of the ways to induce your body to ride faster and stronger, is to ride hills consistently, and increasingly on harder gears

On the way back, I rode up to Cardona diversion.    Instead of riding up on 36, I rode up to the first turn to the left to be at 52t chain ring.  I felt that I could do the remainder of the climb at 52.  But I did not want to hurt myself so I downshifted to 36t

I tried to pass at Mambog but I was on rb and the roads were muddied.  So I just went through the diversion.  

Earlier, I rode with Pastor Exequiel and Sec Noe.   Between Morong and Cardona, I accelerated at 52t and tried to lead them 

What not to copy from TDF

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1.   Large chain rings (54)

2.   Not durace or top end GS -  Ultegra 105 can do good

3.   Not racing tires  GP 5000TT dont last long

4.  Sports eyewear

5.  TT helmet

6.  Ceramic bearings

Increasing your average speed.

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1.  Use strava to set goals

2.  Make your front smaller

3    Up your skill  -  in magic hour

Non bike post - Frmr Senator Pacquiao "comeback" exhibition bout with Japanese Anpo

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Age matters.

Many think that he should stay retired.  He got hit many times, because he was bigger and slower.

His days are over.     

It was fortunate he did not got hit hard and was able to finish the 3 rounds.   

Non bike post - transgender boxer cases Italian biker to quit?

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Is the Algerian boxer really transgender?  Pictures showed her to be normally growing as a girl

But the Italian biker said its hard to be hit by a man.  

What is your take on transgender issue in sports?  Should it be allowed?

Shaving watts from your bike ride

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Free moves:

1.  Tighter clothing

2.  Position on the bike

3.   Removing some stuff on your bike

4.  Stay narrow (handle bar, your posture)     

How to be more efficient rider? Secret - drafting

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Bike upgrades, making the bike lighter.

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Steepest street ride

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How to be above average (abnormal) rider

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We talk about FTP, watts/kg.     Pro does 5 -7 watts/kg.    Most does 3 watts/kg.

Can you be above average. ?

For the weightie winnies - shaving off grams from your bike

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I stopped doing this years ago.  I all ready had my bike lightened.   (How I wish I could have years shaved off from my age.  )  Hahaha.

You can shave a lot of weight on tubes and tires.   

Individual time trial at 2024 Paris Olympics - slippery and rain soaked.

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Dont pedal on corners.!    

Ladies XC MTB finals - Paris 2024 Olympics

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What are the prospects of Philippines getting a medal in Paris 2024 Olympics?

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The Philippines female gymnasts are out of medal contention (they did not make this to top 24)  Yulo is in for medal race.  How about Obiena, or boxing team.  Will they make it?

Can we repeat a Diaz feat?

Let us try prepare for the next 4 years Olympics.  Do we aspire to be the best?  

Two Belgian net two podium medal at Paris 2024 mens cycling Time Trial

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Remco Evennopoel got the gold at men's TT event at Paris 2024, 33+  relative flat course. with 36:12 time, followed by Filipo Ganno + 15" and third is Wout Van Aert, another Belgian  +  25 "

Congratulations.   

Top 3 for men's TT

Images from the 2024 Paris Olympics

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Be surprised and mesmerized:

Biked to Antipolo using big chain ring, up to San Roque and went down to Cabrera road

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Biked to Antipolo today.  I turned on the external bike ride function of Huawei watch started and ended it when I reached San Roque, But could not access the data.  I was not able to use this feature of the watch which was like strava.

I climbed using the 52 chain ring up to Shell however shifted to 36 approaching Beverly and up to Provincial Capitol.   Went town via Cabrera road.  Cabrera road reverse is not all down hill.  There are two ascents.  -  to the Memorial Park, and one to Havila.   Was on big chain rings for these two ascent

Aching body because it was a hard ride

Biked to Pasig, had difficulty with bike lanes

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This post biked to Pasig C5 this morning.  Had difficulty with the bike lanes and those who use this:

1.  Mostly used by MC, and they assert they are bikes who have the right to bike lanes said one who

     was angry that I was in the bike lane.   Clarity must be sought

2.  Parking of MC, customers,  bereavement tent for those who are grieving for their dead.

3.  Garbage on bike lane.

What should be done.  Give up the bike lane or FIGHT?!

Should these spectator behavior continue?

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Crashes end of career have been caused by spectators being too close to the riders.   How can the mishaps be reduced minimized?

Sometimes riders punch the unruly fans, or become physical

Crowd control?   Education?   Barriers?

Can you reach the 60 km in one hour?

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Pogacar and the best did for flat and hills at 45 kph.  Most did this at under 40 km/hr.   

The world record for one hour is only 55 kph.  That means 440 sustained watts in one hour.  That is insane.  That hurts.

The record is held by Filippo Gana

The author says that doing 60 is impossible.   Is it just like the same label for sub 3 minutes for a mile that was eventually broken?   Let us wait

How much faster? Evolution of bikes in the last decade?

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His Canyon latest model, ran 20 secs faster in both climbs and flats.    That is why, Pogacar was much faster.   Technology and bike had something to do with this..      

Tadej Pogacar at 111th TDF could be the greatest professional cyclists of all time

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From Velo Power analysis: Tadej Pogacar

The article analyzed the climb at Stage 15, Plateu de Beille.   It was an impressive 7 watts /kg.  It was compared to another rider with a little over 5.8 watts/kg.   And the difference in time was 6 minutes.  That was how massive the output of Tadej was.  He could be out of this world.

And when you are noticed like that, and its that outstanding, people ask about doping. 

Training for  TDF

  

What the typhoon has wrought to Wawa Ecopark in Angono

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At Wawa ecopark, a popular bikers destination has been affected by the deluge brought about by Carina:

1.   Water lily, blown by the typhoon wind has gathered at the lakefront;  

2.  Water level is up and the distance to the edge of the road is only roughly a foot.   Wait till all the floodwaters from the mountain and rivers have flowed down to the lake.  The lake could overflow by tomorrow or Saturday.

Wishing the safety of all kapadyak whose residences were flooded.

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To all our friends and kapadyaks whose houses and places were unundated by floods, we pray and hope for your safety..   At QC, Cainta, San Mateo, and downtown Manila

Be safe.

Getting more views is more challenging than a long ride or ardous hill climb

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Intensive determined, consistent, posting does not get much views.  Despite trying all the tactics to get more views.

More challenging than a loop (about 200 km) or climb up to 20%.  

What do you think?

Anyway, the goal of blogging is to document thoughts and activities -  not to be popular or to make PHP on clicks.  Let it be

Why the puzzles? Othewise, let us join the rescue, relief, rebuild of flooded communities

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We cant bike,  Streets are flooded.  Rains do not stop.   Rains can seep into hubs, headset, and cranks, BB and wreck our bikes.

So as not to waste time, we continue static exercises for the body,  And these puzzles for the Brain.

Otherwise, we join activities for rescue, relief, and rebuilding of flooded communities.  

Solutions to nearly impossible topological puzzles; strain your brain no more. - Learn how to think this way

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Solving a lock puzzle - level 11?

Wheels of Happiness Have we exercised our brain cells enough?

Cubastic puzzle solutions

Wheels of Happiness Puzzles 1 to 10.

Putting a small square in filled tile puzzle by Cubastic

Wheels of Happiness How can you do this? Is there still space. They key is to find the piece that matches the small square side

Fitting 4fs in a space for 3

Wheels of Happiness From cubastic. Printed by 3d printer. A fantastic tool for many uses.

Solving rubrik's puzzle easily

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Other topology puzzles

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1.  Fitting a triangular pyramid into the cage

2.  Removing the ring from cross

Other topology puzzles

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1.   Removing the ring from the rope  (work on the rope/strings)  

2.    Separating the nails

3.  Space puzzles - note the escape aides, the weakness of the puzzle

4.  Separating two intertwined keysf   the solution is outside the main key but on the key top not the  

      key itself.  (Lateral thinking)   

Topology puzzles to train you on mechanical skills

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These topology puzzles, designed to amuse the kids, will train you to think and analyze and sharpen your skills for removing and putting things together,   Mechanical skills.  

These seemingly unsolvable puzzles will involve out of the box, flexible thinking and being bold.

     1,   Removing the ring attached

     2.  Interview quiz for employment, having the knights ride the horses

     3.  Avoiding the edges, amazing maze

     

Brain games for a while while waiting for the rains to go away

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I did some physical exercise this morning.  But of course biking will  be missed.  Let us exercise the brain for a while

Rains from typhoon Carina destroys our bike rides

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Incessant torrential rains have wrecked havoc on our biking plans.  Stay house muna.  Carina which used to be a tropical depression blossomed into a typhoon.

Typhoon Signal No. 2 have been declared  over Northern Luzon.  My phone has been given Red Rainfall warning several times by NTC.  As of yesterday, several streets in MM were up to 30 cm of water.  Araneta Avenue was impossible.  In our town, several siren blasts were heaard.  

Spent  lot of time on TLC of the bike.   Wiping, cleaning the chains, lubing this.   patching up tires and tubes with leaks.   So that when rain stops, and the sun is up.....

Good news regarding victorious Filipina sportswoman

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Filipina tennis player, 19 year old Alex Eala, 139th rank in tennis world, won both the singles and double title in Spain.  She won $100,000 (thats P5.8 million )

Congratulations kababayan.

Alex Eala wins Spain singles and doubles title in Spain tournament

111st TDF casts a long shadow on the rest of bikedom in the days to come

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 The 111sth edition of Tour de France ended at Nice yesterday with Tadej Pogacar winning the latest stage 21 as the first with a minute advantage over his rival.  Because of this manufacturer pour in big marketing budget in this event:    sponsorship, uniforms, equipment etc.  Because the whole world will see.   Hence the dominance of Colnago in frameset, Shimano in group set, Specialized, etc.  

The tour does not end there but iits influence will be felt in the days to come:

1.   Shorter crank at 165 vs the 170 ++ being currently used now;

2.    The seated climbs

3.   Larger chain rungs, 54 up to 60.

4.   1 by chain rings

Pogi made climbing the mountain stages look very easy, as if just biking on flat.   

Many of us will ape Pogi and how the others GC contenders.   

All ready I can see improvements in my biking by using bigger chain ring. 

How about you, what will you copy/benchmark from the Tour de France

Pogacar master class in TT 21st stage

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Incredible 6th win for Pogi at Tour de France

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 Pogacar won the TT stage of TDF, his 6th win for the tour with an incredible more than a minute advantage over the second best.   It was utter dominance and supremacy.

The best team was of course UAE team.

CONGRATULATIONS

Rode up to Cardona KM 40, then went up Kasinay via Macamot using large (52) chain rings

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Its Sunday and rode light today -  up to KM 40 in Cardona.  On the way back, I tried again my legs to Macamot and  and Kasinay using large chain ring.   I stalled in one of the climbs and walked about 10 meters on large chain ring.   For the rest of two climbs where I did tulak, I shifted to 36t chain rings.

My calf and thighs ache now

Final stage 21st from Monaco to Nice - at TDF 2024

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The final stage of TDF is a TT, a short one from Monaco to  Nice.  Only about 30 km.  There are flats and mountain stage (albeit steep descent)

It is not going to Paris because of the Paris Olympics.

Will Tadej Pogacar, be the new champ of TDF (although Jonas has conceded)

Win no 5 for Tadej Pogacar at stage 20 - seals TDF win

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Tadej Pogacar pips Jonas at Stage 20 in the last 400 meters.   All but seals the TDF?  There is still the final stage a TT from Monaco to Nice.  Will Pogacar be in the top 10?

The win overshadowed the gallant effort of Carapaz who was leading the pack.    They could not match Tadej Pogacar"s power. Truly an alien  Not one of us?

He has 5 minutes advantage over Jonas.   

Advantages of Biking

Wheels of Happiness 1. Good moods - fun 2. Physical health 3. Mental health 4. Weight loss

Why ape Tadej for 165 mm crank arm

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Many attribute part of faster Pogi on shorter 165 mm.  It is one style of Pro that we should copy.

Advantages

1.  More stability

2.  Less joint stress

Mine is 170 mm.  

.

Analysis of Stage 19, Pogi ahead of Jonas by 5 minutes

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An analysis.   Is the tour over at this point.  Can Evenepoel go up further to 2nd?   Jonas is two minutes up.  3 UAE team members in top 10.  Total dominance

Except for Remco, the lead of Pogi is two digits.   

Pogi wins 19th stage at Isola; 4th stage win, Jonas concedes

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Pogi made his move at the 8th km before finish and overtook Carapaz.   It was his 4th stage win for TDF.   A total domination.         

Making a carbon fiber Colnago - popularized by Pogi

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Secret bike ride in Tatala (trending)

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I have not been here, but I have been up Pitallo.

Hot trending bikes for 2024

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1.  Superlight bikes

     1.  S works

     2.  Factor

     3.  Orbea

     4.  Giant

2.  Customized paint jobs

3.  Integrated cockpit

4.  1 by  (1x)

5.  Internal frame storage

6.  Wider seat stays

Trending in biking for 2024

Wheels of Happiness

Just what are the trends for biking in 2024:

As per   Procloset 2024

1.  Wider tiries

2.  Wide clearance for tires  for gravel bikes up to 50 mm (2 inches tire width)

3.  DIY gels

4.  Lifetime warranties on alloy wheels

5.  Kids e bikes

6.  3d printed foam saddles

7.  Searing colors for clothing

Met fellow kapadyak - represented his Uncle in a possible deal

Wheels of Happiness

This post prepared well for this meeting this morning for real estate deal.  However, his uncle, a 69 year old men, had returned to USA and he represented his uncle -  to present the document and relay how the deal would be.

Later when the formalities were lifted, this post found out that he is an RB rider from Taytay.  He has a twin brother who does the Audax.    We shared stories about riding, going to Bugarin and Teresa on big chain rings, Laguna loop.

You meet the nicest people on bikes.   Kapamilya.  Kanegosyo pa.

Why was Pogacar so much faster than Pantani ripping his records by 3:30-?

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An analysis by Cycling news

Pogacar and company broke Pantanis record in the 15th stage of TDF (Plateue de Belles):  in terms of wattage, time (3:30) and speed, running the last 5 km at 26 kph.   That meant also those behind him Jonas and Van der Poel broke the said record (also of other said stage champs like Armstrong etc.)

The reason was:  technology and about watts.   With the following, Pogi could have exerted 70 less watts:

1.  Aero bike -  aero bars and cable less frontal of the bike.   (My two bikes have aero bars and one does not have exposed cables)  While thisi would not work for slow climb, it certainly worked for the 26 + kph by Pogi at last 5 km

2.  Tire technology:   Pogi had 50mm at the back and 40 mm in front.  Tires were 32 (> 28 mm.  I have 28 mm in one of my bikes)  Before it was theorized that Pantani"s 21 mm tires were faster.  But now the theory is that most roads are not that smooth and wider tires absorb the mini shocks which slows down the bike.   

3.  Aero clothing -  the skin hugging jerseys and bibs were easily 7 watts.   Pantani wore loose flapping jerseys

Pogi also ran the climbs seated.  Vs Marco who ran out of saddle.   Pogi certainly saved a lot of energy sitting down

What do you think?  Or is simply because Pogi did a Pogacar.