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.  

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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

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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

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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.

 

Vid on seniors - how to live up to 100, signs that you are?

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I am now 73 and I want to know whether I can live up to 80 or beyond  These are signs:

1.    Mind your diet.  Eat healthy food

2.    Optimism

3.    Have plenty of friends

4.    Having hobby

5.    Keep your mind sharp and busy

6.    Exercise/physical activity

As for me:

1.  I do daily 50;  So  I have some arm, chest and thigh muuscles

2.  I post in blog to keep my mind busy;   I read up to 10 net articles daily and post this in a journal

3.  Am still active in setting up business, solving business problmes.

4.  I bike 2x-3x a week, I do hard rides up hill or interval using big ring

5.  One of my hobbies is repairing bike.   I makes my mind sharp and fingers flexible.

How about you?

Pogacar wins 15th stage; increases lead, shaves 3:30 mins off Pantanis record

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Pogacar showed his dominance of Tour de France by winning the 15th stage beating the defending champion Jonas.  He shaved 4 minutes off the record of Pantani.  He just won the 14th stage.  This is despite him losing a domistique.     

It is 3rd stage win equalling the 3 wins by Guimary of Eriteria.     

I would say as the other riders say, a SUPER MAN

Climbed long and steep roads of Ynares avenue at Binangonan; I was able to handle this without "tulak"

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I had an appointment with an agent this morning who said he would show me a property at Kasinay.  I biked through Quarry Road and went up via Ynares Avenue.  You turn right after passing through Sunnyvale 2.

I broke my chain on my way up here the first time.   Its only 200 meters ascent.  So it has been awhile since and never really tried to climb this.  The road look unbikeable to me.  I had a road bike with me and its largest cog was only 34t. 

But climbed I did and there was no tulak.   

Then the agent did not come on time and he was late for 20 minutes>  I did two laps from Barangay Hall to Kasinay Macamot intersection twice.  And if you have gone this way, this place is a place to practice your climbing skills

Kinaya.   Hindi sumuko

Pogacar widens lead in Stage 14, wins stage.

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Tadej Pogacar wins state 14 at TDF, a mountain stage and widens lead over competition.  Can he win the TDF?    

How hard is climbing 7 up hills

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In my lifetime, and as per my experience the hardest climbs would be:  7 up hills and Misibis bay road.

What is your experience?

Doing the daily 50's, aside from biking (if you are over 50)

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This post has read about the daily 50's to maintain senior health:   knee bends, lunges, push ups, arm movements, push ups to maintain optimum health

Do you observe this?  I saw my brother in law collapse and unable to support himself in a CR because his left ankle has gone bad.  He all ready uses a walker and a cane.

These are to be done in conjunction with walking, running and biking.

Jonas V pips Yellow Jersey Pogi at Stage 11

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Jonas Vinegaard showed that despite his serious injuries 85 days ago he is still the man to watch for in 111 TDF edition.  He won though in a photo finish by a mere foot.  Did not affect much the GC standing

Video of scenic view of road going to Misibis by MC bikers.

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 Even the MC were running out of revs at the climbs.

Road going to Misibis Bay Resort - kaya bang ibike?

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Ride to Misibis bay resort - hills really take your breath away.

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On our second day, last Monday, we proceeded to St Ellis Hotel in downtown Letazpi and took a 1 1/2 ride to Misibis Bay Resort in their bus shuttle.  I heard Reinier mention their loop ride here.

From what I observed in the bus, the ascent here are killer hills.   May be I should find out one of these days.  But for these riders, they looked so easy.  Maybe they had 32 chain rings and 51 cogs.  But there were tulak portions 

Misibis Bay is going to the north, nearer to Tobacco than to Sorsogon.

Ride gets steeiper after passing through Sulang bridge, which connects the main land to Cagraray island

Revisitng Cagsawa, Daraga and doing an ATV ride at Daraga

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I was here 1.5 years ago (November 2022) with Kara David and Rainier Dalumpines who is from Daraga and who goes home monthly biking.  Daraga is a progressive town/city and the new Bicol International Airport is here.  It is connected to Legazpi City

Surprisingly I did not see any biker.  Last week, there was 360 ride around Mt. Mayon.   Occasionally from Daraga church and ATV site, the clouds leave and we could see Mt. Mayon. Wow.  From the Areca hotel, we can see the volcano very well too.  

It is a sort of balik tanaw and from the airport, after breakfast at Biggs and visit to the Daraga church, we went on ATV ride.  There were 7 atvs hired.   NO discount.   P600/15 minutes.   We hired two dune buggies.  The others were in single ATVs.  The ATVs were old, high revving and difficult to drive and steer.   But did not distract the fun.   We paid zillions for the 45 minutes of enjoyment.

It was well supervised, there was orientation.  And we had a guide.  There was a unit though that kept conking out.

Going by plane to Legazpi City, Albay which I biked before in November 2022

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Tomorrow will be joining the family to visit Legazpi City, Daraga,  Misibis Bay.   Misibis bay

We biked this in 3 days for the 400 km adventure.  We will be there in just under 1 hour.  What a big difference.  We missed the Mayon 360 by 7 days.     Tsk tsk tsk.  Sayang

Why go far away to test your cycling ability? Look no further - biking at Macamot and Kasinay is so challenging

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Did not go distance biking this morning.  I just decided to bike to Macamot and end up at Kasinay.   It may be only 5 - 7 km but its all ahon.  At the same time, it was an opportunity to see proposed project

two of them Macamot and Kasinay.  B1 - B2.

I decided to use only 52 chain ring in the ride.   Most of them were done and finished and summited using those gears.   But there were three times that I stalled:   one after the intersection near Jon Jon farm, one before doing the leg dog at Kasinay, and one at Kasinay Mabuhay homes intersection  Mere 15 - 20 meters before the summit.  

Felt stronger than  before.   Lakas is not just at Antenna or DOMSA.  

Gilas, no 36 rank beats Latvia, ranked sixth in FIBA Olympic qualifiers

Wheels of Happiness Makes you feel proud as a Filipino. First in 6 decades. In their own home court

Should you ape Pogi by using shorter cranks?

Wheels of Happiness Pogi seems to be leaving behind his competitors because of shorter canks - 165 mm. Could it be? I use 170 mm. Is 5 mm difference material?

Do oval chain rings make you faster?

Wheels of Happiness The author says its better. In effect if you have 32 oval, you have 3 sizes: 30, 32, 34. So takes care of the differences in power and weak stroke My experience though is that it causes rapid wear of the chain ring and chain. My first bike had Shimano oval. I stick to round chain ring.

Incredible 35th stage win for Mark Cavendish: a GOAT

Wheels of Happiness Despite the first stage seeing him falling back and nearly not making the curfew GOAT. Incredible

7 from Angono joined the Mayon 360 last Sunday

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The Mayon 360 was held last Sunday, and some 7 riders from Angono joined this ride.  This included Ian Espiritu, Pacholito, and Jose Bien.  Binabati kayo sa inyong participation.   They took cars rode airplanes to get there.  The route was 80 km +

I was there when I joined Kara David in the Bike to Bicol I witness adventure.  

Perhaps I am sour graping but that is just a bike ride to Niogan Pililla.

Tadej Pogacar takes back yellow jersey at Stage 4 of Tour de France (TDF update)

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Tadej Pogacar, the two time TDF winner, took back the yellow jersey from Carapaz after beating Jonas in a mountain stage yesterday.    He showed his mastery over his rivals in this brutal mountain stage.

Economics of Tour de France

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It is shrouded in secrecy.  But caravans consisting of trucks advertising their goods and giving out promo items, spend up to $600,000 to join the caravan.  The caravan might be a km long and take 30- minutes to finish.  

A team can spend up to $20M for the tour:  bike, team vehicles, riders salaries.

LCL pays $4 -10M for so that their name is in the yellow jersey.

Revenues of TDF ranges from $50 - $100M.  Big deal eh?

Guessing revenues of Tour de France

• 34 staff members (mechanics, drivers, sports doctors, nutritionists)
• 55 bikes (6 per rider), at ~$13k each
• 80 spare wheels, 82 spare cassettes, and 57 spare chains
• 4,360 energy gels and bars + 3,300 water bottles
• 40 bottles of massage cream
• 100 rolls of bar tape (changed every 4 days)
• 5 air purifiers, 9 AC units, and 9 dehumidifiers

All in, today’s top-level cycling teams can easily exceed a $20m annua

Bike industry is facing great challenges in 2024

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In 2024, manufacturers of bike products are facing cash flow problems and of course difficulty in moving inventories.  

While they did well during the pandemic, and priced their bikes high, they are now experiencing indigestion.   You can see too that there are many bike buyers disposing off their bikes,  Quit bike.

Rim brakes rb are being sold in favor of disc brake model.   

Challenges for bike industry

Met owner of Sophia at Montevideo

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This post met the owner of Villa Sophia in Montevideo.  He is a doctor from a well known hospital in MM.  He is an GI specialist, specializing in proctology.   We found out we had many things in common:  he too was/is an educator, and a strict one at that;   he wants to serve, is very passionate in very little details.  He is from Calapan and we have common acquaintances.

Villa Sophia is a famous staycation place overlooking Laguna Lake.   Many swear by nice view, bay breeze and excellent amenities at the resort. 

The good doctor wants to have a parking lot, and a venue place and wants to purchase the adjoining lot which happened to be ours.    But the children do not want to sell precisely because of the nice view. 

He invited me to stay at his place to refer this to friends, and blog about it.

Wont you visit Villa Sophia?

Rode up to DOMSA met Papa Ruben; tried riding up big chain ring

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Climbed up DOMSA this morning.  I tried riding up big chain ring.  I have to shift down to 36t right before the concrete rip rap, past Nemensio.

I had the opportunity to converse with Papa Ruben.   One of the topics was Kara David.  He happened to know Randy David.  

At 8:00 am + we rode down together.