This post accompanied wife who had laparascopic choleocystectomy

Wheels of Happiness

It should have been done last July 10 but wifey chickened out and had chickened out due to fear of lack of recent lab findings.  So we went to a friend who is a GIT specialist who recommended at CT scan and then afterwards to another surgeon, who recommended that we proceed with the surgery  (confirming the November 2024 sonogram) because of matters that measured now at 0.8 mm (from 0.6 mm(

The surgery was performed by a veteran surgeon and former head of Phil laparascopic society,  chair of the hospital general surgery.  Who happened to be the classmate of former colleague at Jaycee, who was classmate of the H and W team of the guy (who  is the daughter of a lelong)

This post talked to the surgeon and thanked him and the Lord for having such an expert extend the life of wife.. And talked about our commonality and connection,   He is an editor, together with the husband of the sister of Jaycee colleague, of PPD (Philippine Pharmaceutical Direcotry.  Their publisher happened to be former student at MBA at a GSB

See how the procedure is considered less traumatic than open surgery.

Coping with vagaries of advancing maturing age

Wheels of Happiness

My getting of cardio pulmonary clearance for an eye operations led to a new set of health problems:   high bp and high bs.  This was revealed in medical dx prior to issuance of clearance.  So for a week, high dosage of anti glycemia drugs.   The blood sugar went down to a respectable 5.5 mol/ml.   And then the HBP.

The diastolic was low,(at high)  however the systolic was high -  140 - 150 and had me worried.  I though my measuring device an omron aneroid sphygmo was having error.   Thus in the consultation yesterday, had my results double checked.  It was indeed high.    At high 140.    Thus the MD prescribed amledopine and today it  is 103/65.  Wow.  It should be as I do freehand exercises daily aside from biking

Struggling with High Systolic Blood pressure, and infected toe nail

Wheels of Happiness

The incessant rain has brought unexpected health problems.  Unable to ride, unable to burn off excess calories. my systolic bp has been going up in the upper 140s and 150s.   The diastolic bp though is in the 70s and 80s.   Could there be anything further wrong with my health?

I do calisthenics though.  Sit ups, push ups lunges etc.  But still.  I pray I am still OK

A change of parts pushes you for more repairs and improvement; NB DO NOT WADE YOUR BIKE IN THE FLOODWATERS NOR WATER THEM HUBS WHEN CLEANING

Wheels of Happiness


After I installed the CY rb tires, I experienced difficulty with its continuous rotation, Theres seems to be a bike rub.  Solution.  I tried reinstalling and centering the wheelset with the weight on the wheels.  The problem was solved.

This post then regreased the:  sealed hub bearings.  They were last regreased 6 months ago.   Now the bearings are as good as new  Maybe they will last for the next 10 years.

Just avoid wading the bike in flood waters.  Or watering the same when cleaning the bike

Remco Evenopoel, 3rd at GC, best young rider, a TT champ abandons TDF at 14th stage

Wheels of Happiness

This is contrary to champion credo to never ever quit.   But he quit at the 14th stage of TDF, lagging at the end of the peloton.

Perhaps it was his debacle at the 13th stage TT where Jonas overtook him at the finish line.  Wishing our idol and champ all the BEST.

Replaced my old European branded RB tires with China CY

Wheels of Happiness

This post replaced the aging European branded rb tires with China CY.   700 x 25C.   I had earlier shifted to wired 700 x 28C for Pinarello which I used for Bicol ride 3 years ago.  I have not experienced flat tire with the same.

I used 700 x 25C for S works;   a wider tire would not fit.  It is shark skin and that means it is puncture protected.  

The new tire cost 350@ excluding shipping.  I it a little bit tough to install unlike the European which are folding  and much  much lighter.   I guess my new tires weigh about 400 gm.  Good enough 

The European tires while light and with low rolling resistance is for racing.  I dont race.  The side walls are weak and once weak, you cant use it anymore and/or enemy of hard braking -  carcass appears all at once. 

Would you also shift to CY?

I still ride my rim brakes RB, do you?

Wheels of Happiness

I still ride my rim brakes  RB:   A VV S works and F10 Dogma.  One has Chris Froome symbol of hippo.   I still think rim brakes are great.  Anyway, somebody said (Merck) that to win you have to move forward, not brakek/stop.

The only reason why they are promoting disc brakes is for more peoeple to:

     1.  Buy new frame

     2.  Buy new more expensive Hydro GS,

     3.  Buy new rims with disc.  

I have disc brake powered MTB.   with narrow 29 tires.         

Non bike post: Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios fight results in draw; crowd disappointed

Wheels of Happiness

The fight earned Pacquiao $5M which is about P250 million, and maybe billions if PPV is included.   It has to be accepted that time catches with every one.  And Pacquiao is not an exception.  

Dangerous e Bikes

Wheels of Happiness

Some ebikes post fire and riding hazards.  Be wary of them.  Ride safe       

Experts speculate on Pogacar's too good to be true performance

Wheels of Happiness

Is he or isnt?

Pogi wins 13th mountain TT stage, (his 4th for 2025 TDF) Remco cracks, caught up by Jonas

Wheels of Happiness

Pogi solidifies lead for TDF, 3 minutes ahead of Jonas.    Jonas overtakes Remco at finish line.

Pogacar reclaims Yellow Jersey from MVDP at Stage 7

Wheels of Happiness

MVDP who holds a 1 second lead over Tadej lost the Yellow Jersey to Pogi.   Pogi is now ahead of the former by 50+   second.  How fast fortune can shift at TDF     

Bike ride to Morong and Quarry Road

Wheels of Happiness

Nagquarry road ride after going to Km 47 in Morong.  Then rode to DOMSA via Quarry road.     

On the way to Morong, tried to race mga nakasabay:   isa sa from Cardona to Morong, 2 at Namay.   Also overtook one elderly MTB rider in Pag asa.  On the way back, overtook a similarly aged MTB rider at Diversion in Cardona, then another one going up LLDA at boundary of Binangonan and Cardona

Now all my legs and thighs ache after the racing and hill climbs

Bigger chain rings used by pros: 54 - 40, (I use 50 -34)

Wheels of Happiness Many pros are using bigger chain ring; 54 - 40, 56 - 44. Pros can ride at 60 kph

Advantages:   straighter chain line, less bending of chain and therefore less friction.  (But I guess this hard on the thighs and calf) Only for Iron men.!

They can handle steep mountain roads at 40 - 34.  My bikes have following chain rings:   50-34, 52 -36,  and 44 -34 - 24 (for MTB)    I am a mere mortal.

Adding 4 links to my MTB chain

Wheels of Happiness

This post installed a 42t cog to the MTB.  (from 36th)   So thats 6 additional teeth and the RD looks a little bit stretched and ready to break.  So I decided to add 4 links from extra chain length I hid when I changed my chains.    I thought of having the bike shop install this, not quite trusting my chain installation skills.  But later during the day, I decided I could do this.   I hope the chain would not break come hill climb time.

More vid on Stage 5, TT Caen to Caen - Jonas struggles

Wheels of Happiness

More vids on 5th Stage TT, 33 km course,    Jonas Vinegaard struggles.

Pogi 2nd on TT stage (Caen to Caen) now wears Yellow Jersey, Jonas struggles

Wheels of Happiness

Pogi was second on TT stage, Jonas struggles and drops to 4th place.  More than 1 minute behind Pogi.  He said he struggled with his bike and legs..  This post hopes he and his bike would be back to their normal selves.      

Jasper Philipsen, 1st stage winner, Yellow and Green Jersey severely injured in a high speed crash at Stage 3

Wheels of Happiness

Hopes of being a TDF king vanished for 1st stage winner Jasper Philipsen after being severely injured in a high speed crash in Stage 3 of TDF.  He is a DNF and had to be operated on.

Hoping for his speedy recovery and being shape for next competitions.

Increasing power at no cost, no carbon fiber wheelset by simply changing ankle position

Wheels of Happiness

15 to 20 % increase in power without additional training or equipment.  Try this

It is just dropping your heel 5-10% degrees at the top of the stroke.

Precautions for E bike purchase: regulatory, fire risks

Wheels of Happiness

Watch this before buying an E bike:           

Rain, rain, go away; exercises for Seniors at the comfort of home

Wheels of Happiness

It has been raining straight for almost a week.  Cant bike yet.   With medical diagnosis and the weather, it is safe to stay at home

Have to be content with calisthenics, and free weight exercises.  

Diagnosed with HBP, and clinically blind

Wheels of Happiness

This post was sad because the DX of the optha last Saturday was that HBP caused my bloodshot eyes and which I said was not plausible since my bp when I see my family doctor was in the range 110 to 120/60 -80.  She took my bp and it was 140/90.  It was high (maybe for waiting for 2 1/2 hours before she arrived. and 1 hour waiting for my turn .  I was 9th of the 11 patients.  And having not read the rest of the chart, that I was clinically blind and should be careful with my biking

This post hypothesized with the doctor that maybe this post feasted too much during the birthday bash:  2 pcs of crispy pata and two cups of bulalo and 2 pcs of beef.

She referred me to my family doctor, her colleague in the business, for check up and monitoring, preparatory for eye operation for lens installation etc.

And so I had to borrow a digital sphygmo from my daughter to check:

      Last night:    134/80

      Today            117/71

Is it hbp.?

Because of her dx, I refrained from biking until I was sure that I did not have hbp, and that my vision would not put me at risk