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

Wheels of Happiness

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.    

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

Wheels of Happiness

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

Aping the pros- riding up the hills on big chainrings.

Wheels of Happiness

This post climbed from Morong Teresa to Antipolo until Avida communities on big chain rings 52.  and rear cogs at 28 at the steepest portion.   When I was younger I always climbed this on 34/36  and 34.  This time am aping the big chain ring riders at the big event even using 54 and 60 chain rings at hill climb.

Thats a ratio of 52/28 =  1.85

Whereas before I rode it at 36/34  = 1.05.   Thats a large difference.  

I found out it can be done.  Prior to this, I shifted to small chain ring, 36, before climbing at Island Cement turn.   I experimented today and I came through.  Congratulations to me

Here are the reasons why the bigger chain ring, the better  :

1.  Less strain on the chain

2.  Less bending because of bigger circumference

3.  Less friction

4.  Less cross chaining

Practicing for the 1,800 Gensan Ride

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
April 24, 2018

Mr. Vhen Apran and I practiced today by riding from Angono to Morong, Teresa, and Antipolo.  Unfortunately for me, I lost the missing link near the new Taytay Market.  I had to do a scooter like ride ie pushing off with left leg and coasting along when there is momentum.  Fortunately for Vhen, he rescued me and pushed me home from San Francisco to near M. Diaz.  Thanks Vhen

But we had great ride.  Going up between Morong and and Teresa, and Teresa and Antipolo.  I did not have to go to 32 sprocket.  Only 28 t.   We spent some time at Antipolo Church.

Ride last April 22, 2018

Four of us rode:   Reymundo Pactao, I,  Jovencio and Jaime Maravillosa.  It was supposed to be a 3j practice ride for the 1,800 km odyssey to GenSan.  The 3J are:   Jorge, Jaime, and Jovencio

Reymundo, I and Vhen were on the first part of the practice from Angono to Morong.  Since Reymundo is young I have to keep pace with him.  However, I mayabang tried to outsprint him at Callahan and Namay.  Medyo dipa lang ang distancia.

Then Jim joined us at Pisong Kape.  We were not clear as to where we were going. They changed from Jalajala to Bugarin and to Bugarin I went up.  (Di pala sa Jala jala) But they joined me later on.  Reymond was pacing at 10 to 12 kph and the two other seniors were left by about a km.  We had buko at OL and then went home.  It was pretty hot.  And this calls for early biking time to avoid the heat.

Praise to the bike and biker in today's ride

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
May 28, 2017

Today I had great ego shots as did my Sunday bike.  I biked to Antipolo then Teresa Morong, Cardona, Binangonan and home.  At Antipolo as I parked the Fuji bike near other MTBs, a biker Mr. Armand of Antipolo suggested that the only heavy object in that Fuji bike is the water bottle.  Another remarked that the bike could cost over P200t (well almost)

Nearing home at LLDA just before Montevideo, ascending the hill, another roadie, named Johnny from Pantok remarked that I am a strong rider for having pushed gravy from a 53 chainring (it was 50) and 17.  He was struggling with 39 x 19 or 21?

These are praises that are ego booster/trip to a biker.

Salamat po for making my day/ride

Lack of practice makes the knees and thighs weaker?

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
March 12, 2017

Last Thursday, I went up with a group of trainees (two ladies) up East Ridge.  We walked from Manila East (7 11) till Unamonte where we did the calisthenics.  Then I let them walk, as tried to climb up using the SAVA carbon fiber MTB.  I seemed to lose lung capacity easily and the pedaling seemed tough.  I have to stop some 20 meters away from Unamonte gate 2.  We rested there and I  rode again.  Again the pedaling seemed tough and I had to put the chain ring down to 24.  I usually do not stop and use only 32 to get up to the top.

What seemed to be wrong?  Well lack of practice.  I did not do a lot of East ridge or San Carlos or Medalva climbs.  I guess I have to do more of that.  I neglected hill climbs

Although today I rode to Antipolo Church using a roadie, I think I did well and managed the fiber tex and Beverly portion well.  (As a matter of fact I passed many MTB who seemed to relish on frequent stop)  On the way home I passed the diversion.  Pero sagad ang sprocket sa 32 (x 39)

Trouble with headset can give you headaches

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
March 6, 2017

I acquired a Bianchi frame from Reymond Pactao about a year ago, a Bianchi alum which he acquired from JR of 7 11.  It was light and had carbon fiber fork.  It was superlight for an alum and did not see its weakness - an old Italian headset.

Since I was enamored with MTB for about a year, I seldom used this bike. until about two weeks before the Baguio ride.  I was advised not to use the MTB for the 200 km stretch from Angono to Urdaneta.  Val noted some shaking of the head set and advised me to have this replaced/repaired.

And so during the ride I could not concentrate on the ride because of the rattling noise and the shaking probably due to the loose headset.

After the ride to Baguio, I started my long odyssey of having it repaired.  I resolved to have this finished today, but I did not.  (I was about to)

1.  I inquired from Villamayor both branches Angono and Pag asa there is no stock (oversized head set)

2.  I bought a set from a bike shop in Cuatro Cantos, and installed it.  Unfortunately, it did not solve the looseness and the play

3.  Went to Padjak near LTO/Budget lane.   The mechanic referred to Ciclismo.  (Dati Haaooh)

4.  Went to Ciclismo.  Walang stock   The mechanic said I should go to John Wilkies.

 5.  This week I biked to Antipolo and went to bike shop near SSS.  Arnel, the mechanic showed me a headset for P700.  I could only use the bearing. I said I would come back.

6.   I biked to Antipolo today and after coming from the Church, went to bike shop near China bank.  He inspected the bike before selling me anything. and said that the problem is not with the head set but with the steerer lock (mine had flower in it, it should have carbon fiber lock he said)  I went back to Arnel and asked for the said lock.  He did  have a stock.  I biked to Manga to make some inquiries.  There I bought a warning lamp, and cleats (for P650.00) total and gloves for only P150.00.  Again I had no choice but to go to John Wilkies

5.  John had a stock of the lock but unfortunately it would not fit because there is an offending insert in the fork steerer. Sitong, the mechanic recommended that it be removed by a machine shop.   The companion mechanic said that it would ruin the carbon fiber fork.  Better get a standard sized flower,.  John replaced the carbon fiber lock with a flower for P100.00 Still the sealed bearing must be replaced and his stock will set me back by P1,200.  Better come back with P1,200.  Paid Sitong P100 with a firmer but still with say 3% play head set.

6. I went via flooldway and stopped at a bike shop near Cambridge. The bike shop had a headset for P550..  My cash was only for P520.00.  He did not give the headset.  All that was useful for me there were the sealed braring.  I said  I would come back.  I did come back at four. His shop was all ready closed (closed early for Sunday)

I would probably have time for this repair Tuesday or Wednesday.  My head ache pa rin

N.B.   I found time to get the headset from the bike shop.  I had the sealed bearings installed just minutes ago.  It cost me:

           New flower     -     P100

           Labor                       100

           Head set 2               550  (All I got to use were the sealed bearings)

            Head set 1              240  wrong headset

                                         P990

The shaking and the play finally got cured.  Thanks to persistence and perseverance

My rashes from the Jalajala crash have healed; I biked to Antipolo this morning

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
January 13, 2017

My rashes (deep scratches from the crash) have healed.  They are now dry and thanks to the advice of Gerry to apply sili on the wounds (owwwwww how painful) they healed without pus and watery discharge.

The pain was gone and hence I biked to Antipolo using a MTB though I used low gearing.  32 was the the chain ring I used through out spinning from 17 to 28.  I was a little bit off by about 5 mins in the ascend.  But on time for the descent.  I descended until Angono in 30 minutes.

I might be able to fully recover by Sunday and join the Sierra Madre climb this Sunday..  I may use an MTB though to be sure.

Saw Long Henson at San Jose Bakery at M. Diaz, first street with his new passion, a Roadie Look with Durace group set.   (Is he leaving the MTB route?)

Bike ride to Antipolo Church and Tanay on New Years day

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
January 1, 2017

My first activity for the year  was riding to Antipolo Church to listen to the mass, and get blessing for the new year.  I shook hands with about 8 bikers, mostly oldies and seniors like me who waited for the mass to finish.   We finished the mass by 8:30 and then biked down to Teresa, Morong, Baras and Tanay.  I was in Tanay by 9:30.  Oh I missed the free food at Pisong Kape which according to other kapadyak is done annually during New Year.

I looked for place to eat and there was none at Tanay and Morong.   In Morong  I guess it was group of Jeff, Val and Ed Valdez who overtook me between Lagundi and Maybancal  I did not catch up with them

I found my food:  crackers, coffee, and BJ (buko juice) at sari sari store right before the diversion.  There the group of Mambog riders arrived with Mr.  Aragon  very much ahead.  They all brought roadies with compact chain rings. (I had 53 39 chain ring and still rode via diversion road. Now I find it easier to ride home via diversion. Just short hard effort and no traffic hazards)

I did not realize that it could be that long and I will be home by 12:00.  Well any way I left by 7:30 am.

2x climb up Antipolo practice ride today June 2, 2016

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
June 2, 2016

I biked up Antipolo City today.   I did two reps of the climb from the rotonda on the second rep.  The first one was on ard gear:   34 x 21, the second was on easy gear, 34 x 28 up to 28 x32.   The first rep was further fueled up by standing on the pedals during the entire length of the hill climb.

I was perspiring heavily after the first climb, not so much on the second climb, because  I did not proceed any more to the church to rest but descended after cresting

In Angono, I met Mr. Diestro who has a fat bike with Xtr group.  Wow.   That is about P60,000 worth

Bike ride yesterday with Gelo to Antipolo

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
April 20, 2016

We Angelo Mahigop who is from Batanes and Bo. Pag asa in Binangonan rode  yesterday  and I together to Antipolo City.  We had MTB. (He has a fixie too)  He is in his twenty's, young and light in body weight.

We met at Shell Aurora at 6:00 am and he is apprehensive because this will be his first Antipolo ride.  I told him since he has climbed Diversion, Antipolo is a piece of cake.  I told him that if ever he finds need to stop, we will stop.

We overtook about a dozen MTB including a road biker and we did not stop until past Beverly Hills,  And we resumed and I told him to be ahead, he left me by 50 meters, without him standing up.

We went to the church, had his bike blessed.  He conversed with a biker from Rosario, an ex PA man Johnny who had a GTS bike with 42 gear.   He said he and several others biked up to Baguio on a night ride.  They left at 4 pm and arrived at Baguio at 10 am the following day.  He said this is better because there is not much traffic and cooler.  It is hot these days to bike

Night ride to Baguio City anyone?

I met the first stage of Le Tour de Filipinas in my bike ride yesterday, February 18, 2016

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
February 19, 2016

Le Tour de Filipinas


I met the phalanx of riders and support vehicles  at about 9 am  +  between Tanay and Pillila riding home in my new Mosso MTB.  There must be at least 3 bunch of riders:  the breakaway (maybe only 3 seconds away), the main pack (peloton ) about 50 plus and the stragglers. There are about 30 hi ace sponsor vehicles and 50 plus support team vehicles (mostly cars with bike racks)  The riders  whizzed by at about 40+ kph and they began from Antipolo.

There were foreign riders

One could not help but be elated with this tour. The tour honored the bike riders and gave much honor to humble riders like us.  The power of the tour, the sirens screaming, the chains and tire squeaking on the road fire up adrenaline and gives excitement to an ordinary rider like me.

I understand, there was no winner and the first lap was scrapped because of the road under construction and extreme traffic in Lucena?

No winner in first stage of Le Tour de Filipinas

Alan Astorga, ever since he was transferred to Antipolo became a very strong rider

Wheels of Happiness

Angono, Rizal Philippines
December 31, 2015

In the Christmas party last December 26, 2015, Tito was telling story about Alan Astorga who works as OIC for security in a bank, has become a very strong rider., ever since he was transferred to Antipolo (from Taytay)  He goes to work by bike everyday and he practices climbs daily.

Tito said that when they biked at Cardona diversion, Alan was at 53 x???.  He does not  remember the cogs but he was riding diversion heavy.  Wow.  Congrats Alan

Practice talaga makes one perfect, if not stronger

A big gathering of Recyclists today at Simples Lugawan and Antipolo church

Wheels of Happiness

Angono, Rizal
November 7, 2015

Today we had a big gathering of Recyclists at Simples lugawan.  First, we gathered at LLDA where Meong had a flat.  Those who were there were Richard, Pangskie, Val, VM, Pres Luis and myself (Jorgeusbiker).  Then we biked to Morong and those who came were Gerry, and Master.  Then we had lugaw

Later on we biked to Teresa,  had snacks again at the intersection, and heard mass at Antipolo.  We were home by 10:30

On the way of Teresa, again was a test of endurance and lungs.   Master had a comment regarding this rider.   ie that the Zambales rider who was loaded passed other riders.  Thanks for the compliments

Bike rides to Antipolo via Teresa

Wheels of Happiness

I have done several bike rides to Antipolo via Teresa.  With my hill climber bike, it looks like a cinch now.   I do the climbs using 44 x 17 or 19.  It is spinning more or less with plenty of developing pedalling rate and aerobic capacity.  I do not stand and stay seated during the climb   The idea is not to speed up but finish the climb maintaining the rpm as much as possible.

I find it easier to do the climbs.  I see out the outer lane, to lessen the effort.  There is less panting and grunting as I use my hill climber.  Surprisingly, the climb takes less than 30 minutes.  It used to be more than that

My bike ride today with Vhen to Antipolo from Teresa

Wheels of Happiness

Angono Rizal
August 18, 2015

I rode today to Antipolo and Teresa today and back to Antipolo.  I used the fast cadence technique being endorsed by Ed Valdez.   I had the gear at 44 x 15 on level road and 44 x 17 going up.  I had up to 44 x 26 at Beverly. On the way up I encountered Peter Francisco whom I overtook near Alta Vista and wondered who I was.  (Peter is a 68 yo Taytay rider but very fit and strong for his age all due to biking)

I overtook another MTB near Robinson using 44 x 17.   But as I rode down, I shifted to 44 x 13 and banked well, rode the apex and the sides exiting the apex.   I had my Lugaw at the Teresa curve and as soon as I finished my lugaw, Vhen, whom I talked to yesterday at Wawa arrived.

Going back he said he would follow me and try to see how I do with the low gearing of the Deore.  I had my gears at 44 x26 and 44 x 30 max.   And also stood at the Solid cement, where I left him.  We were totally drenched in sweat.  He arrived some 3 minutes later at Robinson where I waited for him.  Then we went to Antipolo church.   We met Eric Feliciano, who looks like he is a priest, who bikes, and enjoined us to "ingat"

We were home by 10 am.

My bike ride yesterday August 9, 2015

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal   August 9, 2015

Test trial of my SARS Hill Climber

Wheels of Happiness

Angono, Rizal Philippines

                                               Deore triplet crank

                                       Sora rear long cage roller, and STX ten speed 11 x 36

                                        Rear view of the finished project

Ever since we came from Benguet, Mt Province, and Sagada where we quit some of the stages, I vowed that we would return with a bike with gears suited to the grade.  MTB only will do.

So I upgraded/converted my SARS bike to be my hill climber:

Here are the mods:

1. Removed the FSA 53 x 39 crank and replaced it with Deore triplet with 175 mm arm, 44 32, 22

2.  Outfitted a 3 way SORA sti, removed the front left Ultegra 2 way STI

3.  Replaced the ultegra rear roller with a Sora long cage rear roller

Bike ride on Black Saturday yesterday, April 4, 2015

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines   |  April 5, 2015

I rode to Antipolo yesterday.  It was a little bit late because I hesitated.  I met an accident on a Black Saturday after biking from Baguio on Holy Thursday and Good Friday.  The olds tell us that is wrong/bad to leave on Holy Week lest travel accidents befall us during our travel.

And so I rode to Antipolo church when I learned from Vhen's family after biking to Wawa.   As I have said, I felt general weakness since last Sunday due to high BS, and lack of practice.  And so climbing up Antipolo which before was a breeze, was a burden and involved a lot of huffing and ;puffing.  I had a  roadie with 53 x39 chain ring so the more it was challenging.

Overtaken by MTBs  

I passed Sir Dennis at Fibertex going up at Antipolo but he overtook me at Beverly

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal  Philippines   |  January 7, 2015

I biked to Antipolo City today; I left at at about 6:50 and brought my SARS with Ultegra groupset, 53 x27.   I did two stationary bike training doing variety only with 4 minutes of ILT and sprints/criterium running (15 seconds of hard biking at 39 x17 or 53 x 17) rest for 30 secs)

I found some improvement in my Antipolo climb because earlier I was able to to Hard Interval with Dennis of Taytay.  (Dennis says he sell jerseys online c/o group of RBP)  Dennis knows me and my bike well;  however not so with my case. Thanks Dennis for following me

We rested at Antipolo Cathedral and attended the 7:00 am mass (it was homily all ready when we arrived).  Another chubby fellow rider on a Ridley also overtook me before the last bend but he was never very far away.

                 Dennis' Giant with Ultegra group set

       Other riders at Antipolo cathedral coming and going