Bike ride today to Antipolo, Teresa, met rode with Reymundo Pactao up to Antipolo

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Rizal Philippines
October 29, 2017

I rode to Antipolo City this morning.  And I met Reymond Pactao from Pag Asa Binangonan Rizal.  He took notice of me as he joined me at Beverly Hills going up Antipolo City.   He recognized my uniform and the bike frame I bought from him -  Bianchi.  At the Antipolo Cathedral church yard, he realized how light the bike is.  If only the wheel set were lighter, then it would even be lighter.

I rode up using heavy gear 39 x 17.  I used to ride this at low gear  39 x 28 or even 32.   But I was sweating hard, even on my face, as I finished the ride.   I returned home via Teresa, Morong,  Cardona and Binangonan

Coping up wiith younger MTB riders

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Rizal Philippines
July 3, 2016.

My bike ride took me to Antipolo Cathedral.  There I was one of the early devotees wanting to have the souvenir or personal article blessed.  I arrived just before 7 when the early mass was to about to finish.  There was a big throng of devotees outside.  And there was a long line for devotees wanting to have their articles blessed.  I had my bike blessed at about 7 when the next mass was about to begin.  There were no issues on the blessing (unlike when Reymond had his bike blessed.   The osne in charge has the habit of castigating those who fail to follow the details of his  instruction)

Some interesting events/encounter at the Antipolo churchyard:

1.  I saw some riders with folding bikes 16 diameter tires.  It must be tiring riding those bikes (but had 60 chain rings)

2.  A Bianchi mtb.  I took the pictures of his MTB and my Bianchi road bike. The owner was amazed that the Bianchi bike was light

3.  Somebody whom I met, an accountant of an insurance company who is retired. He has a Venge S works top end bike.

4.  Somebody, a devotee from Indang Cavite admired my Bianchi set up  He marvelled how light the bike is.

Thereafter, I rode down to Teresa.  Near Robinson, I passed a group of MTB who were pedaling furiously.  Most of them were 29 ers with 1 x 10 or 1 x 11 set ;up.   Then going downhill, they passed me (they are heavier) but before Island cement I caught up.  Near the lugawan in Teresa town proper.   they stopped.  Thereafter they were on it. Trying to chase me or overtake me.   I caught up with them before the ascent going to Morong, near the cemetery.  And then they raced with me just before San Guillermo.  And one cried, "Tatang" to which I replied "Anak"  He lost wind just before the summit.  The Tatang beat him. Going down Morong they were at it.  At Holy Angels I peeled off.

It was a great day to practice sprints and anaerobic efforts.  Make you stronger and fit

Am I getting better as a rider?

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
June 7, 2016

I think I do. This morning I rode to Antipolo City.  I planned to go up there using the lowest gear:   32 x 36.  But that did not happen.  I used only 32 x 25 and 28.  (mostly higher gears) and I reached Antipolo church at a much lower time 35 minutes vs. 40 minutes before.

In the ride last Sunday to Fairview, I was able to catch up with  a rider who passed us in Tikling. I passed him near the Marcos Highway, JP Rizal junction near Katipunan.  He did not give chase.  I was also able to get ahead of the champs by about 5 minutes at Marcos Highway and Katipunan.  I waited for them near Myriam.  That is not bad for 65 years old.

I biked with Reymond Pactao to Antipolo this morning

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Rizal Philippines
May 11, 2016

I and Reymond Pactao, a young cyclist from Mandaluyong (who hails from Puerto Princesa) biked to Antipolo City this morning.  We started out at 6:00 am from Shell near Aurora subdvision. Reymond was wearing a pink set of uniform.  He brought his Mosso bike with Durace group set (which came from his former boss, the King of Motel renown)

We proceeded at  fast pace saving  about 5 mins off our pace when I went with Gelo. and then we went to church.  After a while we had lugaw and puto and Reymond paid for them. We did not proceed with having his bike blessed because we had no change.

Reymond left me near Fibertex.  He stood because his lowest cog is only at 23.  I equalled his gear by having 39 x23 going up.   Going down, I shifted to 53 x 13 and sometimes 11.  We had the same gear when we were down town.  I would like to say that this ride further improved my speed and strength.

Happy Easter Sunday today; keeping up with other riders today at Antipolo and Teresa

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Happy Easter Sunday today
March 27, 2016

I rode today to Antipolo City church after watching the salubong in Angono.I rode on the Mosso MTB (the one I used for the PNP race) There was a little difficulty in Muzon because they had the Salubong right in the middle of the highway.  Well anyway, after some delays I was on my way to Antipolo church.   There were three were two riders who passed me both on road bikes and one on Mt. Bike.  I passed the MTB rider easily.  Then I passed the two:  road bikers.  One wore a red and white jersey, one wore a white, green and black jersey.  I passed them before the seminary/fibertex.  However the one in white and green overtook me before Beverly Hills.

Then I attended the 7:00 am mass and finished this since today is Easter.  "Nilikha ng Diyos ang pambihirang araw na ito.  Tayo nang magsaya."

After the mass, I rode to Teresa and on the way down before the Sukol resorts, a road bike rider overtook me at a fast clip.  I tried to chase downhill up to the plains of Teresa. I overtook him before turnng right and never saw him again.

Then a group of riders with violet jersey, bearing the ads of a V phone, overtook me at San Guillermo. I nearly caught up with them, some 30 meters away had it not for the fact, that I had some business with a memorial park.

Then completing the loop in Morong, two MTBs sprinted until the market of Morong.  I also gave chase and they slowed down after the market and overtook them before Aldec. They were young riders not more than 30.   And then I stopped on the way to diversion road, and said "Mauna kami Tatang" in deference to my appearance and age.   Howver I closed in in the ascent, difficult portion of the diversion and they started to do a cross stich (zig zagging on the way up)  One of the riders stopped first and the second one stopped at the crest of the climb.  And of course that meant, I would have passed them.  They eventually caught up with me on the way to Binangonan and later found out  that they are from San Carlos Hts.

I had two MTBs blessed at Immaculate Concepcion Church in Antipolo City

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
March 12, 2016

I had my two MTBs blessed at Antipolo Church (blessing is a big church business several dozen vehicles are to be blessed this morning)  There is an office with several staff: those who bless, receive and account for the money just for this.  It took a while before the bike was blessed. Of course, I got my own dose of holy water too.


I had two close calls this morning on the way to the church:

two at golden city where speeding jeeps to Sta Lucia and Cubao nearly sideswiped me as I was biking near Golden City.  The jeepney on the right who just loaded passenger suddenly joined the traffic and I would bump this, and another speeding jeep on my left was about 6 inches away.

Near the Palmera about 300 meters form fibertex a speeding concrete mixer of Millex overtook me so closely I could read the marking on his tires.

INGAT PO TAYO KAPADYAK

My ride to Antipolo City today, and having my SAVA bike blessed, today, First Friday of March

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
March 4, 2016

I rode to Antipolo City today at 7:15 today.  It was a hard gear ride.  I only used the 44 front chain ring through out the ride with 32 sprocket. at Beverly Hills.It was 25 at other parts of the climb.   I had the SAVA MTB blessed.  All that was needed was a donation. It gives you certain confidence that you and the bike are blessed to be kept safe from harm.

Later I had a conversation with a young rider from Taguig who wore a SAVA jersey,(he claim he is member of RP youth team but had to lie low because of work) and somebody from Teresa who knew about Audax.

My bike ride today Antipolo City and diversion at Cardona

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Today I rode to Antipolo. I followed the advice that on some days, you have to stay seated while riding up.  That is what I did.  I did not stand.  On some days, you have to practice standing up.

Then, after joining the Recyclists at Simple's Lugawan, I  went to diversion to practice anaerobic riding.   One does not really get to master a hill (especially a steep hill) I stayed seated.

Advice when seated:     pedal forward instead of downward,  pull up too, use the core muscles too (back glutes and abs) instead of just quads and leg muscles to climb.   Stay low.   So that is how fixie riders climb the hills.

I hope these little rides prepare me for Sagada.  It is going to be tough I guess when we are at Sagada, or from Sagada to Halsema.

Bike ride today to Antipolo City

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I left at 5:30 am for Antipolo City today.  There were not too many vehicles and it looked pleasant and safe to bike. But it was light chain ring day.  I used 39 x 15 going up to Tower hills, and 39 x 19 up fibertex and caltex and 39x 25 (I have 27) at Beverly hills.   All involved standing.  Going up the last hill, standing is 39 x23.

That meant more strength and more pedal power.    Hooray for a senior going on to be 64 next month.

My bike ride today to Antipolo City, January 14, 2015

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines   |  January 14, 2015

Welcome his Holiness Pope Francis Jorge to the Philippines tomorrow.

On the eve of Papal visit, (it is vacation now in MM) there is a dearth of cyclists.  I saw only 4 souls at the churchyard of Antipolo.

I took advantage of today's hill climb for strength training:

1.  I climbed Tower Hills at 50 x 17 gear, and up to Mary Hill 50x 21; Beverly was at 50 x25; however, going to the last bend to the church, I dropped the gear to 34 x 19.

Exustar Keo Carbon Ti Pedals

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From Merlin Cycles

From Bike Discount



Jun Francisco showed off his Exustar Keo Carbon Ti Pedals which set him back by P6,700.00 which he bought from a  bike shop in  Antipolo City.  It is available at Marauders, owned by Mike HInd, an American from Arizona.  He ride a  mountain bike.  It is located at ML Quezon Avenue at Mahabang Parang, after Maia Alta, before Mission Hills.   Their contact numbers are

    02 650 2930

    0905 666 5608

I bought the pedal today, November 10, 2014.  Mike and company biked to Boso boso Antipolo so I had to wait for a while, and he gave me a 3.5% discount for the pedal (which comes with the cleats) and 6 sets of SS cables and missing link.

The specs are impressive, although the pedals are limited to riders 85 kg in weight.  But each weigh 88 grams.  That is very light.

We must invest in parts that lessen fatigue on the drive train like shoes and cleats



Here are the specs:

EXUSTAR Pedals E-PR200CKTi Titan Carbon – Exustar

The 200 series has a larger surface/cleat contact area ensuring greater power and stability. The wider body also enables easier cleat engagement. The SR200 features a weather and dust resistant closed mechanism, a tension gauge and is available in a wide range of material configurations.

• Extremely lightweight 
• Injected carbon fiber body & binding, tension adjustable
• Tension gauge Body Injected carbon fiber
• Axle CNC-machined titanium axle, DLC coated (cartridge)
• Bearings LSL bushing & sealed
• Cleats E-ARC11 
• Size: 86 x 89 mm 
• Weight: 176 gr / pair
• Max. rider weight: 85 Kg

Several bike rides this Holiday (#Undas)

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I did 3 bike rides this weekend:  last October 31, November 1 and November 2, 2014 (yesterday) - for Undas

For October 31, 2014, I biked to Morong.  It was a dual purpose - bike ride and checking preparation for November 1 (for Undas)  I left at 4:20 and I was in Morong by 5:20.  By 5:40, I was on my way back because it was getting dark.   I was home by 7:00 (because the traffic at Pantok slowed me down)  It was good I had my LED lamp at the bike...

On November 1, I went up to Marian Hills for some inquiry with the owner/caretaker. I went up at around 10 am.  It was as usual a rough ride.  I rode up to where the concrete road ended.  It is really dangerous to ride up with a road bike.  Falls or losing control can be inevitable.  (Bad news for other riders -  DPWH guys were allegedly measuring the road again - will they construct this time)

New ramp going up to the Antipolo Church

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines  | September 29 2014

In case you have not been to Antipolo City Church (Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Patron Saint)lately,  you will find out that the entrance to vehicle of the church has been widened and the steel gates removed.  It is thus easier for motorists and bikers to enter the church yard.

The paving is made of corrugated tiles.   Enjoy.

Pictures of other bikers riding up to Antipolo

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines   |September 29, 2014

                           MTBikers riding up Beverly Hills

There were so many bikers at Antipolo City yesterday.  I would like to say it was a bikers day.  Mabuhay.  I hope we had a great day for a ride yesterday.

                    More MTB riders up Beverly Hills

                          Roadie going up Alta Vista

Building endurance for the Ride to #Caliraya this Sunday

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines   | September 11,  2014

We ride this Sunday to Caliraya via Cavinti despite the Mayweather fight (he is a cheat anyway.  Remember how he KO'd an opponent on a break?)

For this I need to build my endurance and stamina.  (and even strength)  Yesterday afternoon, I rode to Cardona up to Callahan.

This morning, I had  long ride.  I rode up to Antipolo from 6 to 7:30 and had some office work until 9:00.  Going up Antipolo, I saw a senior with a red, yellow and blue jersey just like mine. He overtook me at Marian Hills and I though I would not catch with him.  However I saw him slow down at Beverly.  Before Alta Vista, I overtook him.  He overtook me at the curve, but before the crest, I did an interval and passed him again.

Post ride therapy at Sultan Massage in Masinag Antipolo City

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal  Philippines. |   September  3, 2014

Jayjay said that after the ride at Pagsanjan, we should have massage.  He recommends   Sultan Massage and Spa
He said that for 1k only he can have everything.

Massage any one.  

Thanks JJ

Bike ride today to Antipolo City September 2, 2014

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal  Philippines  |  September 2, 2014

It is a fine day to ride and shake off the aching muscles and pains after the arduous and backbreaking Pagsanjan ride.  On the way I saw Jeff on his way to work.  He was on his slippers and he did not have any helmet.

He said where he works is near the quarry at formerly Don Enrique Heights (now Havila?)

So he left me at Tikling and onwards I rode to Mary Hills, Fibertex, Beverly Hills and finally to Antipolo City.  I used 34 x25 at Beverly but elsewhere  the gears were 21, and 23 x 34.  Since the sun was not shining brightly, the climb was uneventful.  

I arrived at the Antipolo Church at a little past 7 and therefore I was able to complete a mass down to the final blessing.

VM arrived just before the mass ended.  There I met Art Tayag (55 yo) and Romy delos Santos (62) both from Masinag.  Their companions admired the Fujijorgeus;  however they advised me to be careful of bikejacking which is common for high end bikes

A day of meeting fellow seniors July 27, 2014

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines  July 28, 2014

Yesterday I biked to Antipolo City.  This is the first time in 3 weeks that I attempted to ride up Antipolo again after I had painful and swelling feet.  You really appreciate the things that you enjoy and have like ability to walk, ride and be ambulatory on your own, after you experience pain and sickness.  Thanks Lord I am well again.

I attended the mass when I arrived in Antipolo at about 7:15 and caught the Gospel until the end of the mass.

I met the following seniors after the mass:

Domingo Nicolas from Marikina who is 63 (same age as me) He said the Nicolas rider is a relative, and the famous Sicams are riders too.  He has been riding for a long time.

Ado from San Mateo, 66.  Both are mountain bikers.  I met him while eating lugaw at C Lauis.  THey are are of course very strong and young looking.

ON the way home, I decided to visit a barkada (hahaha) who is now 83 but has a bum and painful knee (just like Eraps case;  he is bowlegged  -  the cartilage gave way due to incessant pounding.)   He was advised against having an operation (agree).  He was happy that I visited him after 6 years.  He was tennis buddy and more.

Going back via Olalia road is lung busting ride

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I must have climbed Olalia road 3x and yesterday was my fourth climb.  It is long about 2 km and steep. I would classify it as lung busting and thigh burning.  It is even badder than Kennon Road.

It is because the road is bad and you lose momentum going up.

Anyway, I did not have to stop nor alight from the bike.

Victory victory again for #jorgeusbiker

There was a huge traffic jam at Kaytikling today due to an accident

Wheels of Happiness

 Rizal, Philippines  |  May 27, 2014

I biked to Antipolo City leaving at 6:00 am.  There was however a huge traffic jam at Kaytikling.  Going up to Antipolo until near Palmera was a problem,  and from Fibertex down to that area was tied up.  Reason, a ten wheeler truck slammed into a group of houses.  It may have lost brakes and reversed into the houses.  There were hearsays of death. 

At the time I passed, a concrete bulk transporter was in the middle of the road, apparently requested to tow the 10 wheeler.  Fortunately for me, I was able to get back to Kaytikling without much problem.  I counterflowed despite the fact that maybe a hundred vehicles were on hold because of the huge 10 wheeler truck (a flatbed bearing sand)

I started going down at 7:00 am and was home at 7:25