Round Laguna yesterday, Baguio one shot ride on Saturday by Maws of Recyclists

Wheels of Happiness

Met Cataps today who told the story of their counterclockwise ride around Laguna Lake yesterday.  He told me that they ran pretty fast because by 10:00 am they were all ready at Pagsanjan and was home by 2:30.j  Wow thats fast.  Average of 25 to 30 kph.

On Saturday afternoon they will do a 270 km ride to Baguio one shot.  So that by Sunday morning they are in Baguio.  

He asked me to join.  Kaya pa raw.  

However I am wary of my age and health, and current state of my ankle.  I suspect gout.   

Ride safe recyclists

Do you believe in Holy Week superstition? One of them is staying put in the house.

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines 4.14.2022

Superrstitiion during Holy Week

Do not go out during Holy Week.  Jesus Christ is dead, and the devils and bad spirit roam the street.  JC will not available to save you.  

I did not believe this.  As a matter of fact when I was working in Pharma, our workmates go to Pampanga and Bataan to visit friends.   We saw several expressway accidents and rescued some of the victims.

This was so until I crashed at Shang when having a rendezvous with daughter after a long ride to Baguio during Holy Week.  We rode Thursday up to Pangasinan, Baguio Climb on Good Friday and return to Manila Saturday.   One of our companions died in a traffic accident on Christmas day while returning from a Christmas drinking party.   

This post recalled that when he was 10 years old he accidentally cut himself  very deeply (the bone came out) while fabricating a toy gun.  The bolo used was very sharp, it slipped and cut his right forefinger

Because of the Shang accident, this post did not ride anymore on Holy Week and just stayed at home

I like this post on 5th Baguio ride in 2013; nice recalling

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines

4.26.2021.

Throw back, memories

http://jorgeusbiker.blogspot.com/search?q=2013+Baguio+ride

Pictures mga kuha ni Timo.  Thank you Timo

Di pa laos, di pa gurang? At 65 (going 66)

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
April 2, 2017

After the Baguio ride, I was thinking it quits in biking.  I would just be one of service crew of the support team vehicle if ever.  Reflecting on the ride, I did well in the Baguio ascent;   not so well in the  Angono to Urdaneta  portion.  Why?   My headset was not working very well (it was kind of loose) I failed to have to it repaired on time.  My cleats were not working well, the left did not give the distinctive click as I engaged it.  therefore, I was not delivering 100% of the pedal stroke to the drive train.   Third, I rode behind with a limping fellow rider. So I had to spin at his speed and thus tired out my legs and lost much of my motivation catching up withe lead pack.  And lastly I rode practiced mostly with MTB and not road bike and that was the 2nd time I used a roadie again

However, as I used a roadie more and more and had the defects corrected (the head set is now OK, the cleats are brand new) I found out that more is left with my biking passion and distance to cover.  The proof was in chasing the Recyclists kapadyak up to Pagsanjan and catching up with them, and able to complete the 186 km with nary distress or injury (only sore thigh muscles). I even overtook and ahead of some veteran riders going uphill

Today as I rode, to Pililla, I found out that I can still be rider for another decade.  I passed about 5 riders (a lady included) and chased down and overtook a fellow elderly rider - at Montevideo,  he passed me in Cardona but  I caught up with him before Queen Mary and passed him, then he overtook me downhill and then  I passed him  at near the municipal hall of Morong but he overtook me in the town as he overtook vehicles in the traffic (I did not)

I felt that I could now pedal very hard gears 53 x 15 on the flats (before as MTB the hardest gear I pushed was 42 x 13)  And I think (I do not have cyclo computer now) I could do 25 to 32 kph without much effort.  While I fall asleep fast after I get home, I feel great afterwards.  I still have to ape Val who can climb hills at 53 x 23

Di pa gurang, di pa laos?

We rode today to Famy and Jalajala, Echo this time crashed due to a wayward golden colored Vios

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
January 22, 2017

We were eleven  (Recyclists Eleven)

Eleven of the Recyclists joined the tune up ride for Baguio ride on February 10 (not 2 as previously posted):  Engr June, Master E, Echo, Edgar (7 days) Vhen (very hesitant joiner), Meong, Gerry, Richard, Tito Fabay, Netoy Mariposa   and myself       There were some whom I saw at Morong where had the mustering point:   Ado, and Jeffrey.  But they did not join us.

We initially wanted to bike up to Manay in Pakil  but when we were in Famy rain fell in the direction of Pakil and Paete, thus we called off the ride.  We ate instead at the first Manay (a branch) where 50 to 60 MC riders also ate. I had to chase Tito who was ahead of the pack.

Engr June a very strong rider

Engr June was the strongest rider today, riding an inspired pace on his brand new Wilier carbon fiber bike,  joining the peloton at Km 62 in Bugarin, and at 1/3 of backward route at Jalajala going back to :Pililla.  He must be doing 17 at Bugarin and 35 at Jalajala.  He will be our host in Urdaneta:  will provide the board, and food dinner and breakfast.  Wwwoow

The sweepers

Edgar, Vhen and I decided that we would be the sweeper. Our goal was to finish the ride.  As in Baguio.  No strain and hard breathing.   Pedal smoothly say 20 kph.   I was ahead though at the start of Jalajala route but the rest caught up with me  Engr June, Richard, Gerry, Meong:  then Tito and Eco.  Then Netoy.  At 20 km point of Jalajala (at town proper)   came Master, Vhen and Edgar.

130 km distance covered

My estimate is we covered 120 to 130 km which is past halfway mark of bike to Urdaneta (that should be Dau all ready or Luisita) That is a good carga according to Richard for the Baguio ride

Echo had a crash, had only some scratches

One uninteresting note was a way ward Vios appeared out of nowhere behind a tricycle head on with the peloton at KM 55+ (near intersection of Tanay Sampaloc and Manila East Road)  Echo was squeezed between Richard and he had to break hard to avoid colliding with Vios.  He went airborne halfway and fell to his right side, thankfully away from the Vios.  He had scratches on right arm (which bled) and on a very small portion of right knee.   He fell slow motion as he was halfway airborne.

It was I who suffered a gruesome crash with Alan 2 weeks ago on the same route (reverse)  Thankfully the rashes are gone thanks to sili

40 km ride yesterday to Antipolo, 50 km ride today to Tanay

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
December 28, 2016

I am taking the challenge of riding to Baguio on first week of February seriously.

Yesterday, I left early for ride up to Antipolo.  It is about 20 km out and 20 km back.   It took more than 30 minutes going up.  At hard gear.  39 x 23.    And going back to tower hills 53 x 25.  I brought my Bianchi bike.

There was somebody who overtook me downhill with a 29er.  But I held my ground and rode on strongly up to Angono covering the distance from Tikling to Angono in 5 minutes.

Today I biked to Tanay up to km 55.   I brought my Sava titanium bike.

Some interesting high lights:

1.   I did six  intervals (sprints)   one going up Callahan on a high gear -   42 x 17, and on the flats from  from Callahan to Morong Market 42 x 13.  Then going up the Baras pantok    42 x 19.  I chased some Mt. Bikers whom I later caught up at KM 54.  They rested there.

     On the way back, I did the following intervals:

     Going up back the pantok doing again 42 x 19.

     At the diversion road, past the Crystal Subdvision  entrance, (after the hard climb) at 42 x 32.  (I had to climb at 42 x 36)

    At Calumpang road:   from Y  going maybe 35 to 37 kph, then finally at the Island gas Hill trying very hard to do something beyond 30 kph and chase the tricycle in front of me.

My body aches now and I am sure that I developed some strength and speed for the Baguio ride

Preparing for Baguio Ride

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
December 27, 2016

Vhen Apran relayed to me the information that during the Christmas party which I was not able to attend (di ko nalaman,, no one informed me.  Nasa facebook daw, I missed that post surely) that we shall have a bike ride to Baguio.  It was initiated by Engr. June Francisco daw and he volunteered to have his place in Urdaneta as a stop over point.   VM daw will provide SWAG vehicle.  That is very comforting.

Time to have increased mileage, at least 100 km  on a long weekend.  Last Saturday, I did 80 km.  This morning I did Antipolo. Mga 30 km lang yon pero ascending.

I noticed increased strength in myself all ready.  Because I was able to climb that 39 x 23 (medyo hard yon) And going back I managed the Manila East Hill up to Tower Hills at 53 x 23 without huffing and puffing  I am and bike in oneness.  Getting ready again Baguio climb.

Vhen told me last night, he would join this one .  He and I are both 65 and in the years to come, we may not be able to accomplish this.    I was able to talk to Master E today too. We three will be team mates for this ride.  We will not be at peloton but we will finish the ride

Orville Tiamson's MTB is a bike of lights

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
April 24, 2016

We met Orville Tiamson, the famous Angono artist, and professor in visual arts who brought his MTB to Wawa. It drews ahs and ohs because there were about two dozen lamps, powered by individual batteries and one main 12 V battery:   the small lamsps were about  15, and two flashlights, one main headlight, and two multi bulb LED, aside from the tail lamp. I guessed he must have spent about 20t for these fixtures.   He merely smiled.  He said he invested in these because he does night rides because it is cooler (not at daytime when it is very hot lately) and after he crashed in Cainta, because he had just one lamp.  He is right we should invest in safety  (I should invest in one additional flashlight)

We should do night ride to Baguio soon. There was this MTB rider from Mangahan an ex PA who did a Baguio ride  and it took them 18 hours 4 pm until 10 am the following day. They had lunch and took the bus on the way home

Starting practice rides for Baguio climb on Holy Week

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
February 24, 2016

I started my preparation for Baguio climb this morning.  I rode the SARS bike with Ultegra group set however with big gears at the back (up to 36) and Deore triplet in front.  On the way, I acquired a biking companion in Tayuman.  He has a Cannondale road bike with Ultegra group set and an P18t SIDI shoes.   We did rubber band riding.   He overtook me and caught up with him in Island gas and then we were together.  He overtook me at Convention center, however I pulled up going up Mambog and until  Callahan.  I leave him on the uphill.   Then he overtook me downhill and then I tt up to munisipyo and I left him again.  I waited for him at the market and overtook me.

I chased him and overtook him up Namay.  He signaled to me to continue and left him again ;until Baras hill and we were together again at KM 55.   I left him again at KM 56 and up until Pisong Kape.  I again remembered he is a painting contractor in Taytay and we talked about business while having lugaw and egg;   he had coffee and two eggs.  I had to leave him because he was waiting for a companion who went up Bugarin.

I tried to speed up on the way back using only heavy gears even at Biak na Bato 44 x 13 and even at Baras hills.  Somebody overtook me downhill and I chased him and we nearly bumped a Fortunner swag vehicle of  some bikers (not the one who overtook me.  I chased him and caught up with him until KM 50.  He rode a Titanium bikee and he hails from Cubao and they have a pick up at Phoenix station in Morong.  Then his companions arrived and caught up with us.  One has a Pinarello Dogma.  However, I proved that it is not about bikes because I overtook the Pinarello guy.

What a way to prepare for Baguio ride

It is all go for Baguio ride this Friday; some practice still needed?

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines   |   February 18, 2015

                   View from the top of the almost switch back from Ding Roans place;  even the MC's are struggling, groaning from the strain/difficulty

It is the start of Lenten season and start of Panagbenga in Baguio.  Two days from now, on Friday, February 20,  we start trek to Baguio City. We ride to Urdaneta Pangasinan a distance of 200 km.

Today, I need some brushing up on my hill climb by doing the Mahabang Parang Hills near La Farge.  I climbed this hill at 7:00 am.  I fear naman na baka ma over ako?

I guess I am much stronger  today, as I negotiated up to the bend without stopping and much still to spare.  This is as near as the Lions Head you can get, (at Kennon Road)  If you can ride this up with ease, you can do Baguio City

                       More uphill climb; but easier to pedal

                  View of the La Farge Republic quarry

My two bikes ascended Baguio last January 26, 2013

Biking and health

                              Jess near the Lion's head at my GTS bike          

                                JB at the rear on his Fuji SL-l bike, the chain ring is 34

That may be strange but true.  My two bikes made it to Baguio City from Urdaneta city last January 26, 2013.  These two bikes were:    White GTS, and Black Fuji SL - with campy group set and Mavic wheel set.  Jess rode the GTS;  I rode the Fuji.  It would have been just the Fuji;  but Jess bike's fork was discovered to have broken in Angeles city.

At Urdaneta, at 5 star apartalle, Jess sheepishly pa inquired if you could borrow the GTS.  Since I brought two bikes;   one was a spare just in case like this, this was easily agreed to.

So, that was  a great feat for my bikes.  Three bikes had gone up Baguio.  The one left behind, a SARS bike, made it to Baguio 2x

                       Jess sad after learning that his bike's fork is broken; the kitchen fork will not do!

                                At the far left is my Fuji SL-l bike next to the Dogma for Baguio ascent

                       Jess has adjusted the GTS bike to his measurement for Baguio climb

Certificates of Achievement were awarded last night to Recylists who completed the climb

Biking and health

Pines Breeze Hotel Baguio City 9 pm January 26, 2013

 11 others were handed out to the Recyclists.  Signed by Wesluk and VM

In a program presided by Secx Noe Sabado, certificates of ride (achievement) were awarded to the Recylists who completed the 2 day journey.  (like the one above)  It is a badge of honor given only to a few.. They were:

l.  Choco2
2. eMaster
3.  Richard
4.  Diego
5.  Gerry Ktops
6.  Jeff
7.  Jess
8.  Archie
9. Armin
10.  VM
11.  Jorgeus Biker
12.  Luis

Recognition were also given to the support staff (mostly staff of VM:   Jerome, Timo, Sammy Lambunao, children of VM, wife of VM) to name a few.  They are the nameless individuals without whom the climb would not have been possible.  In our first Baguio climb with Val and Julius, we encountered great hardships;   even getting drinkable water was a problem.

 Thank you mesdames/sirs.

 Luis, Secx Noe and VM presenting the achiever's award  (Applause!!!!)

 The achievers chilling out:   Archie, Choco2, K tops, Jeff, and Exe Diego

 Secx Noe prior to the presiding of the awards ceremonies

                        Dante Varona,Secx, Richard, VV, Choco2 and Archie

                                    Jay at extreme right wearing the yellow jersey

Proposed Baguio Ride on January 25 - 26, 2013

Biking and health



View Larger Map
During our tune up ride for Baguio today (ride to Sierra Madre Hotel), it was  discussed that it will be on January 25 -  200 km ride up to Urdaneta.  I might join this ride, leave my bike to the caretaker, ride back to Manila so that I can teach.

January 26 will be the assault to Baguio City, and they will stay there overnight. I can not afford not to teach on that day, January 26 which is a teaching day for my class at AGSB.  We do not know yet how many are joining.

Damage will probably P1,000.00 same as last year.

More Challenges at the Baguio Ride

Bike and Save the Earth

Some good news. 

Peter Anonuevo took some 225 pictures and published them on the facebook. They say that Diego took more pictures.  I do not know how to pick up picture from FB to be blogged.

The son of Netoy merely l2 years old was a superb biker and survived the 200 km + journey.

The 2nd day ride up to Baguio was a non event;  except for:

l.  Gerry broke his chain near the Lion's head.  Anyway, since 3 weeks ago, his BB had difficulties.

2.  7 day's hanger broke  of all places on the way up Kenno Rd.

3.  Richard s flat was a blow out and did not have spare exterior with them.  That is why I now have two folding reserve

Well mishaps like these are great teacher

Some Future Long Rides

Have bike, we will help save the earth...

Some future ride options are being considered:

l.   The Sorsogon ride.  This was originally thought of by Gerry and me:  three days ride stop at Calauag, then Naga, then Sorsogon,  Bus ride on the way back.

2.  The Dalton pass ride from Umingan (alakman's place)

3.  Manila Baguio ride.  Stop over at either Urdaneta, or Rosario La Union.


Great challenging rides ahead, right, Recyclists_2010, how exciting!?