Did a Morong, (via Bombonngan, San Guillermo) Teresa Antipolo ride

Wheels of Happiness


Did a Morong, Teresa Antipolo loop yesterday.  it was via Bombongan.  The ride through Bombongan features 5 hills:   3 initially from Morong Manila East Road, and 2 at the far end nearing the zigzag road.

I had to be careful and even walked my bike through a narrow portion  going up vicinity of Real Cove.  Feared being rear ended as in Capitolyo the other day.   I saw two Vaciador riders and kept with one most of the way.  just 10-15 meters trailing behind.

Was happy with this ride.  Fulfilled and very much exercised

Biked to Morong, Bombongan yesterday; they held Recyclists Christmas party and forgot to invite me (again!)

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After one week of inactivity (I could not bike because of threat of dog disease to spread in the house, because of stray dog straying in front of the house) i was able to bike again.  It was a short ride -  up to market of Morong, and then to Bombonga,  About 20 km one way (40 km total)

Really the growing weakness brought about by advancing age is noticeable.  Could no longer catch up with group riders in MTB or RB.  But I could still bike.  It is very important.

On the way back home met cousin Smith and another senior rider 76 yo from Kalawaan Pasig.  Was in tandem with them but left me downwill at Calahan.  Anyway was not in the mood for racing

Later at noon, Peter texted me that it was the Christmas party at Jess v's house.    I could not get myself to attend as I just slept.  They forgot to notify me again

Fighting sarcopenia in later years

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With 3 years + 7 decades behind me, I am aware that I am all ready undergoing sarcopenia  -  ie - loss of muscle mass and bone density.  That why I can not risk going off road, or going faster on descent.  

Thus: this post has to supplement biking with some free body weight exercises like lunges, and knee bends with weights.  And has to follow the recommendation that riding be done on big chain rings for added torque and resistance training to counter sarcopenia.   

Thus I try to do DOMSA ride, diversion, Bombongan, Teresa Antenna ride on big chain rings.  These rides leave me exhausuted and drained that is why this post spends a lot of time sleeeping, taking a nap in the afternoon.  

This post expects that he could live better, if not longer with these exercise routines.

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

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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.