Foursome rode up to Sampaloc and from there to the Windmill Farm in Bugarin

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
May 2, 2016










There was an initial request that we ride to MoA from Gelo, a new cyclist wannabee who has a fixie and MTB.  I declined because of heavy pollution in MoA and the hazards in traffic.  So we decided instead to ride to Sampaloc and then to Regina Rica.  We decided we assemble by 5:45 at Shell Pag Asa.  Joining us were :  Vhen, and friend of Gelo who is a graphic artist at Vista Land.

And so we assembled at 5:45. Vhen came in at exactly 6:00.  He said that he met Etoy Mariposa and said would join us.   And so we rode but stopped briefly at Sacred Heart Parish for some blessing.  The mass was about to start when we arrived.

Daron, Gelo and I had MTB; Vhen had a roadbike 50-34  with 12 to 25 10 speed gears.   There was this trio of MTB whom we overtook.  Gelo rode ahead of us, but waited for us at the end of climb at Mambog.   Then up to Callahan in Cardona and then to Morong.  We did not stop at Simples Lugawan and hoped to find food stop in Tanay.  But the Tanay food were pricey and not our choice (the one near Ram Bull) We conversed with the trio whom we overtook and who overtook us.

It was Gelo and Darrons first experience at Sampaloc.  We advised them to take it slowly;  no race like movements and immediately use low gear.- preferably the 34 gears (the second of the 3 chain rings)   Gelo again led the way and I tried to catch him at km 61.  We waited for them at km 62.  Vhen and Daron came in later - Vhen bought water and suman, and Daron said he walked up the last several meters of climb at km 61.

Before the final assault to summit of the Sampaloc ride, we went to the church of Black Madonna.  Here Vhen remarked that we are doing the Bisikleta Iglesia early.

And the we had the climb.  Vhen and Gelo were behind me from km 66 to 67.5 where we rested.   We waited for Daron who said he walked  the last part of the climb using size 43.  We rested again at the waiting shed.  We asked Daron to lead us.  But he was again challenged by the anti magnetic.   And again by the sudden right hand ascending right hand curve.  We had buko and coffee at Jenjens buko stand (only P15 each) and rested for a while. It as only 9:00 am.