Vhen and I visited 7 days who has been observed not to be biking lately - he is taking EPO shots !!!

Wheels of Happiness


Rizal Philippines
June 3, 2018

Mr. Jovencio Apran and I visited Edgar de los Reyes in his home in Cardona Rizal  who has been observed not to be biking lately.  And true  enough he said that our visit gave him a pep vitamin to get better. He said that he could not bike long distance, he has low RBC count and has been taking EPO shots lately (once a week) the same substance that Lance Armstrong was alleged to be taking as Performance Enhancing Drug, a banned substance.

We talked about motivation and more reason to get better.  We talked about new OEM  carbon frame copy bikes being built by our kapadyak.  He said he prefers the Canyon, the color is red  for his dream bike.


Canyon Carbon Bike frame from Taiwan

                                                        He likes red, Canyon design is for Aero


Canyon Aero

                                    Canyon TT bike:  equivalent: Sworks Shiv and Pinarello Bolide

Kinumusta si Edgar de los Reyes (7 days); hindi nagkita kita nang pauwi from Tagaytay City Ride

Wheels of Happiness

                                                                   Si Al at Ed
Rizal Philippines
October 27, 2017

Nagpunta at kinumusta ko si Edgar de los Reyes of Cardona Rizal  kahaapon ng umaga galing sa ride sa Morong para kumustahin. Siya at kasama niyang si Al Alegre na nakasama sa pagsalunga sa Tagaytay City ay hindi natin nakatagpo sa Bicutan Lingo ng gabi. (Si Al sumundo sa atin sa Baguio City ride natin early this year) Well I had update Monday morning from Pres Luis that the two overshot the Bicutan intersection and went straight the West Service Road to Villamor Air Base and proceeded to to C5 (or BGC).  It was very dark according to them and because Ed has poor eyesight, found it difficult to ride. Thanks God they arrived at 9:00 pm (some 1 1/2 hours later than us)

Nagpasalamat si Edgar sa aking pagdalaw at concern.  He was about to bike too yesterday when I met him

Recovery ride part 2 today November 5, 2015 up to Pililla Pisong Kape

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
November 5, 2015

I rode out late today at 7:30 intending to bike only up to Morong Rizal.

I saw a large legged rider with a Pinarello bike whom I learned later was Papa Rom and he overtook me downhill from Montevideo,   I passe him going up the hill near the school (near Papa Rics place)  I did not see him for a while even as I slowed down at Callahan.

I saw that at about 8:20, Simples lugawan was closed all ready so I moved on but then near the DPWH DE2 office, a green jersey young biker from Baytown overtook me on a sprint, however at the hill crest he seemed to slow down, and there I sprinted and passed him.  No one was behind me up to km 55 and then the hell broke loose at km 57 and the troop consisting of Papa Rom and the young rider, probably having speed of 45 kph overtook me.

We had breakfast at Hacienda Pisong Kape and there I got to talk to Papa Rom who is from Cainta.  Later Smith and Pres Luis, and Edgar 7 days came too. We ate and rode back.  Well they allowed me to lead the pack until Morong where they took charge up to bukuhan just past the boundary of Morong.  He had some white puto (they prefer the white but with an a) and then tinusok ng tinidor.  Smith paid for the puto.

Then he decided we would ride up the Cardona diversion.   I was ahead for a while and then Smith and Luis took over;   Edgar was following me. Smith had 34 x 28.  On the last ascent before the Crystal Subd they took shelter and slowed down and then I sprinted up the hill. where I was ahead the  until main highway.   Smith and Luis overtook me.

I chased Smith and passed me and nearly caught up with Luis until the last bend..  I caught up with Luis down hill until the Y in Binangonan, and then they took over.  We sprinted up Island gas probably doing nearly 45 kph.

We were home at almost twelve

Bike Ride Yesterday, October 22, 2015

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines, October 23, 2015

I had not biked well for the last 3 weeks because of:  typhoon Lando, and my teaching assignment which required me to stay in Makati.

Yesterday, I biked to recover.  I started slowly using 32 front chain ring.   using 13 and 15 cogs.  However, somebody caught up with me at Cardona -  Tito.  He was saying he too had:   difficulty in doing his rides (he recovered from an illness) and he gives up when the group keeps its pace strong.  I was ahead of him from Cardona, to Morong and until Baras Morong boundary.  At Tanay, I heard Smith was with us.  I kept pedalling, fast pedal rate until Pililla municipal hall. About 200 meters from the Biak na Bato he and Smith overtook me and maybe they were riding over 25, and me at 20 kph and I was left by some 20 meters.  Well however, we still saw each other at Halayhayin.  I had Lugaw at Pisong Kape, they at Carmens resto.  It was about 8:10

Then Recyclist Edgar arrived from Bugarin. He remarked that I have not been making post here at this blog.  I made the last post and he remembered last October 3.  He was right. He too ate at Pisong Kape, then we joined Smith and Tito at Carmens.   There I met Pandoy an MTB, only 20 yo but a podium finisher.  He used to be a Mega rider (those weighing 240 lbs and above)  He now weighs at 160, the son of the owner of the motorcycle shop near AES.



At 9 am we left;  Edgar and Smith went back at Bugarin, me and Tito rode back to Morong.  He would go back to his shop because many things are to be done.  We conversed as we rode and he again continued his apprehension on his ride that were being more challenging - sign of old age, of sickness or what.  Well I said we accept the fact of aging.  How am I dong? He said he admired my passion and dedication to ride.

We parted ways at Sagbat.  I dropped by to talk to the staff of Holy Angels. I stayed there for 30 minutes and then rode home via Teresa.  Riding Teresa is not so hard anymore because of the low gears of my "cyclocross" bike.  I rode at 32 x 21 and 23 and even at 26 if needed.

I was at home by 11:00

Bike ride today to Bugarin September 17, 2014

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines    |  September  17 2014

I biked today to Bugarin (well I planned earlier to just be at Pisong Kape  -  Gerry and Jess were there pala.  I only saw Tito)  I met Rommel (Smith) my cousin) as I was leaving.  He was RIT with his daughter on the way to school.  Hannah, his daughter, can ride MTB very well up to Pisong Kape and up Teresa. He asked if I was riding solo and I said yes

I left at 6:20 this morning and was at Sacred Heart by 6:30.  I was at Morong, Simple's Lugaw by 7:20.   I met two bikers there:  one roadie and another MTB.  One was from Taguig and the other was from Pinagbuhatan Pasig City.  They were going back to Pasig and Taguig because they have job.

I visited Edgar today to see if he is ok

Wheels of Happiness

Angono, Rizal,  Philippines   |  April 25, 2014

                             Edgar at Pisong Kape wearing the new uniform ahead of others


I biked today to Morong. I left at 6:20 am and was back at 8:00 am  On the way I visited Edgar whom I have not seen for months.  I did not see him because I was on teaching stint.  But that is over, I am biking again and still I do not see him.

So while in Cardona, after descending from near Montevideo, I checked out Edgar.  And saw him repairing the tire of his bike which was flat (for non use.)  He said he was not able to bike because the motor of the submersible  pump which is used in his waterworks system business. 

But now its OK

I did two night rides: yesterday and today

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal  Philippines  |  February 19, 2014

I rode yesterday to Callahan,  Cardona at about 5 pm,  I caught up with Edgar, riding up slowly near the ice plant.  I tried to ride up maybe 22 to 25 kph.  Darkness caught with me.  There my led flashlight came in handy.  I tried to use the 50 chain ring and at 15 and rode hard.  This is to train my legs for hard ride.  I am trying to catch up with lost time for rides.  I kinda of getting heavier due to 2 weeks of non biking:  first two weeks of February due to teaching assignments

Today I rode much later at 5:30.  But I rode only up to Montevideo.  By the time I was there it was kind of dark and the jeepneys were wild.   God bless always our rides. 

Several challenges during the ride to Tagaytay today, January 19 2014

Wheels of Happiness

Angono, Rizal Philippines   | January 19, 2014

                                   Edgar crashed while avoiding an MTB at Amadeo highway

Several challenges (difficulties were with us today) on a our ride to and from Tagaytay.  They were minor though:

1. a  Ados chain broke on the way up through the Amadeo highway.  Fortunately, he knows how to repair the link.  However, he and VM did not have the chain remover/tool.   I had.  So solved.  He connected the chain anew at the Petron station in  Tagaytay

b.  He had a flat tire in Daang Hari, and we had to supervise him and eat while he was repairing his flat.

2.  Edgar crashed while avoiding a HS MTB, he suddenly crossed his path on the way down Amadeo highway.  Fortunately it was minor scratch on his shoulder, legs and just bruised ego.

Welcome Sigmond, a ROV pilot who works in Singapore, resides in Merville Paranaque city

Wheels of Happiness

Morong, Rizal, Philippines  |  December 8,  2013

             Sigmond wears a Nat Geo t shirt and look at the expensive camera on his helmet; at Morong, Simples Lugawan

Today is the Feast of Immaculate Concepcion

Edgar introduced us to Sigmond del Villar, who said he is from Merville, Paranaque City.  He reached Morong via C6.  His helmet comes equipped with a $400.00 latest camera that can be operated remotely from the handle bar.  Wow.  He bought his camera from Singapore.  Helmet camera link

He works in Singapore as ROV pilot (the equivalent of drones under the sea)  Their company services oil platform and he is on call from the Philippines by his employer in Singapore.

We thank Sigmond for considering as worthy biking companions  ( This blog apologizes to Sigmond for earlier errors in his name publishing)

                               Close up of the helmet camera;  it has fisheye lens, fixed focus

                                   Sigmund at Pisong Kape


An ROV image:


This is what Sigmund does? Manipulate the arms and work underwater remotely?

 

 


 

We took a different route to Tagaytay - the Mendez road and several had cramps

Real Cyclists

                         Jethro Garcia, a duathlon athlete, from Silang guided us to the Mendez route

Post for the Lemery ride, October 27, 2013

We had a guide for this Lemery ride, whom VM Jun Vic met -  Mr. Jethro Garcia from Silang.  He was planning to have a Calabarzon fun ride and was maybe preparing for this event. He is a duathlon athlete and suggested a new route.  It passes through the side of new Robinson in Silang and goes up to Tagaytay, 9 km.  It was however very stiff, steep and unforgiving.  He said it saved 9 km from Rotonda. The new route took its toll:  Ernie Ado had cramps especially at the ala Olalia road in Antipolo. It was pretty steep too.  Ado had to stop.

                                   Eddie P, for trying hard all ready had cramps at Silang

                                   Richard had loose clits and had to tighten them

                                        The wind was strong

                                    Jorgeusbiker and officer Amores nearing end of the Mendez road

                                      Master E

                                   Gerry Cataps

                                          Camp for cramps

                                                 Ernie applying hot ice for cramps

                                      Edgar, Angel and Ernie talking about cramps

                      Despite the stiff and hard ascent via Mendez, everyone was in good spirit and happy

                                Maste E, Tito, VV and VM

                                  Ado rode the last 6 km up to Mendez

                                             Tsalap2;  I promised a website for the expression

                                      Hair stubbles grew because of the Mendez ascent

                                Officer Amores, Nolite and Jorgeusbiker

                                      Ado

                             Edgar would have cramps later in the day, he forgot his helmet

                                        Group picture at Tagaytay, end of the Mendez road

                                 Resting after the hard Mendez road hard ascent

I think I did well in this Mendez ascent.  I was not left behind.  I overtook Nolite, Gerry Y Edgar.  I was strong going up this climb.  Except that I allowed the peloton and the others leave me at some points.  I managed the ala Olalia road climb well

We arrived home late from Lemery ride because of Eddie Pama's flat

Real Cyclists

For the Lemery ride - October 27, 2013

 "Ayaw tumigas ang goma dahil maikli ang T, then nabaluktot...."Eddie P hard at work repairing the flat. Notice the time.  We were at the intersection at 3 pm

We were arrived home from the Lemery ride yesterday not because of the distance but because of the flats.

We had two cases of flats (actually 3 - I was the third victim):  Ernie and Eddie.  Ernie had flat at the Seaoil gasoline station on the way to Lemery;  but Eddie had a flat at the corner or Daang Hari and Molino.  And there at least 3 tries to get the flat fixed.  It must have taken an hour to get the flat fixed right.  The inflation would not get hard the first time:   the interior was pinched.  The second time, the Presta valve was bent, and it was only on the third time that VM lent an inerior with 60 mm valve the flat fix was right.

I had my flat on the way to highway 2000 after our last stop at around 645.  I ran into a deep road joint and must have made a snake bike hole on my interior.  I did not fix it anymore and I rode with the Suzuki carry call driven by Nanding.  Edgard had cramps at the last stop at Bicutan and decided to ride the service vehicle

I saw Pangskie and 7 days (Edward) yesterday

Real Cyclists

Angono, Rizal  |  PHL  |  October 15, 2013

                             Definitely, they are abiding by the sign - not to urinate there

I met Pangskie yesterday afternoon on the way to work and made "kumusta" to him for he has not biked for a long long time.  He said he saw Edgar at Cataps' shop and so I went.  And there was Edgar.  And was I glad to see him.  I kidded him if he was on the look out for underwear at the ukay2 nearby.