It is not really about the bike or the latest parts; it is about the rider

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
March 21, 2016

At the bike shop in Angono this afternoon, a pamangkin said if I had upgraditis.  No I did not.  I just wanted to have 3 links added to the chain of my SARS bike (I had a complaint of the chain jumping from 44 to 32 when I shift the cogs to 32 and 36.  The mechanic said that I simply should not shift to that cog when at 44 because of the limitation of the changer.  However, I solved that by raising the FD level by 5 mm above the chain line instead of the usual 2 mm. The only problem was the chain length which could be increased by 3 links)  I spent P30 for the job; I could have bungled the job because I waste a lot of links trying to get the chain axle out right.

The solution that I had before as suggested was to try to get a 2 x 10 set up.  It does not come cheap though.  A Deore 2 x 10 will set me back cheapest by P2,700.  A Deore XT upgrade would be about P6,500 (quoted by Christy)  A SRAM or Truvativ set up would be about P20t plus.  All that I spent was P30 and some imagination.

I also observed in my ride yesterday to Sampaloc Tanay that the MTB rider from Morong, Edwin had a top end equipment, XT, 2 x 11 set up with 42t gear.   He was struggling though vs my SARS 6 year old bike with a 3 x 10   11 - 36 gears.  I did not have to use the 22 front chain ring. Only 32 x 32 combination.  I did not struggle.  So its not about the equipment, it could be the rider on the bike

(That was my fourth ascent in 2 weeks)

Secx went to our office to check me out

Wheels of Happiness

Angono, Rizal  Philippines  |  February 12, 2014

Secx Noe was in our office at about 9:30 this morning.   I was wondering why.  He said Master E texted him to check me out because I have not been with the group for the last 2 weeks.  Well I said, I had permission from Luis and I informed him I had teaching chores at Iloilo.

That is good to know he said.   I might be sick or whatever?

Thank you guys for checking out.  Thanks for your caring

The Legend of Bayabas

Biking and good health

                               Papa Ric and Bayabas

I have wondered why a fellow biker is callled Bayabas.  I was with him from Bilibiran up to Morong this morning.  He also joined us on our ride home today.

Edwin, his cousin told me the story:)

When Bayabas was just starting to bike, he ran short of breath while in Mambog.  His cousin saw him and Bayabas said he could not see anything (sign of lack of oxygen going to the brain)   Edwin looked for bayabas (guava leaf) to revive him.  He was advised to go home.

The following week he biked again and this time, Mr. de Leon was more adventurous and went to Morong (at Maybancal.  Again he had the same symptoms.  Edwin was there and he again looked for guava leaves and was able to revive Mr de Leon.

From thereon, he was baptized, a.k.a. "Bayabas"