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.

Tried to do a semi Audax ride yesterday March 20, 2016

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
March 21, 2016

I did not join the Audax ride, although it could have been a ride of lifetime, owing to unavailability of vehicle, feed support, and the very hot weather (reaching as high as 41 degrees Celsius)   But I tried to feel and experience what an Audax rider could have done.  I must have covered  130 km yesterday covering 1/2 of the Audax distance and the challenge.  (Come to think of it, I could have done the Audax ride if had a little bit more practice and courage.   I was only 70 km short, and could have covered that easily in 3 hours) Could have finished by 5 pm. If there would be an Audax in April, I could finish this. Hahaha.

I peeled off from the Recyclists Peloton at Sampaloc Shell Tanay intersection and started to climb Sampaloc by 8:00 am.   At km 58, I had a companion, Edwin from Morong who had an MTB 29er with 11 -42 gear and 2 x 11 set up.  However I had a road bike which was lighter and 11 x 36 gears with 3 x 10 front chain ring.  I towed Edwin until past Padre Pio and we parted ways at the bukohan of Jenjen at the summit.   I turned right exited at jungle base entrance to Marcos highway and pedalled fast descending up to Saksak (about 15 km to Jarels peak)  It was around 10 am when I bottomed out and wondered how I could get back up to Sampaloc.  Indeed it was a challenge, and I got the answer why it took the riders who started at 5 am from Bosoboso to start descending Sampaloc by 11 am.   The journey going up is ardous up to Daraitan intersection.  Wow it was like riding up Marcos Highway.

I was up at Sampaloc by 11 am.   And had halo halo somewhere in Sampaloc (very delicious) and descended fast.  I was at Shell by 12:00 noon.  I had to rest a lot of times because of the heat.   I was home by 2:00 pm.

P.S.

Ed Valdez texted me early morning yesterday re report of one of his wards re Audax.  He said it was a killer route.  Many walked (probably the return route to Sampaloc from Marcos Highway and Sampaloc) and did not finish. They could have been better off spending the entry fee of P500 for their food or bike parts

Part II Post: Sierra Madre Ride Via Sampaloc

Biking and good health

                    

Other photos:

Taking off from Sampaloc   (time  9 am)

                              Tito Fabay with his new red bike

                                   Joel with his wide smile

                                    Chito F with his usual thumbs up sign, Choco2 behind

                               Compadreng Luis

                                 Angel wearing the Nike jockey cap (not puritan haha)

                               Weng with V sign

On the way up to Sierra Madre Hotel




I took these pictures while riding (dangerous and difficult eh)

                                       Can you identify their butts (puwet?)

                               I used the left hand to click this one

                               I took my own picture while riding.

Richard took these pictures too while riding

This is a great picture.  Magnificent.

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                                Butt views

                                It is got to be Jorgeusbiker and Weng

                                Archie, Nolite and Gerry C

The Pranjetto Hills wall climb and zip line

                                                The wall climb

                                             Zip line ad

Sierra Madre Hotel   (time is 9: 45 and it was raining already)

                               The Laguna Lake View

We had to let the rain stop

                              This waiting shed was a welcome shelter from the rain

        It was almost l0:00 am.  We had to wait some 20 mins. more.  Choco2 had  a flat tire

                                                  The Lake view horizon

                                            What is IPLC?

                                               The Sierra Madre view from waiting shed

We took from this place by 10:20 and  there were still three hills to climb:   one before the Bureau of Soils, then before the Garden cottage downhill, and then one before Foremost Farms.

Nolite  and Gerry overtook me at before the  Garden Cottage;   Weng and Joel overtook  me at Gardem Cottage.  I was at Garden Cottage by 10: 50 and at Vics by ll.05.  I had to do away with scraps.

Waiting at Vics Bulalo

                          Waiting for the bulalo to digest before a 2 km uphill ride

                               That is another 2 km hard ride ahead and it is almost noontime

At Cogeo (we have passed Bosoboso hill and another hill) resting before Olalia Hills

                                    Allan had  flat tire here

                      Look at the streaks of water spray at the back;  spoiling the nice uniform

                               Choco2 and another boy

                                       Another self portrait;  Armin at the background

After this we  ascended Olalia Hills;  it was 2 km of back breaking hill climb.  I thought, I will not finish it.  But I did.  First time to ascend it.

Now which route is easier.  This one is without the Olalia hills.

                                At the Aquino park;  a little before l pm

I was home by l: 30.  My legs were sore.  Now it is time to celebrate Happy Mother's Day

Our Sierra Madre Ride Via Sampaloc Today, May 13, 2012

Sierra Madre Ride Via Sampaloc Tanay

The Peloton, led by Smith, going up Sierra Madre from Sampaloc.  Its is 9:19 am

Taking Sampaloc route to Sierra Madre Hotel

It is an unusual ride;  most of the time, the Sierra Madre ride is from Antipolo, Cogeo Marcos Highway, Foremost,  Garden Cottage, and then to Sierra Madre Hotel and then down to Tanay town proper, Baras, Morong, Cardona, Binangonan and then home.  This time we took the opposite route via the torturous route of Sampaloc, and then to Cogeo, Olalia highway (it was a killer hill) and then home.

Timelines

 Assembly at Maybancal

 We assembled at Simple's Lugawan.  Everybody was supposed to be there at 6:30.

Who were present:

Nolite                       
Archie Z                                                                       
Smith
Armin Z
Choco Mariposa
Tito F
Kumpareng Luis
Joel
Chito
Allan
Jorgeusbiker
Weng
Angel

 Who were not there:

Engr. June
Ben
VM (at Baguio Scouting event)
Ado G
Papa Ric
Puritan

                                                                       

                                        Kumpadreng Luis and Jorgues biker

We left at 7:00 am.  Master Edwin was not there at 7:00 am.


At Shell Station in Tanay

x                                          Gerry and Nolite

x                                            Angel and Chito F

We were waiting for Master Edwin.  It was only 7: 14.  We were early and fast.  That was  distance of about 7 km.

Struggling up at Tanay Sampaloc

                                         Weng  and Master E at the steepest portion of Sampaloc

                                        For the photo ops, they can flash a smile

     This is the last turn before the bukohan (BJ store).  Before this bend, you are tempted to stop

At the BJ store

                              Armin, the bikes, the buko nuts, bananas, avocados

                                  Pulong2, pahinga, matapos nahirapan

                             Master caught up;  he and Jorgeusbiker were not in uniform

Nolite's wife was right after all in suspecting that Nolite is up to something naughty. Large  and long....

At the Sampaloc Marcos Highway intersection:

                             Loading with coffee, snacks, and water

                                Smith and Armin

             Archie, Allan, Richard, Jorgeusbiker, Compadreng Luis and  Nolite (his shrunk?)

                                Tito, Weng, and Archie facing the camera

x

              They are selling PHP 25@cup coffee from this blend.  Needs promotion though