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

Wheels of Happiness

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

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

Photo album mga buwis buhay pics at the Welcome Arch of Benguet province

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines   |  February 23, 2015

Why buwis buhay (or bingit disgrasya)?  Kasi we posed on the middle of the road just so we can have the photo ops...

Group pics

 x         We occupied one lane and almost at the middle of the road.  The vehicles are travelling fast, mind you.

 x

 x

 x

 x

Solo pics

                         Richard and his new bike

             Jun jun raises his bike in celebration of arrival here

                       Smith and his new Cosmic wheelset

 x

                        JB could not lift Smith's bike (ha6)

 x

                       Edgar raises his new Cannondale bike

                        My Fuji shod with Zipp wheelset

Recyclists Ride today May 12, 2013 attending the wake of Rommel's brod

Real Cyclists

Rizal  PHL   May 12, 2013

 At Lagundi  -  BANAYAR (BANAYAD - SLOW)

As I have told earlier, I did not join the guys who went to Tagaytay.  I simply wanted to bike for a short period and avoid the hot time of the day.  I wanted to be back by 10.00 am.  So after visiting the Sacred Heart church in Tayuman, I rode up to Morong.  At Maybancal, I was shooed off to continue biking up to Pisong Kape in Pililla.

After a brief stop in Pisong Kape we biked up to OL (overlooking ) at Bugarin.  I biked up to KM 66 to add some mileage.. Then back to Simples Lugawan, and stop at URS Binangonan and then to Smith in Bo San Pedro in Angono, Rizal

 Edgard and Joel

Past Lagundi, going to Baras;  trio of Joel Edgar and  Master

                                Archie, Joel and Nolite at OL

                                 Jeff, Luis and Choco2 at OL

                              Armin, Jess, and Nolite

                                   MTB biking group at OL

                                We had buko at OL

                               Archie and the buko

 Group picture of Recyclists at Maybancal

Condolences to the family of Recyclist Rommel (Smith) Unidad

Real Cyclists

Angono, Rizal  PHL

I got a confirmation this morning that Mr. Sabas Unidad, elder brother of Rommel, passed away yesterday at about noon time at PGH.  He had a brain operation at midnight of Monday to remove the blood clot from a bleeding.  He collapsed and vomited after walking 6x at their street.  He might be succumbed to a heat stroke. 

There were news that he got better after the operations, as Smith told me in our conversation last Tuesday morning at Wawa.   Yesterday at 6 am there were news that he died after a false news last Wednesday.

Sabas, a cousin (their father is the brother of my mother;  both my mother and their father are deceased) was 55.  Their sister in Australia had come home.

Prayers and condolences to the family of Rommel.

Let us avoid extreme heat this summer

Fire hits Angono, Rizal April 4, 2013, Smith a hero rescuer

Real Cyclists

                                Smith nearly lost his cycling pants rescuing fire victims

                                  All that remained were burned GI sheets

Angono, Rizal, PHL  April 4, 2013

Earlier there was an earthquake today!

Fire struck Angono Rizal today destroying 4 houses:  that of Intalan's, Diaz and Bihon. at E de la Paz cor Capt Aliano. St at about l0 am +.  It is near the St Clement Church and neighbor of house of former mayor Au Villamayor.  It is near the house of Smith, a Recyclist.  Fire was put out totally l l/1 hours later. It could have been worse according to Smith.  Were it for the balde brigade, fire would have spread northward.  The fire almost razed the St. Clement School.

This was according to Smith who said he was active during the early stage of the fire.  He stopped Sebring Diaz a former firefighter from returning to his all ready burning house to save a few belongings.  The Diaz were not able to save anything

Barangay captain Perez was seen conversing with former VM

First to arrive was the Barangay San Roque fire brigade.  All the Angono fire assets arrived.  Cardona, Binangonan and Taytay BFP units also arrived.  Thanks a lot sirs.

The early response and maybe the fire fighting olympics just recently held contained 

Some comments of Smith:

l.  It took sometime to find the fire hydrant wrench located near Barangay Bagumbayan hall;  had the wrench been found earlier, there was no need for fire trucks to leave and refill saving precious minutes.

2.  A fire fighting unit had knotted hoses that took l5 minutes to unravel.

                                    Mopping up fire out operations.

                                   Wind was blowing westward and it was scary

                                              4 houses gone

                  View from the bridge near Dona Aurora;  that is white smoke signals fire out

 They could not find the wrench for this fire hydrant;  the fire could have been put out earlier

 According to Smith, he helped rescue many during early stage of the fire;  he nearly lost his pants and he had no underwear.

                                    Four houses razed to the ground

 They could not move anymore because many fire fighting assets jammed the street

                                  Ready to evacuate, just in case

                                 Uzi all around

                                    The San Isidro fire fighting asset

                                   San Roque fire truck was the first responder

                               With help from Binangonan BFP:  thank you sirs

                                   Cardona too was very helpful;  thanks sir

The daughter of Smith is a Salubong Konsehala

Real Cyclists

Bloomingdale Homes, Angono, Rizal  PHL  | March 31, 2013

I woke up early to watch the  (pag)bati/salubong in Bloomingdale Homes in Angono Rizal.  I left at 5 am and true enough when I arrived, the the kapitana, tenyenta, and court,  saints and the large crowd were there.  I  met Smith there.  He did not bike.

I did not realize that of the beautiful ladies there is the child of Smith.

Congrats to Smith -  "hindi nagmana anak sa kanya" (did not inherit his features)  hahaha.  How could a guy like Smith.....

                                 The konsehalas seated watching the pagbati

                                The good looking lass, second from right is Smith's daughter

    Smith's daughter is second from right, the mother is behind.

Smith gave me a candle from Sto Intierro - antidote vs Black Saturday accidents?

Real Cyclists

Rizal, Philppines   | March 29, 2013.  Good Friday

I met Smith (Rommel Unidad) at the church today.  He would assist in carrying the image of  Sto Intierro.  He gave me a candle from Sto. Intierro saying that would stop bad breaks on Black Saturday. (I crashed after coming from a Baguio ride on a Black Saturday.  There were several MTB who broke their legs on that day. ) I hope that works.  I will just stay home on Saturday.

Smith Love Italians

Italians are the Best to Ride on?


Smith inspected the bike of Mike Francisco.  It is  a Colnago, an Italian bike.  It  also has durace groupset.  I understand it costs only 27t. (Ha Ha ha joke joke)  However it is like his Orbea, not for sale

                                Smith Loves Italian bikes

                              Mike F's lovely and light bike, only 27 t!?

Hey, Gerry and Smith Tells me I am Improving!?

Have bike, we will help save the earth...

I am just wondering whether these two guys want me to make me feel good to motivate me.  We have a member who does not want to join the rides anymore because the Recyclists average now is 45.  (45 kph ridespeed or age).  But the guys are now stronger and faster.  I thought that I am being better because I can ride at 35 kph now or keep up with Joel for a short time at 45 kph.  They ride the hills at nearly 20 kph. My average for the hills is l4 kph (that is up from 8-10 kph).

But Smith (Rommel) told the group, after our Bugarin hill climb that I  now ride hills faster and stronger.

As for Gerry Cataps, I towed him from Tayuman to Morong. We overtook three groups:  Tamad riders, BCC, and some friends from Cainta with lady riders.  I beat him at Namay hill.

  Maybe he not yet up to his old self after the Luisiana problem.  He stopped near the Mango trees on the way up to Bugarin.  

That is great.  But I lack road rides during the week; it is mostly stationary trainer.  Stationary trainers work?

Am I really improving still, at 60%