Did a Morong, (via Bombonngan, San Guillermo) Teresa Antipolo ride

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Did a Morong, Teresa Antipolo loop yesterday.  it was via Bombongan.  The ride through Bombongan features 5 hills:   3 initially from Morong Manila East Road, and 2 at the far end nearing the zigzag road.

I had to be careful and even walked my bike through a narrow portion  going up vicinity of Real Cove.  Feared being rear ended as in Capitolyo the other day.   I saw two Vaciador riders and kept with one most of the way.  just 10-15 meters trailing behind.

Was happy with this ride.  Fulfilled and very much exercised

SRAM red sti failed in this morning ride

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This post experienced failure on this am ride intended to go around Teresa.  I could only shift to the 5th cog and no more  up ot Mambog.  So this post decided to return because that meant I could not negotiate steep hills at Teresa and Antipolo because the shifter was not working properly.

Could it be failure of the shifting mechannism inside STI?  Did the pawls or the plastic dram fail.

Five km from Mamabog on the way beck this post tried to examine the tightness of shift cable.  And lo and behold, it was.  The cable was loose by at least 4-5 mm.   I tightened the cable, (pulled by hand and later with a plier when I reached home) and tightened the nut the cable nut well.  And the problem seemed to have been resolved

Cables and uts do get loose and they result in such function failures   Be sure to bring tools

Thought I have to see Mario Toledo again or worse buy a new shifter.   Good for me.  Savings

Biked today, was together with Sir Bubuy

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This post biked today to Morong for business and exercise.  (had to check the site cleanliness in preparation for Nov. 1 celebration)  As I was getting our the site, I saw Sir Bubuy who as on Twitter MTB .He was riding towards Teresa.  

As my grears were not working well, I had to bike at 36t chain ring, 28  and 30 on steep portions   We went non stop from Morong up to start of climb at Teresa.  We took BJ.   Then it was non stop till Taytay at SM.   His place is near Rusi near the corner.  

He said I could still bike well going up because at zigzag I pulled away.  

Biked to Cardona, Bombongan, Teresa Antipolo and DOMSA this morning - riding for strength

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Big chain ring ride -  FTP

To comply with FTP guidelines, and exercise beyond 70, this post tried to bike at challenging destination at big chainrings 50 (on SRAM red group set at S works).  Its all big chainring at Bombongan, except on one hill, and entire Teresa Antipolo and DOMSA climbs (ahon)

Kapadyak riders

At Bombongan, there were 5 riders from Pasig and Taguig who rode with me.  They were initially ahead of me but caught up with me near Alfamart.  Then they stopped at the bridge and sped away until San Guillermo crossing.   Was surprised to see that I was ahead of them before the Mun Building at Teresa.  They went via bukid in Teresa, and then again I was ahead of them past  Real Cove switch back.  Then sped away for good.

Saw some riders from Taytay.  Rhom Antonio said that I was ahead of him in Zigzag (at big chain rings)

There was also Lito Briones who I initially saw at Pag asa stop light.  Then I caught up with him and overtook him.  He overtook me at Pantok and he disappeared.  Aftewards, i saw him again at Teresa Morong boundary and he sped away.    (Doing that to a 73 yo hahaha)

Bukohan at Avida Antipolo after last Climb at Zigzag now sub for T..ng kabayan?

This is the nth time I saw many riders stopping here for a cold drink after negotiating the Teresa Antipolo zigzag.  About 12 riders stopped there -  most of those who 

Made me stronger, strength training beyond 70.

It was not a chill ride.  The ride took my breath away, made my thighs and calf burn,   My feeling is that this ride made me feel stronger.   I could maybe TT for 25 kph for about 5 km.   Certainly much more improvement than when I was younger.   

Imagine riding up all the hills of Teresa on 50 chain rings. At 50 x 32.    

Aping the pros- riding up the hills on big chainrings.

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This post climbed from Morong Teresa to Antipolo until Avida communities on big chain rings 52.  and rear cogs at 28 at the steepest portion.   When I was younger I always climbed this on 34/36  and 34.  This time am aping the big chain ring riders at the big event even using 54 and 60 chain rings at hill climb.

Thats a ratio of 52/28 =  1.85

Whereas before I rode it at 36/34  = 1.05.   Thats a large difference.  

I found out it can be done.  Prior to this, I shifted to small chain ring, 36, before climbing at Island Cement turn.   I experimented today and I came through.  Congratulations to me

Here are the reasons why the bigger chain ring, the better  :

1.  Less strain on the chain

2.  Less bending because of bigger circumference

3.  Less friction

4.  Less cross chaining

Is it the bike or the rider?

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Rizal Philippines
October 1, 2018

At Pisong Kape yesterday VM Jun Vic was making kuwento of their Teresa ride last Saturday where he overtook 4 out of five Bianchi riders - (the one he couldn't was a Dr.)   But he was wondering was it because of the bike or because of him. He has a large tummy and slightly overweight

I disposed off my Bianchi because I think Pinarello is a better bike than Bianchi:  in terms of weight, geometry and being aero shape

He had Pinarello F10 with Campy 12 groupset. I would say it is because of the bike. I was on F10 last Sunday. Having gone first from Morong, nobody was near me up to Pisong Kape and even managed to get past by RB and MTB who were much much ahead. I was only at 36 x 11.

On the way back, I got off slightly ahead at Biak na Bato and they caught up with me only at Maybancal Titing Kabayo for the buko juice drink.

At Cardona  up at Callahan I was with the leader.   With VM, Pres Luis, Netoy and Jess.   That was not so bad.   The F10 is a good bike for flats and hill climbs.

I am glad I have one.   No  wonder it is the world's top selling expensive bike.  Wala ka nang hahanapin pa
(Kaya wala na akong motivation for a new bike project or upgrade)

                                              My PInarello took me to Real with the Maws

                                                   Top of the line Groupset  Campy Record 11S

                                                            G3 lacing for CULT Campy Ultra 2 WS

Riding with Nolite to Teresa yesterday

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Rizal Philippines
May 20, 2017


Yesterday, I rode solo going to Morong.  Then all of a sudden Nolite appeared from nowhere he appeared in Morong.   He said he would bike around to Teresa and Antipolo.  I said I would eat at Simples and he went ahead.  That was a mistake because Simple ran out of Lugaw. So I had to chase him.  I was unable to catch up with him because Nolite is much much stronger now.    I caught up with him at Teresa Lugawan.   He was finished eating by the time I arrived. Right after eating we rode again to Teresa and Antipolo

I was ahead during the first part of the ride but after the first turn he was ahead by 5 and then 10 meters.  I did not force myself to chase him because it was first ride to Teresa in say 3 months time.   But he waited for me at Pag ibig.  But I kept pace with him going downhill.  We were home past 8:00 am (8:20)

I chased again some riders today as I biked to Morong and Teresa

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Rizal Philippines
April 10, 2017

Yesterday also a great day for biking.  I biked to Morong then to Teresa Antipolo and then home.

I first passed at Sacred Heart Parish in Tayuman, joined the throng who waited for the blessing of their palaspas, then to Simples Lugawan, and then to Teresa and Antipolo.  In the Antipolo church, the crowd, church goers as in Tayuman were twice the usual numbers (the Catholics loved rites and ceremonies)  In Cardona there is a procession of men and women garbed in white and wore no footwear in the procession  (ang baste)

 The interesting part of my ride was as usual my chase story.  As I biked to Sacred Heart I noticed two road riders:   one in black, red and white jersey, and the other one in blue (I did not realize they were Dennis and Joel) whom I passed.  Of course I stopped at Sacred Heart church.  Then after the Our Father prayer, I rode again and saw 2 MTB whom I chased.  I caught up with them at Binangonan Municipal hall and passed them at Calumpang.  We were clustered again before the Binangonan Convention Center where I tried to chase one of their riders in black and rusty red.At this stage, I recognized Joel Javier (and Dennis)   Then at Montevideo, the one in 29er with White, Blue with Wanted signage passed me.  I caught up with him and passed him past the Cardona Church.    I spun until Callahan and stood  up on the pedals, there watching him if I was towing him up.   He was nowhere to be seen  until the straight past Cardona Morong boundary.

He caught up with me at Morong town proper just past the church. Gave chase again and overtook him before Namay after the ascent.  and until Simples.  We conversed at Lugawan and learned that he is a policeman at Cainta, boss nila dati si General Adriano (the PC) who is bike lover, and he has a Control Tech Ti bike with 2 x 11 xt.  He said I was a strong rider.   He is a friend of Joel.  He all ready has a son who is also a bike rider

Joel and Dennis arrived some 5 minutes later at 

Ascending Teresa on 42 x 32

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Rizal Philippines
January 29, 2017

I practiced going up Teresa solo after going to Baras last Friday January 27, 2017 and then to Antipolo. There was heavy traffic before the town proper (before the town market  They must improve the traffic management there, the tricycle, the loading  and unloading) And then up the hills.  I used only 42 (which Pareng Luis says unduly stresses the chain) up to 32 and 36.  I am surprised that I could manage the climb (as I managed the climb to Sampaloc and I did not have to get down. Engr. June said he did get down)

On the final hill, a roadie caught up with me .  He had a Litespeed titanium.  He said he is from Town and  Country, and a systems engineer in Makati.   But having an MTB gave me an advantage over his bike.  I could surge;  he could not

Thereafter I went to Antipolo church where I heard mass

Coping up wiith younger MTB riders

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Rizal Philippines
July 3, 2016.

My bike ride took me to Antipolo Cathedral.  There I was one of the early devotees wanting to have the souvenir or personal article blessed.  I arrived just before 7 when the early mass was to about to finish.  There was a big throng of devotees outside.  And there was a long line for devotees wanting to have their articles blessed.  I had my bike blessed at about 7 when the next mass was about to begin.  There were no issues on the blessing (unlike when Reymond had his bike blessed.   The osne in charge has the habit of castigating those who fail to follow the details of his  instruction)

Some interesting events/encounter at the Antipolo churchyard:

1.  I saw some riders with folding bikes 16 diameter tires.  It must be tiring riding those bikes (but had 60 chain rings)

2.  A Bianchi mtb.  I took the pictures of his MTB and my Bianchi road bike. The owner was amazed that the Bianchi bike was light

3.  Somebody whom I met, an accountant of an insurance company who is retired. He has a Venge S works top end bike.

4.  Somebody, a devotee from Indang Cavite admired my Bianchi set up  He marvelled how light the bike is.

Thereafter, I rode down to Teresa.  Near Robinson, I passed a group of MTB who were pedaling furiously.  Most of them were 29 ers with 1 x 10 or 1 x 11 set ;up.   Then going downhill, they passed me (they are heavier) but before Island cement I caught up.  Near the lugawan in Teresa town proper.   they stopped.  Thereafter they were on it. Trying to chase me or overtake me.   I caught up with them before the ascent going to Morong, near the cemetery.  And then they raced with me just before San Guillermo.  And one cried, "Tatang" to which I replied "Anak"  He lost wind just before the summit.  The Tatang beat him. Going down Morong they were at it.  At Holy Angels I peeled off.

It was a great day to practice sprints and anaerobic efforts.  Make you stronger and fit

Happy Easter Sunday today; keeping up with other riders today at Antipolo and Teresa

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Happy Easter Sunday today
March 27, 2016

I rode today to Antipolo City church after watching the salubong in Angono.I rode on the Mosso MTB (the one I used for the PNP race) There was a little difficulty in Muzon because they had the Salubong right in the middle of the highway.  Well anyway, after some delays I was on my way to Antipolo church.   There were three were two riders who passed me both on road bikes and one on Mt. Bike.  I passed the MTB rider easily.  Then I passed the two:  road bikers.  One wore a red and white jersey, one wore a white, green and black jersey.  I passed them before the seminary/fibertex.  However the one in white and green overtook me before Beverly Hills.

Then I attended the 7:00 am mass and finished this since today is Easter.  "Nilikha ng Diyos ang pambihirang araw na ito.  Tayo nang magsaya."

After the mass, I rode to Teresa and on the way down before the Sukol resorts, a road bike rider overtook me at a fast clip.  I tried to chase downhill up to the plains of Teresa. I overtook him before turnng right and never saw him again.

Then a group of riders with violet jersey, bearing the ads of a V phone, overtook me at San Guillermo. I nearly caught up with them, some 30 meters away had it not for the fact, that I had some business with a memorial park.

Then completing the loop in Morong, two MTBs sprinted until the market of Morong.  I also gave chase and they slowed down after the market and overtook them before Aldec. They were young riders not more than 30.   And then I stopped on the way to diversion road, and said "Mauna kami Tatang" in deference to my appearance and age.   Howver I closed in in the ascent, difficult portion of the diversion and they started to do a cross stich (zig zagging on the way up)  One of the riders stopped first and the second one stopped at the crest of the climb.  And of course that meant, I would have passed them.  They eventually caught up with me on the way to Binangonan and later found out  that they are from San Carlos Hts.

Bike ride today to Morong and Teresa - February 20, 2016

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Rizal Philippines
February 20, 2016

I rode to  Morong today, using my SARS Ultegra Bike at 7:15. The bike is equipped with 53 - 39 front chain ring and 12 to 28 cogs.  I was a little bit bothered by that since these are relative hard gears compared to MTB I rode.  I was in Morong at about 7:50.   On the way a group of 8 riders caught with me in Cardona. However, I chased them and actually overtook all of them at Callahan  3 passed me near the ice plant. and I was about 30 meters behind them as we approached the Morong town proper.

At Maybancal, Simples lugawan the faithful Recylists were there:   Jess, Armin, Luis, Meong, Edgar, Vhen, Vhal, and Smith were there.   Smith went somewhere else.  Edgar was left behind and we decided to go via Teresa.  The large 39 gear bothered me and the tight front headset bothered me.  I led the troop going up until the resort where the Halimaws overtook me.   I was at the rear end with Pres Luis and Vhen.  On the way up until the Ayala housing, I led Vhen until China bank.

We spent some time at the Antipolo church before going home at about  11:00 am.  It was great ride and great time to be with other bikers.  It was first time Armin rode a road bike again.  For 10 months he said he rode MTB all over the place for fun and adventure.  I could understand why.  For this ride he also had 39 front chain ring and was ahead.  I should not have been bothered by the thought that it is a large gear.

A big gathering of Recyclists today at Simples Lugawan and Antipolo church

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Angono, Rizal
November 7, 2015

Today we had a big gathering of Recyclists at Simples lugawan.  First, we gathered at LLDA where Meong had a flat.  Those who were there were Richard, Pangskie, Val, VM, Pres Luis and myself (Jorgeusbiker).  Then we biked to Morong and those who came were Gerry, and Master.  Then we had lugaw

Later on we biked to Teresa,  had snacks again at the intersection, and heard mass at Antipolo.  We were home by 10:30

On the way of Teresa, again was a test of endurance and lungs.   Master had a comment regarding this rider.   ie that the Zambales rider who was loaded passed other riders.  Thanks for the compliments

Getting stronger with more rides

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Rizal Philippines.
September 8 2015

I rode today.  This is supposed to be a recovery ride.  I rode to Km 59 (Halayhayin Pililla) and then back to Morong, than to Teresa.  It was almost 12 when I returned.

I used a different gear though.  I was at 2nd chain ring, 32 and did 32 x 11 most of the time, 32 x 12 and 32 x 15.  I climbed Teresa 32 x 17 and 32 x 19.   I think I am getting stronger with the practice of just maintaining rapid pedalling rate.   My legs have become smaller (less mass with rapid pedalling rate) and I became thinner.  With my weight hovering at 132 and 135 (vs 143 before)  Going up Teresa used to be a chore and scary.  It is no longer as of now.

Bike rides to Antipolo via Teresa

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I have done several bike rides to Antipolo via Teresa.  With my hill climber bike, it looks like a cinch now.   I do the climbs using 44 x 17 or 19.  It is spinning more or less with plenty of developing pedalling rate and aerobic capacity.  I do not stand and stay seated during the climb   The idea is not to speed up but finish the climb maintaining the rpm as much as possible.

I find it easier to do the climbs.  I see out the outer lane, to lessen the effort.  There is less panting and grunting as I use my hill climber.  Surprisingly, the climb takes less than 30 minutes.  It used to be more than that

My bike ride yesterday August 9, 2015

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Rizal   August 9, 2015

Finally I biked again yesterday December 14, 2015

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Rizal Philippines   |  December 15, 2014

I was able to bike yesterday finally.  However I started out very late at 8:00 am because of previous 2 days conference in Calamba City. (I started out early about 7:40 Saturday evening from Calamba but I arrived at the house 11:15 because it was difficult to get a ride home -  it was Christmas shopping time and it even rained)

I arrived at Morong at about 9:00 am and there were no bikers in sight;  I had the usual lugaw with egg and the food server had all her eyes on me..

My bike ride yesterday to Pililla October 3, 2014

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Rizal Philippines  October 4, 2014

It was the birthday of my late mother and I offered a long ride for her to Pililla. I envied the time of Gerry of 60 minutes to ride to Pililla.  I was able to do 1:10 going there.   I did not stop at Morong;  I did Morong still in 40 minutes.. I left 6:10 and arrived at km 58 at 7:20.

I was in Morong by 8:30 and things began to slow down.  Val was there and we had Lomi and puto breakfast.   We parted ways and said he was going back to Angono via Teresa.

We started out past 9:00 and I was home by 10:15.  I had an appointment at 10:30 and had some minutes to spare to dress up and wipe off dust and perspiration.

My bike ride today May 4 2014

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Angono, Rizal , Philippines  |May 4 2014

                                         My bike and that of Gerry at Antipolo City church yard


I left at 6:30, went to Sacred Heart Parish in time for communion, the second collection and the final blessing, "Ite missa est".  I arrived at Morong at 7:50 and the rest of the Recyclists Kapadyaks must have gone to Pililla Pisong Kape all ready

Welcome back and it is so nice to see you again Eng June

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Maybancal, Morong Rizal  Philippines  |  April 27, 2014

             Former office mates at Mitsubishi:  Joel and Engr June - looks chubby handsome and fresh

I was so happy that after 11 months of non meeting, I saw Engr June Francisco today.  I learned that in their company Engr is in charge of installing the TPS (Toyota Production System) and that he had health problems:  he had cyst operation on his groin and forehead.   So he said that he must rebuild his strength and stamina.  He said he was going home but we encouraged him to ride up to Pisong Kape. To which he gladly obliged.  We rode slowly with him, except at km 58 to 59 where Gerry adn I tried to chase a strong cyclist.

We rode with him (Joel, Master and I) going back to his house via Teresa.  But he had cramps in Teresa lugawan and he had to be fetched by his son.

                                        Engr June, Alan and Gerry

                                         At Hacienda Pisong Kape

                                      Master E and Engr June sharing pleasantries

                                  He had cramps and we waited for his son to fetch him

                                       Engr June's son arrived

                                      The bike has been loaded and Engr shakes our hands