It is a rare privilege and honor to have been part of the Urdaneta Vigan Paoay ride

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
February 12, 2018

As I looked at the T shirt that was given to me yesterday by VM Jun Vic, I realize that it is an honor, and rare privilege to have been part of that ride to Vigan and Paoay.  It wasindicated to be 297  km in all. Albeit I completed only the first day ride of 224 kms, it was to me a  very pleasant and exhilarating ride.  I finished it without feeling distressed,  without being left behind (people waiting for me  as a matter of fact, I did some of the waiting) and even managed to lead a conference last Sunday.

Congrats to the hardy group too that did almost 500 kms in two days:  Jeff, Allan, Gerry, Angel, and Peter.
Real mamaws.

Tuloy na Paoay Ride to Ilocos Sur on Feb 15 to 17, 2018

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
February 4, 2018

                                      Kapadyak Richard, the unofficial spokesman announcing to those
                                                   in attendance the Paoay ride on Chinese New Year


Tuloy na Recyclists Ride to Paoay on February 15 to 17 2018 18 is the  sojourn going home) it was announced by Richard today at the triple  B day celebration at Litsunan in Pililla

        February 15   depart 10 am from Angono arrive Urdaneta 530 pm.  We do ON at house Engr. June

        February 16 ride to  Vigan:

                   4 am wake up unload bike, take a bath

                   5 am  breakfast

                   5:30 am depart Urdaneta   uniform  Windmill

                              Pit stops:      Agoo Basilica

                                                  Holy Gardens San Fernando La Union  (light lunch ?)

                                                  Tagudin Central

                                                  San Esteban municipal hall

                            Distance Travel  226 km

                            Lodging at Nite Life Transient House

       February 17 ride to Paoay      67 km   Uniform Green

                   5:30 depart for Vigan Paoay

                   Pit stops:

                                 Sinait Mun Hall after 37 km

                                 Final stop Paoay church

                                 Lunch at Herencia restaurant

                    Ride from Paoay Church to Marcos shrine

           Then unload bike at Petron Vigan City Bike ride to Plaza Burgos
            Back to Nite Life Transient House

             February 18 homeward bound:

            Reminders:

           1.  Pay contributions before Feb 15, 2018;   ala munang Valentine date;

           2.  Uniform:  Windmill on 16th, green on 17th

           3. Tune your bike, and bring tools, tubes, cables, pumps and flat repair kit:   patches glue and irons

          4. Bring lamps because it is still dark at 5:30 am

          5.  Bring sleeping bags to sleep on at Urdaneta

          6. Sufficient pocket money:  food snacks  and bus fare:  say 700 to P1,000  (P3,000 would be safe bet on extra cash to bring.)

Planned Ride to Vigan, Ilocos Sur sometime in February 2018

Wheels of Happiness

December 17, 2017













It was announced by the leadership of Recyclists (we are 9 years old today) in the  Christmas party today at the house of Jess Verches that we shall hold a 224  km one day ride to Vigan, Ilocos Sur by Chinese New Year.  Bus travel to Urdaneta on Friday, ride at dawn on Saturday 260 km divided in 4 to 5 pit stops.  Start practicing now guys. long rides of 150 to 170 km

Kayang kaya. Parang Manila to San Felipe lang, or Angono to Urdaneta.

(Dapat may patsibog refreshment from HGLUMP)  sa San Fernando City

We shall sleep at the house of  Engr. June.  Salamat Engineer.

Merry Christmas

Di pa laos, di pa gurang? At 65 (going 66)

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
April 2, 2017

After the Baguio ride, I was thinking it quits in biking.  I would just be one of service crew of the support team vehicle if ever.  Reflecting on the ride, I did well in the Baguio ascent;   not so well in the  Angono to Urdaneta  portion.  Why?   My headset was not working very well (it was kind of loose) I failed to have to it repaired on time.  My cleats were not working well, the left did not give the distinctive click as I engaged it.  therefore, I was not delivering 100% of the pedal stroke to the drive train.   Third, I rode behind with a limping fellow rider. So I had to spin at his speed and thus tired out my legs and lost much of my motivation catching up withe lead pack.  And lastly I rode practiced mostly with MTB and not road bike and that was the 2nd time I used a roadie again

However, as I used a roadie more and more and had the defects corrected (the head set is now OK, the cleats are brand new) I found out that more is left with my biking passion and distance to cover.  The proof was in chasing the Recyclists kapadyak up to Pagsanjan and catching up with them, and able to complete the 186 km with nary distress or injury (only sore thigh muscles). I even overtook and ahead of some veteran riders going uphill

Today as I rode, to Pililla, I found out that I can still be rider for another decade.  I passed about 5 riders (a lady included) and chased down and overtook a fellow elderly rider - at Montevideo,  he passed me in Cardona but  I caught up with him before Queen Mary and passed him, then he overtook me downhill and then  I passed him  at near the municipal hall of Morong but he overtook me in the town as he overtook vehicles in the traffic (I did not)

I felt that I could now pedal very hard gears 53 x 15 on the flats (before as MTB the hardest gear I pushed was 42 x 13)  And I think (I do not have cyclo computer now) I could do 25 to 32 kph without much effort.  While I fall asleep fast after I get home, I feel great afterwards.  I still have to ape Val who can climb hills at 53 x 23

Di pa gurang, di pa laos?

Idea of race back to Baguio City from Urdaneta gaining traction

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
February 21, 2017

The thought of returning to Baguio City soon, with the ride starting from Urdaneta is gaining traction and many are interested.

The idea came when Engr June, who was our host in Urdaneta last Baguio City ride February 10 to 12, floated that idea that perhaps we could race to Baguio City soon from Urdaneta.  I mentioned this to VM and some of Recyclists and they liked the idea.  I posted this at FB, a three liner and there were many views and likes

One of them was Sec Noe, whose dream of scaling Baguio City was dashed last Feb 11 when Nanding said he does not know the route when we were all ready in Rosario La Union (ako rin di ko alam)

Preparing for Baguio Ride

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
December 27, 2016

Vhen Apran relayed to me the information that during the Christmas party which I was not able to attend (di ko nalaman,, no one informed me.  Nasa facebook daw, I missed that post surely) that we shall have a bike ride to Baguio.  It was initiated by Engr. June Francisco daw and he volunteered to have his place in Urdaneta as a stop over point.   VM daw will provide SWAG vehicle.  That is very comforting.

Time to have increased mileage, at least 100 km  on a long weekend.  Last Saturday, I did 80 km.  This morning I did Antipolo. Mga 30 km lang yon pero ascending.

I noticed increased strength in myself all ready.  Because I was able to climb that 39 x 23 (medyo hard yon) And going back I managed the Manila East Hill up to Tower Hills at 53 x 23 without huffing and puffing  I am and bike in oneness.  Getting ready again Baguio climb.

Vhen told me last night, he would join this one .  He and I are both 65 and in the years to come, we may not be able to accomplish this.    I was able to talk to Master E today too. We three will be team mates for this ride.  We will not be at peloton but we will finish the ride

Armin Z concludes that the Kaybiang Ternate ride was the hardest, do you agree?

Wheels of Happiness

Armin Z says that the most difficult ride he has has exprienced with the Recyclists was the Kaybiang Ternate ride last Sunday, December 1, 2013.  Ben said that too.  Had he known that it was not that all flat (somebody was guilty of deception/lying) he would not have joined. He had fever until Wednesday.

  The false flat condition near Mt. Palay Palay and the all going downhill to Kaybiang tunnel compounded the difficulty.  Some say it is magnetic portion (may bike is aluminum, it would not be pulled down by the magnet).  After you go down to the tunnel, the more difficult part is going back up and they are not easy climbs.

The Kaybiang Ternate climb was something like this.  You ride up to Urdaneta.  When you arrive at San Fernando, you climb up to Angeles City (a la Baguio) and then down.  And then you climb another 10 km up to  Dau (a Baguio like climb again) and then you ride up to Urdaneta in one whole day.  Gerry says it is difficult and his thighs were aching until Thursday.

I agree with Armin that it is the most difficult/hardest climb.

Do you agree, are we unanimous?

Tips on how to arrive on time at Urdaneta (with plenty to spare)

Biking and health

 Armin's House, Bloomingdale Homes, Angono, Rizal, Philippines. January 20, 2013

When I joined my first century run  (100 miles) to Subic, it took me six hours to complete the distance.  That is 25 kph.  At 25 kph, we can cover the distance up to Urdaneta of 200 km in 8 hours.  If we leave at 4:30, until 5:30 that would be 12 hours.

Assuming we do pit stops of l5 mins each that would be one hour and lunch of 30 minutes..  That would be 10 hours.

To arrive on time at Urdaneta, the following tips are listed:

l.  The team leader must be provided with Google maps with the pit stops properly indicated and with cp with load and are working connected with:   the team vehicles.   They must be thoroughly briefed on routes, and landmarks.  The driver/s must likewise be briefed.

2.  Marshalls must be positioned at the spots where we got lost last year:   exit to MacArthur from Marulas Valenzuela;   at Balagtas/Malolos interchange, and San Fernando.

3.  Bring your own spares and repair kits and do not put all in your bike bag in the team vehicle.  Team vehicle with spare wheel sets,  or bike must stay close to the peloton so that there will be less delay in the repairs.

Bring your own snacks during this long journey at your back packets.  You may get hungry and we will be delayed buying snacks.

4.  Ride safe and moderately.  This is a 200 km journey,  warm up properly, eat well.  Stay focused and alert and stay close to your team.  Team leaders,always sweep for your missing or members being left behind