Climbed Bugarin all the way to Manang Rinas eatery (KM 68) using big chain ring

Wheels of Happiness

My bike ride today was to Bugarin KM 68, using big chain ring 52 x 28.   Like the gear combination I used for the Teresa Antipolo loop.   Before I drop down to small chain ring before Km 63  (before climbing to the bamboo farm.   This time it was big chain ring all the way.   The going gets rough at km 64, right after the restaurant row.  

But thereafter going gets less tough.  The gradient at Bugarin must be 5 to 12 max (or even less)

I dreaded going up Bugarin before   May gear was small chain ring ang the biggest cog at the rear

What was my feeling (especially that I just turned 73)

1.  Like Eureka -  see I did it big chain ring all the way;

2.  Like I was very young again;

3.  Like I had a new bike

I will try this at Cabrera, Domsa, diversion and Antenna.  I hope I dont break my chain.

Sometimes the only real self improvement we could do for the week is a bike ride; or the only achievement for the week

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
October 9, 2016

We always ask and reflect why we ride despite the absence of any real material gain.  Most of the time we lose with our investments and pain during practice or crash.

Well we ride, because sometimes it is t he only real self improvement effort we could do for the week, for our health, and to improve ours skills (the biking skill) and capability.  Biking enables us to practice focus, determination, and dedication to an endeavor.  We could not afford graduate studies, or seminar or a life coach, but a bike ride teaches us to dig deep into our inner self to find out more about our selves.  And we are happier as we make the discovery in every ride.

With all the bad news, with all the negative people we meet every day, and with all the frustration, biking may be the only positive thing we experience during the week.  We are the king of our destination, or our speed, and direction not to be frustrated by any one else (except by the MC, jeepney driver, or tricycle)  But in an open road, there is no boss breathing down our neck, no competitor to block our way, no tsismis to hurt our feelings.  It is only you/us enjoying the bike and the earth.

That is why we spend endless hours preparing for our bike ride:  cleaning and tuning up the bike, choosing the color and the combination of the jersey to wear;  becoming fit for the week end ride by weights, and light rides.  Sometimes, when we go out for the ride, we affirm our identity and appearance.  We appear more guapo with our tight shorts and upper, with our eye wear and helmet.

And that gives us a sense of pleasure and pride.

Awarding Certificates of Achievement to the Sturdy, Strong, Fast and Determined Recycllists

Wheels of Happiness

                                    Preview of the certificates prior to the distribution

Villa Criscar, Adelina St, San Carlos Hts, Tayuman, Binangonan Rizal  |  December 29, 2013

The way I looked at it, the most important part of the days event was not the eating, nor the singing nor the exchange of gifts, or the raffle.  But it was the awarding of Certificates of Achievements.  It was the graduation of sorts, a signal achievement for having worked so hard to finish those long rides.

The Certificates of Achievements were for the Lemery and Ternate ride.   VM and Pres Luis gave out the certificates

It is not only a proof to our wives and families that we really biked out there, but gives us the bragging rights of how much we improved in terms of guts and endurance.  We may not be the TDF riders, but riding 200 km, out and back,  puts us in different territory.  It is going back and forth to Bugarin 3 times during the day, from Angono.   And it is a non stop effort.

So guys, congratulations.  Keep this up.  We are proud of you, as you are proud of yourself for having worked so hard. And you all deserve to get this certificate.  Cheers.

Christmas Get Together of Recyclists at Criscar Adelina San Carlos Hts, Binangonan

Wheels of Happiness

                        Seating on the Criscar driveway, cooling themselves in the hot afternoon

 Criscar Resort, Adelina St., San Carlos, Binangonan, Rizal   PHL  | December 29, 2013

We just finished the Christmas get together for the Recyclists at Criscar in Adelina St, San Carlos St. Tayuman, Binangonan, Rizal.  Some 24 Recylists including those who came from abroad arrived.  Willy Cunanan just got of the ship, Richard Ang had a bad crash at C6 last December 1 on the way to Ternate.  Jose Atanacio whom we have not seen for quite a while reappeared.  It was our year ender - a year end celebration and a happy and memorable one.