Nearly collided crashed into MC rider overtaking from the right

Wheels of Happiness

As this post rode out yesterday, getting out of M Diaz, an MC following me suddenly overtook me -  AT THE RIGHT side, startling me, nearing colliding crashing into him as I was brining the bike to the edge of the road.   On a narrow 3 ft wide remaining section of the road, he accelerated and overtook me.

I thought, through my long years of driving a motor vehicle (licensed honest to goodness) it is illegal to overtake from the right.   And so I thought.

Am grateful, I did not meet an accident.   The guy must be told.   Lack of education, lack of knowledge of LTO law.  (How many drivers are like that?)

Strange feeling after biking here on televised documentary with TV personality

Wheels of Happiness

It is kind of bizarre seeing footages of the Kristine wrath at Bicol, after having biked to Bicol three years ago (by Sunday Nov 3).  It was nice and scenic.

Now its flooded and scene of destruction.   How easily good things can turn bad.  My heart goes for them.  But like PBBM, cant go there.  They are well taken of by DSWD and their representation

Secret bike ride in Tatala (trending)

Wheels of Happiness

I have not been here, but I have been up Pitallo.

Not merely to upgrade the bike but UPGRADE YOUR RIDE

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
January 3, 2018

I rode today to Km 58, fulfilling 30 km one way ride or 60 km.  Last night I watched at You Tube how to ride better and how to make your bike faster (inflating the tires correctly, keeping it clean, clothes, reducing your weight, removing the accessories (I put my tools in a rucksack)

I am preparing for Vigan ride and I am on track

I guess I was riding at 25 + kph today.  My religious bike rides are doing me good.  I am standing most of the time uphill up to 300 meters at times (mga 30 seconds)

I ate Lugaw at Simples at may nakasabay na friends great riders.  One had a dream bike:   a CF bike with Kysirium  wheelset,  and Durace group set.   I feared for my life. 

However when we rode out, I was nearly more than a KM ahead when I reached KM 57 and must have taken them 2 mins before they arrived.

So much for bragging

My bike ride today: December 27, 2017

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
December 27, 2017

                                              Fields of Quiapo at Morong



I did a 50 km ride (25 km one way:   km 27 to km 52) up to Baras Hills.   It rained.  Its good
I have rain coat.  But that did not prevent me from having two flat tire at Calumpang, and I had to walk up to Pantok to look for vulcanizing or bike shop.  Unfortunately, none would service my bike
The jeeps and tricycle were full too.   I was about to cross Pantok when I saw Tito Fabay

He offered to give me a lift up to Angono.  I had to carry the bike on my shoulder which was tiring.  At Tayuman, I just guided the bike running side by side with the Motorcycle.

Inihatid ako sa door namin.   Salamat Tito.

                                                                 Naudlot na pagpapatuyo ng palay

                                                   Solar drier talaga highway.  Nakastock na palay sa
                                                                        roadside

                                                                        TLC ni Mr. Millare
                                                                          panglaro

Very fast bike ride by the Big 5 to Tagaytay City today, October 1, 2017

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
October 1, 2017

There was a planned ride to Tagaytay City today as heard from Gerry Cataps:   assembly was supposed to be at 5:45 today at Iglesia.   I asked Vhen last Thursday, and said he was in doubt.

This morning, it was still drizzling at 5:30 am.  I decided not to join

However natuloy pala sila:  5:  Alan, Gerry, Pres Luis, Angel, and Jeff (?)

And they did this in a very quick and fast action:  10 arrival at Tagaytay City, and they even went to Palace in the Sky.

They were able to come back at 2 pm.  Gerry still went somewhere else.

Vhen I saw him at 3:00 am near the Angono bridge, Villamayor Bike store.

Today, I just rode to Morong and went home via Diversion. (after a long time.) and it was challenging again. I struggled at 32 x 25.  

Bike ride today, July 23, 2017 to Bugarin; rode together with Gerry and Vhen

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
July 23, 2017

Sava Ti Bike at Ali Express

I rode to Bugarin today. I brought out my Sava Ti.(MTB)   On the way from Tayuman to Morong, I rode with Gerry Cataps. We tried to chase a roadie with white and blue Jersey.  I overtook him for a while in Cardona, but he overtook me at Callahan and so with Gerry.   We had lugaw in Morong   and those who came were:  Alan, Netoy and and  Echo (long time no see)  We decided we would ride to OL.   And so we rode together with Taytay riders.   I did not see much of Gerry, but I remember overtaking Alan.  And towed  Gerry for a while.  At Baras hill, the tropa overtook me and may be they were ahead by about 500 meters at Pililla.  I did not see Gerry  and Alan but later on I saw them  going down all ready at km 67.

I rode up to km 68 (Bugarin na) and at heavy gear.   42 x 18 to 28.    That was a hard ride on a big chain ring.   On the way back I saw Vhen.  He said he was chasing me from Morong, and then from Pisong Kape to Bugarin and from OL up to  km  57 of Pililla.  We rode together alternating tranco.  We had some buko and turon at store near the intersection of diversion and road from Cardona.  We met many Mambog riders there.

However at  Binangonan Convention Center rain started to fall, and we had to seek shelter from the rains, after being exposed to very hot environment. We spent about 30 minutes for two episodes or rain.  We were home by 12 noon

Bike Ride today, July 2, 2017

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
July 2, 2017

I started out 6:00 am today to catch the start of the mass at Sacred Heart. and had a chance to kiss the hand of  the  Parish Priest. And then caught up with Min Zap and Pres Luis in Bilibiran, but they left me at Binangonan Convention Center.  I had my Mosso MTB with XT group set, and was riding at  42 x 13 just o keep up.  But I lose out to their higher gears. I bet, I would have arrived later on by not more than 2 minutes.

We met the other Recyclists there:at Simples Lugawan    Netoy, Engr June, Joel, Peter A (who paid for my lomi) Master E, and Ed de los Reyes. (7 days)  He said he got better but it does not seem so.

Simples Lugawan looks like a garden setting and looks more charming to eat Lugaw there.   The owner said that the new smaller location (their former place was knocked out due to road widening) did not diminish the number of their customers

On the way back I rode up the diversion using 32 x 23.   So I get more confidence in climbing steep roadlike the Cardona diversion.

It seems that my Mosso fork Suntour lock is not working.  The seat too  is not properly set and I had trouble with my pedaling stroke.

Challenging rides today December 11 and yesterday the 10th

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
December 11, 2016

I had two challenging rides:  yesterday and today.  Yesterday, I did the Botong Francisco hill climbs at Medalva.  I must have done the climb 4x and a distance nearly as long as Taytay.  I joined our staff on a PE.  And as they climbed, I climbed up, down and climbed again.  As they descended, I rode slowly, rode up again and descended with them.   I came out of the ride, perspiring one and a half hour after the event.

Today I happened to be towed by Meong on the way to Morong. I still was wearing my slippers but Recyclists tops.   We were together until the convention center when he left me. (He rode a road bike)  He lost me but I caught up with him after Callahan where he got a flat tire.   Then came Weng, Papa Ric and then Ado Gonzaga.  I learned that Ado has not biked for the last 1 1/2 months because of kidney stones.  He said he got cured by eating apples.   Please take note of that cheap cure

On the way back I rode up the diversion and I was able to do the first part of the climb before the bend using 42 x 28 and then completed the climb with 42 x 36 for easier (that was the biggest chain ring.  And then I practiced riding with my elbows bent and and forearm straight for speed.













    1.  Aerodynamics
    2.  Clothing
   3.  Posture during rides







       1.  Clean your bike;
       2.  Remove other accessories
       3.  Brakes correctly installed
       4.  Bearings

Bike ride today using MTB Mosso Falcon 2 with XT groupset

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal :Philippines
November 20, 2016

I did my usual Sunday long ride today (only up to Morong 26 km out and back) using my MTB Mosso Falcon 2 with XT group set (including wheel set)  I have not used it because of the poor braking performance.  I suspected its brake pads to have thinned out.  However, I had it fixed by Vitoy at Villamayor who added the mineral oil and bled it at the same time.

There are two memorable part of my ride:

1.  I was chased by two bikers from Pasig and the stronger one is named Encer.  Encer rested 2x after he overtook me and he rested once before Convention Center and the other near the exit of diversion in Cardona.  When he caught up with me in Morong, he said he admired me for being "Ang Lakas mo sir for an MTB rider and at yourage)  I was doing between 25 to 30 kph (my cyclometer was working well as well) That is a real compliment from a younger rider.

2. The other one is at diversion road and LLDA.  I negotiated the same using 34 x 28 onlyand 34 x 21 on the less steep part. However as I was about to the enter the main highway from diversion a  29 er overtook me and let by as much as 20 meter.  I patiently tried to catch up with me, and sprinted near the final bend.  The guy later caught up with me and said "Si Sir Jorge pala"  It is Louie de Guzman whom I joined going to Jarrell's peak.  He did not realize it was I who overtook him since I was wearing only slippers.  Ha ha ha nagulat ko siya

Resuming biking with renewed passion

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
November 15 2016

After having been sidelined from biking due to vision impairment, I resumed biking (fro 3 days now) with greater gusto.   I biked last Sunday to Cardona and even joined the Higanteng Padyak caravan;  then last Monday up to Morong, and yesterday to Antipolo Church.  The significant thing about yesterday was that I climbed it using only 44 front chain ring and only 28 at the rear cog.

The ride reminded me of the movie Miracle a 2004 film, a film feature about US hockey team who defeated the Russians who dominated the sports for a decade. This was in 2000 at the XIII winter Olympics at Lake Placid  The athletes who won were mostly young, raw, and experienced.  But the coach Herb Brooks motivated them to always exceed their limit.   When there injuries that would sideline most of players, he asked the player if they were quitting.  And so the pain and the injury was tolerated.

From fastpitch leadership blog - analysis of leadership at Miracle

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.

Our bike ride to #Famy today, October 9, 2016

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
October 9, 2016

In response to text message of Meong, I rode to Sacred Heart Church in  Tayuman this morning.   There I found waiting, Jess V, Richard, Pres Luis and Nolite.  Later Master E came  At about  6:20 since no one was coming any more we rode out to Pisong Kape.  Later Gerry K  and Weng joined us along the way.   I was ahead of the group until Callahan when hell broke loose and they overtook me.  However I did HID and overtook them on the way to Morong.   They regained the lead at Namay and never relinquished the same.  

Only I and Nolite were battling it out at Biak na Bato.   We arrived at Pisong Kape at 7:20 which was a furious pace.  We waited until 8:00 am for VM,

Joel, Master E, and Vec (the market master)

When they arrived, they had the following reasons for not joining:

#VM -   loose pedal
Vec - galing sa sakit (ako galing sa sakit din)
Master E - #bagong bunot
Joel - kulang sa ensayo
Nolite ??

We rode to Bugarin and were there by about 9:00 where we got some water from Manang and then proceeded to Famy.  The rest were way ahead:  Gerry, Jess, Pres Luis, Ed Valdez, Richard. etc.

Those who were at the tail end were:   Peter, Ed (7days) myself and Engr. Ariel  I guess most of them were at Manays Resto by 9:30.  We started eating at 9:45 and were done by 10.  We left by 10:30 and were in Pisong Kape by 11:30.  I and Weng were behind (he accompanied me out of pity)  I did not exert more effort in order to conserve my health and energy.   I even bought rambutan which was only P25.00 per kg.

I was with the troops from Biak na Bato until Tanay where I started seeing them leave me behind.   Cardona by pass junction I turned right, to pass at diversion;  however as I was buying BJ (buko juice) Meong called me and joined the group who took a pit stop and waited for the shower to stop.

However Alan said we would do the diversion and so he Richard and I did the diversion.  However I was not very fit for this ride and was left again.  I caught up with the group at Island gas and URS where I overtook them on a sprint.

It was raining hard and my bike and my jersey were all muddied up.

#GreatRide though

At Sacred Heart Church

                                   Nolite, Jess V and  Meong at Sacred Heart

                                          Richard checking VM and others whereabouts?  Where na u?

                                         Still waiting at Sacred Heart Church

At Pisong Kape, Pililla

                                        Richard and Meong

Great day to bike today, slightly overcast (neither hot nor raining) September 25, 2016

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
September 25, 2016

                Nolite, Alan, Pangskie, Master and Gerry resting at Maybancal Barangay Hall after
                                                        breakfast

My goal today is to ride 90 to 100 km.  It is a great day to ride today.  Despite the announcement that typhoon Helen is making a landfall today (in Batanes) it did not rain this morning (although it rained last night). The skies were dark at the West side but the rain did not fall.  I saw Jess, Meong, Luis, and rest of the guys at Jollibee at about 6:30.   I rode ahead of them to say a little prayer at Sacred Heart.  I saw them pass and leave me.   Then I gave chase but never caught up with  them. Saw them in Morong for the breakfast of lugaw and buchi.  Those who were there were Joel, Master, Meong,  Nolite, Gerry, Pangskie, Alan, Luis, Jess

Along the way to Morong I played with a group of MTB (about 8).  They were fast.  I passed them before Looc, and I left them but they gave chase downhill from  Callahan.  I raced with them again passing them before Morong market, then I overtook them at Namay (later in Tanay as we biked to Pisong Kape, I overtook them again)

They stopped at Pisong Kape to go to Jalajala so that I would reach my mileage.  I reached Jalajala in 30 minutes but stopped along the way to have buko and take coffee at Pisong Kape (where else)  I had conversation with Pablo and somebody, an MTB from Batingan Binangonan.

I passed at Cardona bypass going home

Going back, I passed other bikers going home but I chased somebody in road bike. He was wearing red jersey.  From Binangonan, I chased somebody who was on MTB but had thin tires.  I let him go near Tayuiman elem school.

It was a great day for a ride.  I think I pushed myself to the limit to be stronger.  I am distressed anymore by riding MTB for 100 km distance.  Just spin it

                                           Ginigiba na barangay hall; naiinis na sa bikers?

                                  Pangskie, Master, Gerry and Meong showing his boobs and tatoo

Our bike ride to Jalajala yesterday May 29, 2016

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
May 30, 2016

Vhen Apran  and I rode together to Jalajala yesterday.  We got together in Morong Cardona boundary. He recognized me but I did not because he was wearing the new uniform.  We had breakfast at Simples Lugawan in Maybancal Morong.  There we saw the Recyclists:    Master, Meong, Jess, Pres. Luis, Gerry Etoy the BCC, and Taytay Cyclists.

After breakfast, we decided to bike to Pisong Kape in Pililla.   Just at the hill before Lagundi I shifted the MTB gear to 44 x 13 and overtook the peloton and never gave the lead until km 58 which was my target distance for the all out ride (doing 32 to 35)  Etoy and Pres Luis were on the lead and we did rubber band pacing in Tanay.

When we arrived in Pililla, I told Vhen we would go to Quisao so we did (that was Km 63)  I still went on until km 73 past the welcome arch to Jalajala.  We had buko (only P15) at Niyugan where we met former councilor Idol (a la Levy Celerio - he can play musical insturments at his mouth lips and nose.

I was pacing Vhen while trying hard gears   44 x 11 and 13.  I was trying what Iveler did on the race.  High gear, body close to the tube and rapid pedalling rate.  The method is hard on the thighs and back

Pit stop at pisong kape where we had drinks.  I had small gatorade and plenty of water.   We biked again and I still paced Vhen using hard gears.  I tried to climb Tanay hill with 44 x 17 and even standing to compensate for the high gear.  We stopped at Vista open air resto and garden for some drinks and Vhen for lugawa

Another stop at Cardona where we had water and biscuits  We were intervieweded by the store keeper on where we came from, why are you biking, the cost of the bike.

We arrived past 12.  It was hot and we had to make frequent stops

I rode to Jalajala today and met Peter, and champs Iveler Nebres and Aries Sison

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
May 24, 2016

I rode to Jalajala today, leaving at 6 am, going to church and going straight to Km 72 of Jalajala. I am sure that I am nearing my goal of riding 30 km in one hour or less.  I guess, I biked it at  1:08 because I arrived at 6:08 (on the assumption that I left at exactly 6:00.  But wait, I still went  to Sacred Heart Church to pray. That would be about 5 minutes.

I guess I was pretty much benchmarking Iveler, body down parallel to the tube, hands on the dropsand gears at 53 x13 or 53 x 11, probably doing 30+ kph.  I was in Jalajala by 8:30.  (I slowed down a bit)  I climbed Quisao Hill at 53 x15 and finished it standing up on the pedals.  (I did this several times:  biak na bato, and Baras Tanay Hill, going as slow as 5 kph going up at 53 x 11.  This I am sure develop strength and true grit when climbing.

We ate at Pisong Kape, and there met Iveler Nebres (who won in convincing manner the FilChi 35 and below race last Sunday at Roxas Blvd. and Aries Sison of BCC who finished 7th the 35 and above category.  Di daw naglunch si Aries.

Somebody died at the race last Sunday;  even robbed of the bike

As per kuwento in the said conversation, somebody a 50s old man, who joined the race who collapsed some 150 meters from the finish line (near the Airstocrat traffic light at Roxas blvd; did not make it and died apparently of a heart attack.  While his bike was carried to the officials table, somebody allegedly, pretending he was a relative/friend took away the bike (nanenok).   How sad and cruel to rob a man who died of his precious possession.  May the wages of sin be death.

Met again Peter A and friend

I met again Peter A (whom I met last Friday, and who as Filchi Bikefest at Roxas blvd last Sunday) at Pisong Kape.  He was with a friend who had a Kuota Italina made carbon fiber bike with Durace groupset.   We rode home together.  However, I must have paced fast because I did not see them afterwards.  I passed at Cardona diversion this time using 39 x 28.

Bike ride today with Reymond and Gelo

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
April 22, 2016

                             Gelo and Reymond;  I sold Gelo
                              the red shorts, the tops and helmet


We, Gelo and Reymond rode to Baras today.  We set at 6:00 am from Pag asa Shell station and we were back by 9:00.   It is distance of 44 km out and back.

We rode out to Baras and then came back for lugaw and coffee at Simples lugawan. Reymond paid for the Lugaw.  We met Papa Ric there.

Reymond chased a duo from BCC up to Morong.  I stuck with Gelo who may be discouraged by going with fast bikers.  I waited for him at Callahan and at Maybancal.

I did some sprints at:   Callahan, between Morong and Cardona, between Lagundi and Baras and at Calumpang on the way back.

                              Lady joggers at Callahan

               Gelo pumping up at Callahan near ice plant

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

Wheels of Happiness

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.

My bike (MTB) ride today February 8, 2016

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
February 8, 2016

Happy Lunar New Year

Many biked today because it is a holiday. I rode on an MTB wearing my tsinelas (If there is tsinelas leadership by fmr Sec. Jessie Robredo, we too can have tsinelas bike ride as Pablo Zarate does)

I biked up to KM 55 and then turned back and went to Baras barrio roads one to Solem and other to Barangay Rizal which are uphill. Next time, I will try to find out if it connects to Marcos Highway.  More adventure forthcoming

On the way and going back I tried to pass attack roadies and MTB. I generally succeeded in passing the MTBs but not the roadies.  I can overtake them briefly as I did from Tayuman to Darangan but the tire friction and heavier bike got the better of me, and lost steam.

On the way back I rubber banded with a roadie from Morong up to Binangonan.  He was a little bit on the heavy side and could not sustain his pace going uphill at Callahan at LLDA.  He caught up with me but then I sprinted at the flats and uphill near Island Gas in Calumpang

Practice ride for return ride to San Felipe on Feb 6, 7, 8

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
January 21, 2016

There is a plan to ride again to San Felipe Zambales at Jeff place this coming Feb 6,7, and 8.  Many are joining like Pres Luis, Jess, Meong, and even Edgar.  They asked me if I will join.  Maybe.

So I practiced today, 50 km out to Jala jala and back for total of 100 km.  It took me 3 hours out and 3 hours back.  I brought  my SARS bike with me.  I would not last with the MTB for this ride.

I found out that I could ride bigger gears this time.  without hurting my legs.  But  the gears were relative easy like 44 x 15.  I could do it without standing.

One of the very pleasant experience I had (although I was dropped by an MTB rider in Cardona, because I missed a shift, and the chain dropped out of the chain ring ) was passing a Baytown young rider at Namay.  He passed me near the church but he slowed at the first ascent and looked back.  But then I sprinted spinning and caught up with him just after the cemetery.  He did not give a chase

I met some Binangonan riders at Pisong Kape, Ed (7 days) and Ed Naval (walang praktis)  I was wearing the Liquigaz uniform just like Boy Navals.

I arrived 1:30 pm and as Meong saw me that I rode late, I told him that we need that kind of riding, at noon up to 3 pm (I did not know that temperature went up to 35 degrees Celsius today - quite hot)