Joined the procession on Good Friday; all that we and companion talked about was about biking

Wheels of Happiness

Last Good Friday, I joined the Entierro procession to commemorate the interment of Jesus Christ after his death on the cross.

The nephew of Ms. owns and manages the image for the Penas (Penance) and was one of those given the T shirt to join the procession.  Unfortunately I did not see the message at DM at once.  I was still able to join the procession, 50% done.

However, the one who was beside me during the procession is an MTB rider and we did nothing but talk about our biking experiences for about 2 km of the procession.

I also met the widow of the late cousin who just died of diabetes last month, and a kababata who married the sister of JPE, a PMA yer and who retired a general.   He owns an image too.

Did urban biking today; a hot day

Wheels of Happiness

This post tried riding to km 10 today at MM.   Surprisingly traffic was light, and not so hot.   I felt stronger as I negotiated the fly over at 36 x 15.   Formerly it was at 36 x 32.   So much better now.  

The only difficulty this post had was with an MC who overtook me from my right near an LTO testing center.  How could they be so unsafe?   And unmindful of traffic laws?

Trigger finger exercises

Wheels of Happiness

The symptoms of trigger finger are:  locked fingers, (cant extend) or extended and cant bend.   It occurs because of over use of finger in braking on bikes, or climbing, or too much computer work.

One such colleague complained of such condition and said she could not bike for a month and may possibly undergo surgery.

This post experienced such, researched YT and followed the exercises recommended.  I do not have trigger finger anymore.       

Rains from typhoon Carina destroys our bike rides

Wheels of Happiness

Incessant torrential rains have wrecked havoc on our biking plans.  Stay house muna.  Carina which used to be a tropical depression blossomed into a typhoon.

Typhoon Signal No. 2 have been declared  over Northern Luzon.  My phone has been given Red Rainfall warning several times by NTC.  As of yesterday, several streets in MM were up to 30 cm of water.  Araneta Avenue was impossible.  In our town, several siren blasts were heaard.  

Spent  lot of time on TLC of the bike.   Wiping, cleaning the chains, lubing this.   patching up tires and tubes with leaks.   So that when rain stops, and the sun is up.....

Advantages of Biking

Wheels of Happiness 1. Good moods - fun 2. Physical health 3. Mental health 4. Weight loss

Growing popularity of running, duathlon, triathlon

Wheels of Happiness

This post often see events:  running, duathlon, triathlon.   And those practicing along roads and hills.

I could not join the running craze again because of all ready damaged knee tendon   Started running in 1985, after my father died, since his EENT said that the only way to overcome cancer and live long is by exercising.  He ran the Boston Marathon and he graduated from Harvard.  And posted in his clinic is not his Harvard Diploma but him finishing the Boston Marathon..   And so I started running:  joining 5k, 10 k, 21 k and 42 k   I experienced  training of run of 30 km or more.  Did not join ultramarathon though.

Then moved to trekking, 4x4, and lately biking.    I stayed long in biking because of good company and great destinations.   

Sports, in particular biking, develops one to be a successful person in business and other career

Wheels of Happiness

It is often the observation that sportsman often turn out to be successful, millionaire and even billionaire businessmen like Michael Jordan, Shaq o Neal,  Oscar de la Hoya,  M Pacquiao.  So are other nameless investment banker and business owner.

Why do sportsmen, bikers becomes successful:

1.  They develop good habits.  They wake up early, practice, have training schedule

2.   They improve everyday.  Performance has to improve:   faster, stronger, higher

3.  They practice goal orientation.   Every action has to have a goal.  For instance, a long ride has a goal

      to reach a far away destination.  After reaching a destination a new goal takes over -  how to get home

4.   Results matter.     The mile run has to be under 3:30, the marathon in 2 hours (or less)

5.  Hardship make you tough, resilient and determined.    Hardship make you a better person.  You develop

     persistence, patience and determination.  

6.  You are trained to plan when you ride:   your route, your equipment (your inputs:   bike, tools, PHP, 

     how to negotiate your route Consider the weather:  rain or sunshine  (sunburn protection)

6.  Not to quit.    Only to rest for a while:  5 mins.  But never to quit

Strong mind in a strong body.    Mens sana  en corpora sano

All the things that we see now were created by thoughts of human mind.  And certainly only people with strong body can think well and come out with good things for the society.  

So what are you waiting for?  When do you start to exercise?   When do you start to bike

Exiting a gc on biking, biking group

Wheels of Happiness

Was part of a very small private biking group involved in short MTB rides.  This post served as guide and mechanic for the group since most were newbies.  We were able to go on long rides:   Punta Jalajala, Sierra Madre, Pangil, Most short rides were at QR road Mahabang Parang, 

We planned Talim Island, Real, Laguna loop ride, Tagaytay.   However this would not happen because the 3 other members the mjority had work on Saturday or Sunday, one was hija de pamilia had and had curfew hours,   The other had challenges with the better half.

Thus the group was not a group    And the reason for its existence is nowhere now.   They also gravitated towards certain kuyas, and had their own outings.   The posts were non bike and  and as others say, they were full of echos.     No choice but to exit the group and GC

To ride or not to ride when it is raining

Wheels of Happiness

Biking in the rain is more dangerous than riding in dry conditions for an obvious reason: slippery when wet. The road itself is slicker, and so are trail obstacles. Painted surfaces and metal road features are like ice.13 Aug 2021

Bike riding when it rains

It is raining today.  And some gc members would like to ride.  But after a decade or so riding, may I suggest not to ride when it rains:

    1.  Roads are slippery when it rains and you are prone to crash especially if you ride over

         man hole cover, steel gratings, road signs.

   2.   The water may get into the cables, bearings bolts and nuts cause rust and speed up many                              malfunctions like stuck up bearing.    The bike can seize be dysfunctional and require

         expensive repair and/or replacement of parts.   

So better stay home and engage in other types of exercise:  stationary bike, weight lifting, calisthenics.. 

Riding dangerously; how do we remove the dangers?

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines

6.24.2021

We see gruesome pictures of bikers being hit by crazy drivers in US, in the Philippines  deaths and accidents involving motor vehicle and bike riders.  Indeed it is riding dangerously:

     1.  Riders beating the red light;

     2.  Bike riders racing vs motor vehicles in highways;

     3.   Gitgit pina by the Motor Vehicles which are travelling fast;

    4.    Pedestrians suddenly darting out from nowhere;

    5.    Jeepney suddenly stopping in fron of you to load unload

    6.    MC overtaking from your right even if the space is narrow;

    7.    Tricycles MV other bikers riding on the wrong side of the road;

When do we see more educated drivers; and when can roads be safe for every one?

The bike lanes are myth and fancy in the Philippines:  they are not protected;  cars and MC use it, they are used as parking and waiting stations.     They are dangerously built too with potholes and drainage  gratings that can trap the RB thin tires;     

Heavy rains met this biker this morning coming back from Pililla

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
June 8, 2018

It was raining at dawn and fortunately  rains stopped at around 6:30 and so I biked to Pililla.(Up to km 58)
It was cloudy and was a good day to bike.  The roads though had  puddles of water all ready and soiling my jersey, helmet, hair and bike

From Pililla, there  was no rain yet.  It started to have light drizzle in Baras and stopped when I was in Maybancal.  At the highway between Morong and Cardona, the rains really poured.

As I was climbing LLDA, the water cascaded down like a river....I nearly crashed onto steel bars/beams carried by a tricycle that had stopped and its cargo was blocking the highway.  He was not very visible because the flags/warning he  had was small was not brightly colored... And visibility because  of the  heavy rain was poor.

Will I get sick because I got drenched by heavy rains while biking.  Let us see.

Ang mga Recyclists nakiramay sa mga naulila ni Bayani Ramos, husband ni Simple(s Lugawan)

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
October 28, 2017

The Recyclists came  nearly in full force to condole and pray with the family of the late Bayani Ramos, the husband of Simple (the owner of lugawan) who serve our breakfast for the last 10 years of biking.  He died of cardiac arrest at East Medical Center due to complications from diabetes.  He was 62 (4 years younger than me and 20+ years vs Papa Ric) I used to converse with him because  we have the same affliction.


Biking is a a medicine. It was biking that made me live longer.  Otherwise, I like Mr Bayani would have lost my toes and succumbed too to the complications of diabetes.

   Present this morning were Engr. June, Joel, Boks, Etoy Mariposa, Vhen, Edgar de los Reyes.  Papa Ric Mancao, Jericho Magtibag, Jimmy, Meong  Pres Luis Master E,  and me.

We made our own individual abuloy.  All except me made it round Teresa.  I still had work to do.

Are bikers (MTB or roadies) covered by the implementation of RA 10913 or Anti Distracted Driving Law

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
May 28, 2017

Primer on ADD

Honestly I reacted when there were news that there were apprehension of bikers and MC riders during the first day of the implementation of the ADD.

I researched and found out that yes, bikers and MC riders are covered.   For as long as you are on the road, even if you are on skateboard, or cart, or walking, you are covered.

So fellow riders, if you ride, don't text or answer a phone or make a call (as I see most of our kapadyaks are).  If there is a strict enforcer, you will be caught and fined.

What vehicles are covered by the act?

• It covers ALL public and private vehicles, wheeled agricultural machines (tractors, loaders, etc.), construction equipment, and other vehicles such as bikes, pedicabs, trolleys, habal-habal (motorcycle-for-hire), kuliglig (tricycle-for-hire), wagons, carriages, and carts that may be human- or animal-powered. Basically, if it’s on the road and you’re using it, it’s covered (apart from skateboards or feet).

I could bike and blog again

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
November 13, 2016

Despite some controversial news that came out last week (Trump win, SC approval on Marcos burial at the LBNMB) is had something to be happy about.  After weeks of difficulty of having double vision due to eye infection,, my vision returned to normal since Wednesday.  Last Saturday, I tried biking for 10 km and I was able to do this safely.

This morning I rode 20 km.  To top it all, I was able to sprint, ride at pace and even overtook some riders.  (One that I overtook at Bilibiran, reached the convention center when I was going back from Montevideo.

This noon, I tried my hand blogging again.  Welcome my friends.

For some unknown reason, the number of page views went up by a factor of 5 while I was absent from the blog

Questions about your motivation after a hard ride

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
August 31, 2016

My thigh still ache two days after the ride to Majayjay.  (220+  km in all out and back) and it was a two day ride with overnight stay at Majayjay.  Before we had day ride, which was was done in speed. I ask myself why did this happen to me?

Am I finished as a long distance endurance rider?

Am I getting old for this?

Was I wrong in choosing to have  this long ride?  Why did other younger riders not join this ride?

Or was it because I lacked long distance run, or that I used a heavier less aerodynamic bike (a mountain bike?)  Should have I brought the Fuji carbon or the Bianchi road bike instead.

Maybe when the pain is gone, I would no longer doubt my motivation.  It is still good, and I get good dividends from biking

Biking as a mass transport system

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
February 21, 2016

                                               Bike commuting in China

                               Sistema sa China - kanya dala/park (as here but secure your bike)
                                      Major supplier was Flying Pigeon which is state owned


When one mentions transport system, one thinks of a massive multi billion infrastructure system like highways, bus, train system to transport people from one point to another point

But biking is a mass transport system:

In some countries, biking is part of the mass transport system as in Holland and major cities in Europe. They have a system called bikershare. (please see earlier post) It is the major mass transport system in China and Vietnam.

There are attempts by BF before and MMDA to promote biking as alternative transportation system.  Such move would not prosper unless.  It is a good alternative because it is:

1.  mass based;
2.  good for health;
3.  the govt does not have to make huge investment on rolling stocks and maintenance;
4.  non polluting, earth friendly
5.  saves fossil fuel importation including junk motorcycle importation.

Please read this post on Bikeshare

Can we do it here?

If we see the bikeshare system as a capricious move to please a special interest group, there is no chance that it would progress. It is time to look at it as solution to a major transport problem - commuting, then it is possible that we can get our act together

The software, the stations would be the only expense.  Again the bus operators/transport group can be asked to bid under a PPP arrangement:

I have not been able to bike lately; busy with training activities

Wheels of Happiness

Teaching chores and other training activities have kept me away from biking.  Instead of biking to
Antipolo, I took the jeep up to Antipolo, went to church and at 8 am was at MVP Leadership center and the 2Win building.  I met with several doctors and helped them with their Vision Mission creation chores.  I doubt therefore whether I can join them in their Subic ride

Sorry Recyclists

Post by Prof Jorge Entrep at Ateneo GSB.

There are endless ways in biking to be better

Real Cyclists

One reason why we love biking is that there is an infiinite number of ways that you can be better.

l. Speed  on flat, on curves, going uphill, going downhill
   
2.  Endurance  - how far can your ride without taking a rest; when the sun is hot, when it is windy?

3.  Climbing hills:  on high gear, or low gear;  standing up, or sitting down

4.  Riding with peloton with headwind, with sidewind.

5.  Braking

6.  Handling crash

7.  Hand signals in peloton

8. Riding in a traffic, counter flow

9  Road safety

10. Handling pains post ride

11. Diet and nutrition

12.  Time trialling

I for instance, I have to learn to how catch up with peloton, or as they attack hills.  So I have to practice interval and learn to bike without gasping for breath and having heavy thighs when going gets hard.

I must practice time trial

I am sure, you will not get tired nor bored learning to do this things
   

Landmark for Jorgeusbiker site - thank you readers/viewers

Real Cyclists

April 29, 2013

Jorgeusbiker has made 1,000 posts for the last 3 years as of today.  This is 1001 post  There are 40,400 page views and it is ranked in Alexa at 509,861 world wide (low number means high ranking) It is the highest ranked blogsite of the author.

Looking back, it took 6 months to reach 500 page views.  Thanks for the readers and followers.

The growth of this site has been accompanied by boom in number of people taking biking for their exercise

Planned to ride today, but couldn't - air quality was terrible

Biking and health

 Hazy air;   smoke from fireworks hang low and heavy (the picture seem be of poor quality despite being taken from a Nikon;  the subject itself is hazy

I planned to ride today as usual being a holiday and being a tradition to start the year biking.  But the hazy atmosphere and seeming poor air quality from last night's pyrotechnics and fireworks  discouraged me.  It will damage my all ready damaged respiratory system further.

Are people aware that they are hurting themselves with this old habit?  Then they wonder why there are so many strange diseases that people die from:   prostate. breast, colon cancer,;  high blood presssure, COPD, asthma.   Everything has a cause;  it is not a mystery.  The appearance of the comet will have nothing to do with it;   or rise of new religion.  Continued pollution of the environment has something to do with it.

Last night, we didn't light a firework of any sort (except the Christmas light)  to save money and to lessen air pollution, even in  a small way.

                                Those are  Fort Boni buildings, covered by heavy haze/smoke

                                Can you see SLEX? On a clear day, it can be seen, but today...?

                             What remained of the pyrotechnics;  still litter the street

                                  Where is the haze/smoke?  Can you see?

                                   Oh its nothing;   just a little smoke???!!

                                Can you breathe fresh air in this park;  is the smoke visible

While we started on the wrong foot with regards to health and longevity, may we have a prosperous and disease free 2013.  Happy new year