Met a politician from Region 3, learned later than he is an avid biker and did several Audax

Wheels of Happiness

Had a meeting this morning with a distinguished just elected (third termer though) provincial official of Region 3 province.  Learned that he is an avid biker; had both MTB and RB but now focuses on RB.   He did several Audax all ready.  He is SIL of my family doctor.  

You meet the best people on bikes

Climbed two hills yesterday - testing for health and endurance

Wheels of Happiness

Yesterday, climbed two hills:    Sikatan in Mahabang Parang and Antenna Hills.   What was surprising was despite that it was hot, the efforts seemed light.   

For Sikatan, going up to Pitallo at 34 -36t was continuous and there was no stopping.   This was on a road bike.  This post invites other riders to visit Sikatan and patronize this establishment  There were no customers when I biked there

For Antenna Hills, the plan was to go up only up to intersection of Aristorenas, then at the Church, then at the water tank and eventually ended up at the Antenna.   Many think that the road bike is inappropiate for hill climbs but this post did this well on a road bike.

This post feels very much accomplished for this climb

Climbed long and steep roads of Ynares avenue at Binangonan; I was able to handle this without "tulak"

Wheels of Happiness

I had an appointment with an agent this morning who said he would show me a property at Kasinay.  I biked through Quarry Road and went up via Ynares Avenue.  You turn right after passing through Sunnyvale 2.

I broke my chain on my way up here the first time.   Its only 200 meters ascent.  So it has been awhile since and never really tried to climb this.  The road look unbikeable to me.  I had a road bike with me and its largest cog was only 34t. 

But climbed I did and there was no tulak.   

Then the agent did not come on time and he was late for 20 minutes>  I did two laps from Barangay Hall to Kasinay Macamot intersection twice.  And if you have gone this way, this place is a place to practice your climbing skills

Kinaya.   Hindi sumuko

Winning bikes for TDF 2022

Wheels of Happiness

Winning bikes at TDF 2022

The champion bike is Cervelo by Jonas

Runner up is  Colnago by Pogaar

Othrs are:

1.  Giant 

2.  S works

3.  Factor

Which is better for long ride - road bike or MTB?

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines

3.28.2021.  

Which is better for long ride:   MTB or road bike based on 3 factors:

                                             Road bike                            Mt bike

1.   Weight                                   /                                       x

2.   Tires                                      x                                        /

                                            MTB tires safer at night and for rutted roads

3.    Riding position                    x                                       /

                                            MTB at upright comfortable position especially for endurance rides

Comparison of Michelin Pro4 and Continental GP 4000 2

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
July 28, 2018

I had a debate in mind which tires to fit into the  carbon wheelset that I just got.   Conti GP 4000 which was quoted by John Wilkes at P2,700 or the Michelin Pro 4 quoted by Lifecycle at P2,500.  The favor tips in favor of Michelin Pro 4 because of the lesser rolling resistance compared to Conti.

I consulted VM on this and he said decide.  We do not know the longevity and durability of  Michelin. Since he lent me an unused set of Conti priced at P2,500 I settled for this.

How about you? Would you go for Conti - the tried and  tested or new advanced Michelin Pro 4?

In this comparison, lamang ang GP 4000 II mas magaan mas lower ang rolling resistance ng Conti.  Tama ang choice ko?

Am starting to implement weight slashing measures to lighten up my bike

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
January 22, 2018

As I accompanied Vhen to  Missing Link bike shop in Eastwood, I saw lightweight parts that are parts of my recent post to reduce bike weight:

1.  Superlite tubes by Kenda  @ P280.00 each (They discounted mine to P240.00 dahil bumili ng Ridley frame kasama ko.
2 Salsa Gel Cork tape  (baka mga 50 grams lang ito)   P700.00 discounted price.
3.   Jagwire Road Pro Kit (Celeste green ang color)   30% lighter daw cable outer, Teflon coated ang cables @ P1,100.  {{1.350) listed price)

There was a Kenda Kaliente tire priced at P2,000 that weighs only 190 grams, lighter than GP 4000.  Later na lang 23C kasi   Kenda Kaliente Superpro  (maproblema?)

So how much can you save with light tires:

                Tires    Ordinary tires 400 grams -   190  -   210 grams  x 2   =  420 grams
                Tubes   Ordinary        150 grams       90         60 grams x 2   =  120 grams

                                                                  Thats                                       540 grams

 Thats about the same weight you chop off a Shimano Durace   vs 105;   or a carbon frameset

I also found out that the weight of SRAM red is lesser than Durace;   less than 2 kg (1,900) the latest which cost P100,000+ is 200 grams lighter.  I am looking at 2nd hand that is affordable

Total cycling component weights

SRAM red for sale by Bjay
                                             

Ride to Morong today using FujiCarbon

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
October 8, 2017

I rode to Morong today using a road bike.  The FujiCarbon. I had not used this for the last 2 months and molds and mildew were growing on the tires and other parts  I decided to use the 50 chain ring and the 13 to 15 sprocket even while going up Callahan. (a hard gear set day).   There is a big difference with MTB ride because pedaling is relatively light and was not left very much behind by a fellow road biker aboard a GTS alum bike

As I saw in a bike contest in Lombard, when the gear is harder, all I had to do was stand up

I met Jimmy and Sec Noe and both wore the same windmill uniform.  There was a slight drizzle as I rode home.   Many I think did not ride because there was light rain/shower early in the morning

Dapat talaga lahat ng bikes ginagamit

Difference between MTB and road bike riding

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
March 30, 2017

I was in several conversations about the advantage and disadvantage of using Road Bike and MTB.

1.  MTBs are definitely heavier, have more friction on the road, and more wind resistance.  Definitely not for long distance riding.

2.  You tend to be lazier when on MTB;  you use lower gears, (very low low gears, even the granny)

3.  You cant finish a 100 km ride on MTB unless you are super strong.

4.  With a road bike you tend to be more patient, you less low gears, stand up and seek for your strength.

From my conversation with Alex Castillo who says he works at Tokyo Tokyo at Pasong Tamo, and Bert, who is from Marinduque, who recently went on night riding from Angono to Dalahican to go home to Marinduque for a high school reunion

Steady recovery I was able to bike 50 km out and back yesterday

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
December 23, 2016

Yesterday I rode the road the bike.  I was able to ride a little bit longer, ending my ride at Tanay at KM 53.   This is 25 km from km 28 which the km post in Angono.

This is a far cry all ready from the previous ride up to km 46 in Morong.   This but is 7km longer.

But wait on my way back I passed by diversion road, using 39 x 32.  It is a hard gear compared to what I use with MTB 32 x 36.

But that is a sign of progress and steady recovery from the illness I had in October and up to late November.  The doctor said I had to be careful because in 6 months period I can still have symptoms (pain as they do now) and redness of eyes.  So plenty of Vitamin B and avoiding contacts with dirty environment

Missing my Road Bike - lighter and faster than MTB

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
September 4, 2016

I had long lasting fatigue until Friday ever since I did a long ride to Majayjay on a MTB.  May be because of the weight of the bike (although it is a carbon fiber) the wind resistance or the road friction, I had to exert more effort and energy.

Yesterday I rode up Eastridge using my Ti MTB.  Now I no longer fear nor hesitate climbing up Eastridge.  Kayang kaya ng MTB.

But for today;s weekend ride, Sunday, I brought out the Binachi road bike.   The difference in the ease of riding was very much felt.  I had not ridden a road bike for about a month.  The tires of the Fuji carbon fiber were flat.

I passed about 3 dozens MTB and they were riding 29 ers and were not slow.  But in the end I was ahead of everybody on the way to Morong.   On the way back, I passed at diversion (kaya din ng road bike) and the MTB whom I passed (from Taguig - Ridley club) were still there. That is what you call the road bike advantage

There is a planned ride to Baguio this Holy Week - what bike to bring?I

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
February 23, 2016

There is a planned ride to Baguio again and will include Val, Gerry, Jeff, and who else.  May be me.  It is Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Maundy Saturday.  So what bike to bring.

I asked the opinion of Armin Zapanta who joined us using a road bike, and went with his MTB friends using MTB on a tour of the north.  Would it be ok to bring an MTB which I just bought.  The MTB has enough low gears to enable us to climb the steep Kennon road.

This is what he said:   it is double the effort on the flats (because of the heavier weight and friction from the large fat tires) and even more so in climbing.   Laspagan.  So it is not adviseable.

So there I go again I tore the  53 -39 crank chain ring, the 12 - 28 gears and replaced them with Deore triplet, and 11 to 36 gear set.  The gears and combination I used for the San Felipe trip.

I guess that will be the right bike to bring?  Light for the flats with 44 x 11 at about 100 gear inches, good enough to catch the halimaw on flats and 32 x 32 for 26 gear inches at the Lions head.

Versatility of MTB gear ratios (inches)

Wheels of Happiness

December 23, 2015

It will be Christmas in one days time.  Merry Christmas

I looked again at the gear ratios of the MTB vs the compact (50 x 34) chain sets and found the versatility of modern MTB cogs and chain sets.  As I mentioned earlier, for the 44 largest chain set x  11 to 32  cogs, the  biggest gear inches and the smallest would cover the gear inches for a 50 x 34 chain set

Roadie      50 x 34 chain set

                              50                       34

11                          112                     76

12                          103                      70

13                            96                      65

14                            90                      61

15                            84                      57

17                             79                    54

19                             71                    48

21                             64                    43

23                             58                    39

25                             54                    36.7

More and more People are into Mountain Biking

Climb Every Mountain

Have bike, we will help save the earth...

Last Thursday, I saw Smith with Mountain Bike at Mt. Diaz.  This morning, I saw Bubuy and company with Mt. Bike.  And last Sunday, Danny was on Mt. Bike.

This maybe the reason why I embedded a lot of videos from you tube on Mt. Biking.

When I went to Arospeed to have our old car (a Nissan Exalta) repaired, I learned that the Chief Mechanic there, Robert is into Mt. Biking, and he has 3 to show. We see these MTB guys growing in number every week.  (John Wilkis and Dr. Mateo are into Mt. Biking right)

Mr Calingo of Villamayor bike parts in Pag-Asa, Binangonan, Rizal.  told he he has to set up a MTB section in his store, and it is even bigger than the Motorcyle section;  there are guys who buy Pl70t  MTB cash.

Well, guys, take your pick, Road Bike or Mt. Bike?