Keeping up with the Roadies on a MTB to Famy today January 29 2017

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
January 29, 2017

                                            The Mosso MTB

                                              Vhen was the sparring partner at the rear; at OL


We rode today, 10 strong to Manay's at Famy on Etoy Mariposas invitation.  Since most of them had round Jalajala ride yesterday (Engr. Francisco, Master, Gerry Pres Luis) not many were enthusiastic to proceed with a longer ride once were at Bugarin.

Those who were with us were:   Meong, Gerry,Pres  Luis, Etoy, Joel, Vhen, Chito F,  Ambet Jeff and , myself

Those who joined the ride until Morong were Master, Engr June, Alan.  Am just wondering if others who have low mileage and non participation in this long rides can finish the ride:    Jess V, Echo, VM?

As usual, we did not proceed with Caliraya ride because it rained hard in Famy.  Some suggested that we go back to avoid Bugarin by going via Jalajala but I told them Jalala loop is 40 km  while Bugarin going up is less than 10 km. But it was cold and wet as we went up Bugarin. However at the other side, it was hot and humid.  Expect the different weather all the time.

I had a Mosso MTB with with me and I had some challenging times keeping up with the rest.  However, the Mosso was whistling as we negotiated some stretch of the highway of 42 x 13 gears.  Although the bike is a little bit heavy (the wider tires and heavier weight) I think I can manage the difference.

Which type of bike to bring to Baguio City ride: roadie or MTB?

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
January 25, 2017

There is an ongoing internal debate going in my head:  what type of bike to bring for Baguio City ride for February 10, 2017.  For the last 7 rides, it has been roadie.  5x on the Sars bike and 2x on Fuji.   (We rode to Banawe Rice Terrraces last June 2016,, did we not?)

I used compact x 25 and compact x 28 (Zip tires of VM on last two rides)

However since January of last year, I bought MTBs and have been riding most of the time on MTBs. I did a long ride to Majayjay covering 200 km out and back on a SAVA carbon fiber MTB, I did a Jarrel ride on an MTB about 140 km   Most of Recyclists suggest Road Bike;  some suggest and even Long Henson road bike on flats, and MTB at Baguio City.    Meong suggested. bring two bikes :  one Roadie up to Urdaneta and MTB from Urdaneta till Baguio.

MinZap who will join with Jun on MTB suggest MTB kaming tatlo.  He says any way I have been doing MTBs lately.  He says kaya ko

                                                     Bianchi roadie or

                                                         SAVA titanium?
Which of the options will be best.?

Today I did several loops at Medalva (Botong Francisco Avenue) in Angono using the SAVA and only 42 x 36 as the lowest gear. up to the peak.

Riding the Bianchi road bike again after two months of MTB rides

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
September 11, 2016

We commemorate two events today:   99th birthday of late Ferdinand Marcos and the crashing of 4 passenger jetliners piloted by suicide pilots at NYC Trade Center, Pentagon and  Pennsylvania where 3,000 Americans perished.

Yesterday I rode solo to Pililla on my Bianchi roadie After saying little prayer at Sacred Heart Parish in Tayuman (which we usually do for to praise, thank the Lord and guide us in our biking so that we arrive home safely) I tried to chase some MTB which I did so successfully.  There was one in blue jersey who also chased me again.  The last time he did that was at Island Gas and then never saw him again.   Then I chased somebody at Callahan, but I never got past him when he overtook a long truck going down from Callahan.  I was able to pass him and another MTB who was in pink and black jersey.   He passed me at Morong market, but I retook the lead at Namay.   I was solo again up to km 55 where a large thighed rider on a roadie with back pack passed me.  I chased him and road by him side by side until km 58 which I planned as the limit of my ride.

On the way back after seeing that there was no food in Tanay Gardens, I gave chase to two riders one tall and one short and caught up with them on the way up the hill at the Baras Tanay boundary and overtook them.  They caught up with me again and chased them until past the PNP station and towed them until Maybancal where I peeled off to look for lugaw.

In Angono, I saw the group of MTB riders (group of Armin).  They said they toured from Antipolo Teresa., Morong, Cardona, Binangonan and home. They recognized me on my roadie and said hello

The heat was overbearing yesterday

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

Practicing hill climb with my upgraded SARS roadie.

Wheels of Happiness

My SARS bike is  now equipped with triplet, 44 32,22 Deore and  12 to 28 105 sprocket.  I used this for bike ride this morning to Mahabang Parang Angono (between Angono and Antipolo)  I did 5x using 44 x 17 to 21 to a hill climb 200 meters from gate of La Farge to the hill crest of Memorial Park.

Then a hill climb of some 500 meters from the river up to the steep Mahabang Parang pass.  I pedalled slowly using 32 x 21 and  felt bette compared to doing this with 34 x 25.   My project upgrade is now paying off. I was not tired doing this.  I could do this 3x.

The only remaining part of the project is to have the triplet work with a Sora 3 x 9 to make the front derailleur visit the 3 chain ring.  I would not with the current Ultegra STI.

I saw one in Cainta but it will set me back by P6,000.  Medyo OP kasi the others sell the same model for  only P4,500.00. I contacted Marauder and promised to let me know by Weds...

Taktak road is a nice destination to visit ride.

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines  | January 7, 2015

           Uphill summit of the Taktak road from Fairmont subdivision

Ado Ocampo frequently says that he bikes to Taktak road.  Today, as I was researching on a new church, I had to go to Taktak road.  How do you get there.   As you ride from the intersection on the way to Sumulong highway (to Mangga) you turn left instead of turning right.   A little distance away is the public entrance to Hinulugang Taktak, and then when you reach the Y, you turn right and you descend amidst shady and tall trees, 500 meters away is the Immaculate Concepcion Heart of Mary Church

A lot of bikers were there MTB and roadies doing several uphill intervals.  MInd you the grade is very gradual, and you never get dark because it is shady.

They say that Taytay bikers make istambay here?

                        Tall and shady trees protect this MTB

                        Hard interval for a roadie

                  MTBs hard at work

                      This roadie must have done 5 repeats

                       Tiny bike

I saw Choco2 extreme practice of attacking hills at #Eastridge

Wheels of Happiness

Angono, Rizal  Philippines  October 4, 2014

This morning our office staff and I had PE at Eastridge.  Lo and behold, there were two very young roadies who climbed near the guardhouse of Eastridge riding road bike with gears of 39 x25.  One of them was Choco2.  Wow.

They even proceeded to Thunderbird.  I could only reach Unamonte.

Keep this up Choco2

                        Butt view of Choco sucking wheel of Fortuner going uphill at East Ridge near guardhouse

                 Choco2 and other rider

                    This young rider arrived ahead of Choco2