Bike to work scheme update

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
March 5, 2018

Bike to Work Pilipinas at FB

From Spin Ph: Is biking the answer to MM traffic problem

There is a renewed interest in bike to work:  MC or bikes:   MTB and  RB.  The traffic gridlock which could be very frustrating, time and fuel wasted, late to work and appointments, the frequent and unsolvable MRT breakdowns make us think of the  easiest and cheapest way to solve this problem:   bike to work.

Advantages:

1. Less fuel;
2.  Less pollution
3.  Instant solution:  no cap ex on the part of the govt;
4. Healthier lifestyle
5.  Less absenteeism at work, less tardiness
6.  O expense on fares.


I just talked to two delivery boys of a bed company in Bicutan who bike to work:   one is RB and other is MTB.  I gave for free (no raffle) one old helmet.  They bike no less than 60 km to work

Certain infrastructures though must be made to encourage more people to bike to work:

Inputs:        bike lanes,  parking for bikes at buildings, SG to guard the bikes, secured parking lots for
                  bikers, bus and  LRT MRT friendly to bikers, airlines  and ships friendly to bikers  (LRT and
                  MRT now allows folding bikes to be brought inside the cabin, thanks to efforts of TSP - Tiklop
                  Society of the  Philippines

Throughputs:   laws protecting bikers,  tpl MV for bikers   education for MV drivers to respect bikers; training for PUSO, traffic cops, MMDA about new bike laws

Outputs:      laws, posters, announcements

Environment:   biker friendly offices, employers, traffic enforcers, malls, local govt;   safety consciousness

Catalyst:      low interest, or interest free loans from bike shops,  financing company, SSS, employers

Human aid:    Legislators, Attys, lawyers lawmakers who are bikers, RB and MTB association, blog and
                      FB posts, emergency and rescue facilities in case of accident

Indeed bike to work has come of age, maybe 40% done:   kasi my bike lanes na, may bikers association, by force of necessity, factory and construction bike to work, the population of MC bikers is increasing by leaps and bounds (and Motortrade, Ropali etc are having it good)

These are tip for bike to work:   From top gear: tips on bike to work

Things to know about biking to work from Rappler

Some tips:

1. Be visible be agile
2. Avoid dark clothing
3   Adopt high cadence pedaling style to help further become visible
4.   Follow traffic rules (no beating of red lights keep right0
5.   Stay 4 to 5 ft away from gutter (in case you fall and to avoid broken glass)

Beware of bike grab ( jacking napping) even in a church even a cathedral yard

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
September 30,, 2017

Yesterday I biked to Antipolo using an MTB on hard gear:  44 x 17 and 19.   I went to the cathedral of the said city.  Because of the presence of security guard, I was compelled to go to the bike parking area.  There I met Romeo who is 66 and senior like me from Manggahan.  And Liz from Balara, Q. C.

I excused myself, left my bike to say a little prayer and was in time for final blessing.  As I came back the two reprimanded me for leaving my bike.

They said that many bike jackers abound in the area.  Those who look as if they are agents for vendors, barkers, etc.  just take off their pants and other  clothing,  are into bikers uniform and simply grab the bike (reminds us of grab taxi)

Someone left his bike at the right wing of the cathedral (beside the parish office) and lost his bike in matter of 3 minutes. (Bike thieves accomplish the feat in 1 minute or less)  They said that even in the lugawan, some 200 meters away, do not leave your bike.

The TV is full of CCTV clips of bike thefts, even in broad daylight.  Even chains and bike locks do not work vs their huge bolt cutters.  They  ply their trade with MC or motor vehicles.   The thieves observe and case their victims.   They go after careless people, just like me at the church yard

Dear bikers, many are aware of the steep price we pay for our cherished bike.  Beware.

INGAT LAGI SA ATING MGA BIKE

From Vocativ - Tips from a bike thief -  how not lose your bike

Descending on steep slopes using MTB; my weakness at last Saturdays ride at Ambuklao

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
May 18, 2016

I rode with expert downhill kings last Saturday at Ambuklao.  They had to wait 3 or 5 minutes for me, about 5 times.   I braked a lot because I did not do much of cross country biking before. I am only on my 5th month of MTB.  I had to brake a lot and tread carefully lest I crash or worse, fall into steep ravines.   I rode conservatively.

Our bike companion said that to erase the vibrations and the uneven undulations of the road:  you have to have bigger tire circumference/diameter, and you have to ride with greater speed, softer tires and suspension.  (I had tires inflated to 65 psi, and I mistakenly had set my suspension to locked. Tsk tsk mistakes!)

Also a DH rider told me:  do not wear cleats if you are doing hard core extreme downhill, esp rocky downhill.    This could cost you a broken leg or what ever if you can not uncleat at once.  Also, if you are doing a downhill near a ravine, bank or make sure you will fall, just in case  away from the cliff, or ravine.  I see.

Here is a video tip from You Tube on how to negotiate downhills:

How to ride faster and safer

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
April 11, 2016

Here are some tips for your improvement of speed from GCN:

1.  Look where you are going
2.  Practice your skills
3.  Ride/practice drafting
4.  Relax
5.  Dont wear underwear
Watch the video for more tips:









How to ride faster with less effort:

Adjusting on how to ride an MTB

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
December 22, 2015

Merry Christmas in 2 days.

I originally bought the SAVA 580 MTB for the following purposes:

1.  use in buying pan de sal and doing other errands;

2.  to use in island tours with Molong; a high end MTB neighbor.

3.  to go back to Sagada or Legazpi in the future

4  to assist  a group of MTB who does the last mile in relief and rescue operations.

I still want to be a roadie considering the challenge of riding an MTB though how light it is (12.5 kg)  However as I ride the MTB I know that I have to learn a lot of things.:

1. Essential skills:  climbing, bunny hop, drifting, (from skidding) how to take switchbacks, endo, doing the willie, etc. pumping (unweighting and weighting the bike as you do the uneven trails.

2.  Some tips:

                                   Thus I see many MTB riders have this configuration, it ergonomic


     1.  Angle your brakes downward and not level as you get from the store.  Dapat ergo friendly bike. I did this all ready with my bike

     2.  Observe the proper seat height (as in roadie). So that there is more power;  a low set cramps your legs, thighs and you cant deliver much power

    3.  As much as possible, have short stem and low head post for proper balance

    4.  There is a huge difference in handling with lighter bike, more agile, faster  (so a 12.5 kg bike which I have is better than l6 kg bike (for those who prefer cheaper versions)

    5. No clips, or cleats is better than with cleats as you can easily avert falls if your feet are free.

    6.  Wear helmet and protective gear:  knee and elbow protector

Quick tips for climbing

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
December 19, 2015

5 Quick tips to climbing.

How to be a better and faster climber.  We all aspire to be one.  I have been biking for 7 years and I cant seem to achieve this.

1.  Change position often
2.  Go for compact chain ring (34)
3.  Spinning
4.  Have constant pace
5.  Patience

Bike lessons that I learned over the years

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
September 13, 2015

I have been itching to write this post for a long long time but I had no time to gather my thoughts. For the last 7  years, I got the following tips which I dare share to others:

1.  Stay focussed on why you want to bike:  say health, strong body, adventure and do not be distracted with crashes, mechanical problems,  or expenses. Other keep on saying that what you spend on your bike would just be one day at ICU (knock on wood if you get sick)

2. Spend on your bike up to a certain limit, and love your bike afterwards.  Do not be afflicted with UPGRADITIS ie buying a new bike, a new wheelset, new handlebar or seat.    Love your bike and focus how it could be your good partner on many of your adventure and long rides.

Link to Repair and Installation tips - Bike Tutor

Wheels of Happiness

Please click for more tips on how to repair your bike and install parts to save money and visit to the bike shop:

Bicycle Tutor

Valuable lessons learned from the 5th Baguio bike ride

Biking and health

Angono, Rizal | January 29, 2013

Our goal is ride better.  Same mistakes can not be repeated.  The two days ride were tough:  the first day was bike marathon 200 km.  and many rode it fast.  Worse, the middle part was windy (Angeles city to Urdaneta) and it was during the hottest part of the day.  The second day was tough too:  it is nearly a l00 km, and the roads at Sison was tough.  Unlike the first day were there not too many vehicles, the speeding buses were whizzing by at that time of the day.  Worse, the concreting of Kennon seemed to have made some climbs stiff and steeper.

Here are some lessons and advice:

l.  Maintain a foundation mile of at least 60 km per week;

2.  Those who seem to be huge must reduce to say their ideal body weight:    l00 lbs for the first 5 ft of ht + 5-7 lbs for every inch.  You can do this by:   eating fruits and vegetables, planking and crunch exercise to remove the flabs.  I have made a number of posts on weight reduction.  You can search the web for the tips and there are many.

3.  For this ride, if you bring a heavy bike, you are handicapped.  Even if you bring an MtB, be sure it is light.  You cant ride the peloton with the road bikers otherwise you will cramp or bonk out.  Those who were at the peloton wore light bikes.

4. Practice riding at the hottest time of the day:  11 am to 3 pm.

5.  Save the best for the last.  For the Baguio climb, the Urdaneta to Rosario should have been ran at moderate speed;  same for Rosario to Black Mountain.  The best effort should be made from Black Mountain to Kennon view deck.  If you did not, then you will be distressed.

Ride your usual pace as you have practiced.  Do not race with the leaders who trained differently from you

6.  Get plenty of sleep before the ride.

7.  Hydrate and get energy food periodically say every hour or 50 km.  Otherwise, you run into calorie deficit or dehydrate - you hit the wall, you bonk.

8.  In your ride, practice interval high intensity training:    shorten rest periods between intervals, and put the hardest effort in the second part when you are running out of speed and strength.  The interval should not be more than l minute.  Try it and you will be stronger (take it from Joel Javier)

Try to consider these tips