Gilas, no 36 rank beats Latvia, ranked sixth in FIBA Olympic qualifiers

Wheels of Happiness Makes you feel proud as a Filipino. First in 6 decades. In their own home court

Should you ape Pogi by using shorter cranks?

Wheels of Happiness Pogi seems to be leaving behind his competitors because of shorter canks - 165 mm. Could it be? I use 170 mm. Is 5 mm difference material?

Do oval chain rings make you faster?

Wheels of Happiness The author says its better. In effect if you have 32 oval, you have 3 sizes: 30, 32, 34. So takes care of the differences in power and weak stroke My experience though is that it causes rapid wear of the chain ring and chain. My first bike had Shimano oval. I stick to round chain ring.

Incredible 35th stage win for Mark Cavendish: a GOAT

Wheels of Happiness Despite the first stage seeing him falling back and nearly not making the curfew GOAT. Incredible

7 from Angono joined the Mayon 360 last Sunday

Wheels of Happiness

The Mayon 360 was held last Sunday, and some 7 riders from Angono joined this ride.  This included Ian Espiritu, Pacholito, and Jose Bien.  Binabati kayo sa inyong participation.   They took cars rode airplanes to get there.  The route was 80 km +

I was there when I joined Kara David in the Bike to Bicol I witness adventure.  

Perhaps I am sour graping but that is just a bike ride to Niogan Pililla.

Tadej Pogacar takes back yellow jersey at Stage 4 of Tour de France (TDF update)

Wheels of Happiness

Tadej Pogacar, the two time TDF winner, took back the yellow jersey from Carapaz after beating Jonas in a mountain stage yesterday.    He showed his mastery over his rivals in this brutal mountain stage.

Economics of Tour de France

Wheels of Happiness

It is shrouded in secrecy.  But caravans consisting of trucks advertising their goods and giving out promo items, spend up to $600,000 to join the caravan.  The caravan might be a km long and take 30- minutes to finish.  

A team can spend up to $20M for the tour:  bike, team vehicles, riders salaries.

LCL pays $4 -10M for so that their name is in the yellow jersey.

Revenues of TDF ranges from $50 - $100M.  Big deal eh?

Guessing revenues of Tour de France

• 34 staff members (mechanics, drivers, sports doctors, nutritionists)
• 55 bikes (6 per rider), at ~$13k each
• 80 spare wheels, 82 spare cassettes, and 57 spare chains
• 4,360 energy gels and bars + 3,300 water bottles
• 40 bottles of massage cream
• 100 rolls of bar tape (changed every 4 days)
• 5 air purifiers, 9 AC units, and 9 dehumidifiers

All in, today’s top-level cycling teams can easily exceed a $20m annua

Bike industry is facing great challenges in 2024

Wheels of Happiness

In 2024, manufacturers of bike products are facing cash flow problems and of course difficulty in moving inventories.  

While they did well during the pandemic, and priced their bikes high, they are now experiencing indigestion.   You can see too that there are many bike buyers disposing off their bikes,  Quit bike.

Rim brakes rb are being sold in favor of disc brake model.   

Challenges for bike industry

Met owner of Sophia at Montevideo

Wheels of Happiness

This post met the owner of Villa Sophia in Montevideo.  He is a doctor from a well known hospital in MM.  He is an GI specialist, specializing in proctology.   We found out we had many things in common:  he too was/is an educator, and a strict one at that;   he wants to serve, is very passionate in very little details.  He is from Calapan and we have common acquaintances.

Villa Sophia is a famous staycation place overlooking Laguna Lake.   Many swear by nice view, bay breeze and excellent amenities at the resort. 

The good doctor wants to have a parking lot, and a venue place and wants to purchase the adjoining lot which happened to be ours.    But the children do not want to sell precisely because of the nice view. 

He invited me to stay at his place to refer this to friends, and blog about it.

Wont you visit Villa Sophia?

Rode up to DOMSA met Papa Ruben; tried riding up big chain ring

Wheels of Happiness

Climbed up DOMSA this morning.  I tried riding up big chain ring.  I have to shift down to 36t right before the concrete rip rap, past Nemensio.

I had the opportunity to converse with Papa Ruben.   One of the topics was Kara David.  He happened to know Randy David.  

At 8:00 am + we rode down together.