Highlights of Eala vs Pegula finals match at Mubadala Washington DC

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Alex Eala defeated Jessica Pegula for the Mubadala Washington DC WTA tennis title

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Alex Eala won the finals of the  Mubadala Washington DC WTA leg vs Jessica Pegula  4-6, 6-4, 6 -0.  Eala took home an equivalent of P13M pay.   Her ranking rose to No 28.

Pegula is wealthy, a multimillionaire;   her father is a billionaire

She took the Philippine name and pride a notch higher.  Congratulations Ms. Alex Eala

Alex Eala defeats Naomi Osaka, fmr worlds number 1 in Washington DC semi finals.

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You have everything right going for Alex Eala having reached quarterfinals by defeating another Filam  Fernandez.   Eala destroyed all the medalist in Olympic medalist and lately Osaka, one of the top tennis players.   Eala, according to the sports writers has matured, sharper faster and mentally tough.

She is on the verge of winning a major tournament where the top money is USD 250,000 (thats a lot of money for Eala in case)  She is facing Pegula in the finals

Good luck for Alex, tomorrow we will know if Alex is in the same altitude of Number 1.   More power

Went up Taktak via Floodway, and Sumulong highway; joined Engr contractor

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Joined Engr Fort Flojo, engineer contractor in Sunday ride to Taktak.   Went to Taktak via Manila East Road, Taytay up to Highway 2000, floodway, right turn to Marcos Highway, past Sta. Lucia, and then right to Sumulong Highway... And then up the hills, Valley Golf, Padis point, Cloud 9, Assumption Antipolo, Le Blanc and finally to Antipolo.  The lower Taktak where the glass church is located has thousands of joggers and bikers and hundred of food stall.  It was a happy place    And the place is the centerpoint of all the hundreds of bikers we met at Marcos Highway.  

This post overtook many riders but could not go past Engr.  because he is younger.  I am wary too of my age and fitness level.  (being 75 all ready)

We ate at the farthest end of the lower Taktak road in a place run by  Carol.

We also did the upper taktak where there were many photogs, and where there were uphill climbs.  

It was fund happy ride    

Pogi Slovenian Cycling GOAT

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Is Tadej Pogacar the worlds cycling GOAT (it could have been Lance Armstrong without the doping 5 TDF victories)

Superb tennis from Alex Eala at Mubadala, Washington DC; defeats opponent en route to semifinals; on collision course with Japans Naomi Osaka

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Philippine tennis star Alex Eala defeated her opponent Elina Svitolina  worlds No 10  on the way to her quarterfinals.  Its the only positive news about the Philippines after reading so much on flood control scandal, impeachment, typhoon, flooding.  Her ranking would go up soon, having defeated a lot of top ranked players

The only positive leader visible for the country. Now.

Congratulations Alex...  Keep this up

Lending moral support to Pres of Recyclists who figured in an event with MC rider, resulting in injuries..

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 This post having read in the gc post that there will be supporters when the Pres:   1.  Gets his medico legal certificate,   2.   will file a complaint at PNP for frustrated homicide  (kasi intentional pagsipa.   He and Gerry figured in an event where a lone mc rider near the Island Gas Kicked their bikes while pedalling thereby losing control and having injuries.  And so I went to the hospital and PNP office (twice) but was not fortunate enough to meet the other kapadyak

The medico legal was supposed to be issued last Tuesday (after two weeks delay)  The President is having his second thoughts about continuing the case, there being plenty of work to do etc.   But the gc comments he must proceed for the sake of other bikers who are being mistreated looked down upon by other 4 wheel and two wheel riders.   Unrespected   Its time that we are given that -  RESPECT.

How I got back the front RD of Wheeltop electronic GS work again...

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 033

The front shifter of the Wheeltop EDS Tx stopped working about two weeks ago.  I kept thinking why.  I consulted their manual, tried to remove the battery.  Tried to synch and pair them once again.  They all looked ok.  I recharged the battery several times.

Until I saw that the left shifter does not light.  So its battery that powers the bluetooth is dead. 

This post bought this morning the battery.  I got two at P19.00 each.  I replaced the battery and lo and behold the EDS worked again.  I was thinking of bringing this back again to Mario but there is no need, anymore. I solved the problem.  What a relief.  What an achievement....\

https://personalimprovementlog.blogspot.com/2026/07/finding-solution-to-bike-electronic.html

Staying alive and strong

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This post has been consistently riding at least 3x a week mostly hill climbs to be fit and stay alive.   I bike going East to Mambog and Cardona,  and North to Antipolo via  Tikling or  Cabrera,  in Angono, Domsa and  Quarry Road.    These climbs make me perspire and follow the  Sound of Music  song "  Climb every mountain"

Every mountain is a challenge and a goal.  What is your mountain?

Just missed them by 15 to 20 minutes?

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This post met Vic Urbano who is one of the LGU employees at the municipal market when I bought some fruits form the market

He said that he hasnt biked since the Atimonan ride.  I said I tried to catch up with them.  Did they leave at 4:30;   no at about 5.  Thats when I arrived at Jollibee.  I said I was at Manay in Famy by 9:00 it was still closed.  I arrived about 9:10 - 15 thereabouts.  I could have been to Lucena with the out and back ride...

Sayang

Had trouble with my shifting as I biked 20 km out and back; it rained

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I had trouble shifting especially at small chainring and small sprocket.   I fixed it as soon as I got home where I had the tools and bike stand.  Found out:

     1.   The jockey wheel was all ready dirty;

    2     The rd was loose;  the bolt attaching it to the frame was loose. I just tightened it 6 mm.   Everything was back to normal

I met Gerry on the way at 6: 10 am.   He was waiting for Jess.

I biked to Km 47, had bfast at simples,   Met Master and had shop talk with him for 10 mins.  Then went home via Cardona diversion.  I met Louie on the way up, but he stalled because he said  he had "rayuma"

Then it rained as I summited.  Waited for 30 minutes for the rain to stop.  

Then went up at the steep Mambog hills

Went up SCH until the tank only.   Then on the way down, saw 3 mtb riders spraying each other with high pressure hoses after being muddied up at the SCH trail.  They sure like ducks enjoyed the experience immensely

Climbed today beyond Hillsdale, to the coffee shop beyond entrance of Monark

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Its challenging going up;  you think of giving up near Alfa Mart, just 50 meters to gate of Monark. 

And another hill climb to Villa Angelina and  the coffee shops.   The resto and coffee shops were still closed at 8:00.  Its much peaceful here compared to Hillsdale 

Its nice place

Climbed up Hillsdale, site of many overlooking MM and Laguna lake said to be 20% gradient in some places comfortably

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Tried a greater challenge this morning -  climbing up Hillsdale at Botong Francisco blvd said to be 20% gradient in some areas without much difficulty.   Just a short maybe 1.2 km ride up.   Unlike the one featured in the video  Domsa and Cabrera road, quary road are much more difficult.   Saw that Hillsdale is guarded and two tarps one saying Bobi Plaza paid mayor permit and other one saying that most of the locators did not pay permits as per BPLO

Admired the view of Laguna Lake from the summit and the Church in Sky of Muzon.  

Assisted an mtb rider from Taguig climbing to Antipolo at Tikling who broke his chain

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This post assisted an MTB rider this morning ast Tikling.  He is from Taguig and he broke his chain. I stopped to find out how I can help.   Found out that he tore apart his missing link.   I thought I have several missing links :   9, 10 and 11 speeds.

So I dont need a chain cutter; only a misssing link.  However, the problem with his bike is that the chain is that its old and grimy.   The missing link wont lock because of grime.   After cleaning and  trying again I got the connection right.  However this post advised the rider to go home and buy a new chain.  If he wants to go to the church, better walk kasi I cant guarantee my job.    I am not a certified mechanic.   He was very thankful though because he can still go home on a limp mode

Other interesting things I am doing - watching bus travel vlogs

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Last night and today, I watched two bus blogs:   one Manila to Bordeos Polillo Quezon, and the other Manial to Zamboanga city.   The latter took 54 hours to complete and cost P5,000+ that crossed 9 provinces and crossed three bodies of water on ferries/roro.

This enabled me to revisit places I biked to  and then saw the roads that other went thru in their Negros cross country loop.

What do I do most of the time being semi retired?

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Mostly bike to exercise heart lungs and leg muscles

     eat

     snacks;   pm nap

     sleep

     self improvement:

           read books

           watch YT on airlances, armies, tanks aircraft carrier and action movies

    journalize thoughts at blogs.   posts other items

Other activities:

   1.  Problem solving

   2.  Occasional deals

   3.  Consultation

Whats yours?

Prepped the rim brake Pinarello - replaced the Ergo shifter and the crank c/o Jess Verches and VM

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The source of my pride the RB was in bad shape in 2026 and had difficulty in sourcing the parts and the budget

     1.  The ergo shifters.   The right side had torn  hood, the left had broken padel and therefore effectively the bike was 1x

     2.   The crank, a 52 -36 had shark teeth all ready.  I need a crank.   The 52 -36 was replaced by 50 -34,  I found out that both combination had same bcd 110

Fortunately for VM who maintains inventory of parts, he supplied me, no payment first (very expensive) and had Jess Verchez install this for free.  Now the bike has bn parts and look rejuvenate -  like brand new.  Thank you VM and Jess

Where most of the carbon fiber bikes are made? You guessed it - in China

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Large strides have been made by Chinese manufacturers in the their learning curve:   quality, material science and logistics.   And Western manufacturers know this too.   At 1/10 or even more the Western marketers can have the bikes made in China, labelled as made in _____ with stickers and with manuals

This post is not pro China.  Just observing

Those who dont eventually lose out to cheaper competitors.  Look at AmCla which wanted to be patriotic.

Most of the bikes are manufactured by Chinese as this video tells us.  The famous ones being Giant and Merida...

Dangers abound all around the bikers

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A neighbor, former classmate in elementary, ex US Navy is fighting for his life in ICU -  he was struck by an auv driven by a foreigner and had severe head injuriies.  

I had my close calls too:

     1.  Last Sat by an Innova who buzzed by inches away at Binangonan y intersection

     2.  At Alta Vista in Antipolo while climbing towards the Cathedral by an Orange bus plying Manila

          Infanta inches away

Should we stop biking?   Anyway the bike lanes have all but ceased to exist?   Perish from lack of exercise

or campaign for the other motorists to drive safe and treat bikers with respect?

Was advised not to join the long ride this coming month end, to Quezon

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This post has been furiously practicing for the long ride this month end to Quezon.  The journey will take 2 days and will cover 300 km  approximately.   However, a kapadyak who recently had a heart attack and was hospitalized advised me when he met, not to go with the ride  -  considering my age and the heat wave that is now raging.  The guy and I were DNF for the same trip - 5 years ago.  I banged my head after the bike oscillated going back from the  bitukang Manok back to Lucena;   he was simply poofed up -  (lack of practice) (We had about 20 chicks which died yesterday due to extreme heat exposure).

All my efforts seem to have gone to waste?   May be not.  Because I brought back the bike up to standards.   And my health too

If you were 75, your bike has been prepped, you practiced hard, and yet the external conditions are risky, would you go ahead or quit the plan?

Am I all ready old?

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I am past the limit of senior 70 and Filipino longevity of 70.   I am 75.    And all ready am worried when is my way.

But I try hard to maintain my health:   I visit my MD regularly and take RX meds for maintenance.   I bike

And I am still very much interested:

     1.  To upgrade my old parts in my bike

     2.   Possibly buy a disc bike  (mine is rim brake)

     3.   Buy an SUV (possibly a TLC)

     4.   Take on several B amount deals.

In this respect I am still young

Visited kapadyak Jett who had appendectomy (by laparascopy) at San Isidro Hospital

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This post visited Jeff Gaffud two nights ago at San Isidro Hospital and he had appendectormy by laparascopy method.    He was as as rider very strong because he was able to wake up just barely 6 hours post op.    Even appendectomy is done almost less traumatically using laparascopy (But expensive very expensive)

Antoine Huby pinatag Bessang Pass, Kalikasan Rd at Mangatarem and Kennon rd ride

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The foreign riders  weathered the hot weather and the steep climbs and dominated the local riders.   Those who did were barely domistiques of TDF teams.  One such rider was Antoine Huby who flattened the mountains of Bessang Pass, Kalikasan of Mangatarem and Kennon rd.    I know I could barely complete Kennon.  He must have ridden this at 54 chain rings.

Congratulations.   Our riders will prepare hard for you when there is ntext TOL...

As riders too we celebrate with you your victory and your quest for long life and good health

Great appreciation to the organizer and sponsor, MPTC for financing for this huge undertaking and continuously waking up the nerves of bikers in the Philippines and making our riders more competititve.  Thanks to the riders to the commisarries, to the HPG patrols and all others who made this undertaking a huge success

Planned practice ride to Jeff2 place in Majayjay - cancelled due to rain?

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                                                        Majayjay church

                                                         Local delicacy bibingka

There was a planned ride to Majayjay this morning as a training for ride to Atimonan whicch will be on May 30 to 31- climb to Atimonan sleep at Lucena and 31 ride back to Manila.   May 30 is 170 km, May 31 is 146 km via south road and Calamba.

Unfortunately they were rained out. 

I am thinking hard whether I will go or not.    I am worried about the heat.   

Much cheaper way to rejuvenate your BB by buying bearings

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                                       Just the bearings or entire  bb for replacement?

The bottom brackets of my two road bikes seem to be acting up.   The Pinarello's crank play was 2 to 3 mm.   The s works bb bearing has not been replaced since its acquisition.  I have read that the BB can be replaced cheaply.

The Pinarello is bearing is 6805  with 25 mm holes and 6 mm thickness.  You have to find the 6 mm.  The 7 mm is thicker and will not fit.   For the BB30 of S works it 6806 with 7mm thickness and 24 mm holes.

Both the bearings  4 pcs set cost P250.00++ delivery included.  I had the 6805 installed by Mario because you need a special puller and/or the bearing is difficult to remove.  I changed the 6806 for the s works myself.

The BB would be very expensive say 2 to 4k.  How much did I save.

I did not get ceramic bearings because they are expensive and I do not see much difference is friction.   Am not a superbiker

/

Foreign riders dominate the 2026 Tour of Luzon; practice pa more for local riders?

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It was total dominance for foreign riders for stage win and GC.  Nikita won the first stage and never gave up his advantage.  The Korean champ last week took a stage    Huby won brutal mountain stages twice.   

That result could result in two things:   our local riders giving up or being motivated more to try harder.

Yes there were local riders who held their own, but could manage only third and 7th.   The foreign juggernaut was overwhelming.       

Or should TOL limit the race to locals?

Or practice pa more?  More investment in science:  nutrition, physiology, aerodynamics

Ride up to Welcome arch of Antipolo (before Beverly Hills) and bringing F10 bike for installation of new Campy Super `11 brifters by Jess V

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This post biked at 8:00 am up to Welcome arch of Antipolo 9.3 km one way) (hill climbs practice:   Tower Hills, Marian Seminary and Fibertex) and then went down to Nieves Hills residence of Jess Verchez for the installation of  Campy from Sir Jun Vic (11 speed) to replace my broken set:  with broken hood after a car door opening in Pililla about a year ago, and broken padle last month

This post happened to ask sir VM if he had spare set (I heard he replacd bikes he bought and resold with Durace) and he said yes (that was last Thursday after the Bisikleta Iglesia)  He said he would have the set brought to Jess that afternoon.  

I told them I would bring the bike-  Pinarello Dogma F10  by today Black Saturday.   Unfortunately Jess said a Torx probably T30 is needed  Fortunately I have a complete set and went home to get the same.  

If nothing goes wrong I would get the bike by Sunday or Monday morning.  Great.

Finally the Pinarello would be 100% to be proud of once again.  

Let us all be blessed and continue to be a blessing for others.  

Round Laguna this coming April 11, 2026 with the Recyclists

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In the lunch yesterday with Recyclists at Fort Sports, it was planned a round Laguna ride which will go clockwise.   With the tropa will be Capt Engineer Fort Flojo -  it will be his first time.   Can I go this time with the group?

It is a 170 km distance.   

Danger: warning re robbery (snatching) at DOMSA

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This post got a warning from the Club Pres who flagged us when riding to DOMSA.  There was a snatching incident which involved the President of MTB group   Pres Ruben and an acquaintance.

So many incidents at DOMSA all ready:   shooting at resto resulting in death of former councilor;  a fire that destroyed many resto at the view deck, a bikenapping at Labahan, aside from accidents involving loss of brakes and overshooting the dog leg.   

What is the PNP doing?   No patrols?   Cant they do sanitation drive at the area?

Let us all be blessed annd be a blessing for others.  

Bisikleta Iglesia on Maundy Thursday and met the Recyclists

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Despite having just recovered from injuries at DOMSA two weeks ago and the bad cough from I got from the cold mornings, I decided I will do a bisikleta Iglesia,myself,  but decided against joining Recyclists  at Mary Magdalene at Pililla.  Instead I planned that I will visit:

     1.   Sacred Heart  at Tayuman

     2    St Bernard at Darangan

     3    Sta Ursula at Binangonan

     4.   Holy Mary at Cardona

     5.  St Francis at Macamot

     6.   Christ the King at  Muzon

     7.   St Clement at Angono

I really struggled at Christ the king 3 stops and walking the final 20% 50 meters up to the Church (Dito yata si Fr. Vitor  (who is a relative).  It takes much effort to reach the sky/heaven

Wonder of wonders, the guys whom I have not met for several years (I was not even able to join the Christmas party.  We had lunch at Fort Sports of Captain Engineer Fort Flojo...

Let us all be blessed and so that we may be a blessing to others

High gas diesel fuel cost renewed interest in cycling

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We see more bikers on the road, reminiscent of covid 19 era, lately after fuel price cost  crossed 3 digits

I too cleaned and reconditioned my bikes for this situation

The gasoline prices in the PHL went up by 81% -  the highest in the universe.   And this will spread out to the entire economy.  The price of pansit at wawa went up by P5.00/serving.    Its now P20.00 per

However am still nursing incessant cough, and injured ankle.   Am on antibiotics and muciprocin ointment

Injured my ankle in yesterday's ride; lost balance and fell slowly; scratched area near talus from chain ring (its painful)

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I biked up DOMSA yesterday.  Trouble was I did not wear shoes or socks because I intended to just warm up circulation a bit.   But going on and on lured me further away.  I think I was out of shape because I rested 2x whereas before I did not.   

This post also went up HMR hill on the largest 34 cog, and also Loyola retreat house but I stopped 20 meters from the right bend.   

So ride safe means wearing shoes, socks gloves and helmet when going out on a ride.

People around are frantic because:   1.   I am diabetic    2.  Am senior (75)  and that 3  I could have tetanus (but I just had antitenus because of incident with a territorial rooster.   Sinabong ako....

How does Tadej Pogacar, now 4 times TDF champion (about to catch up with Lance Armstrong)? train?

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Plenty.  About 6 hours at Zone 2 (!!! at 150 BPM HR) 

Everywhere you read in the book about Talent -  Its not mostly inborn by talent is developed by practice.

And Malcolm Gladwell  of Blink says you need 10,000 days to be an expert.    (10,000 steps to be fit)

So its practice, practice practice and more practice

But not just practice that is light.   Intense (HIIT) and long.  Practice harder than the competition event.  Not the other way around.  

So even if you are around, challenge your self to practice:   regularly and hard.

Is motor doping possible? Are there riders doing this?

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Maybe senior riders need this.    How can we access this technology.  Pity the seniors with their bad knees.  

Vicious downward spiral regarding non biking

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This post has not biked for 3 weeks due to:

1.   Fear of meeting vehicular accidents;

2.   Poor health status;

3.  Causing less biking and exercises leading to less biking and less exercises.

Spaghetting pababa

My feet are showing signs of edema.  The cycle has to be broken

Climbed labahan again this morning - saw something was amiss at the Quarrying operations

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This post climbed labahan this morning.  There are two climbs here;  the second one before the bridge I think could be about 15 -20% because the bike was rearing backward.  I managed the second climb.  Somebody who witnessed the climb remarked, "Kaya mo pa ha?  (You can still do it)  

But surprise I saw a Sany exvator with a red spray paint:    "NBI DENR EVIDENCE 35"   Hmm something controversial here.?! Has something to do with the  alleged illegal quarrying (masquarading as subdivision development?

On the way home I climbed the HMR hill (about 13%?)

Foods things that cause toxicity in seniors

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5 Foods to avoid for seniors

1.  Processed food

2.   Sugary drinks

3.   Bread

4.   Proton blocker for hyperacidity

5.   Snacks laced with salt

Cut back on these...

Early morning routine of drinking coffee in the morning if you are senior raises risk of stroke

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Why?

1.  You came from a 6-8 hours of sleep and you would have perspired and your blood could be thicker and your heart needs to work harder and the more viscous blood can be ripe for a clot which can cause a stroke   

2.  Caffeine in your coffee causes diuresis causing your blood to go thicker and thus increase stroke risk    

Less of coffee;  maybe tableya dark chocolate tea, or lemon water.

Did a Cabrera road ride with a future mariner; it was a tough ride

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Kinulit ako ni Jersey, apo of fmr hs  classmate to do a ride today.  I challenged him to the Cabrera road ride which I remembered to be just consisting of 3 hills but it turned out to be 6 hills and in a way, it was a Budol statement.  

The toughest was the first hill near the ABC building and the second one was the one turning left going up near the OL bridge.  I was glad Jersey although behind by some 20 -30 meters managed it well.

Then we had Jbee near the Capitolyo.   Great ride.

Video of those who did it too.

Biked today to Sitio Labahan; unable to cross the bridge going up because it was closed and heavily guarded - "PRIVATE PROPERTY?"

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This post tried climbing the Labahan route but unable to proceed because the concreted portion going up to Zen was blocked by barricade and guarded by 3 SG. -   marked "  PRIVATE PROPERTY"  (Also fell to the side of the road about 30 meters from the crest    The crank would not be moved any further hahahaha)

How come it was concreted, seemingly by public funds?