Practice ride to Jalajala despite the heavy rains

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
January 28, 2018

I slept up to 7 pm today since 4 pm (after eating, washing the bike, minding the dirty jersey and shoes)  I must have worked hard in my ride today to Jalajala Rizal.  I got soaked up in the rain.  I defied the pundits who said it is not good to go because of the dark clouds at the East. I persisted because I had to build up the mileage for the Vigan ride.

There was no rain even at Halayhayin Pililla.  Only light shower in Quisao up to Malaya.  But it rained hard very hard in Jalajala.  I had to go on lest I get cold and have rayuma.

Some interesting stories:

1.  I overtook two young riders (formerly Argonauts pala) going up to Callahan. They overtook me  again but passed them again at the flats from Cardona Morong boundary. At Morong town proper, they counterf lowed and left me

2.  A pack of fast riders including a Nebres rider (who came from abroad and rode a MTB) overtook me, but I stuck with them for 5 km from Baras to km 57.   Haha kaya ko palang bumontot sa halimaw.

3.  In Cardona, going up to the Looc hill (past Iglesia) a pair of MTB on 1 x 11 gearset overtook me on  fast clip and I gave chase.  Overtook them (they are not supposed to be overtaken because they are on very low gears) They caught up with me again at the diversion intersection.  There I stood on the pedals and left them behind

4.  I did the trip going home on a 50 chain ring x 13 on the flats and even went up the hills on 50.  50 x 17 or 19.   Dati hindi ko kaya ang ganong hard rings.

5.  My Fuji bike was with two other Fuji bikes this morning at Simple:  Fuji Roubaix and another  one na mas mahal.   Fuji bikes are truly light.   I lifted a PInarello and it must have weighed 8 kg ++

I was not a bad aSS.  I had dirty ass from the tilamsik of the  tires.  Very wet warmer, jersey, socks and Scott shoes that failed.  The carbon sole and the upper separated and I could not uncleats, I nearly fell.

Training ride to Jala2 with Recyclists today

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
January 14, 2018

                                                The Tinkoff Saxo team (the Seniors)
                                         Vhen, Jimmy,  Ed (7days) and JB

I joined the training ride of Recyclists to Jalajala  today.  I left at 6:30 and Meong saw me and the soon to be love of his life a Mosso 710 arc with 105 5800 group set, RS 11 na wheelset.  We stopped at Jollibee and discussed the price.

I brought home the Mosso bike since it was being bought and brought out the Bianchi instead   Along the way I saw Vhen somewhere in Bilibiran.   Then we had lugaw at Maybancal.  We left in a hurry for Jalajala and we seemed to be left behind with Master and sometimes I overtook him and then he overtook me.  We caught up with the 2nd wave of the group at Niugan (before Malaya) where we ate buko.

And then on to Jalajala.  The first group of Alan, Jeff, Meong, Joel were waiting for us all ready.  I completed my 50 km duty by going an extra 4 km (estimate). They stopped near the cemetery.  We went back together from there and stopped again in for refreshment at Hacientda Pisong Kape.

Then another pit stop at Maybancal (no refreshment)  And then near  the diversion (sa P y).   where we had buko and turon and then home.  (There were apprehension that the P Y ride may be cancelled because of an LQ)

It was a great ride.  I feel I could handle the Vigan ride (all ready) at least the 100 km section.  Haha.

Thanks to those and congrtas to all who joined:

1. Pres Luis
2. Engr. June
3.  Allan A
4.  Jeff
5.  Gerry
6.  Vhen
7.  Jimmy
8.  Joel
9.  Ed (7 days)
10.  Meong
11. Gerry Y
12.  Master

Bragging rights from an oldie:

1.  Naka sama sa peloton going  back from Jalajala up to Malaya
2.  Lead the troop from Malaya  to Jalajala ;  chased and overtaken by Master at about km 72
3.  Overtook a group of young RB going up the hill at  Cardona
4.  Overtook a another bunch at Callahan;
5.  Overtook them  again at the flats going to Morong
      We deserve some respect from these riders soon.
6.  Nag overtake sa rear end two of our kapadyak

I think I was well practiced for the past 3 weeks.

                                                       JB, Jimmy and Gerry at Pisong Kape

                                            Chard and Jimmy sa store sa may Cardona diversion

                                      JB, Jimmy, Meong and Pres Luis (siya nagselfie)

Fulfilling my planned distance ride this week

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
December 31, 2017



Happy New Year 5 hours from now.

Today I biked 90 km up to km. 72.5 in Jalajala.  That makes it 90 km ride today

I have done the following rides:

        50 km Wednesday (I had two flats0

        30 km up and back Antipolo Saturday

        90 km today.

        Total    170 km.  Short pa rin sa targetted 200 km at least per week.  But that will do.

I had mechanical problems today:  two flats, and seat that kept on tilting back.  When I checked the parts that were holding back the seat had smoothed out.  I sand papered them to be rough, cleaned the  dirty parts,and we are back in business.

Earlier we had group pics near the Dambana ng Kabayo sa Simples Lugawan:

The tropa went to Angono for picture taking for ID.  I went ahead with my Jalajala ride.

                                   Photos by Jess Verches at Facebook, copied without permission

DAMBANA NG KABAYO

                                                     Mamahaling mga bikes

Yesterday was my large chain ring day

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
June 13, 2017

Choose riding on large or small chain ring

                                                          Small (39) or

                                                 Large Chain Ring (53)
I read an article once of a lady rider, height challenged at 4' 11"but who won a dreaded mountain climb. She was asked what was her training secret. One of these she said was alternating your practice between small and large chain ring day.  When you choose either large or small you do not shift the front derailleur.You just shift the rear cogs.Thus at small chain ring, when you want speed and you are at 34 36 or 39,  you simple have to pedal faster.   When you are at large chain ring, when climbing hills, you shift to your cogs to the biggest if  needed.

Yesterday, I rode to Jala jala up to km 73.5 (2 km into  the Jalajala town proper, just past  the arc and the dragon fruit farm.

I ate lugaw at simples where I met Meong, Ado and Joel.  Joel said he was off form yesterday and had hard time chasing me.   I climbed Montevideo 53 x23,  and same for Callahan, for Baras Pililla 53 x 23 also, 53 21 at Quisao and going back to Malaya power plant was 53 x 28.

I also chased some MTB and road bikers in Tanay.  I gave my best shot and even overtook their fastest rider from km 56 to 57 in Tanay.  Not bad for 66 y.o . senior

But one thing I observed is that your muscle ache and there is noticeable strain on the calf and thighs.   But you feel much stronger

The general idea is variety and getting stronger by varying your practice

P.S.

Prior to this I had only small chain ring day.  Reason, I could not shift to large chain ring.  Reason?  I could not shift to large chain ring. Reason?     The cable was loose and  I mistakenly loosened a shifting screw which I thought was limiter to the large chain ring shift (it was pala for the small chain ring and by loosening it, the fd stayed farther from the line of the large chain ring and hence  it could not be shifted.  Thus when I screwed it in, the problem was solved

We rode today to Famy and Jalajala, Echo this time crashed due to a wayward golden colored Vios

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
January 22, 2017

We were eleven  (Recyclists Eleven)

Eleven of the Recyclists joined the tune up ride for Baguio ride on February 10 (not 2 as previously posted):  Engr June, Master E, Echo, Edgar (7 days) Vhen (very hesitant joiner), Meong, Gerry, Richard, Tito Fabay, Netoy Mariposa   and myself       There were some whom I saw at Morong where had the mustering point:   Ado, and Jeffrey.  But they did not join us.

We initially wanted to bike up to Manay in Pakil  but when we were in Famy rain fell in the direction of Pakil and Paete, thus we called off the ride.  We ate instead at the first Manay (a branch) where 50 to 60 MC riders also ate. I had to chase Tito who was ahead of the pack.

Engr June a very strong rider

Engr June was the strongest rider today, riding an inspired pace on his brand new Wilier carbon fiber bike,  joining the peloton at Km 62 in Bugarin, and at 1/3 of backward route at Jalajala going back to :Pililla.  He must be doing 17 at Bugarin and 35 at Jalajala.  He will be our host in Urdaneta:  will provide the board, and food dinner and breakfast.  Wwwoow

The sweepers

Edgar, Vhen and I decided that we would be the sweeper. Our goal was to finish the ride.  As in Baguio.  No strain and hard breathing.   Pedal smoothly say 20 kph.   I was ahead though at the start of Jalajala route but the rest caught up with me  Engr June, Richard, Gerry, Meong:  then Tito and Eco.  Then Netoy.  At 20 km point of Jalajala (at town proper)   came Master, Vhen and Edgar.

130 km distance covered

My estimate is we covered 120 to 130 km which is past halfway mark of bike to Urdaneta (that should be Dau all ready or Luisita) That is a good carga according to Richard for the Baguio ride

Echo had a crash, had only some scratches

One uninteresting note was a way ward Vios appeared out of nowhere behind a tricycle head on with the peloton at KM 55+ (near intersection of Tanay Sampaloc and Manila East Road)  Echo was squeezed between Richard and he had to break hard to avoid colliding with Vios.  He went airborne halfway and fell to his right side, thankfully away from the Vios.  He had scratches on right arm (which bled) and on a very small portion of right knee.   He fell slow motion as he was halfway airborne.

It was I who suffered a gruesome crash with Alan 2 weeks ago on the same route (reverse)  Thankfully the rashes are gone thanks to sili

Alan Astorga and I collided in Jalajala, we crashed and I have plenty of rashes to show.

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
January 9, 2017

Happy new crash accidents for Alan and myself.

                         Moments after the crash;  note the
                         rashes on my knees:   4 on the left, and
                         two on the right.


The Jalajala ride could have an uneventful ride for me/us were it not for the unfortunate incident that involved Alan and me.  We were negotiating a half lane of a road undergoing construction near the boundary of Jalajala and Mabitac.   A Honda just met us head on. some riders who included Alan, digressed into the newly concreted portion.  I and the rest negotiated the left lane.

Alan tried to swerve into our path, his rear wheel hit a rock crashed into me (he must be 80 kgs) and was thrown off with the impact and he was all over me (my pagnanasa)

It was good that the wheel were not twisted but the head post and the STI were thrown off the usual places.  The chain jumped and fortunately for many of the Recyclists around us, repaired the bike pronto.

As for me:   I had rashes on my right wrist on my right knee (two places) my left knee (5 places) and my left arm (one place but 1.5 inches long.

Uhhhhh ang hapdi.   I could not move my left leg and had trouble when waking up.   I spent the whole night and early this morning, dressing my wounds with peroxide (putting garlic juice and sili as per advice of Gerry K) to disinfect the wounds.  I also sprinkled anti biotic powder to supplement the alternative medicine  methods.

                            Alan is just recovering from a crash
                            in Antipolo

                            Nanding, Me, VM and Vhen

               The Balubar bros, I and VM (the Saguinsin bros)

                              Press and me at Punta

My injuries:  both knees and left arm

                      Ginamot ng sili as per Gerry's advice;
                very painful but rapid healing, no inflammation

Jalajala ride by Recylists Super 8 yesterday October 2, 2016

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
October 2, 2016















Many committed to join and showed apparently showing they will join but only 8 persevered to join: Pres Luis Meong, the promoter, Angel, Peter, Gerry K, Ed de los Reyes (7 days) Netoy and Jorgeus Biker.  The others who showed up:  Nolite, Val, Joel, Richard did not join the long ride.

We met at 6:00 at Sacred Heart and left at about 7:20.  We were at Pisong Kape at about 7:20, a pretty fast pace.   I led the group up to km 57 where the group overtook me.  For me km 58 was the end point of the ride.  And then at 8:30 we went up hill up to Bugarin.  I found out I left my water bottle that is I why I have to buy water at Manangs at Bugarin.   Those who were left were me Edgar (he jingled) and Peter.  We looked for the troops (tropa) at agreed rallying point:   near the waiting shed after Bugarin (near Angelito Roans resort) and after the bridge en route to Pakil/Jalajala.  We did not find them

We continued pedalling furiously at about 28 to 32 km pace until we reached the Jalajala cemetery.  There we had lunch and left at 11:30.  We pedalled at 11:30 and chased the PNP bikers.  Meong caught up and overtook them.   Angel and I were left behind and I was left behind however I caught up with them at Morong.   We rested in Morong for quite a while because it was a hot day despite the overcast skies.

We were in Calumpang Binangonan  by 1:45 and rested there until 2:00 pm.  Still a very hot day.; I rested in Binangonan munisipyo.    However there was traffic at Granspan till Tagpos.  I wonder what the cause of traffic was.

Bike ride to Jalajala today June 24, 2016

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
June 24, 2016

Tomorrow is a job day.  So no chance to bike.  So bringing the Bianchi bike, I rode out to Jalajala, 50 km one way (100 km out and back)  I started out 6:45 and was  in Pililla by 8:10.  And in Jalajala by 9:30.  (That is 2:30 for 50 km)   But I ate Lugaw in Morong and stayed there for about 20 minutes.

I swear I was faster. The bike is light, and perhaps I am stronger.  The weather was fine, there were not too many vehicles. It just rained last night so it was a pleasant ride.

I rode with 39 chain ring and tried to spin as I rode. I tried surging and trying to reach say 30 kph with 39 chain ring.   I however, did not change my cogs much perhaps moving only up to 15 t going uphill.

I did the following:

1. Standing going uphill for say 300 to 400 meters
2.  Riding the drops
3.  Sprints as usual, or HID occasionally say every km post.

Now I realize there are plenty of things I still to have know and experience riding the bike.
Now some hills do not seem so tall and intimidating after all.   The hill going up from Jala jala up to Malaya does not seem too tall.  You have to read the hills well too.  The Jala jala hills seem false flat.

Our bike ride to Jalajala yesterday May 29, 2016

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
May 30, 2016

Vhen Apran  and I rode together to Jalajala yesterday.  We got together in Morong Cardona boundary. He recognized me but I did not because he was wearing the new uniform.  We had breakfast at Simples Lugawan in Maybancal Morong.  There we saw the Recyclists:    Master, Meong, Jess, Pres. Luis, Gerry Etoy the BCC, and Taytay Cyclists.

After breakfast, we decided to bike to Pisong Kape in Pililla.   Just at the hill before Lagundi I shifted the MTB gear to 44 x 13 and overtook the peloton and never gave the lead until km 58 which was my target distance for the all out ride (doing 32 to 35)  Etoy and Pres Luis were on the lead and we did rubber band pacing in Tanay.

When we arrived in Pililla, I told Vhen we would go to Quisao so we did (that was Km 63)  I still went on until km 73 past the welcome arch to Jalajala.  We had buko (only P15) at Niyugan where we met former councilor Idol (a la Levy Celerio - he can play musical insturments at his mouth lips and nose.

I was pacing Vhen while trying hard gears   44 x 11 and 13.  I was trying what Iveler did on the race.  High gear, body close to the tube and rapid pedalling rate.  The method is hard on the thighs and back

Pit stop at pisong kape where we had drinks.  I had small gatorade and plenty of water.   We biked again and I still paced Vhen using hard gears.  I tried to climb Tanay hill with 44 x 17 and even standing to compensate for the high gear.  We stopped at Vista open air resto and garden for some drinks and Vhen for lugawa

Another stop at Cardona where we had water and biscuits  We were intervieweded by the store keeper on where we came from, why are you biking, the cost of the bike.

We arrived past 12.  It was hot and we had to make frequent stops

I rode to Jalajala today and met Peter, and champs Iveler Nebres and Aries Sison

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
May 24, 2016

I rode to Jalajala today, leaving at 6 am, going to church and going straight to Km 72 of Jalajala. I am sure that I am nearing my goal of riding 30 km in one hour or less.  I guess, I biked it at  1:08 because I arrived at 6:08 (on the assumption that I left at exactly 6:00.  But wait, I still went  to Sacred Heart Church to pray. That would be about 5 minutes.

I guess I was pretty much benchmarking Iveler, body down parallel to the tube, hands on the dropsand gears at 53 x13 or 53 x 11, probably doing 30+ kph.  I was in Jalajala by 8:30.  (I slowed down a bit)  I climbed Quisao Hill at 53 x15 and finished it standing up on the pedals.  (I did this several times:  biak na bato, and Baras Tanay Hill, going as slow as 5 kph going up at 53 x 11.  This I am sure develop strength and true grit when climbing.

We ate at Pisong Kape, and there met Iveler Nebres (who won in convincing manner the FilChi 35 and below race last Sunday at Roxas Blvd. and Aries Sison of BCC who finished 7th the 35 and above category.  Di daw naglunch si Aries.

Somebody died at the race last Sunday;  even robbed of the bike

As per kuwento in the said conversation, somebody a 50s old man, who joined the race who collapsed some 150 meters from the finish line (near the Airstocrat traffic light at Roxas blvd; did not make it and died apparently of a heart attack.  While his bike was carried to the officials table, somebody allegedly, pretending he was a relative/friend took away the bike (nanenok).   How sad and cruel to rob a man who died of his precious possession.  May the wages of sin be death.

Met again Peter A and friend

I met again Peter A (whom I met last Friday, and who as Filchi Bikefest at Roxas blvd last Sunday) at Pisong Kape.  He was with a friend who had a Kuota Italina made carbon fiber bike with Durace groupset.   We rode home together.  However, I must have paced fast because I did not see them afterwards.  I passed at Cardona diversion this time using 39 x 28.

Bike ride to Jalajala today.

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
April 28, 2016

Despite the extreme noontime heat, biking goes on.  I left at 6:00 am today, just aiming to go to Pisong Kape in Pililla I brought the SARS bike with large gears (11 - 36, 2 x 10, 53 39)   I am happy with this set up because I try occasionally pedal with heavy gears at 53 x 13 or 53 x 11, and I can now move the bike at speed at this gears.

I was in Morong by 7:00 am, had breakfast and started for Pililla by 7:30.  Was in Pililla by 8 and started for Jalajala by 8:15,  was in Jalajala by 9:00 and was back at Pililla by 9:30. Was home by a little past 11:00

I am happy because I am still fit, because I do not get dizzy yet because of the heat. And I could feel my legs and thighs getting stronger  

Practice ride to Jalajala was rained out

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
February 26, 2016

I brought the SARS bike for the practice ride today to Jalajala (100 km out and back) however, at Lagundi, it started to shower.  and I had to turn back.  I met Buboy on the way back. By the time I was climbing at the Diversion in Cardona, the slight drizzle turned into rain (I got wet)  It was a good drenching as I climbed diversion on 32 x 36.  It was easy ride.   I could be well prepared for the Baguio ride in 2 weeks time.

A relative remarked that those who go up diversion usually have their bikes being walked with. I did not.  Difference me hahaha. (ibahin mo ako)

Practice ride for return ride to San Felipe on Feb 6, 7, 8

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
January 21, 2016

There is a plan to ride again to San Felipe Zambales at Jeff place this coming Feb 6,7, and 8.  Many are joining like Pres Luis, Jess, Meong, and even Edgar.  They asked me if I will join.  Maybe.

So I practiced today, 50 km out to Jala jala and back for total of 100 km.  It took me 3 hours out and 3 hours back.  I brought  my SARS bike with me.  I would not last with the MTB for this ride.

I found out that I could ride bigger gears this time.  without hurting my legs.  But  the gears were relative easy like 44 x 15.  I could do it without standing.

One of the very pleasant experience I had (although I was dropped by an MTB rider in Cardona, because I missed a shift, and the chain dropped out of the chain ring ) was passing a Baytown young rider at Namay.  He passed me near the church but he slowed at the first ascent and looked back.  But then I sprinted spinning and caught up with him just after the cemetery.  He did not give a chase

I met some Binangonan riders at Pisong Kape, Ed (7 days) and Ed Naval (walang praktis)  I was wearing the Liquigaz uniform just like Boy Navals.

I arrived 1:30 pm and as Meong saw me that I rode late, I told him that we need that kind of riding, at noon up to 3 pm (I did not know that temperature went up to 35 degrees Celsius today - quite hot)

Hard and long ride yesterday November 30, 2015

Wheels of Happiness

Angono, Rizal, Philippines
December 1, 2015

Christmas is just around the corner.  Merry Christmas

Yesterday, I rode to Jalajala, a distance of nearly 90 km, returned via Cardona diversion with only 34 x25 gears, and did at least 10 sprints including the early part of the ride where this post tried to outride Richard at Cardona (near Queen Mary Hospital and Namay in Morong)

Couple that with very warm conditions.  And you could just imagine why the rest of the afternoon, I was dead tired and asleep.

I could say that I improved a lot with my riding by the at least 3x a week ride, sprinting and interval training suggested by Pablo tsinelas. It is not about the bike but about the rider (although I rode the Fuji carbon yesterday - one of the rare occasions I did)

Bike ride today September 19, 2015

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
September 19, 2015

                                Pablo, right, aka Tsinelas practices daily and cruises on an MTB at 40 kph

                                            Pablo aka Tsinelas now wear shoes

Despite being bone tired for successive trips and appointments and arriving late due to traffic, I still rode today I however left late about 7:00 am  I was in Pisong Kape at 8:00 plus where I met Master E and Pablo Zarate (the tsinelas MTB rider but who rides fast).  On the way though, I chased a group of MTB who were fast riders. They were doing probably 30% and I overtook them at km 51 but then caught up with at KM 55.  I chase them and did the paceline up to KM 58 and then overtook me at biak na bato.  However we arrived simultaneously at Tia Carmen.

                                         Raymond, the strongest MTB rider in the group

Our bike ride yesterday, September 6, 2015

Wheels of Happiness

September 7, 2015

It was my second ride for the week.  The other one was to Antipolo via Morong and Teresa.  I met the other riders:   Ado and Vhen at Calumpang diversion.  Vhen had a flat tire and said he was with the group that included Richard, Pangskie, Jess.  So I waited for them.  We were together until boundary of Cardona and Morong but then, Ado overtook me.  And Vhen did likewise when we were near the market place.

Well I arrived some seconds later at Maybancal.  Over there were Ernie, Tito Fabay, Erning Mariposa, Master, Gerry Y, Nolite, Pres Luis,Pangskie, Richard, and then of course, Ado and Vhen.  They said we were going to Punta Jalajala (that would be 100 km out and back from Angono)

And so after having the Lugaw, I started out following Nolite.   As I reached Pisong Kape, I went on to Jalajala.   On the way to Punta, Weng and Erning and I was surprised when Weng touched my arm past Jalajala town proper.  That was about 10 am.. They went on probably to do the Jalajala loop but I stopped hoping to see the others come.  They did not.

At 1030, I went back and was at Pisong Kape by 12:00.  I arrived home 1:30.   It was a satisfying ride because I was strarting to develop my aerobic capacity and leg speed for spinning

Jalajala is such a paradise road for bikers

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines   |  February 16, 2015

                      A postcard picture perfect view of Jalajala bike destination

I love to ride to Pililla (Quisao) and Jalajala.  There is peace and quiet - not too many vehicles, roads are smooth like glass, and plenty of shade trees.  Years before, when I visit my sister abroad, all I do was watch cable TV, go to malls and bike.

Now that there are cable TVs, nice malls in the PHL and nice place to bike to, why still go line up and be humiliated at US embassy, harassed by US customs and Immigration officials,  You save a lot of money, anger and frustration

Agree?

                      My bike parked along Jalajala road

                      Jalajala Pililla boundary

 x

                    The lake is visible from the road

 x

 x

 x

 x

                        Dragon fruit farm in Jalaja

                    Dried flowers of a weed;  is a fire wick?

                   That is Mt. Banahaw

 x

                  I bought rice cakes from the lady in green

                   That is Talim island

 x

                    Smooth as silk road

 x

                      Paradise for biker

                      I took this picture while biking

                 Jesus Christ Redeemer at the Mountainside