Using electrical tape as rim tape

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
July 17, 2017

Electrical tape as rim tape from MTB forum

This post experienced two flats in rapid succession: at his Bianchi bike   while biking, and the other while the bike was parked inside the bedroom.  There was no apparent puncture from outside (as nails, broken glass);  the hole which were large, were seen at the side of the tube facing the rim bed.  So the problem could be the worn out tape on the rim bed. (Masking tape) The masking tape I used before had worn out.   The regular bike tape would set me back by P100.00 at least (or more)   I met Gerry and he suggested electrical tape which Odi, the mechanic at Villamayor used to seal the aberration from the rim bed that can cause puncture  on the interior.

And so I did.  I bought two Armak electrical tape.  (Cost P10.php only each)  And put over the rubber strips cut from old interior. Each one was good for 2 1/2 layer of protection on the rim bed.  I finished the project at 8 pm last night;  I sweated profusely as I completed the project.  The interior tube seem to be holding out well;  no flats again  which I expect on the road.  (But unable to ride because of frequent rains)

EPO, the alleged performance enhancing drug (PED) of choice of former Tour de France 7 time champ Lance Armstrong, does not work, study shows

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
July 2, 2017

                                    Study Participants Climbing up Mt. Ventoux, one of toughest climb
                                                          at Tour de France

                                        Lance Armstrong -   not a cheat after all? What happens next

From The Telegraph UK - EPO which cost Lance Armstrong 7 TDF titles does not work

Fellow kapadyaks were discussing that EPO (erythropoietin) the  drug of choice of former 7 times champ of Tour de France Lance Armstrong does not work, study shows. Lance was stripped of his title and faces the possibility of $100 million lawsuit from the US govt (UPS one of Lance sponsors)   The experiment, which involved riding up the famous difficult  Mt. Ventoux . The control group which took the placebo (no EPO)  actually rode faster than the EPO group

This is in stark contrast to a 2007 study from Sports Scientists which shows 50% increase in performance by athletes using EPO.

EPO is hormone  that enhances the production of RBC is risky because the athlete can develop clots and strokes and other fatal health problems

Experts think that the placebo effect that the drug was working was more psychological than real, after all. for Lance and other users, according to Adam Cohen, the first author of this study

What is the implication of the result of this study?   Will EPO use be allowed in athletic competition once again?  Will the ruling bodies of the cycling association restore the titles to Lance Armstrong?  Once again the halo on Lance head, the crown is beginning to reappear?

                                             No longer the correct image?

Bike Ride today, July 2, 2017

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
July 2, 2017

I started out 6:00 am today to catch the start of the mass at Sacred Heart. and had a chance to kiss the hand of  the  Parish Priest. And then caught up with Min Zap and Pres Luis in Bilibiran, but they left me at Binangonan Convention Center.  I had my Mosso MTB with XT group set, and was riding at  42 x 13 just o keep up.  But I lose out to their higher gears. I bet, I would have arrived later on by not more than 2 minutes.

We met the other Recyclists there:at Simples Lugawan    Netoy, Engr June, Joel, Peter A (who paid for my lomi) Master E, and Ed de los Reyes. (7 days)  He said he got better but it does not seem so.

Simples Lugawan looks like a garden setting and looks more charming to eat Lugaw there.   The owner said that the new smaller location (their former place was knocked out due to road widening) did not diminish the number of their customers

On the way back I rode up the diversion using 32 x 23.   So I get more confidence in climbing steep roadlike the Cardona diversion.

It seems that my Mosso fork Suntour lock is not working.  The seat too  is not properly set and I had trouble with my pedaling stroke.