Exploring University of the Philippines - Diliman

Typhoon Ondoy was no longer pestering Metro Manila although he's still somewhere in the Philippine area of responsibility. Yesterday, Ondoy flooded and wreaked havoc to most areas in the metropolis and nearby provinces.

There's no more rain this morning; so, I proceeded to San Mateo to continue my training for uphill climb. However, I wasn't able to reach my destination due to heavy traffic along San Mateo Road. After 45 minutes in traffic, I decided to turn back and proceeded to UP Diliman instead. I learned later that the bridge was occupied by the residents in the area restricting the flow of traffic.

In UPD, I normally pedal around the academic oval; but, this time, I didn't. Instead, I explored the inner campus of the university and took this route:

• From the parking of UP School of Economics, I pedaled to E. Ma. Guerrero / Gomburza Streets;
• passed at UP Hotel driveway;
• returned to Gomburza St.;
• turned left to Juan Luna St.;
• turned right to Magsaysay Ave.;
• turned right to the road leading to College of Human Kinetics;
• turned left to Ylanan St. up to the Commonwealth gate and turned back;
• turned right to Magsaysay Ave. up to the Commission of Human Rights entrance;
• turned left and turned left again;
• turned right to E. Jacinto Ave. and went inside the Veterinary Hospital Compound;
• got out and turned right to E. Jacinto Ave. up to the gate at CP Garcia then turned back;
• turned right to Lakandula St.;
• turned right to E. delos Santos St.;
• turned right to Pardo de Tavera up to the gate at CP Garcia then turned back;
• turned right to F. Maramag up to the Executive House then turned back;
• turned right to Pardo de Tavera / Quirino Ave.;
• turned left to Africa St.;
• turned right to the Academic Oval; and,
• finally, turned right to and braked at my starting point.

My ride despite the typhoon

Typhoon "Ondoy" foiled our trip to Bagac, Bataan and my planned ride there.

I was just hoping that the rains would stop in the afternoon; so, I could still pedal at Neopolitan Business Park. Realizing it wouldn't, I put out BikePot (my first bike); as I was already itching to pedal. Despite the heavy and incessant rain, I pedaled inside our village. I didn't go out of our village for safety reasons. First, I made a round to assess if it's safe to ride. It was; and, I rode for an hour covering a distance of more than 13 kilometers.

The ride in the rain was exhilarating and enjoyable.

Ondoy foils my ride

This morning, we're going to Bagac, Bataan for the farewell party of Mamang (my mother). She's going home to Sydney, Australia on October 1. However, typhoon Ondoy prevented us to proceed. We actually left home already. But, after traversing two flooded areas and seen the heavy traffic ahead, I decided to turn back home. I'm glad I did. The rain continues and intensifies. I heard in the news the widespread flooding in the metropolis and in the areas affected by the typhoon. Had I continued driving, we could have been stranded somewhere else.

As we'd be staying overnight, I thought of bringing AlitePot (my bike). I planned to pedal this afternoon or tomorrow morning and explore Bagac. I already inquired from PinoyMTBiker.org for possible trails in the area. But, my plan was foiled by typhoon Ondoy. And, I felt frustrated.

I install my bike lights

Last September 14, I pedaled late in the afternoon in UP Diliman Academic Oval. And, dusk and darkness caught on me. I had no lights (front and rear) on my bikes yet. The street lights were not sufficient to illuminate clearly the area. And, I may not be visible from other bikers and joggers/walkers. I just kept watchful and ready for any eventuality.

Actually, I already bought front and rear lights for my AlitePot but hadn't installed them yet.

Last Saturday (September 23), I biked again late in UP Diliman to break in my new shoes. Before riding, I installed first the lights. I wasn't able to use though the lights as dusk didn't caught on me but rains. Thus, I cut short my ride. I made eight laps only instead of my usual 12 laps.

Training for uphill climb

This afternoon, I was about to go to UP Diliman again to bike around the Academic Oval. On the way, however, I changed my mind. Instead, I decided to go to San Mateo, Rizal to train for climbing uphill in preparation for my conquering The Wall and beyond. San Mateo, Rizal is frequented by mountain bikers because of its numerous quality trails. The Wall is the most dangerous curve on the way up to Timberland Heights.

When I contemplated biking, my intention was to ride on level grounds only. But now, I've changed my mind. Now, I wanted to try the mountains and trails.

As a newbie in biking (just 3 months old) and already aging (I'm 52 years old), I don't think I could climb mountains yet. The spirit may be willing but not the body. I've pedaled on level grounds for three months already. And, I think it's time to go to the mountains. But, I need to train first and decided to start the training now.

I parked my car along the shoulder of Kambal Road Extension. I unloaded AlitePot (my bike) from KarenPot (my car) and replaced her front wheel and saddle. I wore my gears and warmed up.

My plan was to traverse point A (see map), which is the lowest point of Kambal Road Extension up to point B, the peak, and back to point A with rests in between runs.

At the peak on my first run, instead of U-turning, I decided to turn right to C6 Road down to point C, the lowest point of C6 Road, then U-turned to my starting point. I did the same on my second run. On my third run, I decided to gradually climbed up and pedaled up to point D then back, fourth run up to point E, and my last run up to point F. Five runs and those were enough for the day; and, I packed up.

My new biking shoes

This afternoon, I bought a pair of new rubber shoes, which I shall be used for my biking. It's Sandugo's Tootega.

Actually, I didn't pay for it. Mamang, my mother, did. I still have two pairs of rubber shoes, which I used alternately for all purposes - including biking. While we're in Landmark, Trinoma, I was just window shopping for a pair, which I could be used, mainly, for biking. I was inspecting the Tootega, when Mamang approached me and asked for its price. I told her it's P1,995 only. She said, "If you like it, I'll buy it for you!". Really! I inspected the shoes again and thought they are good. And, I decided to get a pair.

From the mall, I immediately went to UP Diliman and broke in the shoes for eight laps (18 kilometers) around the academic oval. So far, I think it's great!

Thank you Mamang! I love you!

Biking late in UP Academic Oval

I left the office at 3:00 PM this afternoon for an official business in a government agency located along Visayas Avenue in Quezon City and arrived thereat at 4:00 PM. Fortunatey, I was able to conclude my transaction in about 30 minutes.

It's still early; and, I decided to go to UP to pedal around.

Despite the dusk and darkness caught on me, I was able to make 12 laps or about 27.6 kilometers.

World Carfree Day - 2009

I got this from PinoyMTBiker.org.

On September 19, 2009, a Saturday, the World Carfree Day (WCFD) ride will be celebrated.

In Metro Manila, it will start at 2:30 PM and end at 6:30 PM at Tiendesitas, Pasig City.

For details, please check the PinoyMTBiker forum and Tour of the Fireflies.

For Baguio City bikers, please check the Bliss Cafe Baguio.

NO HELMET, NO RIDE!

I sign up with PinoyMTBiker.org

Now that I'm already hooked into biking, I wanted to learn more about it. To do so, I go to the internet to get biking facts and information. First, I studied the parts of a bike. Then, I searched for safety tips, the tricks, the intricacies, and anything and everything about biking.

Not yet satisfied, I also signed up in a local bikers community and online forum - the PinoyMTBiker.org.
It is where I'm learning more about biking and exchanging ideas and discussions with fellow bikers. It also provides galleries of different brands and types of bikes and their parts, components and accessories; bicycling news and reviews; riding and training techniques; information on EBs and fun rides, trails, groups and clubs; and many more.

If you're into biking too, you may sign up at PinoyMTBiker.org.

Biking while waiting

I'm on leave today because of my son's birthday. Since we're going to celebrate his birthday in the afternoon, I decided to have KarenPot (our Kia Carens) her 40,000 kms. Periodic Maintenance Service (PMS) at Kia Fairview Service Center. It's her number coding; so, I needed to be there before 7:00 AM. It's just a few minutes (or about 2 kilometers) away from our place.

The PMS takes about 3 to 4 hours. Previously, I while away the time in the Customers Lounge internetting, reading, or watching TV while waiting for the PMS to be completed. This time, I brought along AlitePot (my bike). After turning over KarenPot, I biked to Neopolitan Business Park, which is just adjacent to the Service Center, and pedalled 20 rounds. A round is about 1.2 kilometers; so, that's about 24 kilometers. I still wanted to do some more rounds; but, the sun was already scorching.

At around 10:00 AM, I proceeded back to the service center to check the progress of the PMS. It's still on-going. I was advised that the front brake pads were already worn out and needed to be replaced; and, there's no stock available for the fuel filter. I agreed to have the brake pads replaced for safety reasons. The fuel filter would be available in the afternoon. I couldn't wait for the part to arrive and instructed them to have the filter cleaned first and replaced. I made it sure that it's just okay to do so lest it would clog.

The service was completed an hour after; and I went home.

My short ride in Balanga City

I usually bike either in UP Diliman Academic Oval or in Neopolitan Business Park. When there's time, I also bike inside our village.

Yesterday, I biked out of town - in Balanga City. It wasn't intentional but incidental only. We're going to visit my sister-in-law, who lives there. Since there's still space in the car, I brought along AlitePot hoping to explore the city with her; i.e, if there's time to do so.

It was raining cats and dogs when we arrived at about 10:30 am. I just hoped that it would stop so I could execute my plan.

At about 2:00 PM, I unloaded AlitePot, replaced her front wheel and seat, donned my gears, and set off. I was proceeding to the Bird Watching Site in Barangay Puerto Rivas. Then, I realized I forgot my mobile phone. I turned back, got my phone, and proceeded back to my destination. I found the site and pedaled along the long trail. I haven't reached the end of the trail yet; but, I already decided to turn back. At the subdivision, I made several rounds at the plaza and concluded my short ride.

I wished I'd ridden for a longer time but the heat of the sun was so intense it's scorching my exposed skin. Also, I ran out of time, we'd leaving for Manila by 4:00 PM.

Short but it's an enjoyable ride.