At the Timberland again

I was able to climb Timberland Heights last Saturday morning. It was a great experience achieving a goal or just part of a goal. My actual goal is to reach Timberland without stopping. I've trained for this and attempted several times. I was just happy that I reached Timberland with a single stopover.

After climbing a mountain, I'd planned of pedaling on flat grounds yesterday afternoon. And, my supposed destination was UP Diliman. But, along the way, I could hear the beckon of Timberland. It's so irresistible. So, instead of going to UP, I proceeded back to San Mateo, Rizal.

I started pedaling from the intersection of E. De Los Santos St. and Kambal Road Ext. up to Timberland Heights gate. I saw several bikers coming down but nobody going up.

Going up after the "siko" is really challenging. I was out of breath and thought of stopping. But, no way, Jose! I was determined to do it without stopping; and, I made it. Yipee! It's an exhilarating experience. After cooling down, I rested while enjoying the views.

Thence, I went inside Timberland. The roads are rolling and going up towards the clubhouse is another pain in the ass. Nonetheless, I made it up to the end of the paved road. I supposed the rough road is the entrance and start of the Maarat trail. I just continued pedaling for a few hundred meters and peeked what's up ahead. I turned back and have planned of conquering this place soonest.

My cycling gloves

When I bought my newer bike, I also bought a pair of cycling gloves and a red helmet. The pair of gloves is a Biogel Ergo Air and cost P600.00. There's no red color to match the color of my bike; so, I settled for a black one.
According to the website, the gloves use both gel pads and an air-vent system. Gel pads relieve pressure on the ulnar and median nerves, and the perforated, wicking palm and ErgoAir zone handle moisture.

I reach the Timberland Heights

After several attempts, I finally made it this morning. I wanted to do it without stopping from Aling Tina's eatery; but, I made one stopover after the steepest portion of the climb to catch my breath. The rest of the distance, which is less than a kilometer, was already a walk in the park.

Overlooking the Clubhouse

After resting and eating taho, I came down and explored some parts of San Mateo, Rizal.

A 30-minute ride

On weekdays, I normally wake up at 4:30 am and leave at 5:00 am to avoid the rush hour traffic on my way to work in Makati City.

But, this morning, I had a meeting in one of the government agencies in Quezon City at 10:00 am.

This gave more time to sleep or to bike. I chose the latter.

I'd planned of getting up at 5:00 am and bike until 8:30 am before going to my appointment. My mobile phone alarmed as scheduled; but, it failed to fully awake me. Instead, I woke up at 7:00 am. After drinking a cup of coffee, I put out my other bike, BikePot, and pedaled inside our village for about 30 minutes.

It was a very short ride. But, it's better than no ride at all.

My anniversary ride

It's not my anniversary in biking; as I just started pedaling five months ago only. But, it's my wedding anniversary with my only wifey.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, DEAR!

I thought I couldn't ride today; as, we're going to Subic Freeport Zone for the celebration with my two kids. We're supposed to leave at 5:30 am. When I woke up, however, at about 6:00 am, wifey told me that we're leaving at about 10:00 am.

Good! I still had plenty of time to bike. I immediately donned my biking gears and off I went to Neopolitan Business Park, Fairview. It's just about 1.2 kilometers away.
I made about 18 laps (6 laps at a time) and went home.

Another attempt to reach the top

From Aling Tina's, I pedaled on my way up to Timberland Heights. With this attempt, I was hoping I would reach it without stopping. It's just about 3 kilometers far.

Pedal, pedal, pedal . . . And, I crossed again The Wall. But, when I reached the rumble strips up ahead, I was already panting. I had enough, stopped and rested. Never mind my objective of getting there without stopping.
After resting, I again mounted my bike and pedaled up to my destination. One more kilometer and I'd be at the Timberland Heights. However, when I reached the next curve, the rain fell; and I decided to turn back.

I would just try again next time. As the saying goes, "try and try until you succeed".

My new biking short

Wifey was shopping at Greenhills Shopping Center. While waiting for her, I window shopped. In one of the sports stores, I found cycling shorts. I had one cycling shorts only; so, I decided to buy another one and checked them. I found one and bought it. It's an Enduro Kinetic worth P680.00 only.

The bike shop is closed

The bike shop, where I bought AlitePot, offers free monthly tune up valid for one year only.

I got her last August 19 but haven't availed yet of the offer due to lack of time. This morning, I had a meeting in Quezon City. Thence, I could pass by the shop on my way to work and leave her for the tune up. I could return in the afternoon and pick her up.

I arrived at the shop at around 9:30 am. The shop's is closed. I was informed by the building's guard that the shop is closed on Mondays. The shop days are from Tuesday to Saturday only.

Dismayed, I just proceeded to work.

Change of plan

This afternoon, I'd planned of biking in San Mateo, Rizal. But, I changed my plan. Instead, I went to Camp Aguinaldo to try its bike trail. I arrived at the camp at around 1:30 pm. The gate, however, to the trail's still closed. I waited while listening to the Pacquiao - Cotto after fight.
After 2:00 pm, the gate's still closed; and, I asked around. I was told to check with the G2. I had difficulty in finding it. Finally, after asking for directions, I found it. But, the personnel there was of no help. He told me that the trail is for the Generals only and not open for public; and, the trail is open from Monday to Friday but not aware of the time of operations. I just thanked him and left.

Where would I go? To San Mateo, Rizal or UP Diliman? The latter it was.
I arrived at the campus at 2:45 pm. I started pedaling at 3:00 pm and finished at around 5:45 pm.

Aside from rounding the oval, I ventured the short trails (found new ones) and practiced uphill climbs.

Neopolitan Business Park ride

I woke up from my afternoon nap at about 3:00 PM.

I'd planned to go to San Mateo, Rizal; but, I decided against it as it's raining and the sky's dark.

When the sky cleared about 30 minutes after, I just decided to bike at the nearby Neopolitan Business Park. I left home by 4:00 pm and biked to the park. I made 20 rounds (or about 26 kilometers) and went home by 6:00 pm.
Neopolitan Park is not frequented by bikers, joggers, walkers, and other fitness enthusiasts in the afternoon. I was the only biker, when I arrived; and, there was lone jogger only.

My ride planner / calendar

To record my planned rides and other biking events, I've created "My ride planner / calendar". It's located at my sidebar.

Here are my initial entries:

November 14 - Saturday (PM)
C6 Road, San Mateo, Rizal

November 15 - Sunday (PM)
UP Diliman

November 17 - Tuesday (PM)
Camp Aguinaldo Trail

November 21 - Saturday (PM)
C6 Road, San Mateo, Rizal

November 24 - Tuesday (PM)
Fort Bonifacio Trail

November 27 - Friday (PM)
Watch the Bike Show at Manila Auto Salon 2009

A night ride at UP Diliman

I was supposed to go to San Mateo, Rizal this afternoon to attempt climbing The Wall again and beyond.

However, wifey needed to go to Trinoma to buy some special gift for special event tomorrow. So, Trinoma we went. We're able to leave Trinoma at around 5:30 PM. There's no more time to go to San Mateo; and, I just decided to go to UP Diliman.

It's already dark when we arrived at the parking area. And, I was able to utilize my bike lights for the second time.

I just pedaled around the Academic Oval. I made 12 rounds; then, we went home at around 8:30 PM.

A short ride in UP Diliman

Yesterday, I had a business meeting in one of the government agencies along Visayas Avenue and finished it by 4:00 PM. On my way home, I thought of passing by UPD and bike. That's what a bike addict would do when there's an opportunity to do so.

I arrived at the parking lot at about 4:40 PM. After setting up AlitePot and warming up, I took off at about 5:00 PM.

I made several rounds within the campus and around the academic oval. I found a short trail after the basketball court along Balagtas St. and tried it.

Darkness caught on me and, finally, I used my bike lights. Since I've installed them, it's only the first time that I utilized them.

I concluded my ride at about 6:30 PM and went home.

I reach and cross The Wall

Finally, I did it. The Wall is the dangerous and the infamous uphill curve along the way to Timberland Heights, San Mateo, Rizal . The curve is so sharp and steep. It's located just after the Columbary of the Divine Shrine.

Yesterday afternoon, I went to San Mateo, Rizal to attempt to reach The Wall. I parked along the road just before the damaged bridge and brought out AlitePot.

I'm glad the repair of the bridge has started and on going. Only pedestrians, bikes, and motorbikes can pass over the makeshift bridge, which is a narrow plywood.

After crossing the bridge, I pedaled up to The Wall. I made it; and, I was elated. I didn't attempt to go further and turned back.




From Aling Tina's Eatery, I made a second and third runs. But, I reached the Columbary only and turned back. On my fourth run, however, I again reached and crossed the wall up to about a hundred meters beyond. I stopped and rested before proceeding. While resting, I saw a biker climbing up in a zigzag direction. When he passed by me, I greeted him and his style. Then, I followed him in the same style. After reaching another hundred meters, I turned back.

To conclude my ride, I made another run, the fifth, up to Columbary and returned back to where I parked my car.

Ride with typhoon "Santi"

We're in La Vista Balanga Inland Resort at the height of typhoon "Santi" yesterday morning.

When my sister-in-law invited us for an overnight stay in the resort, I'd planned of bringing AlitePot and ride within Balanga City again.

I woke up at around 6:00 am and monitored the weather. It was already windy with light rains. Santi's already nearing. I walked around and surveyed the resort.

By 7:30 am, I put AlitePot out of the car and pedaled one round within the resort. Then, I went out to the highway. After pedaling for about a kilometer along the highway towards the city proper, I decided to go back for safety reasons. The wind's already strong; as the typhoon could be over the area already. The resort's spacious enough to bike around. The adjoining mango orchard was open and I pedaled there too.

After an hour of biking, the wind's getting stronger. It made pedaling laborious. Nonetheless, I continued but took extra precautions and watched for falling trees and branches. Fortunately, none befell upon me. There were times that I stopped biking and sought shelter.

The bad weather calmed at about 10:30. And, I went out to the highway again and pedaled for about 30 minutes.

Here are the pictures of the paths and trails I traversed:

Within the resort:

In the Mango Orchard:

AlitePot taking her bath: