Wednesday, June 30, 2010

My Inaugural Ride

Today is the inauguration of our new President, Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III, and the new Vice President, Jejomar C. Binay. They'd taken their respective oaths of office at the Rizal Park Grandstand at about high noon today before Supreme Court Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales.

In dedication to them, I made an inaugural ride. My destination wasn't the Rizal Park nor the Malacanang Palace nor any other place related to the inauguration but to my favorite biking place - San Mateo, Rizal. Nonetheless, I wore a yellow shirt for this ride.






Congratulations to both of you and the Filipino people. I'm just hoping that most Filipinos could improve their lives in the next six years.

Monday, June 28, 2010

From Mt. Maarat to Mt. Samat

Last Saturday, I climbed Mt. Maarat in San Mateo, Rizal. Today, I climbed another mountain - the Mt. Samat in Pilar, Bataan.

Yesterday morning, my family went to Balanga, Bataan to visit my sister-in-law and her family. I brought my bike. And, I planned either to climb Mt. Samat again or taste the long and winding road to Bagac.

We arrived at my sis-in-law' place at about 11:00 am. And, we're treated with a hearty lunch. With the volume of food, I thought there's some celebration - a birthday or fiesta. There's none!

Steamed fish topped with mayonnaise, boiled eggs and pickles

Adobong pusit

Ginataang hipon

Beef with corn

Tokwa't goto

Fried pugo

Pipino

Malagkit

My sister-in-law, our generous hostess, in the middle flanked by (R-L) wifey, son Luigi, daughter Jaja, & Jaja's friend - Jonathan

Thank you Ate Tatie for the sumptuous and hearty meal.

I wasn't able to control myself and indulged. I was so full and rested for sometime. I thought I couldn't bike anymore. And, I napped. Zzzzzzzzzzzzz!

I woke up after about 20 minutes. Still full, I needed to burn it. And, I prepared to bike.

It's good I already have a bike rack; otherwise, I couldn't bring my bike. Or, I would pedal all the way again. He he . . .

I started pedaling towards Pilar at around 1:00 pm. Along the highway, I saw the cross calling. So, I decided on climbing it again. The last time I climbed it was last Christmas for my Christmas ride.


The Dambana ng Kagitingan Arch at the foot of the mountain. It's about 10 kilometers from my sis-in-law's place and about 7 kilometers to the Dambana ng Kagitingan.

My first stop / rest at Km 3 to DK since the arch. The weather was conducive. No rain; and, the sun hid most of the time. I thought I could pedal all the way up without stopping. It's more than halfway - it's okay! The last time, I did it with 5 or 6 stops.



My second stop / rest after the last curve and before reaching the gate. I ran out of breath and power.

I reached the peak at around 3:00 pm.


After an hour of rest and beer-hydration while enjoying the breeze and the overlooking views, I started my descent.





The long downhill rush was superb. At the foot, I thought of climbing again but decided not.

We left Balanga at about 8:30 pm. I repositioned my bike in the rack. Instead of hanging by the top tube, I hanged it by the down tube to avoid clipping the cables under the top tube.


Saturday, June 26, 2010

I meet a fellow PMTBiker - Kinetic

This morning, I went to San Mateo, Rizal to climb Timberland Heights. While resting at Aling Tina's Eatery prior to my climb, I met a fellow PMTBiker - Kinetic. It's our first meeting. He just rode the trail solo and rested. When I was leaving to for the climb, he decided to come and climb with me.

After descending, he showed me the trails located in front of Aling Tina's. This trail was used in one of the biking events, which was held there recently. And, it's about 2 kilometers long.

Nice meeting and riding with you, Kinetic (Cris). Hope to ride with you again.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Father's Day ride

I dedicated my ride today to all fathers - bikers and non-bikers alike. "HAPPY FATHER'S DAY".

I left at around 10:00 am and pedaled toward the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. I'd be visiting my father's grave. The distance is about 35 kilometers from our place in Novaliches.

I passed by Tiendesitas and had my lunch there. It's nice for Tiendesitas to have a motorcycle / bicycle park. Luckily, I found a vacant slot.

My lunch of spicy shrimps and kinunot (page or devil fish)



After eating, a long rest and a shopping for a shirt, I continued my journey.

I arrived at the Libingan ng mga Bayani at around 1:30 pm. Unfortunately, the sentry didn't allow me to enter the premises as biking is not allowed. I have to leave my bike at the sentry and go on foot. I tried to explain to the guard that the ban applies only to leisure bikers and not to grave visitors. He has his orders, he told me. "No biking" inside the cemetery for whatever reason.




Okay! That's fine. I thanked him and left. I tried the other entry point along C5 but it's closed.

I just whispered, "Happy Father's Day, Papang!"

On my way home, I passed by Pasay City and Manila City with pit stops at MOA, CCP, and Rizal Park.




The loop's about 85 kilometers; and, I arrived home at 5:30 P.M.

Saturday, June 19, 2010

My afternoon ride to and fro San Mateo, Rizal

Today, I arrived home from my Cebu trip at around 12:30 pm.

But, I wouldn't pass this day without a ride. At around 3:00 pm, I left home and pedaled but with no specific destination in mind yet. While pedaling, I thought of going to the mountain of San Mateo, Rizal again - to Timberland Heights.

While preparing for my ride, the sky was gloomy. The weather's perfect, I thought. It would be better if it would rain. On the way, however, the sun showed up. No problem! More than halfway, it started to drizzle and the short rain fell when I reached my destination.

Atop, in a restaurant, I rested while enjoying my beer, the cool weather and the overlooking views.

At around 5:15 pm, I started my descent and went home. I arrived at around 6:45 pm.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

My bike rack

I'd been shopping for a bike rack that would fit my car, a Kia Carens. As much as possible, I wanted to buy a brand new rack. However, I couldn't find one that would fit my car. The racks being sold in bike stores are for sedan cars. Hence, I was willing to buy a second hand, whichever came first.

Two months ago, I found one at the PMTB. The owner was using it in his Toyota Innova. I went to his place to see and inspect it. It perfectly fit my car.

The rack (Hollywood brand) could carry three bikes. However, four of the straps are missing. It's being sold for P2,500 but the owner agreed at P1,500.

Last Sunday, I was able to use the bike rack when we went to Pangasinan.



Sunday, June 13, 2010

Manaoag - San Fabian - Damortis - San Fabian ride

Yesterday, I was supposed to join a tree planting ride to Ipo Dam, Norzagaray, Bulacan. Instead, we went to Manaoag Church then to San Fabian Beach for a some sort of family reunion and despedida gathering for my eldest sister who's leaving tonight for the U. S. of A.

I loaded my bike and planned to pedal from Manaoag to San Fabian.

We arrived at the church at about 10:15 am. I unloaded my bike and pedaled towards San Fabian. After an hour, I was already in San Fabian; and, I pedaled farther to Damortis junction in Sto. Tomas, La Union. It's another hour ride. At the junction, I turned around back to San Fabian to rejoin my family.

The total distance is about 45 kilometers, which took me more than three hours.


Unloading AlitePot

Warmed up and ready to go

Manaoag church



My lunch of fish head paksiw and kinigtot