Back to Shotgun after 3 months

The last time I climbed Shotgun was last December 11. It had been a long time; and, I decided to go back there this morning.

With TweetyPot, I pedaled all the way to San Mateo, Rizal. At Aling Tina's Eatery, there's the group of Ageless Warriors going up to Shotgun; and, I was invited to join them.

At about 7:30 am, we took off to Shotgun up to Giant Store via the Roxas trail. After eating our breakfast, we pedaled back to Aling Tina's via the Basic Trail and Timberland.

Thanks for the wonderful ride, Ageless Warriors, and hoping to ride with you again soon.

The answer to my handlebar grips problem

The stock handlebar grips of my Marin Alpine Trail 29er were slipping. I put some adhesive but the problem recurred after sometime.

I was thinking of replacing them with grips with lock-on.

Yesterday, I brought my bike to the bike shop, where I bought it, for the replacement of the broken spoke and for tune up.

There, I found the answer to my slipping grips. I bought a pair of the lock on grips and replaced the old ones. The brand of the grips is Answer. A pair is P1,100.

Wifey buys me a new jersey

Wifey bought me a new jersey.

She was shopping last Friday night at Greenhills Shopping Center and spotted this:

Broken spoke

On my way home last night, I heard sound as if something hit my bike. It's already dark; so, I didn't bother to check what it was. I just continued pedaling until I reached home.

When I made an ocular inspection, I noticed one spoke of my rear wheel is broken.

I search the internet on what causes spoke breakage and how to replace it.

I'm frustrated with my single-speed project

I was all set and excited for the conversion of my Marin Alpine Trail 29er into a single-speed. I have the budget; and, I already practiced and trained for the single-speed ride.

I went to the bike shop this morning to have the conversion done. But, the mechanic told me that the front crank of my 29er bike could not be dismantled because the plates are riveted and not screwed.

So, I asked him what my options are:

1. Go on with conversion but my front crank would still have three plates although the biggest and the smallest plates are useless. But, this is not good to look at. And, it would defeat my purpose of shaving off some weight from my bike.
2. Get a new crank. The available crank at the shop is very expensive.
   

My other option is to buy another 29er with single speed. But, I need to save first for this option.

Meantime, I'm postponing my single-speed project and think all over again.

Thursday night ride

On my way home from office last night, I passed by San Mateo, Rizal for a night ride. My other purpose was to simulate an SS (single speed) ride. I fixed my front ring in a mid-ring and the rear at number 5 gear with 17 teeth.

I started the ride along Kambal Road Extension from Aling Tina's up to the crossroad to Shotgun and Timberland. Then, I pedaled up towards Timberland up to Tulizan's place, back, then up again up to after Tulizan's, back, up again before the Columbary, back, then up to Columbary and back again.

I also pedaled back and forth the approach/entrance to Shotgun about 6 times.

And, that's all for the night for a SSimulated SS ride.

Before going home, I refreshed myself with 2 bottles of beer and a plate of sisig, while listening to the band at the nearby bar.