Thursday, May 17, 2012

Flat rear tire on my way home

There's one more free overnight parking slot for the month in our building parking. And, I decided to use it last night.

I left my car at the parking and went home biking using my KHS Alite 150. However, along C5 at the corner of Mercury Avenue in Libis, I was having a hard time pedaling. So, I stopped and saw that my rear tire was flat.

After removing the tube, I checked the tire (Kenda Nevegal) several times but found nothing that caused the flat. So, I replaced the tube with one of my two spares. In less than 5 minutes, I was done.

At home, I checked the tube and found a hole at the seam on the inner side. I'm now thinking of retiring this tube considering that it has four patches already. Or, perhaps, I patch the new hole and make it a spare.

Monday, May 14, 2012

No rides last weekend

Bike wise, I wasn't lucky last weekend; as, I wasn't able to ride.

Saturday, I attended our company's outing at the Island Cove in Kawit, Cavite.  I'd planned of going to the place and vice versa by bike but decided against it.  Island Cove is just about 45 kilometers from home.  And, pedaling time is about 3 hours one way.

Sunday, my wife, my two kids, my mother, and one of my sisters went to Liliw Resort in Liliw, Laguna for a day tour.  We celebrated the Mother's Day there.  Happy Mother's Day to my wife, my mother, and my sisters!

Monday, May 7, 2012

Front braking only

A bike has two brakes - front and rear.  In most bikes, the front brake lever is located at the left side of the handlebar, while the rear brake lever at the right side.  Some bikers modified the levers the other way around.

The front brake is more effective giving about 70% of braking power.  Most agreed that it, alone, should be used on level grounds.

On slope grounds, however, there are several schools on what brakes to use, i.e.:
  • the rear brake only
  • both brakes evenly
  • both brakes but more on the rear
  • front brake only
I've experimented and practiced all schools and, then, decided to use the front brake only in all situations - level and slope grounds, whether to slow down or to stop.  I've been doing this method for several months now.  And, so far, it's doing me good.