Easter Sunday ride - UP Diliman

Easter Sunday celebrates the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead.

With my Marin Alpine Trail 29er (TweetyPot), I went to UP Diliman this morning.  I hadn't completed yet my first lap of the Academic Oval, my rear wheel got flat.  Holy shit!  It's a brand new tube.  After replacing the damaged tube with an old one, I resumed my ride and tried the forbidden trails.  Then, after negotiating the single tracks at the University Avenue and Commonwealth Avenue, the rear tire got flat again.  Darn!  New and old tubes, they suffered the same fate.  Their Presta valve base were torn.

Flat again!

After replacing the tube with another new one, I decided to cut short my ride; as, I've no more spare tube.  I always carry two (2) spare tubes in my saddle bag when biking.

And, I'm already getting tired of the frequent flats due to torn Presta valve base.

Black Saturday SS Ride - Timberland

Black Saturday commemorates the day that our Lord Jesus Christ's body laid in the tomb.

I'd tested my SS powers yesterday from Morong, Bataan to Subic Ocean Adventure & v.v.  And, I'd test it today by climbing to Timberland.

From Aling Tina's Eatery, I attacked Timberland and was able to climb it, all right, but in six stops.  First stop was a mandatory stop before the infamous "siko".  The second at the "siko"; the third to fifth before the next curve; and, the last after Amiya Raya.  I also pedaled standing up; but, my powers were not enough to conquer Timberland on SS non-stop.

The last stop

Suman (rice cake) and Yakult at Marc's View Deck

I'll just attempt again next time with less stops.

Good Friday SS Ride - Morong, Bataan to Subic Ocean Adventure & v.v.

Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary.

We're in Morong, Bataan this Maundy Thursday and Good Friday to celebrate the graduation of our niece, Mae.

When I go out town, especially on a land trip, one of my bikes goes too.  This time it's my Single Speed KHSs Alite 150 (AlitePot)

In the hotel room for a good night rest

And, this morning, I had the opportunity to pedal.  Hallelujah!  On as single speed, I'd test my powers on the rolling route of Morong up to Subic Free Port Zone Morong gate and back.

I was supposed to ride solo; but, I met another biker, who's also a guest in one of the resorts, on my way out of the complex.  He's Mok Tecson of Cabanatuan City. Then, both of us pedaled towards Subic.

After an hour and a half, we arrived at our destination.

Still early, Mok egged mo on pedaling farther to Ocean Adventure.  I acceded.

I arrived back at the resort after 3 hours, which was well within my visa.

That's a great and challenging ride!  Hurray!  And, I was exhilarated cause I did no dismount / rest on long uphills.  The total distance is about 38 kms.

And, nice meeting and riding with you Mok.

Flat again

It's flat again!  Yes, the rear tire of my Marine Alpine Trail 29er is flat again, which I noticed when I woke up this morning.

My guess the culprit is, as usual, the torn base of the Presta valve.

I didn't fix it yet; as, we're leaving for Balanga, Bataan.

A dozen laps at Neopolitan

This afternoon, I made a dozen laps with my SS bike at Neopolitan Business Center.  It's my Holy Wednesday ride and dedicated it to the twelve (12) Apostles.

It's not only single speed but single brake (front)

My original plan was a little harder ride - to SS bike all the way to Licao-licao via Igay Road and vice versa.  But, the weather was too hot and decided against it.  I'd just do it next time.

Have a blessed Holy Week!

My Single Speed Mountain Bike

This is my Single Speed (SS) bike:

Orignally, it's a geared mountain bike (2009 KHS Alite 150) when I acquired it more than three years ago.

Later, I converted it into a 1 x 8 set-up; i.e., the largest and smallest plates of the crank were removed leaving  the middle only, which has 32 teeth.  Consequently, I removed the front derailleur lever and cable.  The front derailleur was maintained as a chain guide. Some weights were shaved off.  Then, later again, I replaced my suspension fork with a second hand Mosso rigid.  Great, the bike got much lighter.

Inspired and challenged by other SS bikers,  I contemplated on proceeding to turn my bike into an SS.  Then, one day, I just found myself canvassing for the conversion kit.  And, another day, I was buying the parts.

And, when I blinked my eyes, lo and behold, my bike transformed into an SS.

Here are the parts I needed and the costs:

• Spacer - P1,100
• 17t cog - P1,000
• Singleator (or tensioner) - P2,500 but got it at 50% off or P1,250 only
• Chain - P0.00 - I used the existing.
• Labor - P100
• Total - P3,450

So far, I'm enjoying riding my SS but need more training and practice.

Timberland in 3 dismounts / rests.

I've been climbing Timberland without dismount - from Aling Tina's Eatery up to Timberland Gate.  The gears I'm using are 32 x 17 up to curve before the "siko" then 32 x 26 all the way to Timberland.

Today, using my Marin Alpine Trail 29er (TweetyPot) with the same gearings,  I climbed Timberland again.  This time, I did it with three dismounts.  My stopovers: 1) before the "infamous siko"; 2) at the rumble strips after the "siko"; and, 3) after the next curve.  This is the hardest segment of the climb.

For the past month, I'd limited my biking on flat grounds only due to an illness.  When I got bored, I tested if I could do some climbs.  Anyway, I feel better and stronger now.

Last Friday, I tried the Commonwealth Avenue Extension - Form Dory's Restaurant up to Quirino Highway.  A piece of cake!.  Yesterday, the ride from Aling Tina's Eatery up to the curve before the "siko" was a walk in the park!

And, today, I made my climb as easy as ABC, pedaling slowly and stopping/resting at will, just to reach my goal as if I'm a newbie.  Actually, my plan was to make 4 to 5 stopovers.  I was so happy I did it in less!

Second stopover at the rumble strips:

Ride safe always!

Spare 29er Tubes

Fortunately, I didn't have to go far to buy spare tubes for my Marin Alpine Trail 29er (TweetyPot).

At one point in time, I had difficulty looking for a 29er tube.  The well known bike shops I inquired from had all ran out of stocks.  It's good thing a biker friend, Dhenz, was able to find a bike shop that still had 29er tubes.in its stocks. And, I bought all the remaining four (4) tubes.

Now, there's a bike shop in San Mateo, Rizal that sells 29er bikes and parts.  So, on my way to Timberland this morning, I passed by the shop and bought two (2) Continental tubes.  The cost is P250 per tube.

Flat tires

For some reasons, I haven't ridden my Marin Alpine 29er (TweetyPot) for about three (3) weekends.

This morning, I was surprised to see the flat rear tire and replaced the tube.  Then, in the afternoon, there's another surprise, the front tire was flat too.  What happened?  I didn't know; and, I just replaced the tube too.

The culprits were the same -  torn base of the Presta valves.  But, how they got torn whey they are just parked?

Maybe, she just sulked and had her two tires out of air to attract my attention.  So, I talked to her and made amends.  Then, I explained that I have to buy spare tubes first before using her.

My new biking shoes

I have two (2) new pairs of Exustar biking shoes, which I bought last month from MotorMarket Libis.  I also bought two (2) pairs of Exustar single release cleats.

Exustar products were on sale  And, they were steals at 40% off - almost buy-one, take-one.

The one pair was just broken in;

 and, the other pair is back in the box after installing the cleats.

Now, I have four (4) pairs of biking shoes; but, one is about to retire.

Hey, Tom d' Biker! What's up?

Nothing!  I just didn't have time to visit my blogs let alone make a post.  Besides, my Agfa waterproof and shockproof camera was damaged when I crashed at the Macabud trails.

But, I'd find some time to make a post at least once every two weeks.  By the way, I'd start shopping for a new camera.

See you around!  And, have a safe and enjoyable ride always.