My Foldie

Meet the newest member of my SS Rigid Family - my Bunso:

A Dahon Single Speed Folding Bike - Speed Uno, with a gearing of 48 x 16.  The published weight is 24 lbs.; but, according to my bathroom scale, it's 20 lbs. only.

I'm a front braker.  As a matter of fact, my two bikes are devoid of rear brakes.  But, ironically, Bunso has coaster brake only.  Later, I'm going to install a front brake just like her older sister, Dahon MU Uno.  Meantime, I'm still learning of how to use the coaster brake.

Welcome to the family, Bunso!

Red Seat Clamp for my Red 3SS 69er

 

I saw a red seat clamp while in a bike shop.  I thought it'd be nice on my red 3SS 69er and bought it.

It's an Anodized Red Aerozine Super Light Seat Clamp Model # XSC1.0 CNC Alloy 7075 with titanium bolt.

 

Licao Loop - 9/16/14

It's a post typhoon "Luis" solo ride.  The loop:  from Nova to Licao terminal via Ygay Road and back to Nova via the Macabud / Pangarap trails.  The distance is about 45 kilometers.

As always, I was late again leaving home a couple of minutes after 8:00 AM.  My plan was to enter Pangarap trails and exit via Tungko trails.  But, the rain fell before I left.  So, I changed my plan - take Ygay Road on the way to and fro Licao terminal.  At Licao, I again changed my plan - take the Macabud / Pangarap trails on my way back home.  The last time I passed Macabud / Pangarap was 4 months ago.

By the way, I bumped into Ato a.k.a. PCTalk at Ygay Road on his way back home.  He also rode solo to Licao terminal.

The downhill portion from Sitio Udiongan to Sitio Quarry is being paved:

The second downhill portion from Sitio Quarry to Selecta is still rutty and now ruttier:

Let's enjoy the trails while they last!

Orange Grips on my Orange Bike

The Amoeba handle bar grips on my 3SS 29er are worn out already and due for replacement.  They'd served me for about 2 years.  A biking buddy recommended the ESI Chunky Silicone Grips; and, I got one at P900.00.

ESI Chunky Grips:

Installed:

And, tested:

My Ride - 9/13/14

The route & distance: Novaliches - Timberland - Basic Trail - Giant & v.v. with a total distance of about 58 kilometers.

On a very rare occasion, I woke up earlier; so, I was able to leave early at 6:00 am.

The weather was still fine, actually finer, despite the typhoon "Luis".  The sun almost didn't show up.

My Triple SS Bikes

I have two mountain bikes - a 26er and a 29er.  And, both have been converted into Triple SS.   When I bought these bikes, they are built and complete with gears, suspension forks, and front & rear brakes.

What's Triple SS?

• First SS is for Single Speed (no gears)
• Second is for Sans Suspension (rigid)
• Third is for Single Stopper (front brake only)

I first converted my 26er (by the way, it's already a 69er) into rigid and later on into single speed.  I've loved the way how it's ridden; so, I also converted my 29er into rigid and single speed at the same time.

Before I removed my rear brakes, I first experimented and practiced of not using my rear brakes for almost a year.  When I gained the confidence, I ditched them to shave some weight.

My first Triple SS Bike:

KHS Alite 150 26er frame
Deore crank
Niner ring 32T
Shimano SPD
Surly cog 17t
Surly spacers
No singleator
HG73 chain

Mosso M3 fork

Deore hydraulic brake

My second Triple SS Bike:

Marin Alpine Trail 29er frame
XT crank
Niner ring 32T
XT SPD
Surly cog 18t
Surly spacers
Surly singleator
IG51 chain

Mosso M3 fork

SLX hydraulic brake

A SShort Ride in Laiya, Batangas

We celebrated wifey's birthday last July 20 in La Luz Resort in Laiya, San Juan, Batangas.  We stayed there overnight.

As usual, I brought my bike (my SS rigid 69er) with us in case I could find time to bike.  And, there was!

After eating my buffet breakfast the following day, I set out to pedal towards Lobo, Batangas.  But, my daughter reminded me to be back before 11:00 am.  That would be 2 hours only or about 30 kilometers back and forth.  Albeit short, it's better than nothing.

A steep climb right after exiting the La Luz gate greeted me:

Nice view:

Mountains are cut to build roads:

 A long and winding road:

Another uphill:

Turning around:

The route was unforgiving because of many uphills and slippery roads (walked most of them).  And, I just covered about 10 kilometers only in about 2 hours.

Back at the resort, a quick encounter with the sea then packed up:

Damaged Bottom Bracket

I normally test pedal my bike before preparing to leave.   And, I noticed that my 29er was not smooth to pedal.

When I checked, I thought something's wrong with the bottom bracket, which  is a Shimano SM-BB70 and part of the XT crankset I bought second hand and installed more than two years ago.  It hasn't been serviced yet since then.

Meantime, I parked my 29er back and used my 69er for my ride.  That's the beauty of having more than one bike.

When I returned home, I removed the damaged BB and replaced it with my spare BB.

I dismantled it and tried to fix it but unsuccessful.   The bearings has seized up already.

Thus, I need to buy another one as spare.

Ride to Ipo Dam

I biked this morning from our place in Novaliches, Q. C. up to Ipo Dam in Norzagaray, Bulacan.  The distance back and forth is about 54 kilometers.

It's all paved roads.  But, from Bigte, Norzagaray up to Ipo Dam gate is rolling terrain.

Unfortunately, unauthorized persons are not allowed to enter the premises through the main gate.  But, they are allowed to exit.

That's true.  In January of 2012, we biked at the Norzagaray trails and entered Ipo Dam premises through the back door from the river. When the gate guard saw us approaching the main gate, he immediately opened the gate wide.

Solo Biking Up North - Pagudpud

The Pagudpud ride was more challenging because of rolling terrains and beautiful sceneries.

From the resort where we stayed in Saud, I biked and surveyed the nearby resorts first then took off for Patapat Viaduct:

After catching my breath and eating my snacks at the nearby store, I pedaled back towards Timmantang Rock and Bantay Abot Cave.

Before heading back to the resort, I ate one of Ilocanos' favorites - Pinakbet:

 

Solo Biking Up North - Vigan City to Paoay

At about 8:00 this morning, I left Vigan City after eating my breakfast of Sinanglao and Labong.  Laoag City is about 82 kilometers away.

Rest before the arch of San Juan (Lapog), Ilocos Sur - The Buri Capital

Took a view of the Cabugao Beach.  It claimed that it's the Boracay of the North.  The sands are white, all right!  But, it's still a far cry from Boracay.

At 2:30 pm, I was in Paoay, Ilocos Sur, where I rendezvoused with family at Herencia Restaurant - the home of Pinakbet Pizza.

They changed their plan. Instead of staying overnight at Laoag, we'll proceed directly to Pagudpud. So, I loaded my bike on the car.

 

Total distance covered = 69 kilometers mostly on flat roads.