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!

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.

Upgrading my crankset to Deore XT

We went to Baguio City by car to celebrate daughter's birthday. But, at Rosario, La Union, I alighted and dismounted TweetyPot (my 29er bike) from the car. Thence, I pedaled about 30 kms. all the way up to Mines View Hotel via Kennon Road. While the bike's parked at the hotel, wifey noticed the change of the color of the crank arms from black to silver. I thought she wouldn't notice. He he he . . .

The crankset was recently upgraded from Deore to Deore XT, which I bought second hand from a fellow biker through PMTB.

 

With the upgrade, I shaved 0.15 kilograms from the bike's weight but spent P5,800.

TweetyPot is back in shape

TweetyPot (my 29er) is up and about again after two weeks.

Fortunately, Gravity Works in Makati City has two available tubes. On my way to the bikeshop, another luck struck. A biking buddy, Dennis Castillo, called up informing that there are four available tubes at JBL. I was glad he did me a favor by reserving the tubes. Thanks Papa Denz.

Now, TweetyPot has five spare tubes. But, two more bike shops have run out of stocks.

I can't ride my TweetyPot

TweetyPot (my 29er) has been out of commission since two weeks ago due to damaged tubes.

First, after pumping the front tire in preparation for a ride, it got suddenly flat. There's no time to fix it, I used AlitePot (my 26er).

When I got back home, I found out that the base of the Presta valve was torn. Thus, I replaced it with my spare tube. The next day, I bought another spare tube.

The following weekend, I noticed the rear tire's flat. The culprit's the same. So, I had to replace it with the new tube. But, while pumping it, it exploded. Darn!

I tried to buy tubes; but, they're out of stocks from well known bike shops I inquired from - Knobbies, All Terra, Bikezilla, Iron Bike, Sabak and Bike Town.

Another fall

I climbed Shotgun this morning and attempted to break my no dismount record at 42.5 minutes.

Approaching the last ascent, I took advantage of the momentum from the descent. I kept on pedaling until the bike slowed down; then I shifted to granny - front gear to the smallest cog. However, the chain overshot and disengaged from the crank. The bike suddenly stopped and I immediately unclipped my left foot, which I usually do; but, lo and behold, the bike leaned to the right. It's too late to unclip my right foot. And, BANG!

Fortunately, I suffered no injury not even a minor scratch. The saddle though of my Marin Alpine 29er was slightly damaged.

I replaced the chain and continued pedaling. And, the attempt was aborted.

Better by 10 seconds

For my year-end ride, I went to San Mateo, Rizal and climbed Timberland twice.

And, I broke my best time by 10 seconds. My current best time is 21 minutes and 20 seconds. My second climb was clocked at 21 minutes and 40 seconds.

By the way, I'm already using clipless pedals on my Alpine Trail 29er.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL BIKERS!

A no sweat ride

Last night, I pedaled within our village using TweetyPot.

I covered a distance of about 8 kilometers in about 30 minutes. Nonetheless, not a drop of sweat came out from my body because of the cold air.

When I went inside our home, wifey didn't believe that I'd gone out biking.

My Timberland via The Wall climb record

I've been climbing Timberland Heights via The Wall non-stop. So, I thought of recording my best time. Last Saturday and Sunday, I climbed the Wall again using TweetyPot. And, my best time is 24 minutes, which I did last Sunday. I'd try to break this record on my next climb.

Starting point (A)is at the bike parking at C6 at the intersection of Shotgun Avenue and finishes at the Timberland gate (B). This is about 2.2 kilometers. Therefore, my speed was 5.5 km/h.

I'll also record my best time for my Shotgun climbs, which is about 4.2 kilometers from the same starting point up to the trailhead to Mt. Maarat.

A 30-minute night ride inside our village

I got home earlier at about 8:00 pm.

After eating my dinner, I put out my laptop and surfed the net. Of course, I logged in first at mountain biking fora and visited other mountain biking websites.

Suddenly, I felt the urge of pedaling. So, I got out, got my bike (TweetyPot), and biked within our village for 30 minutes. I still wanted to pedal more but decided against it.

Am I riding a lemon?

My TweetyPot, a built 2010 Marin Alpine Trail 29er, is almost 3 months old only. But, I’m already experiencing problems with her.

I’m just wondering if the parts installed are weak or not compatible. Thus, making my bike a lemon.

First, I noticed the slipping handle bar grips. I had it fixed at Sabak Bike Shop, where I bought it. The mechanic just applied rugby. But, after a month, they’re slipping again

Second, it’s the problem with the chain. I had it fixed by the Sabak mechanic. But, the problem recurred. I try to have it fixed by other mechanics. Again, the problem keeps on recurring.

Third, the saddle was disengaged from its rails due to minor "semplang".

Fourth, when I rode it last Sunday, I heard noises from the front wheel. The culprit was the worn out hub bearings. I had fixed in one of the LBS along the way. So far, it's okay.

Fifth, when the mechanic carried the bike, the rear wheel fell off from the frame. It was re-attached and the bolt tightened.


I have another bike – a built 2009 KHS Alite 150, which is more than a year old. But, I’ve never encountered yet the above problems.

Ride with Team Adventureros

I joined the Team Adventureros ride yesterday (October 16). It was spearheaded by JesterEdquilag.

The route was supposedly Marikina to Cabading, Antipolo to Mt. Maarat to Timberland, San Mateo. But, at Cabading the group agreed to deviate - from Cabading, we passed by Boso-boso and Binayoyo before proceeding to Mt. Maarat. It made the ride longer by about 6 kilometers. The new route has some stretch of trails.

From our place in Novaliches, I pedaled all the way to the meeting place in McDo - Sumulong Highway; then pedaled all the way back home.

The bikers: JesterEdquilag, Jepoy, Kakaiba, EpoyRufinoJr, CaloyPalaboy, Kaniboy, FlyPhotoGuy, MikeOk, and me.

Pictures of the ride on the trails from Boso-boso to Binayoyo:



At the Timberland Heights



Unfortunately, on my way out from Maarat basic trails to Timberland Height, I lost control of my bike and crashed. Thanks to the good Samaritans who helped me back on my feet.

One Wednesday afternoon ride to San Mateo

I was on leave yesterday (Wednesday) for some personal important matter. In the afternoon, I found time to bike and went to one of my favorite biking places - San Mateo, Rizal.

I left at around 2:00 pm and pedaled to San Mateo.

Reversing Nova - Pangarap – Macabud – Litex loop

I’ve done the Nova – Pangarap – Macabud – Litex loop several times. And, I experienced reversing it yesterday. The reverse ride was organized by YummyNia. And, together with StrykerMD and Jeff, we did the reverse loop.

We rendezvoused at Puregold Fairview. At past 7:00 am, we started our trek. The loop is a combination of roads, uphill, and trails and is about 40 kilometers. We finished by noon.

StrykerMD, Jeff & YummyNia

Duet ride to Timberland Heights via AFP

This morning, I pedaled all the way from Novaliches and met Kinetic at Puregold San Mateo

Nobody else showed up; and, we started pedaling

Side trip to Our Lady of Mediatrix Grotto

At the Armed Forces of the Philipines (AFP) Housing

Unfortunately, after taking this picture, my camera conked.

From Rizal Park to Biak na Bato National Park.

Last Saturday (July 31) early morning, a group of bikers started pedaling from Km. 0 in Rizal Park

Some bikers joined them in UP Diliman

Another group in Caltex Station in Regalado Avenue, Novaliches

The Bulacan bikers in Angat Church

And in Akle, San Ildefonso, Bulacan, the bikers of Biak na Bato Cycling Club were patiently waiting

The destination - Biak na Bato National Park in San Miguel, Bulacan

The maiden ride

I joined the ride to Biak-na-Bato, San Miguel, Bulacan. It was an overnight affair (July 31 to August 1).

This was TweetyPot's maiden and break-in ride. She traveled and survived a total distance of 140 kilometers on both paved roads and trails.