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.
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 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:
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.
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.
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.
For two days, I rode TweetyPot on roads and trails to test her new rear tire.
Yesterday, after installing the new rear tire, I pedaled all the way to San Mateo, Rizal, climbed Timberland, and rode on Mt. Maarat trails.
This morning, I again pedaled all the way to San Mateo, Rizal via the trails of Pangarap, Caloocan City North and Macabud, Rodriguez then pedaled around Marikina City.
At the Macabud trail:
My lunch of cheeseburger with carrot juice at Mama Chit's in Calumpang, Marikina City:
It's good news! Sen. Manny Villar filed a bill (no. 2688) promoting the use of bicycles as alternative mode of transportation to fight the worsening traffic conditions, air and noise pollutions, and increasing costs of fuel and fares.
The bill provides the creation of bike lanes or bike ways in main roads and highways as well as bike parkings nationwide.
A Local Bikeways Office would be created to take charge of the implemenation of policies, rules, and regulations pertinent to the Bicycle Act, including the registration of bicycles using the bike ways.
Together with another golden biker, Arci, I made my second century ride. The route was Novaliches to Tagaytay via Amadeo, Cavite and back to Novaliches. This is my longest ride so far with a total of around 180 kilometers in 16 hours.
Meet-up at Petron Station - Philcoa
Arci and I
Arci's young friends, Nelson and Siegfred, joined us in Rosario, Cavite
From 21 minutes, it's now 20 minutes and 30 seconds.
I made my new record this morning. I biked out late at 9:00 am and pedaled all the way. I arrived in San Mateo, Rizal an hour later. After a 10-minute rest, I attacked The Wall and broke my record.
Fortunately, the weather was conducive and there were already less bikers going up.
I suffered my seventh fall this morning since I've gone clipless more than a month ago.
It happened at the uphill trail from the AFP Housing to Mt. Maarat. I was pedaling and balancing my bike between the ruts. Unfortunately, my front tire fell into a rut at the left side. I lost my balance and fell to the right. I was able to unclip my right foot; but, it was too late. I already hit the ground.
Luckily, I just suffered a mongo size scratch on my right elbow.
It's another lesson learned.
NB. My first sixth falls happened while I was at a stop position.
