The Nabutas trail after the rains

The Nabutas trail is located at Macabud, Rodriguez, Rizal. From Licao-licao, it's downhill up to Barangay San Isidro, Rodriguez, Rizal.

I sometimes traverse this trail to hone my downhill or uphill skills.

Three Saturdays ago (8/11/12), I tried to pass the trail again from Licao-licao going to San Isidro. However, some locals warned and dissuaded me not to pass through; as, there's still flooded area, which was waist deep, let alone the deep ruts along the way. Heeding their advice, I turned back and passed the other way.

Last Saturday (8/25/12), I again passed the trail to see the aftermath of the continuous rains to the trail.

The trail, at its current state, may be dangerous especially to the inexperienced bikers. At one point, my bike slid and I crashed kissing the ground while avoiding the ruts and goats. Then, I walked most of the way.

My Eid ul-Fitr ride to DRT, Bulacan

It's August 20 and a holiday to celebrate the End of Ramadan or Eid ul-Ftr in the country. So, I decided to ride to Dona Remedios Trinidad (DRT), Bulacan alone. I left home at about 8:30 am after eating my breakfast of pandesal, egg, and hotdog.

My route was Quirino Highway up to M. Valte Road, the junction in Angat going to DRT. But, I detoured inside Paradise Farms in San Jose del Monte for some trailing.
At Bigte, Norzagaray, I took a rest and ate a bowl of arroz caldo.
Norzagaray Rotonda


Welcome to Angat

The Angat bridge to DRT

Welcome to DRT - 1977


View deck overlooking the river

DRT Municipal Hall

It's 12 noon and time to go back home

Lunch time in Angat

Dinuguan and laing

Stop over at SJDM. I passed by Tigbe on my way home.
Fried hito (catfish)

I arrived home by 4:30 pm and washed my bike.

My Samsung Galaxy SIII

I have a new mobile phone - a Samsung Galaxy SIII.

I use this when biking; because, it's very useful. It has GPS and maps to check my location and directions. I also installed Strava; so, I could track my rides and record my activities and performances.

During breaks on solo rides, I could play games, listen to music or radios, surf the net, or watch movies.

This is one hell of a mobile phone; and, I love it!

My 3rd biking anniversary

Today is my 3rd biking anniversary. And, I'm looking forward for more years of biking.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO ME!

And, my gift to myself - an Agfa Eclipse Explorer camera.

Bracing for the muddy and rainy ride

It's been raining intermittently the past days. Also, PAGASA has announced it's officially rainy season in the country.

Today, I expected a muddy ride and, possibly, a rainy one. Hence, I put out my mudguards and re-installed them on my 29er.

 

At Macabud, Rodriquez, Rizal:

A gift to myself

In the next days, I'd be celebrating my birthday; and, in another few days, my 3rd biking anniversary! And, it's time to buy a gift for myself.

Thinking . . . Oh, one pair of my biking shoes is already damaged. So, I decided to give myself a new pair - it's a Shimano MT23 MTB SPD.

I went to Quiapo to canvass but there's no available stocks. Same fate in Cartimar, Pasay. And, when I saw one in John Wilkie in Concepcion, Marikina today, I bought it.  The tag price was P2,400; and, I got it for P2,200 only.

I'd use it first on my birthday ride.

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.

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!

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.

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.

Puning Cave, almost!

I pedaled all the way from Novaliches to Barangay Bayabas, DRT, Bulacan. That's about 45 kilometers one way.

But, I reached up to the river only. I didn't venture going to the cave anymore; as the way after crossing the river is no longer bikeable.

As I turned around to pedal back, a group of bikers was arriving. I just say hi to them and left.

Another ride with Team Kaka

I woke up early today and able to join the ride of Team Kaka.

The ride started from Pangarap, North Caloocan. We attempted to pass Araneta Avenue; but, the guard at the first gate didn't allow us to pass. "It's Saturday and the boss is here", he said. Thus, our guide herded us through a village and circumvented. After negotiating some uphills and passing a single track, we ended up at the middle of Araneta Avenue. I just learned a new way. We managed to pass under the boom of the second gate as there's no guard around.

At the Blessed Sacrament Novitiate

I thought we're going to pass Bricktown. But, instead we took the trail ahead. It's my first time passing this trail. Unfortunately, I fell down once.

To be continued . . .