Merry Christmas!

It's the birthday of our Lord Jesus Christ.

And, I wishing all bikers and non-bikers a:

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

May the Lord Jesus Christ bless us all!

Christmas eve ride to Camalig, Meycauyan, Bulacan

I was up at about 4:30 AM but still undecided where to go. Before I slept last night, I planned of going back to Shotgun or Timberland in San Mateo, Rizal. Today, it would be an early morning quick ride; as, we'd leave for Balanga City before lunch to spend the Christmas with my sister-in-law and her family.

After taking my bath, I decided to go to Camalig, Meycauayan, Bulacan to check on the trails there.

I took off from home in Novaliches, Quezon City at quarter to 6 AM and needed to be back home after two hours. It's still dark and very cold. I arrived in Camalig (it's about 10 kilometers from our place) at about 6:20 AM . It's foggy and very cold.

I looked around for the trails but didn't find one. Or, maybe, I just didn't recognize them. I asked around but nobody knew where these trails are or were.

What I did was pedaled around in the big vacant lot for about 10 minutes; then, I headed back home to Novaliches, Quezon City.

Tuesday twilight ride to Timberland Heights

I was in Diliman, Quezon City yesterday afternoon for a business meeting. The meeting ended about 4:15 PM. I still have time to bike before going home. I was considering either in UP Diliman or San Mateo, Rizal and decided on the latter.

I arrived at the parking area near Aling Tina's Eatery before 5:00 PM. I changed my clothes then unloaded my bike and reinstalled its front wheel, seat, and the lights. At 5:15 PM, I took off. I just pedaled slowly and reached Timberland gate 35 minutes after. It was already dark; and, it was so cold up there.

Timberland gate

Pedaling up at that time was a breeze because of the cool air. I ddn't feel so tired. I made a sole stopover only after the "siko" for a breather. And, I thought I didn't sweat.

My second attempt at Shotgun

Yesterday afternoon I again attempted to climb the Shotgun. I was again unsuccessful but I made a big progress.

This time, I entered through the Abuab roads.

Abuab I Road

On the way up

My first stop


My second stop. This is the farthest and the highest that I'd gone on my first attempt.


My third stop


My fourth stop


My fifth and last stop

From here, it's hard to take off on the way up because of less traction due to loose soil. So, I walked up. But, when I saw road works being done up ahead, I decided to turn back.

My PMTB Sticker

At the last PMTB Christmas Party, PMTB stickers were distributed to those who bought raffle tickets - one sticker per raffle ticket. I bought two tickets; so, I got two stickers.

After a long consideration and consultation where to place the sticker on my bike, I finally decided to place it on the head tube, under the logo of KHS.

What do you think?

I also considered sticking it on the stem. But, it would cover portions of the KHS logos.

Now my problem is where to place my other PMTB sticker. At the windshield of my car, perhaps?

My new biking shorts and shirts

After my ride at the Neopolitan Business Park last Saturday morning, I shopped for my biking shorts and shirts.

My bike's color is red. And, to match with its color, I chose those with red color.

I donned my new shorts and shirt on my ride at the UP Diliman last Sunday afternoon.


And, last Saturday night, I attended the PMTB Christmas. I won a R.O.X. T-shirt (colored white and red), a pair of white socks, and five Weekend Warrior magazine.

PMTB Christmas Party 2009

The PinoyMTBiker Christmas Party last night was a big success. It was held at the Tiendesitas in Pasig City. The party started at about 6:00 PM and lasted till 12 midnight.

It's my first time to attend a PMTB affair. Actually, I had no plan of attending; but, the grand prize and some prizes lured me to.

Everybody's hoping to win the grand prize of FUJI TAHOE Comp 29er with a tag price of P36,000.00. Some bought more tickets to increase their chances of winning. I bought two. And, I won a R.O.X. T-shirt, Knobbies pair of socks, and five Weekend Warrior magazine.

Congratulations and thanks to PMTB admins & mods and the sponsors for making this affair a big success. Congratulations too to the lucky winners and to all PMTB members.
And, nice meeting you - Hiyugo, Tanggero, and Diyego.
Nice meeting you too, Venzboard and PasawayLouie.

On flat grounds

After climbing mountains for two consecutive weekends, I decided to pedal on flat grounds. This morning, I went to the nearest biking place in Neopolitan Business Park. Tomorrow It would be UP Diliman.
When I arrived at about 7:00 AM, the place was full of bikers, joggers, walkers, and other fitness buffs.
I just made two sets of eight rounds. After my first, I saw some bikers eating. Since I hadn't eaten breakfast yet, I ordered and ate an arroz caldo. And, after the second set, I drank a refreshing buko juice and ate its soft meat.
Before going home, I shopped for biking shorts and shirt.

Free tune up

Some things were wrong with my AlitePot. The front wheel wasn't wheeling freely. Sometimes, I heard noises in the rear wheel, especially when climbing uphill. I heard noise in the crankset too. And, sometimes, it wasn't shifting properly. I tried to make some adjustments; but, I wasn't able to correct any of them. I tried again but to no avail.

My last recourse was to bring it to the bike store, where I bought it, for free tune up.

But the problem was I had no time. Last, November 16, I found time to go to the bike store. However, it's and Monday and the store was closed. I had to find another time again.

At lunch time today, I sacrificed my midday nap and went to the bike store. I planned to leave her then pick her up when I get home in the afternoon. But, the mechanic told me that tuning up would be finished in no time; and, I could wait.

True enough, it was finished in about thirty minutes.

My first trail experience

This morning, instead of attempting the Shotgun trail again, I climbed to Timberland and explored the trail after it for the first time. I supposed the trail is called the Maarat Basic. I was following two bikers when I went in the trailhead. The trail's a very rough dirt road. Still inexperienced on this type of road by bike, I just pedaled very slowly. The two bikers were already gaining distance.

At the first intersection, I was confused where to go - straight ahead or turn left. I saw bikers went straight ahead and noticed the two bikers I was following turned left. I turned left too. After a few minutes, I lost them.

I was on my own. I kept on pedaling and ended up on a concrete road, where I saw bikers resting. I stopped to rest and greeted them. I told them I'm just a newbie; and, they invited me to ride with them.

So, I rode with them. But, at the end of the paved road, I decided to turn back. I thought I had enough for my first trail experience. I thanked the other bikers.

After exiting the trail, I stopped, rest, and enjoyed the views before going down. That's about an hour of trail experience. It was indeed a happy and beautiful experience.

Attempting the Shotgun Trail

I was on my way to Timberland Heights this afternoon. However, when I saw the way going to Shotgun Trail, I changed my plan and turned left going to Shotgun Trail.

The first few hundred meters from C6 Road is rough road. It was wet not due to rain but it was sprinkled to prevent the dust from flying.

When I reached the concrete road, it's the start of the uphill climb. I shifted my gear to granny and started the grueling climb. I stopped thrice to rest. On my last stop, I decided to turn back.

I'd just try again tomorrow.

At the Timberland again

I was able to climb Timberland Heights last Saturday morning. It was a great experience achieving a goal or just part of a goal. My actual goal is to reach Timberland without stopping. I've trained for this and attempted several times. I was just happy that I reached Timberland with a single stopover.

After climbing a mountain, I'd planned of pedaling on flat grounds yesterday afternoon. And, my supposed destination was UP Diliman. But, along the way, I could hear the beckon of Timberland. It's so irresistible. So, instead of going to UP, I proceeded back to San Mateo, Rizal.

I started pedaling from the intersection of E. De Los Santos St. and Kambal Road Ext. up to Timberland Heights gate. I saw several bikers coming down but nobody going up.

Going up after the "siko" is really challenging. I was out of breath and thought of stopping. But, no way, Jose! I was determined to do it without stopping; and, I made it. Yipee! It's an exhilarating experience. After cooling down, I rested while enjoying the views.

Thence, I went inside Timberland. The roads are rolling and going up towards the clubhouse is another pain in the ass. Nonetheless, I made it up to the end of the paved road. I supposed the rough road is the entrance and start of the Maarat trail. I just continued pedaling for a few hundred meters and peeked what's up ahead. I turned back and have planned of conquering this place soonest.