My new headlight

I've been pedaling at night. I use two headlights (one is steady and the other's blinking) and two or three blinking rear lights. The headlights are fine if riding on streets with street lights. Otherwise, they aren't bright enough to illuminate the road.

So, I bought a brighter light - a Cateye HL-EL320. I also keep the other headlight as a blinker. Now, I could bike safer even on a dark night.

No dismount climb to Mount Samat in 48 minutes

My first climb to Mount Samat was in Christmas 2009. I dismounted to rest 5 or 6 times. I made another climb in June 2010 with two dismounts.

Last month, I attempted to climb it again coming and pedaling all the way from Novaliches. But, I arrived in Balanga at dusk already. So, I didn't push through with the climb.

Last night, we attended the debut celebration of our niece in Balanga City. Hence, this morning, I had the opportunity to climb Mt. Samat again. And, I'd attempt of doing it non-stop, no dismount - from the arch to the gate.

From Balanga City, I pedaled up to the arch of the Dambana ng Kagitingan. After setting my stop watch, I pedaled off and up. At the gate, my stop watch read exactly 48 minutes.

My new Timberland record

It's been quite a time since I timed my Timberland climb.

I did again this morning; and, it's 19 minutes and 30 seconds. My previous best time was 20 minutes and 30 seconds last February 6.

By the way, I met Jester of Team Adventureros and his officemate, Ted, on my way up. It's the first time Ted climbed the Wall to Timberland.

Me and Jester. The bike on the left is Ted's Trek 29er.

All Terra Eco Trails (Blue Zone)

This morning, I experienced the Blue Zone of All Terra Eco Trails in Mount Maarat in San Mateo, Rizal. Currently, there are two zones - the Blue and the Green. The blue zone is for the more experienced mountain bikers; while the green zone for newbies. These trails are newly built and have been opened for quite some time. I was planning to test the green zone first before trying the blue zone.

But, the Tour of Posers, which I joined this morning, had the blue zone in its itinerary. So, I had no choice but to go to the blue zone. True enough, the blue zone is really for the more experienced mountain / trail bikers.

At the entrance of the zone, I already felt scary. Fortunately, I was able to conquer my fear. The trails are really technical. I made some assessments in some downhill areas and decided to bike push.

Araw ng Kagitingan ride

Yesterday, I joined the PhilMoFo's bikers to the trails of Macabud, Rodriguez; San Jose Del Monte City and Norzagaray, Bulacan. We rendezvoused in San Mateo, Rizal and proceeded to our destinations at around 7:30 am.

It was my first time in these trails; hence, I encountered difficulties especially in downhills and uphills. Actually, this is the most difficult ride I've ever made.

Me, Ben, Milo, Lexter, Raf, and Chris.

Back to Shotgun after 3 months

The last time I climbed Shotgun was last December 11. It had been a long time; and, I decided to go back there this morning.

With TweetyPot, I pedaled all the way to San Mateo, Rizal. At Aling Tina's Eatery, there's the group of Ageless Warriors going up to Shotgun; and, I was invited to join them.

At about 7:30 am, we took off to Shotgun up to Giant Store via the Roxas trail. After eating our breakfast, we pedaled back to Aling Tina's via the Basic Trail and Timberland.

Thanks for the wonderful ride, Ageless Warriors, and hoping to ride with you again soon.

The answer to my handlebar grips problem

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.

Wifey buys me a new jersey

Wifey bought me a new jersey.

She was shopping last Friday night at Greenhills Shopping Center and spotted this:

Broken spoke

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 search the internet on what causes spoke breakage and how to replace it.

I'm frustrated with my single-speed project

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.

Thursday night ride

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.

Testing my new tire

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: