Sunday, April 7, 2013

Third SS attack to Timberland; and, beyond . . .

On my third SS attack to Timberland this morning, I did it in five stops only or less than a stop from my previous 2 attacks.

While cooling off at the Timberland gate, I thought of going farther up to the Clubhouse. Why not, coconut?  I reached the Clubhouse, all right, with one stop only.
While resting at the trailhead, I heard beckons coming from the trail.  After some thoughts, I heeded.  I just traversed the basic trail up to the Araneta gate.
Hearing no more beckons, I pedaled back.

It's the first time I tried my SS on trail; and, I enjoyed the ride.  And, it's more enjoyable with the rigid fork.  I'd also toyed the idea of trying the green or blue zones but dismissed it. I'd just do it next time with a group.

Sadly, I noticed that a segment of the road from the trailhead has been leveled and most probably would be paved sooner or later.  So, let's enjoy the trails while they are still there.

Ride safe always!


Saturday, April 6, 2013

Presta valve - Giving It another chance


I've thought of changing the tubes of my Marin Alpine Trail 29er from Presta valve to Schrader due to the former's frequent flats.

But, when I saw this Maxxis welter weight Presta valve tube, which boasts that it's "puncture resistant", I'm giving Presta valve another chance.
I bought three (3) tubes, which depleted my wealth by P750, and installed one in my front tire.  The other two serve as spares.  The rear tire has Continental tube.  Both tires were inflated at high pressure.

Let's wait and see what would happen!  And, I'm crossing my fingers.


Second SS Attack to Timberland


My first SS attack to Timberland last Saturday was with six stops / rests.

This morning, I attacked it again.   But, I've not improved yet.  As in the first, I did it in six stops / rests.  Most stops were made along the hardest segment.  Whew!  My knees were buckling.
I will just try and try again until I succeed!


Tuesday, April 2, 2013

It's not just two but three flats


I cut short my Easter Sunday ride due to two flats (both rear) in a row.  When I arrived home, however, I noticed the front tire was flat too.  Holy cow!  It's still inflated when I loaded it in the car.  I haven't fix it yet; as, I have no more spare.

Now, I'm not just tired but really fed up with this frequent flats!  Aside from the troubles of replacing the tube, it's escalating my costs.  The price range of a tube is from P250 to P350.

Meantime, I'm sidelining my Marin Alpine Trail 29er while looking for solutions to the problem.

Possible solutions:
  • Look for tubes with Schrader valve
  • Use 26er or 27.5er tubes with Schrader valve
  • Make the holes of the rims bigger to fit the Schrader valve.
What do you think?

Sunday, March 31, 2013

Easter Sunday ride - UP Diliman


Easter Sunday celebrates the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead.

With my Marin Alpine Trail 29er (TweetyPot), I went to UP Diliman this morning.  I hadn't completed yet my first lap of the Academic Oval, my rear wheel got flat.  Holy shit!  It's a brand new tube.  After replacing the damaged tube with an old one, I resumed my ride and tried the forbidden trails.  Then, after negotiating the single tracks at the University Avenue and Commonwealth Avenue, the rear tire got flat again.  Darn!  New and old tubes, they suffered the same fate.  Their Presta valve base were torn.

Flat again!

After replacing the tube with another new one, I decided to cut short my ride; as, I've no more spare tube.  I always carry two (2) spare tubes in my saddle bag when biking.

And, I'm already getting tired of the frequent flats due to torn Presta valve base.


Saturday, March 30, 2013

Black Saturday SS Ride - Timberland

Black Saturday commemorates the day that our Lord Jesus Christ's body laid in the tomb.

I'd tested my SS powers yesterday from Morong, Bataan to Subic Ocean Adventure & v.v.  And, I'd test it today by climbing to Timberland.

From Aling Tina's Eatery, I attacked Timberland and was able to climb it, all right, but in six stops.  First stop was a mandatory stop before the infamous "siko".  The second at the "siko"; the third to fifth before the next curve; and, the last after Amiya Raya.  I also pedaled standing up; but, my powers were not enough to conquer Timberland on SS non-stop.
The last stop

Suman (rice cake) and Yakult at Marc's View Deck

I'll just attempt again next time with less stops.


Friday, March 29, 2013

Good Friday SS Ride - Morong, Bataan to Subic Ocean Adventure & v.v.

Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary.

We're in Morong, Bataan this Maundy Thursday and Good Friday to celebrate the graduation of our niece, Mae.

When I go out town, especially on a land trip, one of my bikes goes too.  This time it's my Single Speed KHSs Alite 150 (AlitePot)
In the hotel room for a good night rest

And, this morning, I had the opportunity to pedal.  Hallelujah!  On as single speed, I'd test my powers on the rolling route of Morong up to Subic Free Port Zone Morong gate and back.

I was supposed to ride solo; but, I met another biker, who's also a guest in one of the resorts, on my way out of the complex.  He's Mok Tecson of Cabanatuan City. Then, both of us pedaled towards Subic.
After an hour and a half, we arrived at our destination.
Still early, Mok egged mo on pedaling farther to Ocean Adventure.  I acceded.
I arrived back at the resort after 3 hours, which was well within my visa.
That's a great and challenging ride!  Hurray!  And, I was exhilarated cause I did no dismount / rest on long uphills.  The total distance is about 38 kms.

And, nice meeting and riding with you Mok.


Thursday, March 28, 2013

Flat again

It's flat again!  Yes, the rear tire of my Marine Alpine Trail 29er is flat again, which I noticed when I woke up this morning.

My guess the culprit is, as usual, the torn base of the Presta valve.

I didn't fix it yet; as, we're leaving for Balanga, Bataan.


Wednesday, March 27, 2013

A dozen laps at Neopolitan

This afternoon, I made a dozen laps with my SS bike at Neopolitan Business Center.  It's my Holy Wednesday ride and dedicated it to the twelve (12) Apostles.
It's not only single speed but single brake (front)

My original plan was a little harder ride - to SS bike all the way to Licao-licao via Igay Road and vice versa.  But, the weather was too hot and decided against it.  I'd just do it next time.

Have a blessed Holy Week!

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

My Single Speed Mountain Bike

This is my Single Speed (SS) bike:



Orignally, it's a geared mountain bike (2009 KHS Alite 150) when I acquired it more than three years ago.

Later, I converted it into a 1 x 8 set-up; i.e., the largest and smallest plates of the crank were removed leaving  the middle only, which has 32 teeth.  Consequently, I removed the front derailleur lever and cable.  The front derailleur was maintained as a chain guide. Some weights were shaved off.  Then, later again, I replaced my suspension fork with a second hand Mosso rigid.  Great, the bike got much lighter.

Inspired and challenged by other SS bikers,  I contemplated on proceeding to turn my bike into an SS.  Then, one day, I just found myself canvassing for the conversion kit.  And, another day, I was buying the parts.

And, when I blinked my eyes, lo and behold, my bike transformed into an SS.

Here are the parts I needed and the costs:
  • Spacer - P1,100
  • 17t cog - P1,000
  • Singleator (or tensioner) - P2,500 but got it at 50% off or P1,250 only
  • Chain - P0.00 - I used the existing.
  • Labor - P100
  • Total - P3,450
So far, I'm enjoying riding my SS but need more training and practice.


Sunday, March 24, 2013

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!


Saturday, March 23, 2013

Spare 29er Tubes

Fortunately, I didn't have to go far to buy spare tubes for my Marin Alpine Trail 29er (TweetyPot).

At one point in time, I had difficulty looking for a 29er tube.  The well known bike shops I inquired from had all ran out of stocks.  It's good thing a biker friend, Dhenz, was able to find a bike shop that still had 29er tubes.in its stocks. And, I bought all the remaining four (4) tubes.

Now, there's a bike shop in San Mateo, Rizal that sells 29er bikes and parts.  So, on my way to Timberland this morning, I passed by the shop and bought two (2) Continental tubes.  The cost is P250 per tube.