Solo Biking up North - The Plans

Yesterday, while thinking of where to bike next, a whim occurred - to bike somewhere up North. Why not but where? Cagayan Valley came into my mind. I could bike from Tuguegarao City to Aparri or Sta. Ana and back. Then, I may try the trails in Penablanca town.

Wifey, upon learning my plan, suggested Pagudpud. I disagreed; but, she prevailed nonetheless. So, I changed my plan - pedal from Pagudpud to any point in Luzon within 3 or 4 hours then back to Pagudpud. That's 6 to 8 hours or 70 to 100 kilometers.

Without much preparation, I and my family left home (from Novaliches) by car late this morning and headed Northwest.

 

At sundown, we're still in Ilocos Sur; and, it's still a long way to go to our destination.  So, we just decided to stopover and stay overnight at Vigan City.

And, I revised my plan.  Instead, I'd start biking from Vigan City up to Laoag City, where we'd stay overnight.  The following day, I'd resume biking to Pagudpud.
At about 7:45 pm, we arrived Vigan City.

My 5th Biking Anniversary

June 14 (yesterday) was my 5th anniversary in biking.

Since we're in La Union yesterday and today, I planned to celebrate it by riding this morning from Bauang, La Union towards (not necessarily reaching) Baguio City via Naguilian Road.  But, it didn't push through due to lack of time.  We need to be back Manila this afternoon.

Happy Anniversary to me!

Liliw to Lucban and v.v.

Pictures of my 69er at Liliw Resort:

Last Saturday, without any plan, we went to Calamba, Laguna and looked for a resort to stay in overnight.  The resorts were so crowded, we proceeed to Liliw, Laguna.

As always, I brought my bike along just in case there's time to bike.  And, there was!  Sunday morning, I pedaled off to Lucban, Quezon.  It's just 18 kilometers away according to Google Maps.  If the roads were flat, I'd be there in about an hour.  As expected, the roads to Lucban are rolling and mostly uphills; and, I got there in 2 hours.

On the way back, however, it just took me an hour and half.

The uphills of the zigzag portion of the Liliw Lucban Road (to and fro) made me push my bike.

No serious rides

I was hospitalized last May 2 and got out May 7.  The following weekend, I decided to rest from trail and long rides.  So, I just did biking either inside our village or at the nearby Neopolitan Business Park for an hour or so.

Thanks, Sonny Garlit for this picture:

Accident do happen

Yesterday, I joined the ride organized by YummyNia.  The route was Novaliches - Pangarap - Macabud - Licao-licao - Ricafort - Novaliches.

The ride was fun and uneventful until I crashed somewhere in Ricarfort.  I was told by my companions that I was unconscious for about 3 minutes.  I didn't remember what happened, why and how I crashed.  My helmet was damaged; and, I had bruises on my knees and elbows.

I was brought to the nearest hospital, where my injuries were treated and my right shoulder x-rayed.  Good, there's no fracture.

I got my cellphone and called my wife to fetch me.  My bike was entrusted by BackRoger to one of the residents nearby.

After a few minutes, wifey arrived with my two kids.   After settling my hospital bills, we went directly to the National Kidney and Transplant Institute for a CT Scan.  Fortunately, the result was negative.

Accident really do happen.  But, we don't know when and where.  So, we should always wear protective gears, especially, the helmet.  My helmet saved me!

Pamulaklakin Forest Trail - Pedal and Push

Finally, I was able to try the Pamulaklakin Forest Trail in Subic Bay Free Port Zone.

Last weekend, we stayed overnight at Subic Homes.  As usual, I brought my bike with us.

Sunday morning, I left the house at about 7:00 am.  I looped first the Binictican Drive then entered the trailhead.

From the trail head up to Pastulan Village is mostly uphills.  And, I was able to use my second gear - pushing.  The distance is about 3 kilometers.

From the village, you could take the paved road down to Tipo.  Or, you could turn right for more trails and steeper uphills.

But, after thinking twice, I decided to go back and enjoyed the downhill back to Binictican.

Guiding a Licao first timer

A PMTB friend, Nestor, requested me to guide him to the trails of Licao, which I gladly accepted. The ride was last January 19.

Congratulations Nestor for conquering some portions of the Licao trails.

Titan saddle

The MOB saddle on my KHS Alite SS rigid 69er was about to retire;  hence, I was thinking of replacing it with a Seagull saddle.

I was at John Wilkie in Concepcion buying inner tubes when I saw on display a red titan saddle, which is similar with Seagull and Tioga.  I asked for the price.  It's P1,200 - a hundred cheaper than Seagull.  Still have extra money, I bought it.

I love how it looks; and, it's half the weight of standard saddle.  After breaking it in, my butt is now comfortable with it.

Licao veterans and Licao newbies meet

I was riding solo.  I woke up earlier and left home by 6:00 am.

But, at the Pangarap gate, I saw two familiar bikers - Ka Leo and Jojo.  They are among the veterans of Licao-licao.  We rode together and proceeded to the trails.

We stopped over at the La Mesa gate as Ka Leo fixed something in his bike.  When its done, we prepared to go on.  Then, a group of young bikers was coming.  Anton (Stoner124) introduced himself and his 3 friends.  They are the newbies of Licao-licao.  Thence, we rode as a group up to the Licao terminal.

15th Tour of the Fireflies

I got this from PMTB Forum.

The Tour of the Fireflies on its 15th year will be held on November 24, 2013 (Sunday).  The tour starts and finishes at Tiendesitas, Pasig City.

Replacing my broken brake

My Deore hydraulic brake lever assembly on my 69er broke.  It's time to upgrade, I thought.  And, I canvassed for a replacement.  An XT hydraulic brake set costs P7,200 while a Deore P4,000 only.
 
I'd like to upgrade to XT; but, the price difference made me think twice and even thrice.

Last Saturday, I was about to buy a Deore but, at the bike shop, I changed my mind.  Anyway, I have a budget for the XT; so, why not buy it.  But, the problem was I didn't carry enough money.  So, I tried to negotiate with the shop owner.  I'd pay P5,000 first and then give the balance on Monday.  He agreed but he'd increase the price from P7,200 to P8,000.  I haggled for no increase considering that I'm a patron of that shop and the balance would be paid in just two days.  He didn't agree.

Yesterday, while at the PMTB Forum, I saw a slightly used SLX hydraulic brake set for sale at P4,200.   I thought it's a good deal. After some considerations, I contacted the seller for a meet-up.

I got the brake set at P3,800 only; and, I saved P3,400.

My brake breaks

I have the front brake only on my bikes. Thus, I always ensure that they are always in good working conditions.

My hydraulic brake set came from a Deore Group set, which I bought about 2 years ago. The left lever assembly / front brake is installed in my 29er, while the right lever assembly / rear converted to front brake is in my 69er/26er.

Unfortunately, bad luck happened. Fortunately, it happened not at the wrong time and wrong place.

After my ride this morning and after cleaning the 69er, I again checked and tested my brake. When I pressed the lever, I heard something fell. I retrieved it and looked where it came from.

It's the part of the assembly that holds the lower pin of the lever that's broken:

 With the broken part:

Without the broken part:

Nonetheless, the brake is still functioning well; but, I won't use it anymore.

Whew! It's time to upgrade! I'm also considering of getting back my rear brakes as emergency brakes.