Another SS attack to Pangarap - Macabud - San Mateo

As planned, my route today was Novaliches - Pangarap - Macabud - San Mateo.

As always, I rode solo with AlitePot (my KHS Alite 150).  At the Neopolitan Business Park, I noticed my water bottle wasn't in the cage. I left it again!  Darn!  Thus, before entering the trail head, I bought a bottle of mineral water.  It would sustain up to the next pit stop.

After negotiating the downhill from the La Mesa gate, I was surprised to see the newly constructed steel gate.  It wasn't there two weeks ago.  Are they going to block this route permanently even from bikers?  I hope not!  Luckily, there's still a space beside the gate post where pedestrians, bikes and motorcycles can still pass through.

The rain yesterday made some portions muddy and some with pool of waters.  Otherwise, the land's drying out.

Though I felt much stronger, it wasn't enough to conquer most of the steeper uphills of the trails that I wasn't able to climb the last time..

At Iko's store, another solo biker, Vinzon, arrived.  This was the second time that we met.  Thence, we biked together up to Odiongan junction and parted ways.  He to Licao-licao terminal and I towards San Mateo, Rizal.

Breaking in my rigid SS 29er

It's time to break in my rigid SS 29er.

Saturday, I pedaled all the way from Novaliches to San Mateo, Rizal.  The uphill climb to Timberland Heights was again grueling.  I made it to the gate in 3 stops only.  The bumpy ride along the Maarat basic trail was enjoyable.  But, on my way to Giant, I was hearing noises from the crank.

I decided to pedal back and have it checked.  The culprit was the worn chain; and, it was replaced by a new one. 

Sunday, my route was Novaliches - Tungko - Macabud - San Mateo - Novaliches.  The ride was okay except on steeper climbs - the chain was skipping and I had to push my bike up.

 I will have my bike checked again.

SS attack to Pangarap - Macabud - San Mateo

I ride this route often.  It has many climbs; and, they are steeper.  Nonetheless, I can complete the ride without stops.  But, that's on a geared bike.

Today, I tested my SS powers.  Did I survive?

I did!  I completed the ride with 5 stops.  Then, I had no choice but to walk and push my bike up the hills.

Push no. 1 - at the climb from Pangarap:

 Push no. 2

Push no. 3 - after the mini dam

 Push no. 4

Push no. 5 - the paved climb after this store

Push no. 6 - the last climb near the La Mesa fence

Despite the pushes, I enjoyed this ride very much.

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:

Two days of quickie rides

Last Saturday and Sunday, I had limited time to bike. I needed to be home by 1:00 pm and 12:00 noon, respectively. So, I just biked the nearest trails from our place.

Saturday - at Macabud, Rodriguez, Rizal. I was supposed to join a group of bikers going to Angat, Bulacan. Instead, I just sent them off from Neopolitan Oval up to Pangarap Village in North Caloocan only. Thence, I entered the Pangarap Village and into Macabud trails. I got home by 1:30 pm.

Sunday - at Tungko, SDM City, Bulacan. It's about 30 minutes by pedaling from our place. I just pedaled up to a point where I could return back home before 12 noon.

The unfinished business

We were supposed to traverse two basic trails - the Macabud then the Maarat; but, we managed the Macabud trails only and ended up at the Timberland gate only.

Met-up at Caltex Station along Regalado Avenue, Novaliches, Q. C. and rode out at about 6:45 this morning

At the Pangarap Village entrance

Somewhere at the Macabud trails

The muddy Maly-Amid Road going to Shotgun

Shotgun Avenue

Exiting Shotgun Avenue

The business is still unfinished.

Muddy weekend rides

It was raining for the past days. Consequently, the trails were muddy despite there were no more rains last weekend.

I had been shunning muddy trails, as much as possible, to avoid getting my bikes, clothes and things full of muds.

But, last weekeend, I craved for them. Saturday, I passed by the Macabud trails on my way to San Mateo, Rizal.

While resting somewhere in Macabud

And, on Sunday, I went to Mt. Maarat and passed by the basic trails going to Giant store adn vice versa.

After the Maarat Trails ride

Both trails were muddy with slippery portions. And, I had hard times negotiating them. Unfortunately, there were slips and falls. To avoid more falls, I just walked and pushed my bikes some of the times.

1.1.11 ride

Happy New Year again!

This morning, I pedaled from Novaliches and climbed Timberland Heights. Near the gate, I was thinking whether I'd proceed to Maarat trails. I decided not but proceeded towards Rodriguez instead and took the trails of Macabud to Pangarap Village on my way home.

Reversing Nova - Pangarap – Macabud – Litex loop

I’ve done the Nova – Pangarap – Macabud – Litex loop several times. And, I experienced reversing it yesterday. The reverse ride was organized by YummyNia. And, together with StrykerMD and Jeff, we did the reverse loop.

We rendezvoused at Puregold Fairview. At past 7:00 am, we started our trek. The loop is a combination of roads, uphill, and trails and is about 40 kilometers. We finished by noon.

StrykerMD, Jeff & YummyNia