Crossing the 20,000-kilometer mark

It's been 3 years and 10 months since my first pedal in June 2009.

And, yesterday, while breaking in my rigid SS 29er, I crossed the 20,000-kilometer mark of my biking career.

I congratulate myself!

Hitting the 10,000-kilometer mark

Last night, I bike commuted from my office in Makati to home in Novaliches via Marikina/San Mateo with a distance of about 46 kilometers. And, in the process, I logged my first 10,000 kilometers. I hit the myriad mark in about two years and one month of biking.

It's another milestone in my biking career.

Two years of biking

Exactly two years ago, I first rode my first bike around the UP Diliman Academic Oval. I just pedaled a few laps. Since then, I've already covered about 9,500 kilometers.

I considered the following as my biking accomplishments so far:

Made 3 century (in miles) rides - 1) Nova to Ternate to Nova: 204 kms.; 2) Nova to Tagaytay to Nova: 180 kms.; and, 3) Nova to Silang, Cavite to Nova: 168 kms.

Climbed non-stop/no dismount - Mt. Maarat via Shotgun, Timberland, and Cabading / Antipolo via Marikina, Pasig, and Teresa / Mt. Samat.

Converted my two bikes to clipless pedals.

I'm glad I'm hooked into it. And, I enjoyed every second of my saddle time - butt soring or not.

There's only one regret - that I didn't start biking much earlier in my life.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO ME!

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.

My new best time for Timberland climb

From 21 minutes, it's now 20 minutes and 30 seconds.

I made my new record this morning. I biked out late at 9:00 am and pedaled all the way. I arrived in San Mateo, Rizal an hour later. After a 10-minute rest, I attacked The Wall and broke my record.

Fortunately, the weather was conducive and there were already less bikers going up.

Climb all you can - Timberland Heights

I'm setting another record for myself, i.e., climb Timberland Heights as many as I can in one day. The climb must be no dismount. Rest may be done in between climbs - after or before the climb.

My previous record was two climbs. This morning, I attempted to do more than two climbs but made three climbs only.

Next time, I'd try four or more climbs.

It's now 21 minutes

I broke my record for my Timberland climb this afternoon.

From 21 minutes and 20 seconds, it's now 21 minutes.

Breaking my Shotgun record

I climbed Shotgun yesterday. From my previous best record of 47 minutes and 20 seconds, I did the climb in 42 minutes and 30 seconds or 5 minutes faster.

I was exhilarated with my progress. The good weather contributed a lot. I started the climb at about 8:00 am.

But, problems are already looming in the Shotgun route. As I was pedaling up, I noticed there were more garbage trucks coming up and down. As I neared the top, more flies were riding with me.

My previous records:

• 11/16/10 - 47:20
• 11/6/10 - 47:30

After my Shotgun climb, I also tried breaking my Timberland record but was unsuccessful.

I again break my Timberland record

In between my rides last Sunday, I passed by and climbed Timberland Heights. I again broke my record. It's now 21 minutes and 30 seconds or 1 minute better.

My previous records:

• 22:30 - November 29
  
• 26:30 - November 28
• 24:30 - November 6
• 24:00 - October 31

Breaking my Timberland record

From my Antipolo ride last November 8, I passed by Timberland heights before going home and tried to beat my record. My time was 26 minutes and 30 seconds or 2 minutes and 30 seconds longer than my best time of 24 minutes. Perhaps, I was just tired to break or just match the record.

But, this morning, I went back to Timberland and broke my record. It's now 22 minutes and 30 seconds or 2 minutes and 30 seconds better.

My previous records:

• 26:30 - November 28
• 24:30 - November 6
• 24:00 - October 31

Shotgun in 47 minutes; Timberland 24 minutes

Last Sunday, I climbed Timberland Heights via the Wall with my TweetyPot (Marin Alpine Trail - a 29er) and recorded my time at 24 minutes.

Yesterday morning, riding my AlitePot (KHS Alite 150 - a 26er), I went to San Mateo, Rizal to record the time of my no dismount climb to Shotgun.

From Novaliches, I pedaled all the way to the bike parking along C6 in front of the entrance to Shotgun Avenue.

After resting for a few minutes, I started my slow ascent to Shotgun. From the bike parking, it's about 4.2 up to the trailhead to Mt. Maarat. I reached the trailhead in 47 minutes and 30 seconds with no dismount.

After a few minutes of rest, I went back to my starting point.

Thereat, I contemplated whether to climb Timberland. I decided to. From the same starting point, the gate of Timberland Heights is about 2.2 kilometers. I slowly pedaled and reached the gate in 24 minutes and 30 seconds. It's 30 seconds longer than my climb last Sunday.

A few months back, I learned the art of climbing uphills from an older biker with no or minimal dismounts. When I first applied the trick at Shotgun, it's really effective. It's the first time I climbed Shotgun with no dismount. Thence, I've been climbing Shotgun and Timberland with no dismounts.

The trick is - pedal slowly or very slowly even to the point that your wheels would stop rolling upward. Thence, start building your power, strength, stamina to increase your climb speed.

Before, my best record for climbing Shotgun was with 2 dismounts / rests.

Now, I started recording my climb times to monitor my progress.

My Timberland via The Wall climb record

I've been climbing Timberland Heights via The Wall non-stop. So, I thought of recording my best time. Last Saturday and Sunday, I climbed the Wall again using TweetyPot. And, my best time is 24 minutes, which I did last Sunday. I'd try to break this record on my next climb.

Starting point (A)is at the bike parking at C6 at the intersection of Shotgun Avenue and finishes at the Timberland gate (B). This is about 2.2 kilometers. Therefore, my speed was 5.5 km/h.

I'll also record my best time for my Shotgun climbs, which is about 4.2 kilometers from the same starting point up to the trailhead to Mt. Maarat.