I have two (2) new pairs of Exustar biking shoes, which I bought last month from MotorMarket Libis. I also bought two (2) pairs of Exustar single release cleats.
Exustar products were on sale And, they were steals at 40% off - almost buy-one, take-one.
The one pair was just broken in;
and, the other pair is back in the box after installing the cleats.
Now, I have four (4) pairs of biking shoes; but, one is about to retire.
In the next days, I'd be celebrating my birthday; and, in another few days, my 3rd biking anniversary!
And, it's time to buy a gift for myself.
Thinking . . .
Oh, one pair of my biking shoes is already damaged. So, I decided to give myself a new pair - it's a Shimano MT23 MTB SPD.
I went to Quiapo to canvass but there's no available stocks. Same fate in Cartimar, Pasay. And, when I saw one in John Wilkie in Concepcion, Marikina today, I bought it. The tag price was P2,400; and, I got it for P2,200 only.
I was going clipless; but, at some points, I hesitated. With some prods from biking buddies, I finally decided to go on.
I bike commuted from office to home last Wednesday and passed by the local bike shop. I found a pair of clipless pedals and bought it. Its Shimano PD M540 (Malaysian made) with Reflector SM-PD22 attached. It costs P1,800 only.
I also bought a pair of shoes. The brand is X-ion from Germany. The cost is P2,500.
After paying the stuff, there's no turning back.
Yesterday, we went to Morong, Bataan to celebrate the Christmas there. I brought TweetyPot, where I installed the new clipless pedals. If there's opportunity, I'd try using the new pedals and practice cleating and uncleating. There was . . .
At the beach resort, I started the training.
First, at the parking area. I was doing fine. When I tried sudden braking, I disengaged my left foot. But, the bike leaned to the right and fell with me. Ouch! As a result, I got some scratches and my saddle got damaged.
I moved to the grassy playground of the resort.
Practice, practice, practice . . . Then, I tried uncleating the right foot and braked but the bike leaned to left and fell with me again. Same error. Fortunately, no damage done.
After building some confidence, I pedaled out of the resort - on the highway and fireroads.
At the highway, I was about to negotiate a U-turn, a motorcycle suddenly appeared close on my left. I panicked and braked. I was expecting a fall but fortunately my left foot disengaged and I stopped standing. Whew! That was close.
I pedaled back to the resort and practiced some more on the playground.
This afternoon, I bought a pair of new rubber shoes, which I shall be used for my biking. It's Sandugo's Tootega. Actually, I didn't pay for it. Mamang, my mother, did. I still have two pairs of rubber shoes, which I used alternately for all purposes - including biking. While we're in Landmark, Trinoma, I was just window shopping for a pair, which I could be used, mainly, for biking. I was inspecting the Tootega, when Mamang approached me and asked for its price. I told her it's P1,995 only. She said, "If you like it, I'll buy it for you!". Really! I inspected the shoes again and thought they are good. And, I decided to get a pair.
From the mall, I immediately went to UP Diliman and broke in the shoes for eight laps (18 kilometers) around the academic oval. So far, I think it's great!
