TweetyPot is going rigid

I've ridden AlitePot, my KHS Alite 150 26er, with rigid fork on trails for the past two weekends.  And, I enjoyed more the trail rides.

So, I've thought of converting TweetyPot, my Marin Alpine Trail 29er, from suspension fork into rigid fork too.

This afternoon, I already bought the fork - a black Mosso M3.

If I have time, I'd bring the bike to a friendly mechanic for installation.  And, I'm already excited to ride my 29er on trails again.

Photo from mosso.com.tw

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.

SS Attack to Timberland, Maarat, Pestano

I woke up early today.  I pinched my legs; and, the pains were gone.  Great!

After peeping the Internet while sipping a cup of coffee, I prepared to bike.  My planned route: pedal all the way from Novaliches to Timberland to Maarat to Giant & v.v.

I again rode my SS bike.  The last time I climbed Timberland, I did it in 5 stops.  Now, it's 3 only.  More training!

Thence, I proceeded to Maarat basic trail and Giant.  However, instead of going to Giant, I turned right to Pestano Breakfast Club.  It's now serving buffet breakfast.  But, I still preferred the ala carte and ordered Trailblazers Skillet and a cup of coffee.

It's another day of great ride!

My ride plans - April 13 & 14, 2013

April 13, 2013 - Novaliches to Timberland to Maarat to Giant & v.v.

I'll be using my SS KHS Alite 150.

April 14, 2013 - Novaliches to Pangarap to Macabud to San Mateo to Novaliches

I'll be using either the SS KHS Alite 150 or geared Marin Alpine Trail 29er.

Aching muscles

When I woke up this morning, I felt my leg muscles are aching.  This is the result of my 66-kilometer ride yesterday on single speed (SS).

I used to take the route, Novaliches - Tungko - Macabud - San Mateo - Novaliches, on my 29er geared bike.  And, this is the first time I used my SS 26er bike in this route.  Besides, this is my longest ride since almost two months.

With SS, one relies solely on the leg power, coupled by some techniques, to manage uphills.  I'm still newbie on SS and still training and practicing.  And, I think I overworked by legs.  Unlike in a geared bike, the gears are downshifted to a ratio needed by a biker to climb uphills - the bike helps the biker.

I'm hoping the pains would subside by Saturday.

SS / Rigid attack to Licao-licao trails

I miss Licao-licao trails.  It's more than a month that I've not been there. And, I thought of riding there for my Araw ng Kagitingan ride. But, there's a problem.  When riding on trails, I usually use my geared Marin Alpine Trail 29er.  However, she's not yet in tiptop condition. Her chain skips when pedaling uphill.  And, the trails from Tungko to Macabud have lots of climbs

So, the only option is to use my other bike - an SS KHS Alite 150 with rigid fork. I usually ride this bike on roads.  And, my plan was to attack Timberland and beyond again.

Then, I changed my mind.  Last Sunday, I attacked Maarat basic trail with my SS; and, I survived.  And, attacking Licao-licao is not a bad idea.   Why not?  Anyway, it's not mortal sin to push the bike on uphills.

From home, I pedaled towards San Jose del Monte (SJDM) City.  Along the way, I saw a group of mountain bikers, some are from Padyakenyos Bike Club, converging in a gasoline station.  I learned later that they pedaled to Licao-licao too via Pangarap Village.

At Tungko, SJDM City, I entered the trails at Paradise to Barrio Bisaya to Jackhammer to Bricktown and exited via the single tracks to Ygay Road.  Then, I pedaled the paved road to Licao Jeepney terminal, where I rested for awhile and had my snack.

On my way to San Mateo, Rizal, I bumped into SSister YummyNia and Noli.

The trail ride with a single speed, rigid fork, clipless pedal, and single brake (front only) had been very challenging, exciting, and more fun.  I really thought I'd push my bike up most of the time.  But, surprisingly, I pushed my bike up in two instances only.

I'm now considering converting my Marine Alpine Trail 29er into an SS too.

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!

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!

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?

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.

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.