Crash!

Before sleeping last night, I decided to bike inside our village for thirty minutes; so, I could sleep soundly. I used BikePot (my other bike). In one of the streets, however, the lamp post wasn't working and it's dark. While turning left, I didn't notice the hump.

Crashed! And, I fell with my left cheek and chin kissing the road.

I immediately stood up and assessed my conditions. I groped and touched my left cheek and chin. I felt some scratches. My left wrist and my left big toe are aching. There are small scratches on my left knee.

I mounted my bike and went home. I took a bath; then, hit the bed with pains.

Experiencing Mt. Maarat trails again

I missed the Mt. Maarat trails; and, I decided to experience them again.

Today, I left home in Novaliches at about 8:00 AM and passed by the Neopolitan Business Park to drink and eat coconut water and meat, respectively.

I arrived at Aling Tina's Eatery at about 9 AM. After drinking water and a few minutes rest, I proceeded and climbed up the Timberland Heights. Thence, I took the Roxas trails and on to Giant.

Pit stop along The Wall.

Timberland Heights gate.







At the Giant


My lunch of sardines.

On my way back

Fort Bonifacio Mountain Bike Circuit

I slept late last night (or this morning); and, I woke up late also (after 7:00 am) this morning.

As a result, I wasn't able to join the PMTB Newbie Welcome Ride. I was supposed to join the North Group, who would traverse the Licao-licao trail. The take off time was supposedly 7:00 am. Should I just follow them? I was very sure I could catch them. But, I had second thought.

Instead, I considered other alternatives. I've been to Licao-licao or just parts of it; but, I'd like to go to a place I've never been before. And, I decided to go to Fort Bonifacio and try its Mountain Bike Circuit.

The circuit is located inside the Headquarters of the Philippine Army in Fort Bonifacio. After paying the P50 entrance fee, I started pedaling inside the circuit. I made several rounds and tried both the red (difficult) route first then the blue (newbie friendly) route. They are marked by colored arrows. Some parts of the circuit are difficult all right. And, in some instances, I almost fell and crashed. But, I was still lucky. I also made some pushing and walking.

At the parking lot and about to unload AlitePot

The security tag for biker

AlitePot ready to go.

And, I was ready to go too.

Welcome to the circuit









My snack of camote cue.

PMTB Newbie Welcome Ride

I'm joining the Pinoy MTBiker's (PMTB) big event this year. It's dubbed as "PMTB Newbie Welcome Ride North & South", which will happen on March 13, 2010 - this coming Saturday.

There are two groups, from the North and the South, riding simultaneously.

"We thought it's about time we get together for some trail action, welcome the new comers, reunite with old riding buddies and meet new ones", said PMTB's Global Moderator Whoops.

The northerners will take the Licao-licao trails in Rodriguez, Rizal; while, the southerners the Sta. Rosa, Laguna trails.

"Whatever your rig, whatever your ride, XC, AM, DH, FR, DJ, Trials -- welcome! The pace will be controlled with serious designated sweepers. Walang iwanan, walang kami at kayo--just like it has always been with PMTB rides (though sometimes we forget)", Whoops added.

As of today, there are more than a hundred bikers joining the north group and more than a hundred too for the south group. By the way, I'm joining the north group.

If you're biker, you may join any of the two groups. Sign up now!

Touring Marikina City

Marikina City is known not only for the shoes but for its bike friendly streets for having bike lanes. So, I explored the city and tried the bike lanes. I felt safer biking inside the lanes. However, the lanes are being abused by motorized vehicles. Motorcyles, public and private cars are using them for overtaking, loading and unloading, and parking.

From our home in Novaliches, I left at about 2:00 PM and pedaled all the way to Marikina City entering via San Mateo, Rizal.

My routes:

• J. P. Rizal Street
• Fernando Avenue from the A. Bonifacio Bridge up to Marcos Highway Bridge
• Crossed the river to River Bank Malls
• A. Bonifacio Avenue
• Loyola Memorial Park (pedaled inside for about 30 minutes)
• Lopez Jaena Street up to Marikina river
• Crossed the river again
• J. P. Rizal Street up to Marcos Highway
• Shoe Avenue
• Guerilla Street
• Mayor Gil Fernando Avenue
• Goodfriend Bridge
• 6th Street
• First Avenue / Romans Street
• J. Molina Street
• Katipunan Street
• General Ordonez Avenue
• F. Balagtas Street
• Gen. Molina Street
• J. P. Rizal Avenue and exited from where I entered - via San Mateo, Rizal

Barangay Kalumpang

Marikina River along Fernando Avenue

With the carabaos going down the river

River Bank Malls

SM City Marikina



At the Loyola Memorial Park

Goto for my snacks in the Marikina market

Along F. Balagtas Street after turning right from Gen. Ordonez Avenue

Water, water, water! A refilling station along Gen. Molina Street. A liter of cold water costs P9.00 only.

A refreshing bottle of Red Horse beer

Along Regalado Street on my way home

Dislodged chain.

My new camera

My Canon i-xus camera is already defective. It was accidentally immersed in a seawater.

When biking, I use my Nokia E90's communicator in taking pictures. But, it's camera feature is no longer working. So, in taking pictures, I use the video and just convert it to still pictures.

Or, I borrow wifey's camera. But, she got fed up and bought a new camera for me. It's a black GE A1035.

It has a 10.1 megapixel image sensor coupled to a GE-branded 3x optical zoom lens. It's powered by two "AA" batteries.

It's cheap at less than P5,000. And, it wouldn't break my heart if it's broken or lost. The Canon camera that I accidentally immersed was worth about P25,000.

BikePot's Bottom Bracket replaced

I was hearing squeaks every time I pedal BikePot; And, besides, her crankset's clattering.

Yesterday, when I arrived home from my biking, I brought her to the nearest bike shop. The diagnosis - damaged bottom bracket. So, I had it replaced. The shop recommended a sealed bearing type.

BikePot while being repaired

The damaged bottom bracket

It's now very smooth to pedal BikePot. I also had her brakes adjusted. The total cost of the part is P350.00. The labor's free.

I change course to Wawa Dam

This morning, while on my way to my biking destination to Shotgun, San Mateo, Rizal, I changed my mind and changed course to Rodriguez, Rizal.

My new destination - Wawa Dam. Instead of taking the Batasan Road / San Mateo route, I took the Payatas Road taking the short cut through Dona Carmen Subdivision in Fairview.

Wawa Dam is one of the favorite destinations during summer time to beat the heat. It's located along the Marikina River about six kilometers from the town proper.

A rest at the San Jose bridge.










For my lunch, a bowl of goat's papaitan along the highway in San Mateo.

Along Regalado Avenue on my way home.