Stop, Look and...

So when did Stop, Look and Listen become just Stop, Look.. cross?

Before crossing the street, people STOP (check!), LOOK (check!) and see a few guys (me & my friends, or just me), on bicycles, rolling at a much thrilling velocity of 60+kph.

So? Bicycles don't make noise! Go ahead! Take a step forward.. pssh!

pedaling again..

About 60 kilometers under sun & rain,

to a hotspring to soothe my way-worn legs,

from pedaling a bike for near 3 hours o' strain

for but to sit for bout an hour long,

in a pool of hot water in a bowl of stone...

The trip took nearly 3 hours, beginning at 8 am and ending 11 am. Rain caused mud from the road to transfer to my cogs & chain. It got so dirty that it started making disturbing noises. I had to stop once in a while to wash the dirt off the chain. Water I used was from my water bottle.

Taking stops at 7-11 in Tagaytay, the AUP Gate, Paseo de Sta. Rosa, Burger King in Calamba, and finally, Dona Jovita Garden resort.

oh.. this was for a company retreat. I just decided to bike there..

Lance Armstrong's bike Recovered

Word is Lance's bike was returned by some anonymous citizen...without wheels!  I'm sure the got spares of that.  Only one bike from the other three missing has been recovered.


http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=/tech/2009/news/02-19

Lance Armstrongs TT Bike Stolen

I don't usually post this much in a day but somehow I find this news amusing enough to post.

Lance Armstrong's Time Trial bike along with three other Astana Team road bikes were stolen from the team truck February 15, 2009. Check out the full story from CNN: Armstrong's bike stolen after race

Tagaytay Pista Ng Pag-Ibig 2009

Yesterday, February 15,2009, I witnessed my first live cycling event in Tagaytay City.  Headed by Tagaytay City Mayor and PhilCycling President, Bambol Tolentino, the Pista Ng Pag-Ibig (Feast of Love) is done every year.

I was reminded of my first running event (the Makati City Hall Vertical Race).  I was wearing jogging pants and a shirt.  I was surrounded by bronze skinned runners showing off their massive, well-toned legs through their 'ultra-short' shorts.  I was watching several runners warming up.  I was intimitated!

I didn't join this cycling event - which was also an event where they take the top 10 junior finishers and train them for a cycling event in Singapore - but I was really intimidated!  I just stood/sat scanning the human powered machines zooming past, while cyclists were warming up, trying to identify their equipment and taking mental notes of their riding techniques and form.  I fed my mind on the pretty eye candies - frames, wheelsets, components.  I, ofcourse, rode my bike to the place.  I am proud of my bike, don't get me wrong! But that time, I didn't associate myself with my bike as I wasn't dressed to match my bike.  I also watched as some people approached my bike and admiring it! Haha.. the pride of the builder!! ..but I didn't mention that it belonged to me. (how pathetic!)

The event also included a 160km ride.  As the race started, I watched these cyclists starting strong!  I wondered how they could keep up that pace when they had to ride 160kms.  Maybe it seemed strong to me, when to these steel legged superhumans, it was just another joy ride.  I was awakened to the world of cycling and how much more I have to train!

A pedal away

My road towards a triathlon is now just a pedal away.  I've spent a couple of months building up a road bike.  The process took more than that considering the time it took to scout for parts & prices and to research about proper bike fit.

Finally, I've managed to complete a machine.  Completely bought (except for handle bars & calipers) from Cycle Art in Quiapo, Manila.  This shop has probably the best customer service around.  I've been to other bike shops in the area and none came close to the friendliness of the people at Cycle Art.

Specifications:

Frameset: Kinesis KT415 TT SPF
Wheelset: Shimano WH-R550
Shifters: Shimano Sora STI, 9 speed
Front Derailleur: Shimano Sora
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Sora
Crank: Shimano Sora 50/34
Cassette: Shimano Tiagra 12-23, 9speed
Handlebars: MOB
Stem: FSA
Headset: Kinesis (manufactured for Cane Creek)
Breakset: Shimano Sora

The bike weighs a total of 20lbs which I consider incredibly light compared to bikes I have previously ridden.

The Kinesis kt415 has a TT (time trial) geometry with a seat angle of 76 degrees.  It came with fork and seat post.  I am planning to buy clip-on aero bars and transform this bike into a tri bike.  For now it will remain a road bike with tri geometry.  All components are Shimano Sora except the Cassette and I'm also planning to upgrade these to 105.  But not now.  I was on a budget and the real investment I made was on the frameset.

I built this bike up and fine-tuned the shifting and the stack and reach and was finally able to ride it a week after I finished assembling it.  Last Sunday, February 8, 2009 was the day I took it on it's first 40km trip.  I also took it for hill training last night.

I would like to especially thank Desiree of Cycle Art for being so helpful and accomodating.

If you wish to contact Cycle Art:

Cycle Art Mktg. Quiapo, Manila
Mobile: +639177951122

I'm still not abandoning ol faithful.  The bike I started training on: