Bike Cafe online

We just arrived in Kota Kinabalu after a two hour plane ride from Clark’s Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA). The resort was 45 minutes from the airport but marked by clean and well-lit roads. The place has the rustic resort feel of Cebu. Immediately upon arrival we were greeted by resort personnel who took care of our booking while we sipped on cold peach drink. We are staying in a room just a few steps from the beach. My kid’s are dying to swim but they need to postpone it till tomorrow. We learned that Rasa Ria has lots of activities designed to keep their guests busy. For tomorrow we have decided to join the 9am “bike ride to Terayong Village”. No idea where that is. I guess we will find out tomorrow.

Updating the blog thru my Iphone is not that difficult after all :).

Bell Launches Ingenious Bicycle Anti-Theft Product

Bicycle theft has always been a serious issue for bike owners. Traditionally, bicycle owners have employed theft resistant locks like U-Locks, or cables and heavy-duty chains with padlocks. Even then they’ve carefully had to select highly visible, well lighted locations, and to ensure that their precious bike is locked to a fixed object. But the thieves still sometimes win, and bicycle theft remains a thorn in the side of the cycling industry.

But thanks to a new product being developed by Bell Bicycle Accessories, there may be a solution. Engineers working for Bell in a research laboratory in Switzerland have come up with a paint product that may be the answer to the longstanding problem of bicycle theft. The revolutionary paint will be sold under the patented name “BAINT Paint”. BAINT is a reversed acronym for Theft Neutralizer Invisible Application for Bicycles (T.N.I.A.B.).

The formula behind BAINT Paint was first discovered accidentally by a junior research assistant in the Swiss laboratory. The junior assistant, who has not been named, apparently added some chemicals by mistake when Bell engineers were trying to create an imitation White Lightning product for their new BrainChain line of bicycle maintenance products. When the assistant spilled some of the resulting mixture over his shoes, he noticed that his feet had disappeared. After discovering that a single application of the mysterious paste rendered all objects invisible, the Bell Development Team realized that they had stumbled upon an invisible paint. They immediately thought of an application of this amazing new product for the cycling industry. Bicycle theft could be combatted by painting bikes and making them invisible, based on the premise that a bicycle that can’t be seen also can’t be stolen.

It took Bell engineers over a year to replicate and perfect the formula, in part because the junior assistant could not recall exactly what chemicals he had used. But BAINT Paint is now in the last stage of development, and will soon be available to the general public.

The BAINT (Theft Neutralizer Invisible Application for Bicycles) Paint is easy to use. First a single coat of the BAINT Paint must be applied to the entire bicycle. This must be followed by an immediate application of a fast-acting catalyst spray (BAINT Paint Spray Pro), and within two minutes the bicycle becomes completely invisible. The good news is that if your bike is invisible, bicycle thieves can’t find it!

Invisible Commuter Bike

The marketing division of Bell Bicycle Accessories has admitted some difficulties with the new product. “For one thing”, said Marketing Director Mr. I.C. Hugh Nough, “It’s hard to sell a product that you can’t see.” And he admits that riding an invisible bike takes some getting used to. “You need to adjust to not seeing your pedals or your brake levers and gear shifters,” said Mr. Nough. “But you get used to it. You learn to ride by feel.”

Does the paint wear off over time? Mr. Nough doesn’t think so. “After dropping the paint on his shoes, our lab assistant never saw his shoes again. So you have to be really sure that you’re doing the right thing before using our product. We are working with officials from the State Department for Public Safety to prevent our product getting in the hands of children who might not use it for its intended purpose. Availability of our product will probably be limited exclusively to adults over the age of 18.”

Invisible Road Bike & Invisible Mountain Bike

At the present time the invisible paint is an irreversible process. “We are still working on inventing a De-BAINT Paint companion product. The De-BAINT Paint will be designed to reverse the invisible chemical cycle and restore visibility of the original paint.” But Mr. Nough admits that it could be some time before the De-BAINT Paint product will be ready. “Our engineers are still perfecting the formula. Our current research is showing that the reverse cycle produced by De-BAINT Paint causes structural damage to the frame. So for now we’re just going with the BAINT Paint, and telling people it is an irreversible procedure at this point.”
Although BAINT Paint is not yet on the market for the public, Bell Bicycle Accessories have released a promotional supply of the invisible paint to some professional riders. The initial reaction has been very positive, and BAINT Paint appears set to make a big hit with the cycling community. Reporters have not been able to witness the application of BAINT Paint, but media representatives were provided with several photos of the new product, including some spectacular pictures of the product being used in race conditions.

Invisible Paint in Use During a Cross Country Race

Invisible Paint in Use During a Road Race

Not everyone shares Mr. Nough’s enthusiasm for the invisible paint. “Have you ever wondered how stupid you look without your bike?” said one critic. “Now you know.” But Mr. Nough is convinced that with his product, bicycle theft will be a thing of the past. “Invisible paint is here for real,” he quipped, “People just need to see it to believe it!”

Posted 
by Staff Reporter Verdra H. Ciretop in Toronto

All Rights Unreserved - Loof Lirpa Publishing

Text may be freely copied & redistributed

Images copyright www.worth1000.com

This is the last thing you want to happen to your favorite bike.

So what is the next best thing to do….

I think it comes with a free huge key chain ;).

Happy biking everyone.

Are there any???

For the past three weeks, my wife and I have been cycling to places which before we usually visit via our car. It was really an eye opener for me how much gasoline I am saving by using a bike instead of a motorized vehicle. Not only fuel costs but I save on parking fees as well. The only drawback of course is I cannot have my sons bike with me in the streets of Metro because its chaotic out there and the pollution. Hassle as well is looking for a safe place to park our bikes.

The following are the places we visited the past weeks:

1. Metrowalk - no bike parkings whatsoever. We need to put a cable lock on our bikes next to a parking post. I didn’t even count the hassle of the guard telling us not just to park our bikes anywhere. Mind you we were parking in a place near a vendor stall and as if we will obstruct the area ;(.

2. Rockwell - none as well. We went to UCC (outside the mall where Cantinetta and Gramm’s). No bike racks but they have lots of car parking. We just parked our bikes on the side of UCC glass wall and ate our breakfast al fresco.

3. HighStreet (Serendra) - With all the car parking slots left and right of High Street how come I did not even see a single bike rack. Perhaps I didn’t search hard enough but there really wasn’t any. So we just parked the bikes near the wall beside Krispy Kreme. You dont even have any place to bolt your bike into. Or if you find any, most likely the guard will tell you that isn’t allowed.

Too bad that with the proliferation of malls around Metro Manila and almost everybody preaching a “greener” culture, nobody even have thought of this. I guess it is high time to put bike racks in designated areas in malls. Doing this will encourage patronizers to go to malls by bikes without the fear of having their bikes stolen or vandalized (of course that is a totally new post ).

Maybe the mall owners did not know that one car parking slot can accommodate 28 bikes. These malls, like HighStreet, have outdoor stores like R.O.X. (Recreational Outdoor Exchange), shouldn’t they advocate for bike parkings at least?

Oh well. How can I even think of bike parkings when we don’t even have bike routes?

I hope this happens in my lifetime ;).

Ocean’s Month CMR Ride! Date: May 17, 2008 (Saturday)
Assembly: 7:00 AM, UP Diliman, AS Parking Lot (in front of Palma Hall)
Ride Start: 7:30 AM
Ride End: Lunchtime!
Route: UP, Diliman - Pasig River - UP, Diliman
Contact: kRx - 0907 603 9258 for CMR inquiries

Organized by The Firefly Brigade

None, nada, wala!!!

Except in Marikina with its own Marikina Bikeways System. Spearheaded by the former mayor of Marikina and now MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando (BF). To date around 50 kilometers of bike lanes have been built looping the entire city. This project was partly funded by US$1.3 million World Bank grant which enabled Marikina to build a network of 19.3 kms of bike lanes. On its part, the city government put up its own counterpart fund amounting to Php14.9 million which enabled it to build an additional 27.3 kilometers of bike paths — cool right! Marikina was chosen since it has successfully implemented several traffic solutions and has the political will to see this through — and they did.

Before this project, 1 out of ten road users in Marikina was a bike rider. With the full development of this project they estimate this ratio to run 5 bikers out of 10 road users. A significant accomplishment indeed. This doesn’t only help ease the traffic congestion in the city but most importantly help in the protection of the enviroment and less reliance on the ever increasing fuel prices.

So with this in mind, when can we see our beloved BF replicating  the bike lanes along Edsa (Metro Manila’s main thoroughfare) and other cities in Metro Manila. It is about time! We very much welcome this other than his huge scandalous posters lining thru Edsa ;(.

Leslie and I just came from the very first Alleycat Race in Fort Bonifacio. What is an Alleycat Race? This race was originally organized by a community of messengers in Toronto, Canada on October 30, 1989. In this informal bicycle race, simple rules are given. Each participant or the team must go to organizer’s predetermined checkpoints. There is no one single route to each checkpoint. Each participant must study his route and find the fastest way to reach each checkpoint. However, this unsanctioned race at times can be very dangerous as experienced by a death of a participant in Chicago last February 2008.

With the introduction of the First Alleycat Race in the Philippines, we mustered enough self-confidence and decided to join. Two things prompted us: we are familiar with Fort Bonifacio since this is usually our route going home aside from being a regular visitor of High Street and we love to bike. Also, we are definitely joining not to win (since we believe we don’t stand a chance) but just for the experience since this will be our first race, ever. In alleycat races the emphasis is on taking part and less on competition — this is indeed a race made for us ;).

Past 6am we registered (free registration) under Executive Category (not in Open Category) in the Fort under the Bike Café Team. Intimidating were the other participants, their skin already sun-baked by constant cycling and their calve muscles bulging from constant pedaling. Our aim then — as long as we are not last — Alleycat racers refer to them as DFL or dead fucking last.

The race will traverse most areas in Fort Bonifacio. We need to follow the traffic rules and no counter-flow. The entire race is composed of 15 checkpoints (some are task checkpoints) and must be finished in two hours – from 8am to 10am.

As soon as the race kit was given, we studied our route. We practically knew each and every checkpoint. Based on our analysis (the banker in me taking over), the route we will be taking will be the most efficient and less tiring since we know that there are lesser uphills in said routes. The starting point was in Federation Drive (formerly Dencio’s near NBC Tent) and the go signal was fired exactly at 8am. Our nightmare started — we need to run from the starting line and go around half of Bonifacio High Street before we can ride our bike. We did not factor this in the equation, we were dead last in this segment ;(. It took us 20 minutes just to go around High Street and my legs were already numb ;). We practically walked the entire length since running is really not our cup of tea. Finally, we reached our bikes (thank God) – the last two bikes in the waiting zone since everybody was already on their way to the checkpoints.

Even though panting and half dying (and I though my heart will give way ), we reached our 1st checkpoint – 11^th Avenue (near Fully Booked). After this, we went one check point to the next:

2^nd - Market Market (near the playground)

3^rd – Water Filtration Plant (back of International School)

4^th – Bonifacio Triangle

5^th – St. Michael Archangel Church

6^th - The British School

7^th - SpeedZone

8^th – Bonifacio Technology Center

9^th – Padre Burgos Circle (Steel Tree Sculpture) TASK CHECKPOINT. In this segment, there was a challenge, count the total number of trees in the rotunda – got it right at 105.

10^th – Adidas Sports Camp - TASK CHECKPOINT. Another challenge, Rubik’s cube and you need to align one color. Good thing my wife, Leslie, was with me. She did it in less than a minute. I should have thrown in the towel if I was asked to do this ;).

11^th – One McKinley Rotunda (near McDonald’s)

12^th – 23^rd Street (near Fairways Tower)

13^th – Seibu

14^th - McKinley Business Park (back of Essensa)

15^th - 25^th Street (near Somo – South of Market)

After finishing the race, we again parked our bikes in the designated drop-off point and started running – no, walking again to the finish line. When we dropped off our bike there were very few bikes still and we knew that we finished in very good time. We reached the finish line and checked in at 9:16:23 seconds and garnered 100 points since we found all the checkpoints and did all the tasks. Our hopes went up, at first we just want to finish the race, when we learned our time – we realized that we can actually be winners.

Perhaps it was due to diminishing oxygen in our brain that we thought that we can win ;). There were six winners (3 on each category). The fastest time in the Open Category was 8:55. These guys were really fast since half of their time we were still running towards our bike ;). In the Executive Category, the 2^nd runner up finished around 9:11am. Me and Leslie looked at each other and if only we can run perhaps we got the medal and the cash prize ;). We realized that the medal was within striking distance, perhaps next year — we need to practice running first ;). Our consolation, we were asked to pose for some pictures since we were the only husband and wife team.

The entire race was fun and I recommend this to new and veteran bikers. At least in this race, not only sheer pedaling power is key. Familiarity of the place, ability to read maps, strategy formulation count a lot as well.

See you next year.

As reflected in my heart rate monitor, 85% was considered hard or reaching 75% to 80% of my heartbeat. While around 11% was maxinum reaching over 85%. These were during the time that we were running or pedaling uphill. Our route reached 11.6 kms with maximum speed of 16.7 kms/hr. Eventhough we did not win any price we burned 1,123 kcal — pwede na…

The red marks represent the running phase while the yellow highlight represents the checkpoints 1 to 15.

Our Bike Cafe Team number — Number 40.

Our only guide to traverse the entire route. We followed a circular route.

For people who love to bike one of the challenges is bringing their favorite bike to places. Definitely, the ideal way is to start pedaling and go to that destination. What if the place is too far and it is necessary to haul your bike in your car. Most likely you need to remove the front or even the rear wheel to ensure that it fits. Or you can also buy bike racks and there are so many choices from brands like Thule. But what if you are traveling and it is necessary to take a plane — how then will you fit your bike? Of course, you can pray that you can rent a decent bike — but nothing compared in bringing your own bike. It is definitely possible to bring your regular bike but such is not advisable unless you want a broken frame or a bended fork. Putting your standard bike in a balikbayan box is just too much hassle. So what is the alternative?

There are several choices of folding bikes: Airframe, Airnimal, Bernds, Bike Friday, Birdy, Breezer, Brompton, CariBike, Dahon, Di Blasi, Gekko, Giant, Mezzo, Moulton, Pashley and Sinclair A-bike.

Among these folding bikes, I love the Strida.

Imported from the U.K., the Strida comes in 10 different colors and the ride is very similar to your regular bike.

Folding it will only take you 6 seconds. And look you can even buy a bag to house it during your travel.

Mark Sanders designed the folding bike in 1984 as part of his graduate studies. The name Strida was coined by a 9-year old kid and since its introduction in 1984 it now has 5 versions. The Strida 5 has the following specifications:

By the way, the Strida 5 will set you back by Php30,000 to Php40,000.

Have you ever tried riding a bicycle to work? With more and more loonies driving on our highways, it seems even a lot crazier to bike on the way to the office. However, the thrill of trying something new, the opportunity to bike beyond our village and the recent accomplishment of finishing the Tour of the Fireflies prompted me to do it. So last Saturday, technically there was no work, was the D-day — lesser cars and hopefully lesser pollution. As part of my pre-departure checklist, inspected my bike, my white jersey, the tyres, tools, hydration pack (Camelback 2 liters), sunglasses, helmet, sunblock, gloves, heart rate monitor (Polar S720i), anti-pollution mask — whew I was already perspiring just preparing these things.

As I pedaled out of the village, the first challenge was traversing the road full of tricycles. I started really slow pace and second guessing the next moves of the things around me. From our village to C5-Kalayaan intersection I stayed on the right side very close to the curb. The only time I moved to the left side was when there were vehicles blocking my way. Of course, as I move left, I looked behind first to check if there is any car darting. The next challenge was crossing C5 going to Kalayaan Avenue. Crossing a main road was nerve wracking since I was afraid that some crazy driver might just sideswipe me. Immediately upon seeing the green light, I pedaled fast to reach the other end. I learn that a biker must ensure that he must stay visible by staying ahead of the car when crossing a street. It is a mistake to stay side by side with a car or worst a truck since you will be on the blindspot and might be hit specially if the vehicle turns right. From Kalayaan to Fort Bonifacio was a normal ride except at the slight uphill the first 500 meters after the intersection. During this time, the Camelback came in handy. Hydrating myself was necessary for me to reach my destination. From the Fort to McKinley Road was an easy ride considering the canopy of trees lining the path. Then came the Edsa-Ayala intersection. Thanks to the C5 intersection experience so this time doing it was a breeze. Once reaching Ayala, I took the Apartment Ridge road leading to Makati Avenue. I decided to do this, since there were less cars here and therefore less pressure ;). Few more cadence and then I saw my office. Finally, I made it in one piece ;).

To summarize, here are the things I learn from this first ride:

1. Be prepared not only mentally and physically but ensure as well that all your gears are with you.

2. Stay right most of the time. Start slowly and don’t race.

3. Always think ahead of the moves of other vehicles around you.

4. Stay visible. Avoid wearing dark jerseys even during daytime rides.

5. Study your route. If you can take less busy streets, take those.

Again, if you are forty something here are the stats if you are planning to do the same feat.

Start time: 7:10 in the morning

Distance: 9 kilometers

Speed: 9.4 kms/hr (min) / 17.4 kms/hr (max)

Exercise time in sport zones:

Maximum: 9 mins 45 secs - 26% of the ride

Hard: 21 mins 28 secs - 56% of the ride

Moderate: 5 mins 15 secs - 14% of the ride

Light: 50 secs - 2% of the ride

Very light: 45 secs - 2% of the ride

Heart Rate: 86% (min) / 114% (max)

Energy: 540 kcal

By the way, the entire bike ride took 38 minutes and 3.6 seconds a lot faster compared to my usual motor vehicle commute. Truly an eye opener.

Eversince I was young I have a certain fondness for biking/cycling. I believe I had my first bike or I think it was a trike when I was one year old. Then I graduated to the usual two wheel with training wheels. From that time, my liking for cycling has never wavered. I vividly remember cycling with my highschool friends during summer breaks. Even in our province Baler, Quezon (now Aurora), I commute via bike from my lola’s house to her pesticide store. I also recall ages ago, when I was young, the Tour of Luzon or the Tour of the Philippines was something to look forward to. In fact my ninong, Cornelio Padilla, Jr., was the back to back champion of the Tour of Luzon in 1966 and 1967.

Riding a bike gives you a certain feeling of empowerment — imagine reaching point A to point B by your own sheer power. It likewise lets you appreciate your environment more. See things more closely which you hardly notice when riding a motor vehicle. Also, with the inconvenient truth brought by our abuse of our natural resources, the more that we turn into cycling as a viable mode of transport. This is just a few of the advocacies being promoted by the Tour of the Fireflies.

A brainchild of Katty Sta. Ana, the Tour was participated only by a few hundreds on its first year. The firefly monicker was very apt considering that the Tour is also promoting clean air. Insects, particularly fireflies are very sensitive to changes in air quality. Now you no longer wonder why you don’t see any firefly in Metro Manila.

Weeks before April 20, the date of the Tour of the Fireflies, we decided to again pick up cycling as a sport. Me and my family (yes, Leslie and my two boys) have decided to do cycling together. First, it was just around our village then we moved to UP Academic Oval. I guess our love for cycling, even though forgotten for a while, have never diminished and we decided to join the Tour of the Fireflies.

At first, cycling in 7 cities for a total of around 50 kilometers for 5 hours seems to be too daunting. The scorching heat of summer is not helping either. However, such didn’t deter us. We arrived in Tiendesita’s around 6:30 in the morning and the entire place was already teeming with people of all ages and their bikes. Some were even in costumes — we saw a mummy, a firefly, angels, an Igorot. At exactly, 6:56 am the peloton started pedalling. Gio, my eldest son, my wife (Leslie) and sister-in-law (Bennette) were with me. Frankly, the hardest part was trying to maintain your balance during the start of the Tour since there were thousands of bikers weaving out from Tiendesitas to Julia Vargas. Our apprehension of not being able to cope with the Tour was unfounded. The pace was leisurely, averaging 10 to 20 kilometers per hour. Why this slow? Since this is not a competition but a fun ride. Anybody who can ride a bike from 3 to 90 years old can join. The route took us to Pasig, Mandaluyong, Makati, Pasay, Manila, Quezon City and Marikina. There were several stops. The first was in Quirino Grandstand in Luneta, then a momentary stop in Timog and then another 15 minute stop in Quezon City Hall. Along the way, the Firefly Bridgade/Marshalls helped in maintaining the orderly flow of the bikers (around 10 thousand strong). There were several challenges in this Tour — the uphill climb in some major roads, the unrelenting heat and the narrow roads in some areas which necessitated everybody to slowdown or even alight from riding. Fun to see for the first time as well were the helplessness of taxis and jeepneys trying to bully their way in some of the routes. They can’t do anything and just decided to stop afraid of being lynched by the “fireflies” — giving a dose of their own medicine. The Pasig to Manila route was relatively an easy ride — the roads are pretty even. The leg of Manila to Marikina was more challenging due to several uphill routes and the heat of noontime sun. Almost noon, and after almost five hours of pedalling, Tiendesita’s was in sight. A firetruck was stationed under the Ortigas-C5 flyover with its hose trained upwards and sprinkling water. Howls were heard as we pass the “man made” rain. We pedalled a few more and then finish line. The Tour was well worth it — we conquered our initial fear, made a contribution for a greener-Earth and fell back in love with cycling.

Here are a few facts.

Forgive, me but I tend to be too technical with my sport ;). Here are data taken from my Heart Rate Monitor. Note that heart rate is based on my own and might not be reprentative of other riders HR.
Time: 6:55:27 (Six hours 55 minutes and 27 seconds in the morning - Start of Tour)
Duration: 4:56:25.2 (This take into account all the stops from beginning to end)
Distance: 41.7 kilometers (This is the entire distance of the Tour — We followed the marshalls throughout and did not take any shortcuts)
Heart Rate: Average of 75% and maximum of 129% (This is my own heart rate)
Exercise Time in Sport Zones (as percentage of heart rate — this is based on my heart rate)
- Maximum (intense pedalling/uphill) - around 4 minutes (1% of the ride)
- Hard (uphill) - around 1 hour (23% of the ride)
- Moderate (average pace / even roads) - around 2 hours (45% of the ride)
- Light (leisurely pace) - arond 1.5 hours (30% of the ride)
Speed: Low of 6.8 kms/hour and High of 17.6 kms/hour