Journal of Articles riding with Tiklop Society of the Philippines TSP 2

T3 for TTT. Tagpuan sa Tropical ng mga Taga-East. Tropical (Q-Plaza 24 hours) to Tropical (Shaw Boulevard 24 hours)

T3 on 29 July 2022 Friday caps the end of the July night rides of TSP

Weather permitted the group led by RL Bongski Reyes to bike from Tropical Hut Q Plaza Cainta to Calle Industria of Libis Quezon City then to C5 Pasig at a fast pace. All flat then surprises the group to a short gradual ascent at Pineda st reaching the peak at Orchids and Rosas. In a few minutes of relaxed pedaling, we were at Tropical Hut Shaw Boulevard for an extended dinner. The guard allowed the bikers in folding bikes to park at the cordoned area in front giving preferential VIP treatment.

Typical of Bongski night rides, it was well attended, rightly paced and novel. There were instances of light drizzles but did not bother the participants.

Friday T3 marks the completion of our personal goals to complete the Monday to Friday night rides of Tiklop. Each night has a unique feature but with a commonality, ride the TSP way. The night rides brought a herd of bikers to different places with historical values, places with business significance, a relatively a long stretch, to routes with prolonged ahons and to simple chill rides made possible because there was a ride, the weather permitted, bikes did not break down and the spirit was there.

Strava log from place of residence to the night ride and back for the week registered 198 kilometers of safe and enjoyable ride. For the week of 25 July, Joseph Lee, Kris Kinesis and I completed all. Try biking around Metro Manila for 5 consecutive nights. Good for the health. Get the most out of your folding bike. Meet different people. Discover new routes. Have a different food trip. Ika nga nila, habang kaya at may bisikleta, padyak na!

25-Jul-2022 Monday MAD 34.98 km meet up at Kartilya ng Katipunan Manila

26-Jul Tuesday TNF 36.75 km meet up at BGC in front of ROX 7th Avenue BGC Taguig

27-Jul Wednesday WET 57.73 km meet up at Ortigas Park Ortigas Pasig

28-Jul Thursday LSD 38.98 meet up at UP Grandstand in front of the UP School of Business Administration QC

29-Jul Friday TTT 30.09 km meet up at Q Plaza Cainta

Sa lumang awitin “Around the World” ni Nat King Cole, isinasara ko ang buong linggong pagpapadyak sa gabi kasama ng mga bikers na naka folding bike ng Tiklop Society of the Philippines

Around the TSP I’ve searched for you

I pedaled on, in a folding bike to keep a rendezvous

I knew somewhere, sometime, somehow

You would plan a ride, in the night, while I wait for an invite

It might have been in MAD

Or in TNF, WET, LSD or TT and T

No more will I go all around the Metro in just a bike

For I have found night rides in TSP

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qk51-vjcZ-Y

Larawan kuha ni KK

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28 July 2022. Inaraw araw hanggang makarating sa Lingkuhang Sikad sa Diliman nitong Huwebes

Monday, it was MAD, Meeting after Dark touring around the sites related to the 24 scouts who perished in a plane crash enroute to the 11th Boy Scout World Jamboree crisscrossing boundaries to complete 3 related sites

Tuesday, it was TNF, Tuesdays Nights at the Fort featuring the business centers of BGC, Makati and the residential barangay in Mandaluyong, a feel of the bike to work

Wednesday was WET, Wednesday Evening Tagpuan meeting fellow folding biker enthusiasts in a ride to Metro Manila’s 6 cities an achievement in go for distance

Friday, 29 July it will be T3 Tagpuan sa Tropical ng mga TagaEast, a chill ride to business centers close to Marikina traveling to QC, Pasig and Mandaluyong which will close the 25-29 July TSP night rides

What did Lingguhan Sikad sa Diliman LSD under RL Jonest offer to the membership this Thursday 28 July?

LSD offered a sampler of a long stretch of ahon preceded by a preparatory flat chill glide in the 25-kilometer “Tour de Batasan.” Starting from the premiere state university UP it ends at the Quezon Memorial Circle site of the mausoleum of President Manuel L. Quezon passing at the vicinity of Batasang Pambansa Complex, seat of the House of Representatives of the Philippines.

To a citizen interested in historical milestones, the coverage alone is significant. UP Diliman was established in 1949. The shrine of Quezon Memorial was created in 1952 and completed in 1978, and the sessions at House of Representative just opened this 25 July 2022

To the biker, the features of the roads from start to end is a planners’ ideal chill ride building up to a climax after a challenging long stretch of ascent. Strava recorded 39 kilometers and 296 elevation gain. First phase brought us from UP via Katipunan to a relaxed riverside ride at the Riverpark with strollers and bikers

We shared the road with motorists and other bikers going up to J.P. Rizal all the way to Barangay Parang for an affordable dinner with a variety of food offerings at Fairlane Market. Consider this stop as a carbo loading to the final climax of ahon after crossing the Marikina river at the Batasan-San Mateo bridge finally reaching the intersection of Batasan Road and Batasan San Mateo Road

All 8, Ray, Gerry, Kris, Matt, Chito, Marion, Joseph, Kyle in a folding bike were led by RL Jonest to the intersection indicating end of ahon

Completing LSD for me was an accomplishment both for my physical capability and the Dahon Metro’s durability tested on various road surfaces for consecutive nights. I can only thank all the dedicated RLs of other days for the invite for this feat

Planning for TSP night rides requires competency, familiarity with the landscape of the route, info on the capabilities of the participants, knowing technical, weather, infrastructure conditions, understanding the mission of the TSP and a feel of what the folding bikers are looking for

We appreciate the effort of the LSD RL to plan this ahon sampler. Originally planned for 21 July, it was cancelled due to rainy weather threat and the tight security at the Batasan area for the SONA. This 28 July, when at 7PM, dark clouds were hovering over the Diliman area, there was another threat of cancellation. But the regulars of LSD who show up for the casual interaction, familiar with each other’s motivation for biking and throwing full support behind the RL were lucky to benefit from the weather improvement. “Tour de Batasan” was a go

Jonest, the newest addition to the roster of seasoned Tiklop night rides invested time and effort in creating “Tour de Batasan,” understanding the pace of each one, accepting the heavy accountability of leading a pack of bikers with diverse interest, open and listening, adjusting pace based on the groups’ rhythm succeeded in making this ride different. Pace was regulated and was not much of problem in both phases

His leadership style is different but delivering results. Behind each LSD rides though are solid participants enjoying the rides and seeing everyone succeeds like the 30 June “Philippine Loop Kyusi Edition,” the 14 July "Gawa tayo ng Saranggola” and the 22 July diverted “Diliman Chill Ride.” They contribute to create what an LSD night ride looks like

What makes this 28 July 2022 “Tour de Batasan” differently satisfying is participants realizing what LSD is going through contributed and placed their stakes to ensure thrilling, enjoyable and memorable Thursday night rides for the folding bikers. The participants had ownership along with the RL on this ride of 39 kilometers with a 296 elevation gain thus the deeper level of engagement

Salamat sa lahat pati ako nakinabang. Sa technical tips ni Matt, sa practical outlook ni Kyle, sa suporta ni Joseph, sa pagdalo ni Marion, sa kakulitan ni Herbert, sa documentation ni Kris, sa pagkakalog at GCash ni Ray, sa wisdom ni Gerry

Riders with different levels of personal leadership adapted to the needs and the conditions of what the big city of QC and LSD have to offer

When RL plans for the LSD Thursday night rides, he will take into account the learnings that made Thursdays of July an important day in the Monday to Friday TSP night rides: exploit the possibilities of what the big city has to offer to excite the bikers, feel of the needs of the bikers whether hard core, newbies, tap the wisdom of the TSP leadership fellow RLs and capitalize on the loyalty and inputs of bikers who want Thursday to stand out for its uniqueness

When school opens this August 2022, we look forward to an explosion of exciting nights participated in by new bikers eager to enjoy the TSP way.

Salamat muli kay KK for the documentation

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33.8 kilometers in 6 hours 27 July 2022

Midway this week, RL Ritchie Tulipat challenged the Tiklop enthusiasts to 33.8 kilometers of well-paved roads add 10 to 30 kilometers more of enroute and back to the Ortigas Park from your residence.

Yet more than 25 showed up. There even was a catastrophe of epic proportion early this morning that hit hard the Cordilleras and the Ilocos region

Why that interest? RL Ritchie did not expect a huge show up at the meet up

First, it’s an interesting route. A loop from Ortigas Pasig to Mandaluyong to Taguig, Pasay, Paranaque returning via Manila, Mandaluyong back to Pasig. Counting six cities that’s already intimidating.

Second, it’s a night ride. It guarantees a cool ride with less traffic. It might even be quieter

The attractions: the globe at MOA may look different in the evening than at daytime, BGC, airport, Old Panaderos, Tambo Paranaque, Sta Ana church, Zobel Roxas by night. There was no promise though of winning at the casino but still bikers came

There’s a new bridge to inspect, the Santa Monica–Lawton Bridge, also known as the Kalayaan Bridge and Bonifacio Global City–Ortigas Link Bridge which has a lined bike lane leading to Kalayaan but none going to BGC. “Pasubok”

Meet up is at Ortigas at the Ortigas Park and is at the center of Metro Manila making it convenient for the joiners. 7-11, McDo, Red Ribbon, Goldilocks are nearby for last minute food and beverage loading. There are rest room facilities. There is even a bike repair station right in front. Joseph is there early always to welcome the early birds

People are getting hooked, already hooked, wanting to be hooked again either to the folding bike, the rides or the company

Coalitions have been established. “Nandito nanaman tayo.” Parang kagabi lang.” “2nd time ko na dito.” Sharing common interest makes bonding easy

May makikilalang iba. Thanks Ma’am Osang for the River interview segment. We got to know better WET 1st timers Efren and Rey. Both exemplary bike riders. Efren who resides in Las Pinas went out of his way to join the meet up at the Ortigas Park. Rey, who purchased his Dahon Boardwalk in Japan years ago shared with us how biking made it convenient for him as an Engineer to be mobile during the uncertain lockdown times

Bikers are levelling up from short rides to long rides needing longer rides to practice. Long urban night rides help meet their Strava challenge. “Nagpapakondisyon” “Kailangan ng mileage”

Their folding bikes are subjected to endurance and long-distance biking to assure correctness of choice and get validation from fellow folding bike owners. “Try ko lang katorse.” “Nagpalit ng crankset.” “Kaooverhaul lang ‘dre!” “Dagdag ngipin.” “Testingin ang bagong ilaw sa gabi”

There’s a grand slam bet of completing MAD. TNF, WET. LSD and TTT this week. Three down, two to go for the week

There are some other reasons why TSP night rides are habit forming, addicting, satisfying, enjoyable and there are nights of choices with some nights preferred for personal preferences. RL Ritchie even supported this. “Di lang ito. Bawat gabi mula Lunes hanggang Byernes may TSK ride”

Despite reasons, what prevails is, it’s fun joining a night ride in a group in safe company where you are led, put on track by marshals and seeing no one is left behind by the sweeper. Salamat Warren, Jonathan at Joseph

Behind the successful WET night rides is Ritchie who plans the ride with Ma’am Osang always supportive making sure the plan succeeds

“May time.” “Next month pa ago sasampa. Sinusulit lang.” “Practice, gusto kong mag Baguio this month.” “Kailangan magpapayat.” “Kababalik lang sa Pinas dala ng Boardwalk. May makakasama naman.” “Malapit sa office.” “OK ang return trip, malapit sa bahay.” “Paguwi, may nakakasama.” “Bagong mapupuntahan.” Masarap daw ang food sa Maty’s, dinadayuhan.” “May Visa kay Misis”

33.8 kilometers in 6 hours? Parang wala lang pag TSP and company

What’s your reason?

Larawan mula kay Rosanna. Strava data mula kay KK. Larawan ni Ma’am Osang mula kay KK

26 July 2022

Biking at the Philippines’ premiere business centers

Ride Leader Pepe Daradal posted an invite 26 July to join the Tuesday Nights at the Fort for a short chill ride starting at the Bonifacio Global City.

Completing my rounds of appreciating the various biking landscapes in Metro Manila, immediately I expressed my intention to join. Never mind if there was a threat of the thunderstorm that Tuesday afternoon and my unfamiliarity of crossing C5 to BGC via CP Garcia Avenue and C5 bridge.

Biking in a folding bike the TNF TSP way captures to me, a working professional’s urban commuting at the country’s premier business districts.

What a difference it was being at the BGC by designated RL Jonathan, fresh from his Baguio trip compared to cities in the North. Pepe and Jonathan’s route brought us around the BGC complex biking on world class road surfaces with designated bike lanes. As we pass through several parking areas, I can spot racks with a look different from the traditional bike racks in the other parks of the city.

The illumination on the streets was not just from the street posts but from the imposing lights of the modern building. Biking comfortably, I was awed not just by the sights and sounds of the modern city but also from the high performing folding bikes of fellow bikers.

From the new city, we were led to the original business center, Makati. Passing at the most expensive village in the country, the roads of Mckinley Road gave us a ride like no other, smooth, uninterrupted, flowing under huge acacia trees deserving of the high-end tires of Brompton bikes and Dahon. Biking in surfaces like these gives one a confidence of zero flat tire. Believe me in the saying, “the rich are different from you and me.”

Highlight that night for me was the stop over at the Philippine Stock Exchange along Ayala Avenue. With the open space almost to ourselves, bikers with visual eyes feasted on the play of lights and shadows and the space. Photographing the bicycles with the bikers must have added a premium value to our equipment. Thanks to Pepe’s cinematic skills and Kris' critical eye, we viewed our bikes differently.

If Binondo has its Philippine-China Friendship bridge, Makati and Mandaluyong have their China funded Estrella-Pantaleon bridge linking Rockwell from J.P Rizal to Barangka Drive. The route led us to Kape Urban, a biker’s hub. After several turns from the bridge, our world suddenly shifted from a world class business center to a regular barangay, a journey from work to a quiet home.

After a brief socials, those going back to Taguig took the Rockwell bridge while those from the North went via Boni Avenue and EDSA.

On a regular working day, the 3 cities are not as quiet as we experienced at TNF. Going to office and back home, there is always the ordeal of a mad rush for public transport space and a parking slot not considering the high expense of moving and parking.

That 26 July Tuesday Nights at the Fort simulated for us how a folding bike can make bike to work a very convenient solution. Bike in a protected space, carry your bike at your work station without worrying for space and the cost. And we wish, the feel is always like the relaxing, cool Tuesday Nights at the Fort with Pepe.

The visual coverage was a bonus for us.

Salamat Pepe, Jonathan, Joseph and sa lahat ng mga joiners. Kay Kris Kinesis sa mga larawan at Strava record.

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Tiklop subscribers start their Mondays with an invitation from MAD, Monday after Dark for a themed night rides that meet up regularly at the Kartilya ng Katipunan in Manila.

This 25 July 2022, to honor and perpetuate the memory of the 24 scouts who died in the place crash 59 years ago enroute to Marathon Greece for the 11th World Scout Jamboree, theme was scouting. Boy Scouts of the Philippines is a non-formal education that aims to inculcate through outdoor activities love for God and country.

Eli Shelah Chacon designed an approximately 15-kilometer run starting in Manila to Quezon City to visit the Boy Scout Circle. Ride out started with a visit to the BSP Headquarters at the National Lopez st., a few minutes bike from the Kartilya ending the Manila rounds at Blumentritt Road for the BSP Cenotaph at the entrance of the North Cemetery complex.

Passing through N. S. Amoranto st. the group of about 20 bikers led by RL Louie Villanueva, marshals Twod Ferds Noriel Sarad Gange, Alfred Florenz, Jonest Rovy Obrique and sweepers Zonic Osorio and Yen Arce delivered the folding bikers’ enthusiasts to the final destination in Quezon City at the Timog circle.

Cycling initially with a tourist’ view, focus was shifted to assessing the road infrastructure’s friendliness to the bikers.

Early part of the route from Natividad Lopez st. to Legarda before crossing to Lacson Avenue had dedicated bike lanes and illumination relatively bright except in some portions of Legarda towards Nagtahan.

Traffic at Lacson was relatively light but without a dedicated bike lane. Pedaling along Tuazon and Maceda sts. in Sampaloc was easy guided by street lights through there were no bike lanes. At the outer lanes, drainage grills and PLDT manholes were intuitively avoided swerving bikers to the center lanes. This is typical of some conditions in Metro Manila bike lanes.

To cross though A. Bonifacio to the North Cemetery was a challenge as this is a busy thoroughfare with big trucks and buses plying the main street. Traffic light was not operational.

Cruising to QC from D. Tuazon st. to Quezon Avenue until Timog was relaxed as the road surfaces were smooth, dedicated bike lanes in place (except Timog though newly asphalted) and streets generally well-lit.

Boy Scouts Oath reminds us that following their oath, we can safely reach our destinations supported by fellow bikers.

“On my honor, I will do my best

To do my duty to God and my country, and to obey the Scout Law

To help other people at all times

To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight”

Maging laging handa!

We obey traffic rules, be helpful and be responsible for ourselves and our equipment.

Salamat Eli, RL Louie, sa mga marshals at sweepers at sa dalawang taga MAD sa tulong sa gulong.

Ibang larawan galing sa pahina ni Kris Kinesis

Journal of Articles riding with Tiklop Society of the Philippines TSP 1

Sneaking Marikina by Night in a Folding Bike 22 July 2022

Marikina should honor T3 Ride Leader Bongski Reyes, a homegrown Marikeňo for showcasing the lure, splendor, orderliness of the compact city at night to folding bikers while quietly sneaking around the city.

In the T3 Friday 1 July ride, he toured the group to the Northeast side of Marikina cycling the ups and downs of the well-paved and predominantly lit bike lanes of Concepcion Dos, Marikina Heights, Concepcion Uno. Fresh from a thunderstorm, it was a chill, cool ride giving us a glimpse of what Marikina residential area is like on Christmas.

This T3 22 July, he treated the 15 folding bikers mostly from Marikina with several others from neighboring cities to the other and a flatter side of the city.

The group's composition was predominantly the regulars to T3's night rides. After the general briefing on the route coverage and the destination, RL Bongski gave special attention to the newbies welcoming them and checking on their pace in keeping with the group through marshal and the sweeper. Ride out usually starts with a prayer led by Joseph to give thanks and to ask for protection.

Passing through Cainta via the F. Mariano Avenue backdoor from Q Plaza and Sta. Lucia, we were led to the Northwest side of the city.

Upon crossing the footbridge pushing our bikes at the dedicated railing, we landed at a different city, at Nicanor Reyes st. Marikina at Barangays Calumpang and San Roque. From there we passed at Barangay Santa Elena, site of the freedom park, city hall and public market. Two other joiners hooked up with the group at the freedom park.

Pass the stop light of A. Bonifacio st. the group was now at Barangay Sto. Nino to make a brief courtesy call to the owner of a bike resource Valley V. Bikes, an established supporter of folding bikes. From there, it was a fast trip to Barangay Malanday, Barangay Parang, Barangay Nangka, Barangay Marikina Heights, Barangay Concepcion Uno.

To complete the loop, RL exposed us to a variety of objects and places. We prepared a fruit salad passing through streets at Barangay Nangka named after fruits. At Barangay Parang, we went around the world. (though not directly covered, I remembered making a turn on streets named after local flowers making as biologists as well.) Returning to Barangay Malanday, we proceeded to Malaya st. to connect to a unique concept coffee shop and resto tucked at the side street of Mejia st.

Like the other night rides, given the infrastructure invested by the city on the roads, drainage, street markings, standardized street signs with barangays enjoyed by capable and enlightened bikers and reliable folding bikes (of different brands, models and now tire sizes) it was a brisk, safe comfortable ride. With Joel sweeping the string, everyone reached the destination without a strain.

Tuesday Night at the Fort TNF RL Pepe Daradal supported the ride acting as marshal keeping the herd intact and at the same time documenting the ride. We were glad too that Jaime Tan joined the group and is recovering physically from a previous mishap. His bike has been restored to running condition.

T3 that night not only promoted the city as a residential and business destination but a tourist attraction as well. The venue Birds and Beans is a unique concept food outlet with about thousands of collectibles spread around the space. While waiting for food, beverage, and coffee to be served, your attention is drawn to these objects triggering a conversation. But the novelty objects were no contest to topics more interesting to the group: folding bikes, rides, upgrades, innovations. Newbie for the night, Vince from BGC who came with RL Pepe surely learned a lot about biking technically and a feel of the TSP way.

RL Bongski and this fellow Marikeňo toured us guests to the possibilities of going around the city at night conveniently and safely in a folding bike. As it was generally a "konting pagpapawis" ride, it was a joyride of the various faces of Marikina by night. Upon crossing a footbridge, we were at the commercial area. After a few pedals we were in the public market and the seat of local government. Crossing the main street, we were in another cluster of residential area.

T3 is not only promoting the T3 night rides, but camaraderie tied together by a shared interest, fun in biking. In showing us around his city, sharing with us his biking playground of which he is well familiar with, Bongski and his friends are contributing to the cause of Tiklop, biking as a means of transpo and connecting to places and with people (in the 2 rides this July alone, I passed by 13 of the 16 Barangays of the city).

It is no wonder that even the health officials of Marikina sought his support and his passion for biking to promote good health and well-being to the citizens of the city for a DOH event of 31 July Sunday.

Habang pumapadyak at nakikita ang napakaraming kumukutitap na ilaw sa kayle ng Marikina, ramdam ang kasiyahan ng lahat.

Salamat muli. -- Riverpark ride out to start ride to other barangays of Marikina last 12 May in a collaboration ride of over 120 bikers. Bonski welcome at 7:21. Documentation courtesy of Kris Kinesis

https://youtu.be/S6jClxK0PBE

Shout out to Cofi, Nell, Joel, Toye, Weng, Yvonne, Joseph, Joseph and fellow bikers for encouraging me to write about the night rides and RL for allowing me to do a write up

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21 July 2022

It has been raining almost the entire Thursday morning 21 July planned schedule ride of TSP LSD. Midafternoon, the dark clouds cleared indicating fair weather late PM until the evening. Sometime about 4PM, RL posted a message of cancellation of the LSD Batasan ahon due to potentially inclement weather.

Yet as now entrenched in their Thursday routines, at least 7 persons were at the UP Sunken Garden for the regular lingguhan ride. I, Jonest, Gerry, C. Gregory, Glenn, Ray, and Herbert were at the usual meet up place. Celebrity biker Kris, known for his 30,000 kilometer plus solo biking long mileage joined later so did Joseph who followed from Pasig.

With no threats of rain, Herbert certified mahaRoute of Dahon Route Philippines designed a UP Diliman loop that would at least approximate the ups and downs of the declared LSD bike run.

The initial 7 that increased to 9 gamely went through 2 loops of the Diliman route going North, South then crossing to the science complex on the East side. There were even surprise turns at Juan Luna and Palaris sts.

Like the usual TSP rides, the participants came in their folding bikes, all Dahon installed with front and rear LED lights, participants protected by helmets. General directions were provided estimated to cover at least 8 kilometers by Herbert. Jonest, C. Gregory, Glenn and Kris all familiar with the campus provided inputs. The customary picture taking was done in front of the UP Alumni Hall.

Ride was a chill with no drizzle at all, comfortable at cool 26°C temperature and a slight breeze. As in the regular bike runs, there were lead packers and those taking their sweet time to catch up with the pack.

Ride ended at the Sunken Garden leading to a discussion on technicals. As Herbert was an advocate of Dahon Route, features and benefits of the durability, versatility of the model were given airtime.

No ride ends without meals and socials which was done at a food outlet along Maginhawa st. where group of 7 talked endlessly about the WET ride the night before, the prospects of restaging the Batasan Ahon ride and the plan to join the T3 Friday ride.

Before we knew it without noticing it was already past midnight. We thanked Batasan RL Jonest for being around despite the cancellation, Herbert for leading the Diliman run and the original Magnificent 7 who can be counted upon to keep the lingguhan ride a regularity. Before Kris left those headed for San Mateo, Commonwealth, Novaliches, Pasig and Cubao, this solo biker said, “Ang saya naman ng tropang ito. Ok na ako sa short group rides.”

There must be something about TSP group biking runs. Even the younger ones Ryan and Glenn who left after the loops are looking forward to the next ride. Gerry who has work commitments plans to be at the T3 send off.

Kitakits

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Last 15 July 2022, a day after the buck full moon showed up at the Quezon Memorial Circle during the Lingguhang Sikad ng Diliman, the Magnificent 7 completed in connecting the dots outlining the Saranggola of QC.

As it was just a small group with different backgrounds with a shared interest on biking, the group then strangers to each other now had something in common to discuss the next time around.

This 20 July Wednesday, at the W.E.T. Wednesday Evening Tagpuan ride of TSP, the 4 met again but this time mingling with about 20 other regulars riding repeatedly assembling at the Ortigas Park of Emerald Avenue of Ortigas Business Center. Glenn, Ray, Kris and I were welcomed warmly by the Ride Leader Ritchie Tulipat to run Metro Manila’s Southwest circuit taking Emerald Avenue, Shaw Boulevard, Gomezville, Arellano st. Marcos st., Mencias st., Zamora st., Ortega st., P. Guevarra st., New Panaderos, M. Roxas st., Lugawan sa Tejeros ending at the final destination Circuit Makati.

The 12-kilometer run drove the herd out of the business center to the well-paved dedicated bike lanes of Mandaluyong and San Juan to the side streets of Manila’s food strip ending at the Circuit Makati, a riverfront redevelopment project by Ayala Land on the site of the former Santa Ana racetrack.

To reach the former racetrack, we were treated to a series of ahons and lusongs of Barangay Addition Hills in Mandaluyong delighting mostly the regulars, challenging the newbies but providing thrill to everyone. As if the adventure was not enough, we backtracked again to double the thrill with Ride Leader Ritchie checking on everyone’s whereabouts acting multiple roles as a ride leader, marshal and at times a sweeper.

After the brief roller coaster ride, 1st timers to W.E.T. were viewing the sights and sounds of Manila like relaxed tourists spotting Manila’s version of food strip along Tejeros then finally awed at the modern structures and wide-open space of the circuit.

Looking for the area to settle and to gather for the group photo, we circled the circuit from the amphitheater to the interactive mural wall until finding the perfect parking for the group, an open parking space fronting the tented area at the corner of Theater and Riverfront Drives. With bikes well-secured in an enclosed area, food stalls open and a corner space exclusively for the bikers in a tented area, socializing was set.

Part of the tradition of TSP WET after meals was a program facilitated by an energetic master of ceremonies highlighted by the introduction of 1st time participants to WET. I, an oldie but a WET newbie, Vince C., a family man with a powerful light, an auto detailing specialist who has been biking with his wife and son, Vance, a bike to work newbie but now hooked to long distance biking and minutes later (after a song performance on stage of a WET regular displayed her singing talent with the live band to the delight of the bikers), Ray, a database architect who in previous LSD run disclosed trading his mountain bike for a folding bike completed the welcoming ceremony.

It was a night of a display of the might of the folding bikers traversing the business center of Pasig, to the main thoroughfare of Mandaluyong now associated as the city of those in power, the heritage residential area of Barangay Addition Hills to portions of the posh residential area of San Juan to the old city of Manila and finally, the commercially developed property in Makati beside the Pasig river.

The evening of 20 July where an army started and completed an organized ride was not only pure fun, a food feast and not only promoting biking but to quote from TSP’s mission, seeded a meaning beyond biking.

As Herbert of Dahon Route Philippines, a certified mahaRoute was leading the group back to North East of Metro Manila, I asked while pedaling and conversing how has this safe and fun ride added meaning to biking. As the group parted ways at the intersection of SM Megamall leaving a smaller of QC residents composed of Glenn, Ray, Greg, Kris and myself, I remembered some stories shared during the LSD socials last week.

We were in a company of a low-profile young biker making a statement on folding bike and over a 100-kilometer run. In the LSD ride and in this successfully completed WET ride, he has been actively documenting, tracking distances, capturing in a map the patterns of the route.

Kris Gozum popularly known in the social media as Kris Kinesis disclosed, he is a late bloomer biker and a late advocate of travelling. To his family, he is a discrete biker not disclosing his interest and passion for the recreation. He went through some lows in life for personal and professional reasons among them the havoc the pandemic Covid-19 caused him professionally and ethically.

During this time, with his folding Dahon bike keeping him company and sane, he opened himself to the possibilities of what lies ahead of him. First, he wanted to prove that folding bike can go beyond urban commuting, transporting, and marketing. Then he wanted to explore other areas of the Philippines which he denied himself since his childhood days.

Thus, began his over a 100-kilometer solo folding bike runs. Living with available resources and his planning skills, he did the Manila-Bicol ride in 8 days in March 2021. Retreating to his home province in Romblon with his mother, using a borrowed mountain bike, he did a Romblon, Romblon Island 100-kilometer loop done last May 4, 2022. That was the only time, his mother realized he was biking and was a disobedient child. Yet she accepted. He biked to coastal area Aurora-Baler in April 2022, looped the North Luzon from Manila to Region 2 (Nueva Vizcaya, Isabel, Cagayan) connecting to Region 1 (Ilocos) and to the highlands of the Cordilleras among others.

In his over 100-kilometer runs, Kris faced challenges he never experienced before, biking in the dark such as the threat of security, chased by dogs and 4 legged animals, technical difficulties, depleting resources, managing physical condition, looking for food and accommodation in an unexplored area.

Slowly after completing several hundreds of biking in a folding bike, it put him back on track but not completely. There are dreams still to be fulfilled, priorities to be placed.

Kris showed us the possibilities of life and the power of the enduring human spirit. His well-documented achievements which happened only in the last few months inspire us what can be done. Casually, during rides, he is paying it forward by documenting, video capturing, data recording TSP rides. Perhaps not consciously realizing it, Kris to me is a folding bike’s, Dahon’s brand ambassador. If the mountain or race bike can, the folding bike can. If I can, surely you can too.

To the bikers, it pushes us to probe, if it can be done, how can Kris help me break my own personal record? To the non-bikers, how can Kris help me push beyond my limits professionally, emotionally, academically? Kris and several other folding bikers are resources available to us within reach.

In QC, I asked how else I can put more meaning to organized biking. In the company of the WET bikers, inspired by fellow bikers’ newbies or seasoned and listening to Kris’ advocacy, I am beginning to see how we are helping make this world a better place.

Each of us has a story of tell regardless of its grandness. But it is our story that makes living exciting.

Sa paghihiwalay sa kanto ng Kamuning at Kamias, tanong ko kay Ray, “Ano kaya ang kwento natin ngayong gabi?” “Tignan natin ang kalalabasan,” sagot niya. Sabi naman ni Glenn, “Aabangan!”

RL Ritchie at sa iyong mga kasamahan, maraming salamat po. Hanggang sa susunod.

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The Magnificent 7 of the 14 July 2022 Thursday "Lingguhan Sikad sa Diliman" (LSD)

Matt, Ray, Glenn, Gerry, Chito, Kris K., Jonest.

A motley group with different backgrounds coming from different places gathered at the UP Diliman grounds past 6:30 PM in a dark roofed area at the sunken garden seeking protection from the drizzle.

The participants came in different models, makes of Dahon and Tern with a commonality, folding bikes. They showed up for various reasons but what was common was biking a chill ride with a group.

Yet despite a threat of stronger rain and the relatively small number of participants, ride leader proceeded with "Gawa tayo ng Saranggola" ride, an estimated 21-kilometer stretch that connects Hilaga (North), Silangan (East), Timog (South), Kanluran (West), QC’s major thoroughfare to create a saranggola, a kite.

Jonest, the ride leader fresh from his personal milestone, a long-haul ride from Baguio to Sagada led guiding the group to the streets to take. With a limited selection of participants, he appointed Kris as the sweeper. Kris is a seasoned biker who completed too the Baguio to Sagada bike run years ago. Starting with only 6, we were guided by imaginary marshals. At 7:25 PM, after the short drizzle, we rode out.

Pace was relatively relaxed. Ride was comfortable contributed mainly by the cold winds that usually come after a drizzle. Landscape was dark. Bikers using the bike lane flowing with our direction was sparse giving the impression that the dedicated bike lane of the N E S W route was exclusive to the 7.

Ending North Avenue which we successfully crossed taking a short narrow gravel trail, we were treated to a dramatic lighting of the Quezon Memorial Circle monument under a still fully illuminated buck full moon (day after 13 July) and a play of neon lights from the Suntrust Capitol Plaza towards the South. "Nasa ilalim ng puting ilaw, sa dilaw na buwan."

After a brief photo opp session, we headed towards Maginhawa st. reaching a food outlet serving Ilocano delicacies at about 9:20 PM still under fair weather condition.

At the post bike run dinner, we honored the ride leader by listening to his Sagada travails, perhaps his way of debriefing himself and destressing from his coaching profession. We too heard stories from Matt, Gerry, Ray, Kris, Glen from returning to biking, transitioning from mountain bike to a folding bike, routes taken, motivation for biking and anecdotes on LSD’s, T3’s, MAD’s memorable rides not discussed with others before. Even medical conditions were put on the table.

The benefit of a small group in a socials is a deepening of appreciation of the persons you are with. It did not matter whether this was the first or second interaction. What mattered was unique personal stories were shared.

After getting to know why biker’s join TSP folding bike’s run, we got to know better technical matters about choice of bicycles and other specialized stuff the seasoned ones are more than willing to contribute to the group such as Tern vs. Dahon, SUV, SUV touring bike, carriers, wheel set etc.

When the staff politely collected the plates, tables past 10:45, we knew we have overstayed. And we, this motley group with different backgrounds with a shared interest on biking, the magnificent 7 have something in common to discuss the next time around as we are no longer strangers to each other.

The kite has not yet flown that high but it has taken off. "Di pa matayog ang lipad, pero lumipad na!"

Thank you to the ride leader and to LSD for the preparation and guidance in making this happen.

 

March 29

The 8.7-kilometer folding bike night run spearheaded by M.A.D (Manila After Dark, a Manila based group of TSP) started at the Kartilya ng Katipunan, Bonifacio shrine beside the Manila City Hall ending at UP Diliman Sunken Garden.

Participated by quite a number (at least 35 at the Kartilya), route course led by Ride Leader Louie, the train of bikers passed through 3 LGU's main thoroughfares with established and respected bike lanes: Manila, San Juan and Quezon City.

To see a stretch of bikers on the road on a Monday night leisurely pedaling with white headlights and blinking red rear lights is quite an impression to both the riding and the walking public who spotted the run.

There truly is a large base of bikers already sharing the road with the 4-wheel vehicles and the pedestrians. You would hear shouts, "ang dami nila!" "ang liliit ng gulong at bisikleta!" Surely quite a strong force, biking is a viable mode of transport in the city.

The LGUs too should be glad that their well-paved, safely lit dedicated bike lanes are appreciated by the bikers on a recreational travel.

The bikers pedaling for fun, completing the course is fulfilling, validating good health, reliable equipment, instilling safety consciousness, good judgement and respect for each other's pace.

To the marshals who saw to our safety, correctness of turns and regulated pacing, thank you.

To fellow bikers, hard core, veterans, oldies, novice, millennials and to those who extended hellos, salamat.

To MAD, RL and organizers, taga pindot, maraming salamat.

 

24 March 2022

Sunken Garden to Greenfield Mandaluyong 11.5 kms

LSD organizers set the Thursday 24 March 2022 night ride from UP Sunken Garden Diliman QC to Greenfield Mandaluyong, an 11.5-kilometer stretch.

Route selected as announced by Ride Leader Jonest Obrique to destination is via Katipunan crossing Aurora Boulevard to White Plains, Greenmeadows, Ortigas Ave, Meralco Ave, Julia Vargas, San Miguel Ave crossing Shaw Boulevard to Mayflower st.

Leaving at 7:35 PM after briefing and a short prayer, destination was reached at 8:51 per Relive capture. Short stops were made at the corner of Katipunan and Boni Serrano (Petron Station) to meet up other bikers, Ortigas Avenue before turning left to Meralco Ave. Traffic lights were respected with some instances the traffic enforcers recognized the train of bikers.

RL braced the group for some surprises: along Katipunan to the Quirino Hospital and Meralco Ave which all successfully negotiated.

Weather was fine that evening. Vehicular traffic was relatively light.

Upon reaching the Greenfield Food Park, participants checked out the food stalls for meals and drinks milling around for short interactions.

The TSP safely led the group of about 20 to a light and hassle-free activity.

Salamat po.

 

July 3

How a 1st Timer Attendee is Appreciating and Making the Most of a TiGAs July 2022 UP Diliman

With so many attendees, initial behavior was ●Observing both people and the bikes

After which ●Listening to the highlights of June night rides from MAD, LSD and T3

●Milling around next for old acquaintances and new ones

Taking the chance to say an extended ●Thanking to those who welcomed riders like us to the night rides, Bongski of T3 for the Marikina ikot, Eli of MAD and Jonest of LSD for the Visayas run, Ric the moderator for posting my articles, Klaid for making us feel at home, Jayson and Gerry for seeing through our safe rides

In the company of fellow Dahon collector and a metallurgical masteral graduate of the host university ●Discussing technically the values of iconic models Boardwalk with JP and the model closest to Brompton standards, Dahon MU N360 with Joseph inspecting the actual bikes

Seriously ●Asking tips and ●Listening to a Boardwalk user and a long-distance biker, also a 1st time attendee to TiGAs on how to level up a current bike for better performance

●Connecting with TSP influencer Pio Fortuno on shared interest and soliciting ideas how else we can contribute to advance the mission of TSP

Ending the assembly ●Planning for the next ride or the next part to add for enhancement

Sa pagpadyak paalis, ●Organizing my thoughts on how to write this

Nabuo naman. Salamat po.

 

July 2 at 10:59 AM  ·

TSP. T3 the East Way under RL Bongski Reyes Friday 1 July 2022

Each TSP geographical unit follows the TSP way in night rides: helmets, lights, vaccination, lead, sweep, use of folding bike, set route regular weekly rides led by a ride leader among others. Influenced by a diverse composition of core and regular members and its location, each unit has its uniqueness. With a center in the Cainta/Marikina area, Marikina being one of the pioneering LGUs to set up a dedicated bike lane in the country, T3 Tagpuan sa Tropical Hut na Taga East weekly night ride sets an expectation unique from LSD and MAD. T3 is based in a valley with a location equipped with terrain and infrastructure enjoyable for biking. The valley is a gateway to challenging long rides popular among biking enthusiasts.

The biking playground of T3 has a well paved national highway Marilaque with a dedicated bike lane on the outer lane shared not with the motorists but with the pedestrians. As one enters the city, one bikes at smooth world class asphalted primary and secondary roads with bike lanes defined by white lines and cat’s eye making the lanes visible by night.

T3 is playground to its regulars mostly residents of the area and nearby cities sharing a strong common interest: passion for biking in a folding bike mostly Dahon and enjoying each other’s company whether in the meet up place, on the road and after bike socials. T3 puts special attention to safety citing the importance of quality helmet after a recent accident of a fellow biker where the helmet absorbed the impact more than the head

With a solid bonding core group, new and returning participants might feel a little alienated but T3 led by RL Bongski welcomed 1st timers like me to its core at the start felt until the closing socials.

Rained out by strong downpour about past 7PM, the open-air roofed facilities of Q Plaza in Cainta served as our temporary shelter until the weather improved. The rain did not deter the group from continuing the ride. From then on, it was a comfortable, safe, cool, dark and enjoyable ride with at 25°C only with passing clouds without the shower.

The Friday night ride technically sounded like a long ride covering several cities in the East: Pasig, Cainta, Antipolo and Marikina. From Marilague, we passed by barangays Mayamot and Masinag in Antipolo. Within Marikina, loop passed through several big barangays, Concepcion Dos, Marikina Heights until destination at Concepcion Uno. In actuality, It was as Bongski defined it, “Ikot Marikina lang tapos konti tambay at kwentuhan.” Ride was about an hour covering at least 22 kilometers mainly on flat terrain with a little ahon and lusong at General Ordonez Avenue and East Drive in Marikina Heights.

That Friday night ride showcased a ride that validates one’s passion for biking; riding in a reliable folding bike and seeing various models and speeds of folding Dahon bikes, a short, sweet and cool ride in Marikina’s well paved and lit bike lanes, a manageable company of about 15 bikers in one herd broken only at the Masinag Marilaque-Sumulong stop light and the fun, cordial, light company.

Evening was capped with a kwentuhan at Concepcion Uno with a filing full meal prepared by host Pastor to celebrate the July birthdays of bikers and friends. Surprise of the evening which I understand a tradition of T3 was the entertainment provided by of top-rated biker singers facilitated by Weng who belted songs that ranged from ballads to OPM to hard rock.

After Gerry, a fellow biker at LSD’s Philippine Loop Kyusi edition just a night ago expressed his thanks singing “Salamat” by the Dawn dedicated to the organizers, hosts, celebrants and with the threat of another strong rain, we said our thanks and biked our way out of Marikina to our respective homes.

I would have sung, “Sana maulit muli” but the threat of the rain was real.

Salamat TSP Salamat Tropang T3

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Meet up at Q Plaza in Cainta. Side road access to Marilague Highway towards Antipolo passing through 2 barangays, Masinag and Mayamot right to Hon B. Soliven Cainta linking after the bridge to Lilac st. Marikina Concepcion Dos to Panorama st. Marikina Heights to Concepcion Dos side street connecting to Lilac st. to General Ordonez Ave. to East Drive passing thru Liwasang Kalayaan to Katipunan to J. Molina st. to E. Santos st. Concepcion Uno

 

March 18 2022

Lingguhan Sikad sa Diliman. Thursday 6:30 PM 17 March 2022 organized by the Tiklop Society of the Philippines.

A night ride of folding bike bikers following an estimated 25-kilometer route starting and ending at the UP Diliman Bahay ng Alumni participated by 27 bikers (unofficial).

Participants rode in Dahon and Brompton bikes among others of different models and makes with a variety of accessories rode by a diverse age group mostly perhaps in their 30's and older coming from QC, Manila, Caloocan. Farthest I recalled was from Montalban, the closest from Katipunan.

Road Leader Shao disclosed the route close to 8 PM which will take the herd to CP Garcia, Katipunan, Luzon Ave. then sneak into Republic Ave, Sauyo exiting to Commonwealth Ave via Regalado Highway.

Navigating through Republic Ave at the narrow 2-lane Luzon Ave brought almost half of the participants to a standstill for about 20 minutes due to a monstrous traffic bottleneck.

Eventually the entire herd met up snaking its way around Republic Ave to Sauyo until De Leon st at Barangay Holy Spirit until the way out to Commonwealth Ave via Holy Spirit Drive.

Taking Quezon Memorial Circle, it was a leisure cool ride back to Bahay ng Alumni past 10:30 PM.

Heavy snacks (Jollibee Hotdog, ube pie, siopao, Come, Sprite) surprised the participants care of an organizer celebrating her birthday with the successful bikers.

The LSD put to test the Dahon Metro, Relive App Huawei phone and power bank and my stamina and presence of mind to keep with an over 20-kilometer ride at night in a herd in a new uncharted route. Survived also the hot spots swerving from the outer lane of Katipunan to the flyover to cross to Luzon Ave and the second half of the Quezon Memorial Circle crossing the intersections of North Ave, Quezon Ave, East Ave (Thanks to the marshal who saw that we crossed safely )

Riding in a folding bike was just sakto, not competitively speedy nor dragging slow. A 7-speed gear was sufficient to handle the sloping roads from Sauyo to De Leon streets.

Thank you TSP and for the stolen short talks with some participants. Especially for making the adventure enjoyable and safe.

#TSP

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Jonest Rovy Obrique led the LSD (Lingguhang Sikad sa Diliman) this memorable 30 last day of June 2022, resuming the weekly ride after a short hiatus.

Tagged as the Philippine Loop Kyusi edition, it brought the bikers in folding bikes to an estimated short and brief ride from UP Diliman Sunken Garden at about past 7PM Thursday to Dunkin’ at the Visayas Avenue. As previously posted and announced prior to the ride, it brought the initial 14 participants riding in different models, brands, genres, editions of folding bikes to Katipunan, Luzon, Congressional, Mindanao, Road 1 then to the destination. Leads, sweep and marshals were introduced.

Short and safe, it was a cool, well-paced ride navigating with minimal risk the Katipunan-Commonwealth swerve to the flyover and the left turn from Congressional to Mindanao Avenue.

Riding The Tiklop Society Way, the must protocols are inherent and in the DNA of the participants, whether old-timers, returning bikers or newbies. Helmets were worn, lights both front and back and even in the helmet were in place, masks were worn, traffic rules followed, bikers from the led to the sweep stuck to the dedicated bike lane

As a recognition to the donut outlets’ biker friendly policy, the lead chose a branch along Visayas as the destination. The group hung out beside a well-equipped bike repair station.  Stories were shared sipping coffee, biting pastries without holes at the al fresco setting.

True to TSP’s mission, it brought a relatively modest decent crowd that evening a venue to enjoy their bicycles in a safe route. That evening, different from the others I witnessed, interesting stories were shared like Jayson’s enduring biking and the a family of Bacolod Brompton riders disclosing interesting marketing trivia.

From the start to the end including the ride home, I was trailing behind Jayson appreciating his pace and hand signals. Only towards the end did I find out about his long-distance feats (Bicol, Mountain Province among others). Lodi!

On the way home I again trailed behind him appreciating how he ensured our ride safety in the tricky QC Elliptical Circle. Jayson reminded me to post a TD (touch down) which I did not. Perhaps this short article will do.

Salamat TSP, LSD. Hanggang sa susunod.