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
----
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
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.
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