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.

QC Repair Bike Stations

14 April 2022 on a Holy Thursday, I was biking from MOA in Pasay to QC. I witnessed how the commuters were stuck at EDSA because of the breakdown in transpo system. No public rides were available for the exodus after work of the public mainly the working group.

Thousands of commuters spilled on the highway to be able to spot 1st available transpo legal or illegal just to be able to get home

Due to the sheer number, the dedicated bike lane was no longer respected. This diverted me to a drainage cover somewhere at Megamall trapping and deflating my rear tire.

I had to look for a gas station to check on the air walking. From Megamall, the nearest one was the Shell Station at Ortigas. Failed to inflate, I walked back to EDSA and planned to walk all the way to Murphy to look for a vulcanizing shop.

Luckily, there was a good Samaritan biking from his working place in Pasig going home to San Juan who spotted me near Meralco stopped and offered to patch my interior. That put me back on the bike to pedal.

I was not aware then of the bike repair stations along EDSA. In reciprocation for the good deed extended to me, sparing me too from being stranded like the thousand commuters that day, I thought I’d draw up a list of the bike repair stations, inspect their tools and publicize for my handful of links to appreciate.

Here is the list arranged geographically from my perspective. Someday, this will be helpful to some.

North

1. SM North Tower Bike Parking Area North Avenue Barangay Sto. Cristo QC

2. MMDA Motorcycle Bicycle Repair Station at EDSA corner Quezon Boulevard Barangay West Triangle QC Trinoma side

3. De 'Ja Brew Coffee Shop 118 Matahimik st. Barangay Teachers Village QC

4. Dunkin Donut Drive Thru Visayas Avenue Barangay Vasra QC

5. EDSA corner Kamias Barangay East Kamias QC

6. Araneta Coliseum South Gate 3/F Bike Parking Barangay Socorro Cubao QC

7. EDSA corner P. Tuazon Barangay San Roque Cubao QC

8. 15th Avenue Barangay San Roque Cubao QC

9. Malvar st. corner F. Castillo Barangay Bagumbuhay Project 4 QC

10. Hi-Top Supermarket Aurora Blvd corner F. Castillo st. Barangay Bagumbuhay Project 4 QC

11. Tindalo st. corner Anonas st. Barangay Quirino 3-A QC (behind fire truck)

12. P. Tuazon Blvd near 21st Ave Barangay Tagumpay Project 4 QC (in front of Watson's)

13. KJ st. corner K10th st. Barangay East Kamias QC

14. Caltex Station Kamias Road corner Anonas st. Barangay East Kamias QC

15. Villa Beatriz st corner Commonwealth Avenue Barangay Matandang Balara QC

16. Don Antonio Heights Commonwealth Ave Barangay Holy Spirit QC

17. Microtel Hotel UP-Ayala Technohub Commonwealth Ave Barangay UP Campus QC

East

1. Katipunan Avenue corner Aurora Boulevard Barangay Loyola Heights QC
2. Katipunan Ave corner Park 9 Alley beside Regis Center Barangay Loyola Heights QC
3. UP Town Katipunan Avenue Barangay UP Campus QC
4. C5 Katipunan Avenue Barangay Pansol QC (in front of UP Town)
5. C5 Katipunan Avenue Barangay Pansol QC (in front of MWSS)
6. Kaingin 1 Barangay Pansol QC (from MWSS going to Barangay Tumana Marikina)
7. Petron Station Commonwealth Avenue Barangay Matandang Balara QC (beside Toyota)
8. Feria st corner Commonwealth Avenue Barangay Matandang Balara QC
9. Robinsons Metro East Bike Parking Area Marcos Highway Barangay De La Paz Pasig
10. SM Marikina Side Bike Parking Marcos Highway Barangay Calumpang Marikina
11. Decathlon Masinag Bike Parking G/F Marcos Highway Barangay Mayamot Antipolo

South

1. EDSA corner Ortigas Avenue Barangay Ugong Norte QC
2. People Power Monument EDSA corner White Plains Avenue Barangay Camp Aguinaldo QC
3. EDSA corner Santolan Avenue Barangay Camp Aguinaldo QC
4. Giraffe st. Green Meadows Barangay Ugong Norte QC
5. EDSA corner P. Tuazon Barangay San Roque Cubao QC
6. Petron Station 337 Katipunan Avenue corner Boni Serrano Avenue Barangay Bayanihan QC
7. FVR Road Barangay Blue Ridge-B Libis QC (near Blue Ridge-B gate towards Twin Peak Drive)
8. Eulogio Rodriguez Avenue Jr. Avenue Petron Station Barangay Bagumbayan QC (in front of Padre Pio Church entrance near Calle Industria)
9. Shell Station St. Ignatius Katipunan Avenue Barangay St. Ignatius QC

West

1. Dunkin Donut Drive Thru Timog Avenue corner 11th Jamboree Barangay Sacred Heart QC

Bayang Pinapangarap

 Arts is a powerful medium to draw out sentiments, thoughts and feelings unexpressed. Works of arts capture and document moments in history communicate social insights

Bayang Pinapangarap as an excellently crafted art form draws it out for you either arousing or making you angry, sad, cry and resigned, passively resisting, moving forward or progressing to the next level

In song and dance, the presentation flashes back to the 124 years of fighting for sovereignty as first envisioned by Apolinario Mabini transitioning to different rules where true independence was never achieved and autonomy challenged up til now

Arman Ferrer's “Salamin ng Buhay ko” dramatizes the divided disparity. Bullet Dimas assures us that no love is as heroic as love for the country in “Aling Pagibig pa?”. Bituin Escalante's "Bayan kong Pangarap" challenges us on the distorted new norm reminding us to hold on for the truth to surface to realize our collective dream

Bayang Pinapangarap tells us who are tired and have given up that the struggle never stops banking on the youth to take over in the fight for sovereignty.  What will free us truly is founded on the truth

Our strong sense of patriotism and nationalism "O Bayan ko” will make us rise up and that we can. What next to do in this continuing struggle lies too in our own hands

Tuloy ba or tigil na? Time is running out

Galing ng tropa nina Maestro Ryan at Floy Q.

This 12 June 2022, the awakened ones were at the Metropolitan while the rest seeking for necessities were at the dolomite beach; 14M were indoors, 31M at the outdoors

Invest 2 hours up to 7PM only today 13 June 2022

https://fb.watch/dCyyaRztd-/

#bayangpinapangarap

Poem Mother from the movie "Slam"

What if Tapat will not prevail?

Bracing myself by appreciating a poem by Slam poet Candy Royalle

Mother by Australian spoken word writer and artist Candy Royalle as performed in the movie “Slam” about a Palestinian poetry performer living in Australia who went missing suspected to be an Islamic extremist

Featured in CinemaWorld, nominated for Best Director and Grand Prize 2018 Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival

Mother they will not make me forget

They cannot silence this tongue

These stories from your womb to my mouth

Your fears and your strengths

I carry your cells in my particles

Your atoms in my blood

I am made of you mother

You and your displacement

Because men gather stripping people of earth beneath

Feet not caring the dirt is sacred

Dirt beneath nails magic from which olive trees flourish

Fruit oil thick and golden pouring across

Invaders

As they push back the line

Men to make innocent guilty

As though we made our own genocide, mother

They push back the line

Bulldozers rifles missiles white phosphorus massacres and mass graves

They push back the line, mother

Imprisoning the young so they will never grow into warriors

Stones in their hands to stones in our shoes

They sink quick in the sorrows of we who mourn them, mother

They will not make me forget

They cannot silence this tongue

These stories from your womb to my mouth

Interpretation from the movie https://youtu.be/IiWwhij23QM

 

Slam review https://youtu.be/9CtA5g6QGgk

Schedule https://cinemaworld.asia/movie/slam/

- - -

Translated to Filipino by Google Translate

https://youtu.be/IiWwhij23QM

Ina hindi nila ako makakalimutan

Hindi nila maaaring patahimikin ang dila na ito

Ang mga kwentong ito mula sa iyong sinapupunan hanggang sa aking bibig

Ang iyong mga takot at ang iyong mga lakas

Dinadala ko ang iyong mga cell sa aking mga particle

Ang iyong mga atomo sa aking dugo

Ako ay ginawa ng iyong ina

Ikaw at ang iyong displacement

Dahil ang mga tao ay nagtitipon ng paghuhubad ng mga tao sa ilalim ng lupa

Walang pakialam ang paa

Ang dumi ay sagrado

Dumi sa ilalim ng mga kuko

Salamangka kung saan umuunlad ang mga puno ng olibo

Fruit oil makapal at gintong pagbuhos

Mga mananalakay

Habang tinutulak nila pabalik ang linya

Mga lalaki na gumawa ng inosente na nagkasala

Para bang gumawa tayo ng sarili nating genocide, nanay

Ibinalik nila ang linya

Bulldozers rifles missiles white phosphorus massacres at mass graves

Ibinalik nila ang linya, ina

Ikinulong ang mga kabataan upang hindi na sila maging mandirigma

Mga bato sa kanilang mga kamay sa mga bato sa aming mga sapatos

Mabilis silang nahuhulog sa kalungkutan naming nagdadalamhati sa kanila ina

Hindi nila ako makakalimutan

Hindi nila maaaring patahimikin ang dila na ito

Ang mga kwentong ito mula sa iyong sinapupunan hanggang sa aking bibig

 

Bike me to church. Bosoboso Nuestra Senora dela Annunciata

 Whenever we bike, we would set as target destination the Catholic Church.

The physical structure of the edifice tells the era, and the influence. Activities in the vicinity indicate the devotion of the townsfolks to their faith. Marker narrates the church’s historical heritage.

Pedaling about 30 kilometers from Quezon City to the Old Sitio of Bosoboso in Barangay San Jose Antipolo City in a long stretch of ahon and lusong (ascent and descent) for 3 hours, we discovered a quaint beautiful church with historical significance, Nuestra Señora dela Annunciates

Located at a remote mountain range about 3 kilometers from the Marikina-Laguna-Infanta highway, (Marilaque Road), it was built circa 1700 by the Jesuits. Expelled, it was turned over to the Recollect. In 1880, it was destroyed by an earthquake. In 1930, the local folks abandoned the place to give way to a construction of a dam which was eventually abandoned. During the Japanese war in 1943, it was razed by fire restored only in 1993 by the initiative of the residents.

In February 10 2019, the heart relic of St, Camillus de Lellis, patron saint of doctors, health workers and the sick was brought to the parish. Nuestra Senora dela Annuciata is part of the Diocese of Antipolo. (The Camillian fathers operate a seminary in my barangay where I would hear mass outside the gate seeking protection from COVID-19 during the lockdown.)

Today, Old Sitio Bosoboso stands as a sitio with a low population density unlike the other barangays near Antipolo City. I pray that it remains that way, in a quiet and isolated place conducive to escape from the complicated life in the metropolis.

Thankful that I discovered Nuestra Senora, grateful for good health to still bike long distance, I seeded a prayer of gratitude for continued protection.

Returning back home with better familiarity of the terrain, good control on the handle bar, better feel of the gear shifting, stronger and higher level of confidence, we breezed through the ahon and enjoyable lusong.

With the help of 2 young bikers residents of the ace going to Cogeo who offered to pace us, the return was not as difficult. At several points, they were there patiently waiting for us to pass through making our ride back light and pleasant.

Nuestra and St. Camillius quickly answered our prayers.

Bosoboso Bike Run

On a whim Thursday on April Fools day 2022, I was invited to a bike run up to Blue Mountain in Barangay Bagong Nayon Antipolo from QC.

On impulse, we decided to bike all the way East where our stamina and equipment can bring us. A risk for us who have not biked that way before.

I recall our young bike techs who would tune and repair our bikes in Marikina citing every time Bosoboso as a biking destination as if daring us.

That perhaps influenced the whim. We reached Bosoboso and went beyond the convention center. We aimed for a historical landmark, the church which was merely an imagined target. Yet we made it and back without any advanced information and tips except from what the bike techs narrated to us.

At home, needing to know more about what we accomplished, led me to DrewTV’s channel on YouTube featuring his Bosoboso church solo trek.

I enjoyed his coverage. He shows the route from start to finish capturing it in his high definition camera. Broadcast on a HD home theater, it shows in detail the video and audio of the ride from his GoPro camera held stretched in his left arm or from his vest or his handlebar. He talks to you from a perspective of a newbie explorer with a sense of wonder where his plan will bring him “paahon na tayo guys!”. He addresses the newbies giving ratings and recommendations. He is candid, casual and honest about the difficulty of the ahon and lusong “maiksi lang ang recovery” “tumukod tayo” “budol itong ride na ito”. He is fact based “nakaka ilang kilometro na tayo guys” “hingal hingal”.

As an IT practitioner, he maps its out, times it and documents it (in a separate app).

He documents to share the joy of biking to newbies to his Marikina co-bikers and to his social-media fan base, I being a new convert.

Peter Andrew F. knows how to appreciate the outdoors. Count the number of times he says, “ang ganda ng view dito guys.” He enjoys the discovery and the thrill of completion. That perhaps is his appeal, narrating what he likes doing with a sense of wonder, honesty and joy taking pride that he starts from his residence in Marikina.

His Bosoboso feature led me to view all of his other 2020 and 2021 runs which I hope to cover too (North of Metro Manila only).

But his local feature ended in 2022 as we now see him covering in more expensive bike and clothing equipment, in more developed roads in Europe though quite familiar to me but certainly not my home.

Still appreciated though but different when he starts it with the usual, “naguumpisa ako sa aking bahay sa Marikina” and ending it with “dito na po magtatapos ang vlog ko sa bahay ko sa Marikina.”

This comment is long but this is my way of saying, “Salamat. May mga bago akong pupuntahan. At pinadali mo ang aking pananaliksik in high definition sound and color.”

Notes sinulat ng naulan na Martes 5 April sa Kenny Rogers

Nuestra Señora dela Annunciata Church https://youtu.be/RB7QdANvgpQ

Sierra Madre Loop

https://youtu.be/En7RcMdTK-M

 

Coureur. CinemaWorld Movie

On CinemaWorld Coureur, a Belgian film about a teenage boy aspiring to win a race like his father confronting personal relationship and the conduct of a cycling competition

Reveals the substances, behaviours, diet, laboratory tests, techniques, coaching styles, selections happening in a training of young European athletes aspiring to be professional champion cyclists

"When you are just starting to bike, you feel every stroke of the pedal, every pebble, every pothole, every bend until at some point, you won't feel anything anymore"

Entry in the 2019 Rotterdam International Film Festival

https://cinemaworld.asia/movie/coureur/

https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/366496/