racing is like an old girlfriend...

What’s this? Why am I wearing a team jersey (yes, that's me second from the left). The boys at All Terra somehow convinced me to join them in the San Mig Lite Philippine Mountain Bike Pro Tour 2006 (say that three times, fast). My first (and last) MTB race was the 55km Survival Race back in, oh, I think 1992? In other words, I ain't no racer. No training, no diet. So I'm in this for fun...well, as much fun as I can get riding the 2.2km track for 6 laps on my singlespeed!



I'm not the only SSer either, Matt has also joined on his Ti Airborne. So we have a good chat and laugh that we're assured of at least a top-two finish in our sub-category! So it's just me and Matt in a field of 30 or so riders, all the others riding tricked out bikes...with gears!!! CHEATS!!!

Before heading off to the starting line, I load my Deuter with water - everyone else has water bottles! I didn't want to take any chances, since we'll be racing at 1pm. I take my place at the tail end of the pack before the start signal, next to King (who's a strong rider, but doesn't race) and Gary aka FlipnIdaho, who quit racing 10 years ago - on the US NORBA circuit no doubt. He had these words of wisdom to share as to why he quit racing:

"Racing is like an old girlfriend...everytime I go back to her... I remember why I broke up with her to begin with"

Before the start, something dribbled down the back of my leg, and I took a peep inside my hydration pack to check if everything was in order. Looked OK to me...and the next thing I know, we were off...racing!



The course consisted of a short but grinding climb, a twisty bit of singletrack with a drop or two thrown in for good measure before you crest the top of the hill. From there it's a series of sweeping turns that end with a drop, a quick right turn, then a short riser that turns left.



From there you enter the "bowl" where more drops and risers await, and finally, a section I call the "double dip" two successive step-drops that lead into a tight right hand switchback. Once you're clear of there you power through the finish line and do everything all over, again.



By the second lap I had overtaken Matt, and leapfrogged a few more riders, including King and Gary, when they got stuck behind a fallen rider. The three of us ended up swapping positions. I didn't mind at all, since they are my team mates! By the third lap they were giving call-outs on our race positions, and I was currently 20th, which was the last position that earned points! The sun was beating down on us mercilessly, and our agape mouths sucked in the hot air. Bystanders and supporters alike were very helpful - if not cheering us on, splashing us with water. I made a conscious effort to stay hydrated as well. Good thing I brought the hydrapack.

I was behind King as we completed lap 3, when he unexpectedly headed for the pits. I asked him if he was OK as I cycled past, but didn't hear his reply - don't worry, he was OK! Team-mate Juboy was in hot pursuit of the lead rider, and they caught up with me at the short climb. I stopped and headed off the course to give them a wide berth, and took the opportunity to gulp a few mouthfuls down. As I bit down on the valve and sucked, all I got was air. I jiggled my pack and tried again. This time a few drops came through. How could that have happened? I press on, but my water situation was worrying me.

As I started lap 4 it was clear that my hydration pack was empty. I also started to develop chills - in the mid-day sun, that isn't a good sign! My legs felt ok, but I was parched and my concentration was on and off. Johnny (who was chasing Juboy) lapped me as my front wheel washed out in a sandy turn. As I cleared double-dip I decided to turn in. As I completed lap 4, I stopped at the tent and someone gave me something to drink - problem was, it wasn't the All Terra tent! I said thanks and joked, saying "laspag na ako - tuloy maling tent ang hinintuan". The All Terra tent was the next one, so there I went.

I explained to King what happened and as I opened my pack, it was clear to me what happened. The screw-cap was not fastened down all the way! To think I checked it at the start - guess I should have really inspected it, instead of just taking a peek.

So 4 laps out of 6, that ain't too bad I guess. Matt finished the race (big ups to him), and so did the rest of the All Terra team. Juboy was in a tight battle for the top spot, but had to settle for 2nd. Ramon came in 6th. Edmund and Gary even did an extra lap - thanks to sloppy marshalling!

Not sure about the final standings - I'm sure the official results will be out soon. Admittedly, I do feel a bit lugi, or shortchanged. If I didn't have that Janet Jackson-esque equipment malfunction, I would have done all six laps. At any rate, I still had fun...and I may still be in the top 20!

I finished 2nd in our colorum single-speed sub category though! HAHA!

But I can't help thinking of the "what ifs"...

Then again, there's no use crying over spilled water.

Thanks to Jay, Polly and Mrs. Matt for the photos!

i said half-links, not halflings!

Friday I took the day off to go on a nice ride with King, Fat-Tire (Owen), Alger and Bo (WCoastBo). Bo is visiting from California, where he rips up the trails on his single-speed. He brought home a bunch of SS-specific goodies like cogs and half-links. Half-links are used to overcome the need for a chain-tensioner. They let you shorten your chain in smaller increments...ugh, enough techno-babble!We took a trail that started in Muntinlupa, and eventually spat us out in Dasmarinas, Cavite. It was mostly flat, but still fun!

I tried to put the half-links on the Tingle but it didn’t quite work, so back went the Soulcraft tensioner. I ordered a 20T cog for use on the impending Karate Monkey, but I decided to give it to Andre, along with the half-links, so he can join the reboluSSyon!
Jay also ordered a half-link, and he was able to use it on his Hard Rock, due to a longer chain-stay. It looks clean without the tensioner now. Yay!

another ex is back

this time it's 'Nic. My old hardtail frame, an Azonic KZ-1, has been in All Terra waiting for the supremo, Edmund to build up into a singlespeed.

at least that was the initial plan. Looks like ol' Edmund had a flash of inspiration!

I handed my "custom" cro-mo fork (remember that one), and Edmund slapped on King's Gipiemme MTB wheels. Shimano STI road levers, drop bars, big fat slicks and this is what he ended up with:



It's surprisingly light, and yes, after riding it around the lot I was hit by nostalgia.

It's an excellent frame.

Strange, seems like 2006 is the year of the "return of the ex's"..both figuratively and literally.

gary and team all terra

Dan-dan, Ramon, King, Gary, Juboy, Jimmy (background), myself and Polly

Saturday was a ride in the hills of Maarat, for several good reasons:

1) Balikbayan biker Gary, from Idaho, is in town. Gary was a NORBA racer, and has a degree in framebuilding. He's been singlespeeding for 13 years now and owns a quiver of bikes. Some are vintage and hella unique, like his Slingshot. Don't let his looks deceive you, as he is a mountain goat! All-around nice guy, really low-key!

2) Polly is finally back in the saddle again after a month of working weekends, drinking and smoking too much! Hehe.

3) Riding with Team All Terra again. The last time I did this was in Sta Rosa. They're a fun group, but they are all strong riders. They rode up the wall - a 1.2km climb with switchbacks, while I waited for them at the top (yes, I took a car). But I plan to attack the wall on the singlespeed - especially since I saw another SSer go at it with 36x18 gearing!



Here's Mon and myself engaging in some tomfoolery before we hit the trail.

all photos by Gary :)

a ride with the ex

this weekend was a mixed bag of sorts - coz the ex joined me for a ride! Joey built up the Caballero late last Sunday, and yesterday was the "inaugural" ride. it's just strange seeing my frame and fork rolling again - to think Joey first bought the fork last month...I told him he should've taken the frame as well!

He's stoked with the ride - as I expected him to be. And he assured me he'll take good care of the Salsa.

At least she's in good hands. Just like the rest of my ex's!

Leeds is back in the saddle again as well, after 9 months!

On another note, Jay rode Sta Rosa earlier today with Dre, and he popped his Cherry. The Cherrybomb is a free-ride frame that's built to take a lot of abuse, and it was unfortunate that all it took was a lil bunnyhop to pop it:

A quote from his Buzznet



"I broke my cherry :(

was JRA (just riding along) when i jumped this transition that couldnt have been half a foot high.

i heard a SNAP! but couldnt figure out what it was... i saw this much later after the downhill.

the bolt sticking out in the pic was sheared in half. also the shock mount wich is the three silver things on top of the red knob aren't aligned anymore but sticking up. im surprised it didnt fly out in different directions with the spring pressure.

Waaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!"

Poor Jay! Then again, he's been casting lustful glances at a Santa Cruz Heckler of late...

she's gone

Bushwhacking. Good thing I was a man in tights.


Nothing like a post-ride PB&J crepe, and a machiatto.

The Caballero was sold today. Have to admit the price was not what I was hoping for, but my pal Joel was the one who bought it and I do get "visitation" rights, since we ride together often. Funny thing is, Joey bought the suspension fork that I had on it, sometime last month. So it was a bit eerie to see both frame and fork matched once again and rolling.

Glad to know she's in good hands, and that she'll be ridden well.

and best of all, my war chest is full. I think it's time to make arrangements for Hong Kong, to pickup the monkey!

This weekend was a busy one. Hit Sta Rosa yesterday and ended up guiding a San Mig Lite Enduro team through the trails. Had to push the pace a bit since these guys were fit! We all had fun though and they were a funny bunch. Got home then decided to bike to work to finish up some articles. Hmmm...

And today, after 9 months of not touching his bike, Leeds decides to ride! So it's back to Sta Rosa (trails are flowy so it's a good place to either try out mountain biking or for a refresher), and we ended up discovering a new trail network with some of the locals. Neat. Leeds' ride had horrible chainsuck and shifting problems (thanks to a worn XTR chainring), so we went to All Terra to have it checked. He needed a new crank so I offered to swap his old-school XTR ones with my used Truvativs (ex-Salsa). Had plans to refurb his XTR cranks for SS duty but it looks like too much trouble/expense. That's alright, I'd rather use a square taper BB/crankset anyway, rather than any other system...

the death star is fully operational

Slapped on the boone earlier today, along with my old Mavic Crosslinks from the Caballero(sniff). Been saving that wheelset for this purpose, and does it ride sweet. Near-silent operation when freewheeling means I can sneak up on other riders hehe.

This weekend is the true test though. On the dirt.

Time to ride!

one gear to rule them all

IT has arrived. the piece de resistance. the (hopefully) last piece of the titanium puzzle. the bee's knees, cat's pajamas. my precioussssssssss.

The Boone Titanium Cog will be put in it rightful place in my drivetrain this weekend. After a 4-month delay at that. But am not complaining. Each cog or chainring is meticulously machined by Mr. Brett Brown in his spare time. Can't rush art.

Damn this thing is sexy.