a quickie!

Rode Sta. Rosa today with Jay and Polly. After several months of not heading south, it would be interesting to see how the trails have changed.

Suffice to say, the first part of the trail ride has changed quite a lot. A subdivision development nearby has affected the topography of the first climbs. They're just as tough, but due to the earth-movers and trucks, it was very dusty. Think espasol. Yep, powder-fine dirt that not only compromised traction, but billowed in clouds every time.

One thing about riding in Sta. Rosa is the sheer amount of eye candy. I'm not talking about hot girls on bikes. But hot bikes. Turners, Santa Cruzs, Ellsworths, Yetis, Titus (what's the plural of Titus? hehe), Intenses...top shelf bikes with the latest components. Beautiful pieces of hardware!

We took off at around 7:30 and after the customary stop at the bukohan to regroup, Jay, Polly and myself headed out to blaze our own trail. Jay took us to "muddy trail", which was dry (thank God it's summer!). We rode that same trail during the wet season and it was a death march slog thru mud and ruts. Yukk.

Jay rode like a man possessed (Polly used the term "scorned"), ripping thru the singletrack and plantation trails. It was nice to tackle the course at speed and I did have a sideways moment where my rear wheel slipped sideways as I over-corrected for a rut. Go Magura HS33's! A quick squeeze on the rear brake and Spanky straightened up fine. They may be "vintage" but they are bombproof and have never let me down. I love my bike!

We wrapped up the ride a little after 10:00am, which is sort of like a personal best for our group. Can't wait to ride there again. Next time, master says faster!

P.S. Sorry no snaps. we were too busy riding fast!

baby shake your body do that conga

Well it's been two weeks with nary a post - that means it's been two weeks of no riding for me. Reason being I had to jet off to Miami, FL for Rodale's International Editorial Conference - publishers of Men's Health, Bicycling, and Mountain Bike magazines (ahem).

Stopped over at SFO airport for a while and grabbed a nice burrito, and snapped this pic:



SF airport MTB Police grabbing a quick cuppa. It may have been me but I swear I couldn't hear the bike approaching. Hmmm, guess they need to be all quiet like when sneaking up to perps.

Arrived in Miami and cabbed it to South Beach where I gawked at the plethora of beach cruisers! Was so tempted to rent one out but sadly didn't get too much free time.

BUT I did manage to find my way to Bell's Bicycles, which is run by Santiago, and he hooked me up with a sweet deal on a pair of Tifosi Dolomites. Just what the doctor ordered to replace my battered Rudy Projects.

So after a week of presentations, meetings, handshakes and cocktails, I'm back home. Jet-lag's gone and it's time to get some riding done!

Monkey on the loose

Here's a viddie of MTBRer Ty Englehardt popping some tricks on his Karate Monkey that only I can only dream of doing.

Guess it's time to start practicing!

my new bike

Well, this came as a surprise. She just bought me a bike! And it rocks! Here's why:

1) it's a single speed
2) lugged, steel frame
3) it's got funky bars
4) it's got a neat truss fork
5) comes with a rack and fenders
6) has a vintage saddle
7) comes complete with a bell, reflectors and front light
8) it's RED

Shorn with white tires too. Supergroovy.

Here's my new ride. It's currently parked at work :)



It's affectionately dubbed the Saigon Single Speed.

I love it.