First Ride of 2012

We started 2012 right by biking around UP.

12 B4 2012


My last 12 hours of 2011

1PM

2PM

3PM

4PM

5PM

6PM

7PM

8PM

9PM

10PM

11PM

12MN

HAPPY 2012 EVERYONE!!!

U.P. Picnic

Toge and Mongoks

Enjoying the last few days of 2011

Scoop and Eat


Margaux’s trying to eat breakfast on her own. from Jayem Abania on Vimeo.

Sendong

Last December 16, Mindanao was hit by Typhoon sendong that left 600+ dead and thousands homeless. My bike group (TSP) organized a charity ride to collect donations and bring it over to the dropoff center at Ateneo.

My share.

Loaded and ready to roll. (You gotta appreciate how spacious the back of a Hyundai Getz is.)

Met up with Mike and Haze at U.P. ahead of time and had quick dinner at R.O.C.

Noel Colet, playing Jewel Mische’s dad at Maria del Barrio, was there to too.

On their way to Ateneo.

Double A ride (Antipolo-Angono)

So many firsts in this ride:

First long ride with Tiklop Society of the Philippines
First long ride with Toge
First ride while raining
First time to see Hinulugang Taktak falls
First time to see Angono Petroglyphs
First time to eat a frog
First time to eat a cricket

Ride leader Ronx, showing us the hand signals.

First emergency stop, a couple of KMS after passing the Valley Golf gate. One of us got a flat tire. Good thing we have 2 bike mechanics with us.

Along Magsaysay Avenue.

Finally made it through our first checkpoint. Never been here so I was excited to see the falls.

I almost fell bringing Toge down to the falls. The view is worth it. Good thing you can’t smell the water from the photo.

Next stop, Ynares Center.

Antipolo Cathedral.

Toge and Harabas (Marlon the Bike Beautician’s Jetstream)

Another emergency stop due to a flat tire. We had a total of 5 flat tires and a derailed chain emergency throughout the ride.

The way to the Petroglyphs is between a long downhill ride. We actually enjoyed going down around 40KPH that we missed this. Paid the price by climbing up the hill back to the sign.

The only offroad part on this ride. Short but sweet. I’m glad to say that the Schwalbe Marathon Racer (20″1.5″) held nicely on the entire trail

To get to the Petroglyphs, you will need to pass through a short tunnel.

Sir Roy’s Tron Bike, a LED adorned Strida SD, lit the whole tunnel blue.

The light at the end of the tunnel.

The Petroglyphs, the oldest known work of art in the Philippines. Dating back to 3000 BC.

Rain and fog covered the nice view of the mountains and river.

The long way up.

Toge and the higantes (giants).

Our last checkpoint. Here you can order exotic foods like frogs and…..

crickey!

The restaurant is a tiklop (folding) bike friendly establishment.

Back to point A after 10 hours.

If you have a Runkeeper.com account, you may view the details by clicking on the map. Check out the sudden drop between KM31 and 33!

U.P. Lantern Parade

First time to see University of the Philippine’s annual lantern parade. Well, I wasn’t able to really see the entire parade since my bike club joined in it together with the UP Mountaineers.

We met at the “paper planes” waiting shed.

Striders leading the pack.

Every TSP ride is not complete without food. Here’s the class picture at Kabab Korner.

Toge

Meet Toge, A Dahon Jetstream P8.

Daddy’s Little Mechanic

The cutest mechanic ever.

First she aligns the front wheel.

Then moved on to inspect the frame

Finally she checked my pedals. Checking everything to ensure Daddy won’t get hurt riding.

Tribute to Nightcrawler

After getting Mongo, there isn’t room at our house for two 26″. Unfortunately, I have to let go of Nightcrawler and get a smaller folding bike. Here’s a collection of our adventure together.

Birth of Nightcrawler, Dahon Jack D24. I named this bike after the teleporting mutant because of the cobalt blue color.

Break-in ride with Biton and Ashley.

First time the quartet rode together.

At Sir JR’s place. Kamuning Road, QC.

Overpass at Quezon Avenue, QC.

With Pubik at UP Diliman, QC.

Almost all stock parts.

After some upgrades.

Nightcrawlers setup when riding around with Margaux.

Solo ride at UP.

At the 1st Bike Adventure Race, Clark Airfield, Pampanga.

At the Socobia bridge.

On the way to Kamikaze West Airfield

Group shot after the race. We were the only all-folding-bike team to join.

Tune-up at Junni’s after the adventure race.

Thursdate at UP.

Start of “2nd Araw ng Siklista” a 116KM bike ride around the 17 municipalities of Metro Manila.

Stop over at Manila.

Enjoyed a little program while resting.

Pinaglabanan Shrine, San Juan city.

Mandaluyong City.

Makati City.

Nightcrawler with CYCAD’s SAG vehicle at Paranaque City.

Laguna de Bay, Bicutan.

Taguig City

Libis, QC.

End of the ride at QC City Hall.

Last pic before we ride home.

Back at sir JR’s place.

After the Bike to Light ride, Camp Aguinaldo, QC.

Nightcrawler and Mongo

It fits perfectly in my Getz.

My last photo of Nightcrawler.
I will miss this bike for sure.

Mongo The Black Bike

Santa came early to see me this year. Alright, I demanded for it when I saw that this was available from my local bike shop (LBS).

Mongo is a 2012 Mongoose Fireball 26″ dirt jump bike.


Side by side with Nightcrawler, a Dahon Jack D24.

First upgrade, white Jagwire cables for both brakes and derailer

Replaced it’s short seatpost with a 350mm x 27.2 Raceface Ride.

At Nissan, Quezon Avenue

At the Delta area overpass

Break-in buddies.

At Glorious Bike Shop, the birthplace of all my bikes so far.

At Charlie’s Pritchon, along Kalayaan.

Merienda break at Stop Over Tummy, Panay Avenue corner Timog Avenue.

Like my Jack, it also fits nicely inside my car… sort of.

Netsuite Kiddie Party

It’s the time of the year again when Netsuite invites it’s employees kids together with the less fortunate’s to have an early Christmas celebration.

Daddy and Margaux with the big Christmas tree.

Mommy and Margaux with a bigger tree.

Mommy showed us her work area.

Jolibee was there.

As well as his cohorts.

The party was held on a half-furnished floor. Margaux had a blast exploring the unfinished area.

Margaux also enjoyed the view from the 27th floor of RCBC Tower.

She’s not afraid of heights…. yet.

After the party, we went to Resorts World to have a late lunch with some friends.

Bike to Light

Bike to light is a program to promote solar-powered bulbs. Cyclist’s were invited to participate on this campaign by delivering these from Camp Aguinaldo to San Juan. A short ride for a great advocacy.

Loot bags containing a complete solar-powered light bulb. Bikers will carry one of this to San Juan City Hall.

Ni Hao Davao!

OK, forget about the title, Davao is no way Chinese. I just couldn’t think of a clever title. ;) Every year, during Thanksgiving, we take a little vacation out of town. This year we went south.

We’re thankful for the good weather during our flight.

Touchdown at Davao International Airport

After checking-in the hotel, we had our lunch here. They said that this place was famous.

We then headed to the turtle sanctuary. While we didn’t saw any migrating sea turtles, this view is reward enough after the short hike.

We also visited the Davao National Museum to have some culture.

This is the reason why we had a vacation here.Well, at least for me. Crabs!!! Crabs all you can!

The next day, we went to Crocodile Park for our white river rafting.

The starting point was a hour and a half long ride via our jeepney from Crododile Park

The starting point

The paddlers

Our river guide.

After several rapids, we reached the part where we can have our lunch. Adobe with egg and fried fish fillet. Yummy!

Another calm part. We were then able to borrow our spotter’s kayak.

Finally reached the end of our 10KM river adventure.

All of our adventure were captured on film, via my own POV.

On the third day, we transferred to a more posh hotel, Davao Pearl Farm Island resort. We had to aboard a boat to get there.

The main island was superb. Truly relaxing. The staff are all friendly and courteous too.

The beach was awesome.

Margaux’s first time to see a chocolate chip starfish.

After we settled in, we went to, Malipano Island, the resort’s second island, for a swim.

At the Malipano Island.

We can’t believe that it’s already our time to go home.

At least we got a nice sunset to end our Davao vacation.

2nd Araw ng Siklista

Cycling Advocates’ (CYCAD) araw ng siklista is mass critical ride around all the 17 municipalities of Metro Manila. That’s a whopping 116km ride. It aims to raise awareness for bike-friendly roads and clean air. It starts from Quezon City up to Valenzuela then Navotas down to Malabon then Manila and so on….

Quick speech and briefing at QC Memorial Circle before riding out.

First stop at Malabon City Hall.

Next, we stopped at Manila for some short program for all the cyclists.

Getting here at San Juan was a bit of a challenge, thanks to it’s hilly terrain.

Passed through Mandaluyong roundabout.

Finally, a brief lunch break at Makati City.

No stop till Las Pinas. We weren’t able to catch up with the peloton. Here we are, resting beside the road and figuring out our Plan B.

CYCAD’s SAG Vehicle.

John and Pubik hopping on the SAG vehicle due to posing leg cramps.

Start of my solo ride, Laguna lake at Bicutan area.

Waiting for the others after an uphill at Taguig City.

Quick rest at Eastwood, Libis area.

At last, back to QC after almost a whole day of biking.

Certificate or recognition for completing the ride.

Amen!

1st Bike Adventure Race

My friends and I joined the 1st Bike Adventure Race at Clark Airfield, Pampanga. Imagine a team of four, on bikes, doing “Amazing Race” stuff.

While waiting for the race to begin.

First control point.

The names of the captains are found on the bodies of these aircrafts.

Next control point, find a certain tombstone and take note of the dog’s name buried underneath it.

Here, we were asked to carry a cup of water to a certain point just by using this handkerchief. Each one of us is only allowed to hold a corner of the handkerchief to lift the plastic cup. Teamwork was the key.

Trying to figure out where we are and how to get to Socobia bridge.

Mike rapelled from the bridge to get a stamp from this control point.

Haze’s tasked was to carry this sack of water on her head from point A to B and back. John, at the background, providing moral support for Haze.

Though we ran out of time to finish all 15 control points, we’re still glad that we were recognized for being the only all-folding-bikes team that joined.

Me, Rhecel and Margaux the day after the race. We stayed overnight at Fontana.

Biking with Margaux

Bought a Polisport baby bike seat so Margaux and I can ride together. I also got her a Lazer juvenile helmet.

At first, Margaux refused to wear her helmet. After a few tries, we discovered that the trick was to start moving immediately after putting it on. She got entertained with the motion and scenery so much that she forgot she is wearing one.

After 10KM. Looks like she had a great time to me.

Gone Biking

Here is what kept me busy the recent months

My first bike, a Dahon Jack D24. A full-sized 26″ folding bike being setup at the bike store. I named it “Nightcrawler” because it’s cobalt-blue color reminded of the teleporting mutant.

Nightcrawler’s break-in ride at U.P., together with Mike’s “Ashley” and Hazel’s “Biton”

Our first time to ride together at BGC. We have all Dahon’s possible wheel sizes Biton 16″, Pubik 20″, Ashley 24″ and Nightcrawler 26″.

Our bike group’s first Mass Critical Ride: Livestrong Ride 2011. We stopped here, to take photos of landing planes.

What I took using my phone.

Margaux’s Bubble Time


Margaux’s Bubble Time from Jayem Abania on Vimeo.

How old is Margaux?


How old is Margaux? from Jayem Abania on Vimeo.

Hu…waaan…. Haha

Mark and Marvie’s Wedding

Animated WACKY shots at Mark and Marvie’s Wedding

Activity Toy

While other family restaurants provide crayons and pieces of paper to entertain their young guests, at Five Cows, they bring activity toys. Margaux enjoyed playing with it. This is surely a nice touch. We’ll definitely dine here again.

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Carousel

Whenever we are at Trinoma, this carousel never fails in catching Margaux’s attention. She’d always point at the carousel’s bright revolving lights and go “oooh”. Today, she finally rode it with mommy.

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Margaux and the iPad


Margaux unlocks an iPad from Jayem Abania on Vimeo.

At 16 months old, Margaux can easily unlock an iPad and iPhone. She learned this by herself. Good girl!