Blank is #BetterByBicycle

This weekend, my ride buddies, who also happened to be my students, seem to be busy with their academics, only one student joined me. Actually there was another one who confirmed to join but failed to show up because he woke up late. But that didn't discourage me from pushing the weekend ride, I always welcome change of plans. I had to change route because the student who joined me was taking it slow on the road. She got involved in a motorcycle accident a couple of years ago, it fractured her collarbone and for a while, she didn't ride a two wheeler out of fear. I was her class adviser then when the accident happened, the academic calendar had just ended, but I saw her a couple of times with her mother and sister.  I am aware of the suffering she went through from that accident. Back then, I thought she would take a break from schooling, I was happy to see her back after the summer break. I followed her pace to make sure that she stayed on the inner lane. It was probably the s...

My first recreational ride in 2025. I don’t really do this kind of rides since I am more focused on using bicycle for transportation. Recreational rides didn’t appeal to me because I dread the hilly roads and I don’t trust my stamina. But one of my resolutions this year is to intensify my campaign to embrace cycling culture, at least in my community. So I decided I should also embrace new things - outside my comfort zone. I invited my students to join me for a ride in Jalajala Rizal. Four of my fourth year students joined, two of them were first timers in doing a long ride. It was a 40 km ride (round trip) with moderate climbs. To a seasoned cyclist, it’s nothing, but for noobs and neophytes, it’s a big deal. I’m so proud of my students Over breakfast at Bikes & Breakfast , I learned a bit more about them and they learned a bit more about me. Life stuff that we don’t talk about in class since our lecture time can only accommodate discourse on theories. It feels good to talk about o...

One early morning, I woke up feeling restless,  I couldn’t go back to sleep so I pulled a book and tried to read. But I couldn’t focus so I took out my stereoscope and viewed some scenic reels. I ended up craving for nature. I thought to myself, I have a bike, I could be go there now. Just like that, I decided to have breakfast at Daranak Falls. I’ve been meaning to do a ride there, though I’ve always thought I’d do it with a group. The good thing about having a bicycle is it allows me to travel spontaneously. I should say though, that I’m also lucky to be living so close to nature -mountains, forests, rivers, falls and the lake, as it lets me act on spur of the moment wanderlusts. So I packed my bag and mounted my bike and set off to Daranak Falls. It was just a 10 km ride from my home, but it wasn’t easy. About 70 percent of the ride was ascent, 15 percent flat and 15 percent descent. I’m not a monster cyclist and I’m using a 5-speed internal gear hub so I’m not ashamed to say ...

I've been in Hoi An, Viet Nam quite a few times last year, that in my latest visit, I kinda got confident about going to places without using GPS. I'd always thought that I should slowly wean off my reliance on technology specially when going to places, like a real traveler. One of the things I do on a weekly basis whenever I'm in Hoi An is bringing organic waste to Hoi An Eco Hub ,  a community composting facility, which is about 5 km from where I was staying. I thought, I've been there many times so I should be able to go without using Google Maps. So yeah, I got too confident and went there completely relying on my mind map. But my memory betrayed me and halfway through my trip, I started to see unfamiliar landmarks. I got lost. Help Klook! I'm lost! Yes  I can still smile.   The good news was, Hoi An is a great place to get lost. The place is charming, friendly, safe, and most importantly, it has a strong cycling culture. I say that with conviction because even ...

Dangling Reflector given to me by Mia Kalyetista of Firefly Brigade / Explore Your City on a Bicycle   I have been in and out of Metro Manila  the past couple of weeks attending bicycle related events. I live about 35-40 km away from the venues and the roads to get there would require a lot of time and huge reservoir of stamina. I need to pass by Antipolo City, the terrain involves plenty and long uphill climb. Being a foldie user, I always utilize a bi-modal transportation whenever I travel to long distance destinations. So the drill would be, from the house, I ride to the bus or jeep station, fold my bike, alight at the bus / jeep terminal, unfold my bike, turn on my Strava, pin my destination in Google Maps, and ride away along with all types of automobiles on major thoroughfares in the city, inhaling all the smoke they spew from their belchers and praying that drivers would be considerate enough to yield to me when needed.  It's really tough being a bike commuter wit...

So today I was tasked to pick up the medical test result of my dad, and the diagnostic clinic was 9 km away from my home. I have already decided to use my bike but my mom insisted on taking the car because she finds it too far. And I told her, no it's not, I've done it before, I did longer rides. We argued for about a minute or two and in the end she gave up. I have always stood my ground in transport cycling, I know my body better so I know how far I can ride. I made it just in time before the clinic closed. It was a cloudy afternoon, and it's always my favorite weather to ride the bike. On my way back home, I thought of quantifying the economic benefits of cycling, because, let's face it, money talks. So the total distance of the round trip is 18.92 km, and this is what it would cost me if I took a car or the public transportation. Option A: Car - my car fuel consumption is about 12 km/L, and the current rate of gas where I fill up is Php56.65. That means round trip ...