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The Bull Gets a Bike

Last Sunday, I dropped by my brothers’ place to pick up my new old bike.  One of my brothers unselfishly agreed to lend me his mountain bike so I could gradually dip my feet into the world of cycling.

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- My new hand-me-down bike -

I have three brothers.  And they have three bikes, if I’m not mistaken.  

The eldest brother was a cyclist in his 20s.  Having an 11 year age gap, I remember watching him in awe as a little girl every time he got ready to leave or returned from his cycling adventure wearing his cleats (which looked so high tech at that time).  I recall his tattered, overused logbook and how he tediously monitored his distance, time, and everything else in it.  He taught me that wearing the yellow jersey was the coolest thing in the Tour de France.  

One time, while on my way home to Makati riding our school bus along Marcos Highway in Antipolo, I was pleasantly surprised to see my Kuya waving from outside my window.  My bus mates suspiciously asked who it was I was smiling at.  And, I replied with pride “That’s my Kuya!”

My two other brothers enjoyed cycling too, but never got into it as seriously as the eldest.  It was the 2nd brother who lent me the mountain bike.  The 3rd was asleep (at noontime!) when I picked up the bike.

So, before they allowed me to bring home the bike, my two kuyas commanded me to test ride the bike.  I rode it up and down the driveway.  Okay, it looked like I passed that test.

Next, they demonstrated how to shift gears and how to reattach them should the gears fall off.  Easy peasy, I thought.

Lastly, they showed me how to remove the front wheel for transporting the bike.  Wait a minute, run that by me again.  They showed me a 2nd time and asked me to do it myself.  I did it twice.  Then, they told me to load the bike unto my car.  Such tough instructors, I tell you!

When all that was said and done, my eldest brother gave his final words of advise much like a nervous dad discussing the birds and the bees with his teener.  Spinning his hands in the air, he said “Don’t push down with your feet.  Focus on circular motions.”  Okay!  ”When you are about to climb up, shift your gears, take a deep breath, and push forward.” Got it.  Then he looked at the bike and said, this time like a mother giving her baby away for adoption, “I’m going to miss you!”

I felt pangs of guilt, but I knew that he knew his baby would be in good hands.  I will try to ride the bike at least once a week.  And, hopefully, I’ll enjoy it.  I’m sure not as much as I love running though.

Posted on 06.04.08 to 04 Gear & Product Reviews. Tags: , , . Subscribe to follow comments on this post. 24 comments. Add your thoughts or trackback from your own site.

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24 Responses to “The Bull Gets a Bike”

  1. AHA!!! cross training – he he he

    Hopefully it alleviates your shin problems.

    In fact, I’m also hoping for a hand me down to augment my workouts.

    Enjoy the ride!!!

    Idnod said on Jun 04 08 at 9:45 AM Reply

  2. The Bull Cyclist? Hehe

    Jed said on Jun 04 08 at 11:53 AM Reply

  3. The makings of a future triathlete :D

    backpacker said on Jun 04 08 at 11:58 AM Reply

  4. ibang thrill din ang cycling, you’ll see :) less painful on the joints unless sumemplang….btw, may mini-sprint triathlon sa alabang on june 15, baka gusto mo itesting ang bike hehehe:) (oops, same day as the mizuno run pala)

    Levy said on Jun 04 08 at 1:18 PM Reply

  5. you’ve already taken up swimming, you’re an award-winning runner, now a beginning cyclist… triathlete ka na! :)

    loonyrunner said on Jun 04 08 at 4:00 PM Reply

  6. ayan na!!!!!!!!!

    MAY KA-DATE NA SI SCARLETT KO!!!!

    marga said on Jun 04 08 at 4:09 PM Reply

  7. Your brother was describing how to pedal in circles compared to pedaling in squares. One of the best things you can buy to help you do that are clipless (SPD) pedals and shoes. I saw a new bike shop at President Ave. near McDo lang, you should check it out. Of course you should have a helmet. And then you’d want a camelbak. Oakleys would be nice. And those nice jerseys. And matching shorts. And a bike computer. And the list goes on and on…

    DATC said on Jun 04 08 at 4:33 PM Reply

  8. So…athletic juices runs in the blood. No wonder Anton shares the enthusiasm for sports.

    Tina said on Jun 04 08 at 5:01 PM Reply

  9. ms jaymie, get a copy of the may-june 2008 Action & Fitness Mag. read about the “5 tips for perfect bike fit” on page 90. if you are still interested to pursue your plan to run your 1st marathon, read also about “9 weeks to your first 42K’ on page 94. good luck!

    kingofpots said on Jun 04 08 at 9:34 PM Reply

  10. TBR! Oh yeah! This is it! Now, I think i have to get you in my new TRI team! interested?

    drew said on Jun 04 08 at 10:21 PM Reply

  11. Hot pink is cool too, for the maglia rosa in the Giro d’Italia. Or red polka dots, for the mountain climbers :)

    miraclecello said on Jun 04 08 at 11:24 PM Reply

  12. Idnod, I seriously think that running 6x a week kept me happy—but got me injured. I’m trying to incorporate swimming and biking into my already busy life. Wish me luck!

    Jed, the bull cyclist, the bull biker, the bull on wheels… :)

    Backpacker, triathlon after I’ve finished my first marathon. As to when those will be accomplished, hmmm let’s work on fully recovering from my injuries first.

    Levy, kahit sprint… not yet. I still have to work on biking and swimming.

    Loonyrunner, that’s what I hope to be in the far future!

    Marga, sige introduce natin sila soon.

    DATC, are you done now? Can i remove my hands from my ears? Ack, I don’t want to have a new reason to spend!

    Tina, my secret wish if for Anton to become a triathlete. I’m working on it without him knowing. haha

    KingofPots, thanks! I sure will.

    Drew, I have no problems with getting out there to run. But, for biking and swimming, I need a whole lot of motivation. When do you guys meet?

    Miraclecello, let’s just have those jerseys made for us to wear :)

    thebullrunner said on Jun 05 08 at 6:46 AM Reply

  13. sige ha! i’ll bike to your house one saturday or sunday or whenever. :D tapos bike tayo around your village going to alabang! or bf! i am soooo excited na! do you have a name for your bike na ba? haha

    marga said on Jun 05 08 at 8:16 AM Reply

  14. TRAP has a superkids program for young triathletes. It’s headed by coach rick reyes and coach ani de leon (who qualified for the kona ironman this year). you might want to enroll anton in the program :)

    Levy said on Jun 05 08 at 8:58 AM Reply

  15. Levy, when I heard about the superkids program I went up to Anton and asked him if he wanted to join. He answered “but mama I don’t even know how to bike and swim yet!” Oh yeah…forgot about that. We’re working on his swimming now. Biking maybe end of the year—if Santa gives him a bike for Christmas :)

    thebullrunner said on Jun 05 08 at 9:01 AM Reply

  16. hahaha, that was a good one. minsan yun ang problema, us parents are more excited than the kids when it comes to sports…well, good luck and get well soon, trail running and triathlon awaits the bullrunner

    Levy said on Jun 05 08 at 9:38 AM Reply

  17. Ah…cycling! It will be the next best thing to start after running! I must admit though, running is harder than cycling.

    George Thomas L. Bodegon said on Jun 05 08 at 7:14 PM Reply

  18. my oh my…. you also inspired me to run,,,, now i’m thinking of fixing my bike as well,,, hahaha,,, gaya gaya??? hihihi, nothing wrong with that… at least healthy!! good luck!! hehe.

    lugs said on Jun 06 08 at 6:04 AM Reply

  19. George, I started swimming first actually. Now it’s time to try the bike. Let’s see how I’ll like it.

    Lugs, it’s good you have a bike around waiting to be fixed! Takbo na sa bike shop! hehe

    thebullrunner said on Jun 06 08 at 6:56 AM Reply

  20. hi br, sobra ata haba ng stem mo.

    roadrat said on Jun 06 08 at 9:35 AM Reply

  21. When we bought Lucas and Diego their bikes and they biked with Jam it really looked fun. Buti na lang Lucas bike is big and I can use it so after years of not getting on one I tried his. In Vancouver Jam and I biked to take photos of our running path (see it on our blogs one day) and to my surprise I was able to bike 11 km. This may not sound long but after 25 years or so of not biking I was pleased. Hmmm… should I get one? Think will just borrow.

    Mayi said on Jun 07 08 at 8:36 AM Reply

  22. uy my new toy din! :-) MTB :-) wootwoot!

    got mine second hand and i named her (yes her cuz it’s pinkish). haven’t really rode on it kase alam mo na, cant squeeze in my schedule yet.

    basta, let’s bike together ni margaloo! masaya ‘to!

    bangggiay said on Jun 10 08 at 12:45 AM Reply

  23. banggi tara tara!!!! girls night out after girls bike out! wheeee!!!

    marga said on Jun 10 08 at 2:11 PM Reply

  24. off topic po pede magtanong san po kau makakabili ng rim hub and tire with the following spec:

    24 inches (diameter) x 4 inches (wide) – rims for bicycle
    or 24 inches (diameter) x 4 ¼ inches (wide) – rims for bicycle
    or 20 inches (diameter) x 4 inches (wide) – rims for bicycle
    or 20 inches (diameter) x 4 ¼ inches (wide) – rims for bicycle

    my email is kangaxx_18@yahoo.com

    thanks :D

    tom said on Aug 10 08 at 1:34 PM Reply

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