Posts Tagged with: "Bike"

My new BF, my Shiv from Specialized, and I went on our first date last week. We dropped by All Terra for my first bike fit with him. There to greet me was owner, Edmund Mangaser, and Coach Andy Leuterio.

– with Edmund Mangaser of All Terra –

The Shiv was placed into the trainer while I changed into my bike shoes. Newbie me didn’t know that I should’ve come in biking attire. Whoops! Edmund told me that I was the first one he’d ever bike fit in casual clothes. Hey, there’s a first for everything, Edmund!

THE BIKE FIT PROCESS

1) Edmund measured my inseam. This gave him an idea what saddle height he would start me with.

2) Using a goniometer, he adjusted the saddle to a height that gave me a leg bent angle of 35 degrees of flexion. A height that wasn’t too high for newbies, but would still allow for good leg extension.

– Edmund measures the angle at which my legs bend –

– Edmund marks my legs with a pentel. Later that evening, I had dinner with my sister not realizing I still had those large moles on my legs! –

3) Edmund then adjusted the saddle fore/aft position. He adjusted my saddle forward to allow me to use my aero bars without bending too much from the waist. He also made sure that when the pedal is at 3 o’clock position, my legs can apply power to the pedals.

4) Next was saddle tilt. He simply positioned the saddle at a level position.

5) Lastly, he worked on the cockpit area. He made adjustments to the front end (handle bar/aero bars) to put me in aero position and to allow my arms to support my head weight well especially when I start assuming a tucked aero position.

– What do you mean I can’t do my bike-walk intervals at Ironman 70.3?! –

Beyond the bike fit, Edmund gave practical tips on biking which I greatly appreciated. He reminded me that the bike fit is a work-in-progress. It cannot be perfected in just one meeting. Ultimately, I must return every now and then to make adjustments as I progress.

Before leaving, Edmund revealed that we had actually worked together before. Confused, I asked where. He handed me a brochure for an ad I did one or two years ago. Turns out, he was the biker with me in the brochure. We never met because our shoots were done separately. Small world!

– Me (and my teeny-weeny waist. Thanks to photoshop and BDO!) and Edmund on the BDO Rewards Book –

All Terra
Branches:
G/F Club 650 Sports Center, Libis QC
638-2075
3/L Sports Loop, Robinsons Galleria
871-8529
Ortigas Home Depot (beside Secondwind), J. Vargas, Pasig
570-6618

There was a lot of work cut out for us this Labor Day holiday! Friends and I decided to head South for an easy brick session at Nuvali. (“Brick” is a bike then run training session.) It was to be my first brick this year (if you don’t count Tri United 1).

When we arrived at Evoliving Center, the parking lot was packed with bikers. No surprise that there were a lot of us today since it was a wonderful day for a ride.

– Me and Maricel Pangilinan. Anthony in the background busy tweeting –

– Fernando, Jun Cruz, Ton Gatmaitan, and Jake de Guzman –

– Team Tribe’s Ariel Arriola, TBRDM alumni and NYCM 2011 Finishers Gene Tamesis and Rico Manuel –

As we prepared to take off, my new boyfriend, the Shiv, and I got a little bit jittery as we’re still in the getting-to-know-you stage. I’m still adjusting to him and vice versa. (Wow, this Shiv of mine is pretty popular. So many people, mostly middle-aged men want to see or touch him. Good thing I’m not the jealous type. tsk tsk.)

Thankfully, the entire ride was smooth and safe for me despite my worries. It was actually an easy, fun, and scenic bike ride throughout Nuvali. The steep ascents were nerve wracking, but conquering them for the first time on a bike was an amazing experience. For a moment, I actually felt like I was “taming” the Shiv just as Coach Andy Leuterio had advised that I would.

We ran a quick 20 minute run under the intense heat. Half the time I was wondering why I put myself through all this, but a little part of me enjoyed all the suffering. Perfect way to commemorate Labor day I think!

As long as we fulfill our religious duties, we can use our free time this Holy Week to train, rest, and train. Well, that’s what I’ve done the past few days.

This morning, we got a good group together for a long 25k run that turned into a shorter 14k run. I felt ill at 12k and started walking. Despite my telling them to go ahead and run, they walked (and chatted) along with me for the last kilometer. That’s what running friends are for!

After the run, Adel—who asked me to bring my bike—adjusted it for me. With the bike seat much higher than I’m used to, they all proceeded to teach me how to mount and dismount properly without embarrassing myself. Now, that’s what triathlon friends are for!

– Adel, Bic, Jay, Jun, Mariel, and Jake all help to adjust my bike. Thank guys! –

– Adel and Jake teach me (with  much patience) how to mount and dismount –

Happy Easter to all. Shall I run or bike tomorrow? Hmm…

Biking for Dummies. That’s the book I need right now for two obvious reasons:

1) This February, my goal is to learn how to bike with cleats, and
2) I’m the dumbest person I know when it comes to biking.

My brain has the capacity to memorize pace and time for marathons, but it struggles to absorb any word or number associated with bikes, except for “Contessa” and “Shimano”. If it is pressured to recall any more than that, it goes into emergency mode and my brother-the-cyclist’s cellphone number automatically pops out in blinking red lights, much like the fire exit sign in a burning building.

As I’ve said, the magic word for the coming month is: cleats. I never knew that this 6-letter word could cause so much stress in my life. Every single time it’s been mentioned, whether at the community bike shop, over coffee with Jun (The Solemates), or at a dinner party with Team Hammer, my palms get all sweaty and my legs lock up. I am so incredibly afraid of falling off the bike if or when I forget to uncleat. Worse, I am so worried that when I do fall, I will break a bone in my body which will render me unable to run for months. I will die if that happens.

I’m an optimist and I pray it doesn’t happen, but who am I kidding? I don’t know anyone who hasn’t fallen off a bike while learning to ride with cleats. I bet in the mysterious and secret world of biking, one can only enter the 10-foot tall, well-guarded gates by revealing gaping wounds from cleating accidents. It is, as all bikers say, a rite of passage.

I was so fearful of cleats that I tried my best to delay using them for as long as possible. Remember that I got my Contessa in October? I had the convenient excuse of not riding it since I was training for New York Marathon. Then I was lucky enough to use the busy holiday excuse for December. While I was thinking of a new excuse for January, good friends from GranTrail bike shop decided to put an end to the charade. A couple of weeks ago, they surprised me with Shimano bike shoes and cleats! Overhwhelmed with joy (and fear), I texted Hans of GranTrail to thank him profusely for the gift, then I wiped the sweat off my face as I thought: “Crap, now I don’t have a reason NOT to learn how to use cleats anymore.”

– Thanks Hans & Cherie Co of GranTrail Cycles! –

Now, back to how I dumb I am. In excitement, in the car, I opened the Shimano box to fit the shoes. I ripped out the velcro from the first two straps, then I spotted the buckle for the shoe. I pulled it, flipped it around, attempted to yank it off, pressed here, then there and I realized after a few minutes that I didn’t know how to open the shoe. Told you I’m the dumbest person when it comes to bikes.

Who did I call to answer the dumbest question ever? Not Hans, of course, that would be too embarrassing. I called on my dearest Kuya first. He said his shoe was just velcro, so he had no clue. Argh. Next I called on a good friend Jay (Prometheus Cometh) who, much to my bad luck, had simple one-strap velcro tri shoes; he had no clue either. I swallowed my pride and texted Hans. No reply. Gawd, he must’ve showed the text to everyone at the bike shop before answering me. Fortunately, I was fetching my son at his best friend’s house, and BFF’s dad, Jamike, is a triathlete and friend. So, after three pathetic pleas for help from several people, Jamike was successful at solving the world’s dumbest bike issue simply by pressing a button. Voila! The bike shoe unfastened and was ready for my fitting!

So, here I am now with the bike all set up, the bike shoes fitted with its cleats, and my heart palpitating every single time I think of practicing. Thankfully, it’s just January 28; I have four more days before February. Lord, help me.

I met her for the first time a couple of days ago. She’s slim, fast, and beautiful. Looks like we’ll hit it off when we start training together after I return from NYC Marathon.

Meet Contessa…

– with Leroy, part-owner of The Brick Multisport Store, and my new bike –

I ordered the bike a month ago at the new multisport store, The Brick, at McKinley Hill. When I learned from Leroy and Noy that she arrived last week, I was nervous and excited at the same time. After months spinning at the gym, I can finally take off on the road. The thought of learning something new thrills me. It’s not that I’m leaving running behind, but I’m taking on new adventures to challenge my body and hopefully make me an even better, stronger runner.

For now, Contessa is parked at our living room. I stare at her every now and then resisting the urge to train outside with her. With NYC Marathon a little over a month from now, I am trying my best to avoid any little mishaps that may ruin my chances of running at my dream race. The thought of learning how to ride with cleats gives me butterflies in my tummy–much like the way I felt at my first 5k at Pinay In Action. Ack!

Contessa, see you more often after New York! I cannot wait.

Thanks to Noy Jopson and Leroy of The Brick.

The Brick Multi-Sport store is at Unit 1, Woodridge Apartments, McKinley Hill, Taguig City (across Venice Piazza, just at the bottom of that deadly hill we all dread at races!)

Open Mon to Sat, 7 am to 9 pm

For runners, The Brick offers the following:

• running apparel, shoes, gear and accessories
• treadmill for rent (P50 per 30 minutes)
• clean shower and locker for rent