Goals and Struggles

Been suffering a lot biking. Enduring exhaustion, pain, and the difficulties of climbing hills.  But after that, I would look in the mirror and see the results of my efforts.

Which brings me to this lesson - There is no worthwhile goal that is not accompanied by a period of struggles. If anything is worth achieving there will always be obstacles and barriers to overcome.

Pateros to Pililla to Pateros

SM Taytay going to Antipolo

Going up Antipolo. A truck breaks down.

Mang Vic. The kind faith healer and Rizalista that I met while bicycling uphill.  If you are sick and doctors can seem to cure you, you can find him near the vicinity of National Food Authority. His group can even cure AIDS he said.

Cyclists know this place.

There is something melancholy and poetic about a solitary flowing machine, the soil, and the farm.

Piso nga ba? I haven't tried.

Loading up fuel for the return trip.  Sinigang the Baka.  This stuff is so good you will forget your name when you taste it.  But you have to go to Pililla.

On the way home.  Pililla going Tanay

Rest for a while at a farm in Morong.

Climb from Cardona to Binangonan. It is just a short climb but I've never been able to complete it during the three times I've passed by here. 

Perhaps it's because I am already spent everytime I pass here.  Or because it gets steeper and more difficult as you go up.

Finally home. Total distance 92 kilometers.

So who's bad?

Cycling Safety

There are seven types of road vehicles in the Philippines: bus, truck, car, jeepney, tricycle, motorcycle, and bicycle. Out of these seven, our favorite contraption, the bicycle, is the most vulnerable.

If the bicycle bumps into the other four wheeled vehicles, the bicycle rider is the loser because the other five vehicles have more balance. Four wheeled vehicles are also sturdier and the riders are shielded from impact by the vehicles while a bicycle rider's body is exposed.

When it comes to a motorcycle versus the bicycle, the motorcycle is bulkier and faster. So when impact happens the bicycle rider will lose because the other vehicle is harder and has the greater momentum.

But still the bicycle is a great invention. It is fun to ride and gives us many health benefits. Cycling is practically a cardiovascular exercise.

So how do we make ourselves safer while we are riding our bikes?

1. Always check that the brakes are working properly.

Your brakes are the most important safety equipment you have on your bike. Others may emphasize the importance of wearing a helmet, knee pads, and elbow pads. But the first rule of bicycle safety is to not to get hit. If ever you get hit by another vehicle it means that you messed up with your driving and you are now suffering it's consequence. It is either: you saw an approaching vehicle but you did not use your brakes, you pushed your luck and tried to beat a red traffic light, or you counter flowed on the other side of the road when you got no business of being there. Remember that sharing the road goes both ways.

2. Make sure that your bicycle is well lighted at night.

Again, I repeat, the first rule of bicycle safety is not to get hit. Having blinkers, a front light, and rear light will help other vehicles see you on the road so they can avoid you. I have often encountered other cyclist on the road without any light. You are cycling on the proper lane a bit fast at 20kph. You are confident that it is safe. And then suddenly you see this other cyclist who is supposed to be cycling on the other side of the road suddenly appear before you. Aside from countering the traffic, they don't have any lights.  If I wasn't alert, we could have crashed into each other.

It is always annoying when some people has no regard for other people's rights and safety.

3. Wear a helmet

If all other precaution fails your helmet will save you from some injuries. I only said some because even motorcyclist who wear good helmets still die from collisions. If the impact is very strong, your helmet will not save you. But still wearing a helmet is very important.

There are some accidents where collisions could not have been fatal if the rider is only wearing a head protection. There are times when a helmet would have been enough to cushion the impact of the rider's head hitting something and prevent more serious injuries.

I was one riding a street where there were so many trees with low hanging branches near the side of the road. I pedaled on thinking that the branches were well clear from my head. I was surprised when they scraped my helmet when I passed by. I would have gone home with some severe head scrapes if I were not wearing my helmet.

4. Don't be stubborn on the road

The cyclist favorite slogan is “Share the Road”. It means be considerate when a cyclist is using the road. Motorist should look out for them because they are very vulnerable and fragile. And cyclist have every right to be on the road and use roads because bicycles can be considered vehicles too.

But to be honest. When I was a newbie cyclist, I did not know what the heck that slogan means.

And so, it maybe a good mantra, but motorist, who are not also cyclist may not be aware and because of that, may not observe it.

Don't be stubborn on the road. If a motorist seem to be insisting to take a certain place on the road ahead of you, don't fight for it with your bicycle. Always assume that they are not aware of cyclist rights. Don't let your sense of entitlement, your pride get the best of you. Don't risk your body to just prove a point.

A bumped car can always be replaced but broken limbs and cracked head can never be.

5. Pray

Pray before you ride and while you ride. If there is a deity out there who looks after the welfare of human beings, you will gain his favor by praying.

If there is none, well, it doesn't hurt to pray just in case there is someone.