With the freak out moment I had last Saturday I wasn’t able to ride… that, and I didn’t wake up on time. So I went back to bed, fell asleep, and woke up at 7:30 A.M. Too late to join the regular weekend ride.

So I just decided to bring my tube to the vulcanizing shop to have it patched, made plans to buy a spare tube, spare patches, and a new tube of patch glue.

When I got home kid #2 reminded me of his older brother’s still-flat tire (huge rip at the corner of the tube and valve stem), and another trip to the vulcanizing shop was made. After finding out from them the tube needed replacing we both brought his bike to a friend’s bike shop.

There I purchased the necessary items: new tube for him, new spare tube for me, a new patch kit (no glue, it only comes with the kit), then he reminded me of his busted saddle so I bought him a new one.

While at the shop Enet dropped by after their morning ride.

When we got home I finally installed the old patched tube I had (saving the new one when I would really need it) and noticed the rim wasn’t aligned. Back to the shop for me, for some wheel truing…

It was 10:30 A.M., and I started sending out text messages to friends who might be able to come ride with me at this time. A message was sent to Frank.

“I know you still wanna ride. I’m about to go to Toto’s (bike shop owner) for some wheel truing then I’m gonna go out riding. Wanna come?”

He replied, letting me know he had family commitments.

Next, a message was sent to Rodel, “I know you didn’t ride this morning. I’m on my way to Toto’s to have my wheels trued, then let’s ride!” After a while I got a reply back.

“It’s already late. But I’ll be meeting a buyer for my wheelset at the police outpost. I’ll be there around 12:30 P.M.”

“OK, see you there,” I replied. Perfect timing, I thought. And I’m intent on convincing him to ride.

When I got there around 12:30 P.M. Rodel and the buyer were already there, in the middle of their deal.

Then the buyer looked at me, “Craw!” he said. I recognized him, have seen him around. So I say, “Hi, how are you?” then he introduces himself, “I’m Ryan,” and I did a double take.

“The one I exchanged PM’s with?” referring to PM’s on the Philippine Mountainbiking Forum. “Yeah,” so I laugh, “What are you doing here?!”

We were supposed to meet each other at around 9 A.M. at the Marikina River Banks, after I have brought my car to the repair shop in Quezon City. Around 7:30 A.M. I informed him via text message I won’t be able to go, since he was the one who offered to meet me when I was asking I was thinking he will push through to Timberland with or without me, so I didn’t think it was a big deal, and I was right. He just decided not to go.

While they were doing their deal I was convincing Rodel to join me for a quick ride around the Malipay trails. Thank God for the weather. Even at that time the sun was hidden behind some clouds, so he agreed. We were able to take off for the trailhead at around 1:30 P.M.

Around 2:15 P.M. we were at the local store inside the Malipay community, resting, drinking soda, and eating Boy Bawang. Then Rodel gets a call.

It seems the hub of the front tire he sold to Ryan had problems. So we decided to meet up with him again for the return of the goods (and cash).

After quite a long wait, rest, and conversations I invited them for 1 loop around the National Bilibid Prisons land reserve track (NBP). Rodel was hesitant due to the wheelset tied on his pack, but Ryan was game.

Since the exit of one half of the track would bring Rodel closer to his home he agreed to join us on that section’s run, then bailed out before Ryan and I started the other half.

When we finished the loop we said goodbye and I turned on my anti-social device: my iPod blasting out heavy rock ‘n roll for the way home.

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