Bike ride: kissed the dirt and I liked it...not really.

With availability of WAHOO fitness (WF) app for android phones future "bike ride" articles will again have map data uploaded to Strava. The WF app records your workout via GPS and optional functions via specific WF gadgets like heart rate monitor, cadence sensor, bike computers etc. The best feature of WF is it does not have to connect to your phone carrier mobile internet data to record activities/workouts. It only requires the user to enable the phone GPS which is free. After each activity you now have the option to export files on your favorite tracking app like Strava, mapmyride, etc.

Ride a typical PATW to nearby (8km one way) Heroes Bike park. I do not know what the temperature is that day but it was hot the trail was also dusty. For those not familiar with Heroes it is around half a kilometer worth of man made trail. Comprised of Three sectors which test various degrees of bike handling skills. Sector one the entrance with easy sweeping berms and couple of switch backs with the steepest climb around. Sector two pump-track section, while sector three the rooted fast sections. The best thing about Heroes layout is that you can custom link sectors that can be accessed via adjacent fire road.

Bike ride: SS does errands and gets new accessories installed

SS beater now ready to haul

The heat killer only had 2 hours of sleep and I have to fetch my son report card in Malate. Also did the laundry yesterday and my back killing me contemplated in using my car but somehow did not succumbed to convenience. Now the only thing I have to decide is which Bike should I use? The EL Camino or the SS?

Lancer SL 1980

My 1980 Mitsubishi Lancer SL been with my family since 1981. Retirement CAR of my grandfather he owned the car till 97 when he passed away. The car was left sitting until my mom got rid of her 1st car a 1983 Corolla SR5...

The story
It is around 130 am here I still have 30 minutes left to kill before the re-run of Pawnstar. While doing my usual internet rounds decided to visit JNC (japanese nostalgic car) website when my primary hobby was 80's japanese cars  I used to frequent JNC but now that I moved-on to other hobbies I seldom visit the site. 

Browsing older articles I stumbled upon this Mitsubishi Article JNC (MMC) hired a journalist to find "diehard" Mitsubishi owners. Reading the article I cant help but get that feeling of nostalgia. From all the memories that till now I continue to share with my Lancer from the very 1st time I started her up while cleaning my mom Junk toyota SR5 which is also a nice 80's car, that time when my beloved Lola Pura would ride along with me; my brother and my cousin Genny to palengke and family reunion's, riding home from the hospital with my son for the very first time, not to mention the ton of memorable road-trips from my College days.

Even now that I barely use the old girl I still look forward to the time when I would start her up, roll her out of the garage and go about driving.

1980 Mitsubishi Lancer SL

PapaHamster Bike vids

From a catchy song to bike trials by two of the best in the biz, awesome commentary from equally impressive downhill run, plus Oldschool Freeride goodness from the man himself enjoy!

Sons of Science "Motherf*cking bike"

Chris Akrigg "FIVE"

Danny Hart Champery 2011 (commentary booth)

Martyn Ashton "Road bike party"

Josh Bender NWD2 (f*cking nuts!)

PapaHamster Hobby Thursdays

PapaHamster here changing "Diecast Thursdays" into "Hobby Thursday" expanding coverage of future features which will include Happy Meal toys, TV/movie toys, and fishing (Soon). Also stay tuned for the launch of "Ride Clyde" online shop for hard to find bike parts, big sized jerseys, and shoes.

"I pity the fool"

A-team Van 1983 GMC Vandura. My First TV, Movie related Hot wheels toy. B.A. Baracus owned this m*therf*cka foo and carried the gang of merry mercenaries to various missions.
Store bought First release (2011) retailing for 99.75 Php, carded in mint condition.

Herbie!

The Love bug 1963 Volkswagen beetle. Herbie awesome anthropomorphic VW bug which is the real star of the short lived TV series from the eighties and flicks from 60's, 70's. Could still remember getting excited when the Love bug would air on TV loved how the seemingly pedestrian car battles with race prepped Lamborghini's, Ferrari's and Win out of pure comedic will.

Store bought Movie cars release (2014) retailing for 399.75 Php, carded in mint condition.

Yabba dabba...doo!

Flintstones Flint mobile. If you are a kid of the 80's and 70's the Flintstones show was staple on your Saturday morning cartoon diet. Flint mobile their primary mode of caveman transportation which was powered by sustainable source of energy their lungs and legs.
Store bought First release (2012) retailing for 99.75 Php, carded in mint condition.

Scooby snacks and POT inside...

Scooby-doo The Mystery Machine. Vans are awesome they carry a band of mercenaries to battle and also teenagers with penchant for solving "Mysteries". Featured this already on ye' old format...would have gotten away with it too, if it weren't for those meddling kids LOL.
Store bought (2014) release retailing for 99.75 Php, carded in mint condition.

"Space the final frontier"

Star Trek U.S.S Enterprise NCC-1701 recolor, battle damage. Not Star trek fan just bough this because its different and DIFFERENT is cool in my book. Was surprised to find out that I got the "battle damaged" version slight cosmetic variation from the normal Enterprise.
Store bought First release (2013) retailing for 99.75 Php, carded in mint condition.

Toys featured here are not for sale, retail price Philippine peso, all Hot wheel; matchbox, tomica toy cars are purchased at SHOP/Department store price not hobby store price.

PapaHamster

Bike ride: Flying Beater

F*ck yeah It's Adventure time!!!

Retro beater getting a lot of ride attention lately maiden run around the block, visit to the LBS and late afternoon ride with my Son on Baywalk. I know that going SS different but I did not expect it to be this much fun.

Beginners Guide: Buying your First Mountain bike

Revised Beginner's guide article. The first one was a mess so decided to change format this article tackles the basics in purchasing built bike or assembling from parts acquired. Detailed write-ups on specific parts are covered on "Tech Martes".

PapaHamster

Tech Martes no.6: Updates

Table top Maarat see you this weekend

Round of Updates from previous Tech Martes articles.

Bike ride presented by SIGLO SIKLISTA: First century ride for 2014

Week after Maarat Race Siglo Siklistas (SS) organized an "Easy Century ride" starting from Quezon City home base to Malipay Paliparan Trails Cavite. Joined them roughly 30 km less on Taguig Heroes Trail where I padyak all the way (PATW) from my home in Manila.

Tech Martes Special: Reviving old MTB, Project Single speed Retro beater

SS RETRO BEATER

History of the bike
Bike was purchased by my grand father during the early 90's on Cartimar along with my brother BMX. It was stored before 93 when I underwent corrective knee surgery. Forgot about the bike for a decade and one faithful day decided to retrieve the bike in storage that was Summer 2008 couple of Months before Ondoy flooded Manila. Could still remember removing the tired brittle tires, chain, cleaning it a bit before sending it to Tondo. There it would be restored to running condition, decals removed, and serve as commuter for my brother in law. Spent last Christmas with the in-laws spotted the old girl and immediately felt the need to bring her home and the rest is history...well more like the START of bike project.

Bike ride: 711 Trail 1000 pictures

Courtesy of PMTB

Overcast skies thank God No rain

Actual grade at Wall 2

Course Map markers

Elevation...yikes

Bike ride: 711 Trail 1000

Race course

Heart pounding, legs ready, just got-off the makeshift restroom with still a little bit of the butterflies. The call for our category was made slew of 30 or more mountain bikers lined up at the gates waiting for release. Couple of minutes passed, checked my bag straps one more time, looked at my HRM watch 129 bpm relaxed I told myself to not go over 190 and pace myself because this race going to be a long one.

PapaHamster Announcement

The Walking Hamster

Welcome March this week lineup of articles.

Tech Martes: Special Retro MTB build
Bike ride: Siglo Siklistas First 100 km ride QC to Malipay Cavite, Manila to Malipay.
Bike ride: 711 Trail 1000 Hamster race experience
Diecast Thursdays: Euro lineup

PapaHamster

PapaHamster Diecast Thursday

My Son Porsche collection these are Officially licensed, limited run Local Gas station bought toys featuring Stuttgart finest performance cars.

From left to right
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
Porsche 911 GT3
Porsche Carrera GT
Porsche 918 Spyder
Porsche Cayman race

Condition: Loose, with box and 2 key fob.

Carrera GT and the 918 Spyder comes with Key-fob that remotely activates the alarm, lights, engine sounds. Compatible with all models.

Tech Martes no.5: One by setup

Want a clutter free cockpit? Still getting confused shifting from granny, middle and big cranks? Not using all of your crank ratio's specially the big one? Single crank setup or 1x viable option Read on.

PapaHamster

Q-cat

Picked up the race kit today for this weekend rump. As usual the included T-shirt "Asian Size" so it does not fit. Luckily my son around to help model the garb thanks EJ.

PapaHamster

PapaHamster announcement

Been busy last week preparing for upcoming weekend race and Valentines day. Regular articles Tech Martes, Diecast Thursday, and beginner guide did not get updated my bad.
So now instead of promising upcoming articles. Every Sunday I will post "what's coming" for the week (so that I DO write it).

02-18 Tech Martes: 1x drive train setup
02-20 Diecast Thursday: My son diecast Porsche Collection
02-21 Beginners guide: My first MTB race (prep)
02-23-24 Bike ride: 711 Trail 1000 race

PapaHamster

Bike ride: Back to back track-read

Race Map

One important thing you cannot ignore when participating in Mountain bike races are track reading. As the term states you go to the spot and read the course. Most of the time organizers and track builders have everything in check a couple of weeks from race day.

PapaHamster Diecast Thursday

Welcome to Diecast Thursday were I feature my expanding Hotwheels, Tomica, Etc. Collection. Will also feature my Son Personal Diecast collection as well.

Hamster product reviews: Sandugo Helikon

My Sandugo Helikon

Purchased Sandugo Helikon two years ago for the purpose of all weather Mountain bike sandals. Its primary duty to get caked on mud, get washed, repeat and rinse I was fairly confident on the durability of the product but what surprised me the most its versatility. From Mountain bike adventures, hiking, beach, and even mother nature worst floods the Helikon performed beyond expectations.