Sunday, June 29, 2008

Bike Frames I like

I love my current Cannondale M2000 frame on the mountain bike that I have right now. It's an old school 14 year old frame, and it's a looker. Moreover, Doy used to own this frame, really took care of it, that's why it has lasted long enough that he was able to give it to me last year.



It is really a prized frame, so I'd like to preserve it, maybe put it on exhibit at Doy's house. So I'd like to buy a new frame for my mountain bike.

I looked through the websites of famous bike manufacturers and saw some frames that I like. Still don't know though if I could buy any of them soon. But hey, who knows?

Cannondale F1 Caffeine FeminineGiant Rincon wTrek 4500 WSD

Actually I also wanted the mountain bike frames from Independent Fabrication but thought they might be too expensive...

Anyway, I hope I could find the frame that I want, that would fit my budget :D


Friday, June 27, 2008

Know thyself

Got this from Hanna's blog. The quiz can be found at http://www.quizbox.com/personality/test82.aspx

The results?

Your view on yourself:

You are down-to-earth and people like you because you are so straightforward. You are an efficient problem solver because you will listen to both sides of an argument before making a decision that usually appeals to both parties.

The type of girlfriend/boyfriend you are looking for:

You are a true romantic. When you are in love, you will do anything and everything to keep your love true.

Your readiness to commit to a relationship:

You are ready to commit as soon as you meet the right person. And you believe you will pretty much know as soon as you might that person.

The seriousness of your love:

You are very serious about relationships and aren't interested in wasting time with people you don't really like. If you meet the right person, you will fall deeply and beautifully in love.

Your views on education

You may not like to study but you have many practical ideas. You listen to your own instincts and tend to follow your heart, so you will probably end up with an unusual job.

The right job for you:

You're a practical person and will choose a secure job with a steady income. Knowing what you like to do is important. Find a regular job doing just that and you'll be set for life.

How do you view success:

You are confident that you will be successful in your chosen career and nothing will stop you from trying.

What are you most afraid of:

You are afraid of having no one to rely on in times of trouble. You don't ever want to be unable to take care of yourself. Independence is important to you.

Who is your true self:

You are full of energy and confidence. You are unpredictable, with moods changing as quickly as an ocean. You might occasionally be calm and still, but never for long.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Obama supports cycling!

This photo, taken by Associated Press presents Illinois Senator and Democratic Presidential Candidate Barack Obama riding a bicycle in Chicago. I thought this was interesting, because he was interested in cycling. Should he become president, this Trek bike will become Mountain Bike 1!

But what is more interesting is that his support for cycling becomes more concrete when he met with bike industry leaders and pledged his support for the bike industry by increasing funding for cycling and pedestrian projects if he wins. I have not known any president who has pledged this kind of support for cycling. I wish there were more leaders like him, especially here in the Philippines. More on this in the article below.

Article taken from Bikes Belong

Industry Leaders Meet with Senator Barack Obama

June 13, 2008

Last night, Tim Blumenthal, Bikes Belong's executive director, and other leaders in the bicycle industry met with Democratic presidential nominee-to-be Barack Obama at a fundraiser held at the Chicago home of SRAM vice president F.K. Day. It was an unprecented opportunity to make the case for bicycling with a presential nominee. Here is the Bicycle Retailer and Industry News account of the event.

Obama Pledges Funding for Cycling

CHICAGO, IL (BRAIN)—Barack Obama, in a private 20-minute meeting with members of the Bikes Belong board of directors, told them if he were elected president he would increase funding for cycling and pedestrian projects. And the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee also said he would support Safe Routes to Schools programs.

He also told them he seldom makes promises on what he would do if elected president, but that this was a promise he would keep. Tim Blumenthal, executive director of Bikes Belong, laid out the industry’s position on boosting funding for cycling-related projects and for Safe Routes to Schools at the meeting.

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Oregon) called the opportunity for industry leaders—both suppliers and retailers—to meet privately with a presidential candidate so early in a campaign for the White House was historic. “It’s important for this industry to understand that it is a force,” said Blumenauer, shortly after Obama left the event.

Stan Day, SRAM’s president, said that Obama “gets it.” He pointed out that Obama understands that bicycles can be part of a solution to issues as diverse as health care, obesity, energy and environmental policy. “He does his homework and he can connect the dots,” he said.

Of the estimated 160 guests who turned out for the event, Day estimated close to 60 represented the bicycle industry ranging from suppliers, retailers and advocates. Among the guests were Greg LeMond and his wife, Kathryn. Obama, in his remarks to the guests, thanked the LeMonds for attending.

Chris Kegel, owner of Wheel & Sprocket, a six-store chain of stores in the greater Milwaukee area, drove to Chicago early Thursday evening to attend the fundraiser at the home of F.K. Day and his wife, Leah. Day is vice-president of SRAM.

“I think it’s very important that we (the bicycle industry) were involved with this type of event,” Kegel said. Kegel added that he personally supports Obama and believes that Obama can help end the partisanship that divides the country.

Chicago retailer, JoAnne McSweeny, owner of Trek Bicycles on Michigan Avenue, said she has followed Obama’s career for years and supports Obama’s run for president. She, like many others, said Obama’s support for cycling is important for the nation’s future.

During a conversational 15-minute speech, Obama poked fun at himself telling the crowd that when he was photographed last weekend riding a bike with his children, he looked like Urkel. For those unfamiliar with Steve Urkel, he was the nerdy, bespectacled semi-hero on the long running sitcom “Family Matters.” The show was centered on an African-American middle class family living in Chicago.

Obama said he had no idea at the time he was riding with his children that he would soon meet with so many members from the industry. However, he pointed out, he knew photographers would be snapping photos of him on his bike, and that he wore his helmet to set an example for the kids.

Tom Petrie, president of Velimpex, who flew to Chicago Thursday afternoon, said he didn’t expect to hear Obama lay out a specific agenda for the bicycle industry. “However, it was refreshing to see somebody trying to unite the country instead of trying to divide it with wedge issues. I find it refreshing and, frankly, necessary,” Petrie said.




Sunday, June 15, 2008

Anong sinabi ng bike namin sa bike na ito?



Ang bike namin, agaw atensyon na dahil sa haba nya. Pero ang bike na ito, mahigit doble ang haba sa bike namin! Kung ang bike namin ay pang-dalawahan, ito pampamilya! Panalo!

Mula sa http://bikehugger.com/2008/06/you_and_your_brood.htm

Friday, June 6, 2008

Sa wakas!




Ito ang larawan nina Ian at Maris nang sila ay kinasal noong Hunyo 1, 2008 sa lungsod ng Bacolod.

Sina Ian at Maris ay aking mga kaibigan. Kaklase ko si Maris noon sa kolehiyo. Sina Maris at Ian ay parehong miyembro ng Youth for Christ (YFC).

Naging saksi ako sa kanilang "love story" nang ito ay nag-uumpisa pa lang. Si Maris ay napaka-espesyal na tao, at bilang kanyang kaibigan, hiniling ko na ang makatuluyan ni Maris ay isang mabuting lalaki. Nakita ko naman kay Ian na mahal na mahal niya si Maris, kaya boto na ako sa kanya! :)

Mahaba-haba din ang kanilang "engagement" (mga 8 taon yata), kaya, sa wakas, ay nauwi din ito sa kasalan. Ako ang isa sa mga pinakamasayang tao sa pangyayaring ito, kaya hindi ko pinalagpas na ma-"witness" ang kanilang pag-iisang dibdib.

Ang ilan sa mga larawan ng aking biyahe sa Bacolod ay nasa http://picasaweb.google.com/mauisalang/MarisIanSWedding

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Will this ever happen in the Philippines?

From Inquirer.net

Cash, bikes, bus passes offered for Canada's gas-guzzlers

Agence France-Presse
First Posted 07:47:00 06/05/2008

OTTAWA -- Canada launched an incentive program on Wednesday to rid its roads of old gas-guzzling cars and trucks, urging citizens to trade them in for free bicycles, bus passes, or $300 cash.

The National Vehicle Scrappage Program will offer these incentives to people who retire their 1995 or older model vehicles, and hopefully turn to more environmentally-friendly transportation, the government said.

"We know Canadians want to do their part to help clean up the air we breathe," Environment Minister John Baird said in a statement.

"That's why we are launching a national program to get Canadians's smog-causing gas-guzzlers off the road."

Of the 18 million cars and trucks on Canada's roads, about five million were manufactured before 1996, when new tougher emissions standards were introduced.

These pre-1996 models produce about 19 times more air pollutants than newer cars and trucks, said Baird.

And although they make up less than one-third of vehicles on the road, older cars generate as much as two-thirds of the smog-forming pollutants caused by personal vehicle use, he said.

The government has committed $92 million (Canadian, US) over four years to implement the program, which is to be run by a national not-for-profit organization.

A rebate on the purchase of a new car or a membership in a car-sharing program will also be offered as incentives.