Where I've been, what I bring
I. Where I’ve been
It’s been my third week on two wheels. It is not my primary mode of transport yet, but I hope it gets there. Emil has been kind enough to make time for me once or twice a week to bike around with me, and has since given me the blessing to “be brave”.
So since I have permission to brave, over the last week or so I have done the following routes on two wheels:
-Corinthian Gardens Subdivision to White Plains.
-Mandaluyong to Wilson Street, San Juan via Martinez Avenue.
-Mandaluyong to High Street via Guadalupe.
-Mandaluyong to Makati via Rockwell and Makati Avenue.
No close calls so far. So far, so good. I need to build up stamina for those uphill climbs though!
The Athleta is heavier than I expected though, so it beats its portability. People have been kind enough to help me haul it in taxi cabs and up steps, but am not so sure if I’d want to try hauling it in the MRT. As early as now I’m already preparing myself for a future purchase of a more portable bike late next year, most likely a Dahon or a Strida.
II. What I bring
Now that I am ready for a long haul, it was time to – as the games say – “equip”!
When you’ve started commuting via bike, you should pack a first aid kit and some tools just in case. You should have a bike bag on you for these things.
I am due for a crash course on how to do minor fixes on bikes, but just in case, I am slowly piecing together a toolkit for the little things. I panicked over a bit of a chain problem some days, which got quickly fixed with a slight nudge from a pair of pliers. Thing with folding bikes, you have to prepare for little knobs here and there that need that extra tightening. So far, most of my fixes have been manageable. For major fixes, I was lucky enough to be in the vicinity of a bike shop to get straightened out.
I also had to be more diligent about packing a “vanity” kit for when I get to my destination. In the vanity kit is extra deodorant, baby powder, a small towel, and cologne. A number of things spill over from the first aid kit, such as painkillers and headache medicine.
Looks like we’re good to go!
Are you a fellow urban biker? What’s in your bag?
Now Showing on EDSA
Sometimes, the EDSA bus works. Most of the time, I prefer taking the bus over dealing with the spawns of Satan that are 90% of Metro Manila Taxi drivers. The bus will stop where it says it will (coding permitting). It does not haggle. It drives through the traffic. And when I need it, it will get me from Boni to Fairview for under 50 bucks, with GMA7 or a movie playing.
When it’s not GMA7 programming, the usual movies shown on the bus range from Death Race 2 or whatever movie that has Jason Statham, Vin Diesel, or The Rock. Local movies range from old FPJ films or some Star Cinema romance.
Sometimes, you might even catch gay softcore films, which I did, on one Philcoa bus. It was surreal, watching Detective Donald Strackey reminisce one hot night in the barracks onscreen while everyone else in the bus went about their business. Then again, maybe the world would be a better place if it really was like that — taking it as it is.
I also caught Endhiran, boasted to be the most expensive Bollywood film ever made. Even without subtitles it was clearly a mish-mash of The Matrix Reloaded, Robocop, and Bicentennial Man, with Bollywood numbers of course.
Caught any interesting movies during your commute?