Aizan 29er build - finally posted.

After months of putting this off, I've finally gotten around to posting my recent bike build.
I had been thinking of switching from 26 inch wheels on my mountain bike to 29 inchers. Though the vast majority of mountain bikes are built around the 26 inch convention, converts to bigger diameter wheels and tires are increasing due to some advantages they observe in handling, traction and stability with 29 inch wheels.
In my case, I was looking to upgrade from a 5-year old full suspension bike to something lighter, simpler and with more character.

I finally picked out a frame from Voodoo Cycles because I liked the vibe of the brand and their no-nonsense approach to making bike frames.
And since I wanted to make the 29er switch , I picked Voodoo's Aizan frame constructed out of their "Black Magic" Scandium alloy tubing in a color they call Ancient Gold.
More posts on the actual build coming soon.

XRC 08 Leg 3 - Tour of Clark

The third of four legs of this year's Executive Road Cycling Race Series (XRC 08) saw us back in the Clark Freeport in Angeles, Pampanga. This time with around 4 or 5 new teams registering, the field swelled to over 200 riders again. I guess we're doing something right in our organization of this 2-year old series... more and more people asking about it, forming teams and coming out to race.
The weather on the weekend was just about perfect, with broken clouds tempering the heat of the sun and a light breeze blowing.
The big attraction of road racing in Clark is of course the light traffic and wide, smooth roads. The hills on the course are not as severe as on our other legs in Rizal and Subic Bay, so the climbers don't enjoy too much of an edge here.
All in all, a great weekend. Good turnout. And plenty of kind words from the competitors... something we race organizers crave since we don't get complimented very often. Makes me wonder sometimes. Why do many people find it easier to complain than to offer a pat on the back?

Another great scenic spot inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone accessible by car (and bike of course!)
These pics were taken as the tide was going out, so the surf is breaking much further away than at other times of the day. But still an excellent spot to just sit and take it all in!

Men's Health All Terrain Race 2008

Just last Father's Day, June 15th, was the 3rd running of the Men's Health All-Terrain Race, a one-day off-road event featuring a trail run and a cross-country mountain bike race.
In the three years that we have been involved with organizing this event, it has grown beyond our own expectations. I'll bet Men's Health magazine is proud of this achievement too!
We had approximately 200 competitors for the trail run and MTB race, respectively! A huge turn-out by anyone's standards.
As in previous years, the event's host and venue was the Timberland Heights residential development in the foothills of San Mateo, Rizal. Thanks to the really supportive crew at Timberland for all their help and enthusiasm!

2008 XRC Leg 2

It really is about time I post something about the great folks at Motor Image Pilipinas, the distributors of Subaru cars here.
They've been our Official Vehicle Partner at the Executive Road Cycling (XRC) series since day one, and they have been ultra-supportive these past 2 years. So supportive in fact, that they provide the official pace car at every leg of the series.
The other (selfish) reason for this post is that this 2nd Leg of the 2008 XRC series, I get to drive the official Subaru Forester pace car during both the 80km road race and as observer during the 21km Individual Time Trial that we laid out for our friends in the executive teams. I'll fill you in on the experience in a future post.
As for the race itself, it was a great weekend of road racing again as 200 riders lined up on the first day for the loop from Tagaytay City down to Tuy, Batangas and back up to Tagaytay (an 80 kilometer stage) This particular loop was picked because we thought it would be nice to give the teams the chance to retrace the route used in the last South East Asian Games. This would be a climber's dream. Well, obviously not everyone in the peloton agreed with our choice of race route.
The morning start was greeted by excellent weather, clear skies and a cool breeze. But by mid-morning the temps had risen to more familiar levels above 30 degrees Celsius. Then this was punctuated by a quick downpour that drenched our Day 1 awarding ceremonies!
The rain didn't seem to dampen spirits however, since we saw plenty of smiles the next day for the individual time trial (ITT) that would take riders up from the Tuy junction back up to the Batulao area, another uphill climb stretching about 20 kilometers.
With over 100 riders racing individually against the clock, the last of the riders crossed the finish line past noon. And, like clockwork, the clouds dumped a load of moisture on our awarding presentation. Funny how history seems to repeat itself!
Nevertheless, there's more and more of a feeling that we've got a good thing going here in the XRC. Healthy entry lists, close competition, a few more sponsors and strong local support can only encourage us to keep building this event into the premier non-professional cycling event in the Philippines.