LBS: Bike Town Cyclery

Today I feature another local bike shop (LBS) I frequent--Bike Town Cyclery. BTC is located at 2240 Chino Roces Ave. (Pasong Tamo Extension) in Makati, right across Lifecycle Makati.

They carry an assortment of bike brands, mostly high end like Ibis, Parlee, Banshee, Moots and Ventana. They do NOT carry folding bikes. So what do I do there? Well, similar to Lifecycle, sometimes I source my bike accessories from them. They sell Brooks and Carradice products. I think I bought Proofide from them before. They also carry Topeak stuff. I procured my Topeak saddle bag from BTC. I remember BTC used to sell Bern helmets. But the last time I checked they were gone.

BTC is known for its bike fitting system and organizing the Terry Larrazabal Bike Festival.

For your inquiries, you can call them up at (02) 3872173 or email at biketowncyclery@gmail.com

LBS: Lifecycle Makati

Lifecycle Bicycle Shop is the authorized dealer of Giant and Trek bikes here in the Philippines. They have two branches. One in Greenhills, San Juan, and the other in Makati.

The one I frequent is the Makati shop. It is located at Unit 9 La Fuerza Plaza, Chino Roces Ave. (also known as Pasong Tamo Extension), Makati City. Contact number is (02) 4005203.

Lifecycle sells mostly full-sized bikes (mountain and road). I bought my Trek Allant from them. They rarely carry folding bikes. I think the only ones they have, if in stock, are the Giant Expressway and FD 806. That being said, I don't visit this LBS for its folding bike parts. Rather, I check it out, from time to time, for generic bike accessories like helmets, lights, water bottles, grips and cyclometers.

Lifecycle Makati is accessible from EDSA and is across Bike Town Cyclery. There are 4 parking spots in front of the store, which is good compared to other bike shops.

Bike Commute to AIM in Makati

The office conducted its planning seminar at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) in Makati for two days so I grabbed the chance to commute by bike. I just love it when I pass all these cars stuck in traffic and I feel the drivers' stares as they ask themselves, "Who the F#@% is this guy in a barong? Why is he on a bike? And what's he smiling about?"

Anyway, I digress.

Aside from AIM, I also got to bike-commute to the bank and the mall. Had no problems except from feeling and breathing the hot exhaust coming from the mufflers of Honda Waves. Ugh!

Some photos from the 2012 Manila Folding Bike Festival

Sharing a few photos from the recently concluded 1st Manila Folding Bike Festival held at the The Collective in Malugay Street, Makati City.

The 1-day event was hosted by Folding Bike Pilipinas (FBP) together with Polkit, WOW Pinay, Brompton Club of the Philippines (BCP), Cainta Mountain Bikers, Sugimura Club of the Philippines, Firefly Brigade, PMTB and other cycling clubs. My friends Abel, Nitya, Al, Ariel, Pia and Paul took the lead.

We held a lot of activities, including a bike exhibit that showcased different kinds of folding bikes--from vintage to brand new, small wheels to big wheels, one-tone to multi-colored bikes.

We had a bike flea market ("ukay-ukay"), which I manned with Jeans, Dennis and Echel. I helped out in selling all kinds of used and brand new bike parts and accessories. We even sold whole bicycles!

We had a program hosted by Pia and Ace. First, our bikes were blessed by a pastor. Then, we held folding bike contests: Fastest to unfold a Brompton (13 seconds); Fastest to fold a Brompton (9 seconds); And similar contests for Sugimura and Peerless bikes. The contest and raffle prizes were courtesy of our sponsors (LifeCycle of Singapore, Junni, Dahon, JJRM, Peerless, Tryon, Dakila and Yadu, among others). The grand prize was a Dahon Jack folding bike! Thanks, guys!

We conducted a bike clinic in the afternoon where invited speakers discussed different topics related to bicycling. I was asked to talk about bike-touring / bike-packing.

And that's not all! Our other sponsors provided free souvenir shirt printing and photo booth! At 5pm there was a free concert! Everyone had fun!

The event was such a success that immediately after it concluded, people were already talking about next year's folding bike festival!

Thanks to all those who organized this activity and volunteered their time and energy!


Special thanks to Diane Flaviano, Al Castillo and Bobby Leyeza for a few of the photos in this post. For more pictures of the folding bike festival, please visit: www.facebook.com/ManilaFoldingBikeFestival

The Problem With Security Guards...

Head of Security of Mind Museum tried to catch up with us and apologize, but the damage had been done.

The problem with security guards is that they don't think. They just do. Which is okay, I guess, if they're guarding a prison or a concentration camp. But not when they're protecting a business establishment.

The circumstances are different.

The former is black-and-white. No ifs, no buts. Rules should be strictly followed. The latter, however, is fluid and ever-changing. A rule for one customer may not be applicable to another. That's why, for guards assigned to shops and retail stores, they should assess the situation first and then decide whether to enforce an order or not.

Sadly, a lot of security guards here in the Philippines belong to the first group--those who just do, and not think. They act like robots and it drives us private citizens crazy!

Case in point, my friends and I biked to Fort Bonifacio yesterday. We went to the Mind Museum with the hopes of having our group picture taking there. While we were assembling our bikes, a security guard approached us and said, "Bawal mag-picture taking dito, sir." (It's prohibited to take a picture here, sir) Apparently, according to him, we were obstructing the free passage of potential museum visitors (It was a Saturday and we were practically the ONLY people there).

We told him that our photo wouldn't take long and proceeded to set up. After 30 seconds, we left and went to another spot (further away from the building) for another group photo. We thought we would be left alone. But no. The security guards followed us and insisted that we could not take pictures. This was OUTSIDE the museum, mind you, and we were arguing that its a public place and we weren't obstructing any passage way.

And then things escalated. One female museum officer walked out of her office and asked us who we were. By this time, my friends were already fuming mad. The way the question was framed kasi was insulting.

I answered her, "We are Brompton Club of the Philippines." 

"What's the purpose of taking photos? commercial or personal?," she asked.

I said, "Personal. It's for the group photo of our club."

According to her, that was their only concern--that the photos were not intended for commercial purposes.

I told her if that was the only concern, then THAT should have been brought up at the very beginning, when the guards first confronted us.

But instead of THINKING, the guards just said "Bawal ang picture taking dito." (You can't take pictures).

THAT IS A MILE DIFFERENT from "If its for commercial purposes, then I'm sorry, you cannot take photos. But if its for your personal use, then by all means, shoot as you go."

A whole lot of difference!

Later that day, I had another mis-encounter with a security guard. This time at a Seven Eleven in Eco Plaza, Pasong Tamo Ext., Makati.

I parked my folding bike in front of the convenience store and the security guard told me it was prohibited. I told him I'd just grab a bottle of Gatorade and it wouldn't take me more than 2 minutes. At that point, he should've assessed the situation and thought to himself that it was just going to be a couple of minutes. No biggie. Let me slide.

But no. No such thing as 'thinking' for this guy.

As I was inside Seven Eleven (and I was there for less than 30 seconds), this security guard carried my bike and took it away with him.

Without a warning. Nothing. He just took it.

Now I don't care if bikes are prohibited in front of a business establishment. Security guards HAVE NO RIGHT TO TAKE THEM AWAY.

That to me is STEALING.

So after paying for my drink, I walked out and caught up with him. I said he had no right to take my bike. He repeated himself and said it was prohibited.

I just shook my head and took my bike away from him. No sense trying to reason with this guy. I'll just write a complaint letter to his superior on Monday. What a douche.

The guard's name was JJT Daguio. He should learn some manners.

There are rules, I know, but not all circumstances call for their strict implementation. "No eating or drinking inside" does not mean one cannot bring an unopened water bottle in the shop. "No picture taking" should not apply when a person is taking a picture outside the establishment's premises. And "No parking" should definitely not include a person leaving his bike for a few seconds just to grab something from a store.

I wish security guards wisen up and apply their intelligence when doing their job. And I wish their bosses allow them some leeway to think and make simple decisions.

Folding Bike = Freedom

Before I owned a folding bike, I'd say my physical freedom was constrained by motorized transportation. For example, if I bring my car to the shop for tune-up/service, I'd be stuck waiting in the lounge for hours. Sure, there's a shuttle to the mall, but there's a fixed schedule, which is  turn-off. I could take a taxi, yes, but that would cost me P200 roundtrip. Forget about walking, there's no sidewalk. And if there was, it'd be blocked by motorcycles and foodcarts. In other words, I feel trapped and helpless without my car.

But my folding bike set me free.

Last Monday I had my family van tuned-up in the Toyota Service Center in Pasong Tamo, Makati. I brought Brommie Skywalker with me. After meeting the Service Advisor, and instead of heading to the lounge with all the outdated and old magazines, I stepped out of the door, unfolded my Brompton, and biked to the mall.  

I pedaled 4 kms to Cash & Carry in Brgy. Palanan. The mall is folding bike friendly as the security guards let me in. At first they told me to leave the bike outside. But when they watched me fold and cover it, they smiled, admired the bike, and let me in.

I pushed my bike unto the escalator and had lunch at the foodcourt. Afterwards, since there was still time until my car would be done, I decided to watch a movie. The security guard at the cinema told me to leave the bike at the entrance, and I did. In exchange, he gave me a numbered stub. I proceeded inside the theater and enjoyed watching Sherlock Holmes II.

After the movie I biked back to Pasong Tamo.

The service advisor texte me that the car was not done, so I stopped at a Starbucks and had a frap. Again, the security guard was friendly and let Brommie in.

And then I biked to Toyota Pasong Tamo (I had travelled 8 kms). By then my car was ready. I paid the bill. Loaded my folding bike unto the car. Then drove off to the sunset... Err, I mean, back home. : )

A folding bike truly liberates. You don't have to give up your car. Keep it. But get yourself a folding bike. You don't know when it's going to be useful.

You'll thank me later.

Bike Commute to AIM in Makati

When my work takes me to Makati, and the weather cooperates, I try my best to commute by bike--which is what I did today.  I had a meeting in the Central Business District, and the sky was blue.  

Leaving Magallanes

Coding rin kasi yung kotse.  So I drove to Maga before 7am.  Parked the car and unfolded my Brompton.  From there, wearing my white short sleeve barong and black dress pants, I biked to the CBD.  I passed through Brgy. Bangkal, crossed Osmena Highway via a pedestrian overpass, then continued to Pasong Tamo and turned right on Pasay Road. 

I arrived at the Asian Institute of Management after biking for just 15 minutes.  Folded my bike, and went up to my meeting.  Probably saved P100 in parking fees. Ayos! 

Visited my daughter at the hospital using my Brompton

Let me lay the foundation for this bike commute story.

My wife drove our daughter to the hospital for a check up, only to find out Bea had pneumonia and had to be confined.  I found about it when I was at work, and drove to Makati Medical Center as soon as I my meeting ended.  For a few hours stay, I paid P100 for parking.  Went home and returned the next day to exchange places with my wife.  She paid more than P200 for her parking.  And then she came back at night to replace me, and I had to pay another steep parking fee.  All this because we were using 2 cars.  We were wasting gas and paying for parking.

So this morning, I decided to stop this nonsense by subtracting 1 car from the equation.  I biked from the house to the hospital.  Met a friend and bought coffee and newspaper along the way.

Brompton spotted at Makati Medical Center

Visited my wife and daughter; folded my bike; loaded it in my wife's car; and drove the car home!

With my daughter, Bea.  P.S.: She's feeling better guys!

Problem solved!  So when I get back to the hospital later to take over my wife in watching over our daughter, we will not pay a peso more to that expensive parking facility because she will just drive my car home!

And yet another problem solved by a folding bicycle!!!

Here is the bike route I took:

Bea and I visit Ayala Triangle Garden

The other weekend, I biked with my 13-month old toddler, Bea, around Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati CBD.

But not on my folding bike.  We went around using my trusty Trek Allant with the iBert seat installed.  (I'm still figuring out if it's okay to use the iBert seat on the stem of my Brompton bike.)

Ayala Triangle Garden used to be an unused triangular shaped lot owned by the Ayalas in the middle of downtown Makati.  It was enclosed and gated.  Shrubs and weeds were left to grow.

Until the mid-2000s, when Ayala Land thought to make good use of the lot by making it into a park.
Here Bea and I are biking along one of the parks cemented lanes.  People living and working in the nearby buildings walk their dogs here.  Others jog.  And some, like me, take their daughters for a nice bike ride.

Ayala recently put up a row of restaurants in one side of the park--and they are packed during lunch and dinner time.

Bea and I choosing a restaurant to have dinner.

Ayala Triangle Garden is another nice little park to take your kid biking in the Makati area.  The trees offer some shade.  There are wide and open spaces.  The park is still enclosed, so there's a certain level of safety. And there are cafes, restaurants and shops where you can park your bike in front of and have some lunch, merienda or dinner.

Kuklos: a bike fair

Last Saturday, I biked to the Collective at Malugay Street, Makati, to attend Kuklos, a bike show co-organized by Tiklop Society of the Philippines.

3.5 km bike ride

Brommie Skywalker parked next to Steve's yellow folding bike.

Lady volunteers from WOW Pinay.

My kailian, Al Castillo, his wife Din and daughter Aldea--a true biking family

Dennis' and Ricky's stall selling Flamingo and Strida bikes and accessories

A cute white Flamingo folding bike.

A yellow Strida folding bike.

A yellow Dahon racing folding bike.

Some more Dahon folding bikes.

Brznf's Peerless folding bikes

Accessories for those into fixed gear bikes ("Fixies") and bike polo.

Now for the bike show. There were a lot of participants and a lot of bikes.  There were also a lot of activities including an exhibition show and a contest.

the bike show

A purple low-rider bike. 

A BMX bike.

A bamboo bike.

Classic Dutch-style bikes.

A 1982 blue Dahon folding bike.

The minority for that day:  mountain bikes and road bikes.  Hehehehe.

Some more low rider bikes.

That green bike is a Moulton.

I would have wanted to pimp up Brommie Skywalker and enter it in the bike show, but I was there for less than an hour, so I just parked it.

It was a well-organized event with lots of bikes and lots of participants.  I'm glad it focused on "other" bikes (i.e. folding bikes, commuter bikes, BMX bikes, fixies, low-rider bikes, etc.) rather than the usual mountain bikes and road bikes.  For one day, "other" bikes ruled!