[1007] Bike Frames

My daydreaming recently has gotten me curious about cyclocross frames. Anyway I was checking google for the differences between CX and gravel frames (again) and I came across this article from Ribble Bikes. Basically the gravel frame is more relaxed while the CX frame is more stretched out and aggressive is what I got.

Considering I've only recently started riding my bike again, and only in ten or so minute sessions on the trainer, it's pretty obvious I'm just bored and browsing bikes yet again, and my dream bike changes specs yet again. Now I'm curious about using a CX frame for my bike.

It's a happy coincidence that Ribble has a CGR (cross-gravel-road) bike available in their website. Even better, they sell framesets only. And it's way cheaper (without shipping and handling) versus either of Ritchey Logic's Swiss Cross frameset and Outback frameset. Not that I can afford any of them but at least there's a cheaper frameset out there.

Components are still going to be 1x mechanical groupsets, as I always blog. I don't think I'll choose the less common (ie China brands) components so this means it will be either SRAM or Shimano. I've blogged about this so much I'm starting to sound like a broken record.

Out.

[1006] Airnimal Joey Sport Road

I was browsing random stuff online yesterday when I decided to just search for "dropbar folding bikes" on google. One of the top results was a list of the best folding bikes for 2023 from Bike Radar, which I skimmed through until I saw the Airnmal Joey Endurance Plus. It had a pretty good review, so I decided to check out Airnimal's website.

Turns out there is more than one variant of the Joey that has dropbars. Aside from the Joey Endurance Plus there is also the Joey Sport Road which seems to be cheaper than the former, probably because it is smaller?

Anyway I still haven't done any deep dives, but I find them interesting. According to the review the Endurance Plus supposedly handles and behaves just like a road bike. And if the maximum tire clearance is around 32mm I'm guessing there could be a decent 26-inch 32mm wide bicycle tire than can be used both for road and off-road. Similar to gravel bike tires. You see where I'm going.

The biggest issue with the Airnimal Joeys are the price. I find them really expensive. Plus they have two different folding options, and the commuter one just might not be allowed inside local trains or buses. Last I remember you could bring folding bikes in our MRT but you need to have them inside a bag. Probably to avoid soiling someone else or hurting someone with your bike.

Anyway why am I writing this? I just want to remember the Airnimal Joey Endurace Plus. It might just make me reconsider having an n+1 bike. If I really wanted a new bike I'd probably try to sell my current bike first. With the Joey, I may have to make an exception. Good thing this is all just in theory, because I can't afford the bike at the moment.

Out.

[1005] Challenges of Everyday Life

I've lately been trying to be aware of when I'm falling back to the nasty habits I had as a younger person. I won't be writing what those are here, but I will tell you that I do my best to catch and remind myself not to think or behave that way.

It's a challenge, indeed. And I have to be aware everyday and to catch myself. Some days are great, and some not so great. I need to keep reminding myself that there is a better self for me. Old habits are hard to break. I'm in my forties and imagine how many years of this I'm trying to fight.

It's a challenge I have to face. I'm just thankful I have people around me who will help me.

Out.

[1004] Perspectives

I've been trying to change (and hopefully improve) my perspective in life. I've read all the stuff online and in books and while they are pretty helpful, I do tend to forget the lessons they try to impart.

I'm really thankful I have my wonderful wife who keeps being patient with me and trying to course correct my attitude when I start falling into a funk. I'm also really thankful I've realized I do need help and I do need to talk to someone about my problems. Unfortunately my self-awareness so far is limited to speaking to my wife about it.

So now I'm feeling a lot better than I was a few weeks ago, maybe because of things I've realize and maybe because of things I've come to accept. I do not know.

What is important is I keep moving forward, keep growing, and keep striving and thriving.

Out.

[1003] Musings of a Guy Getting Older

These will be random, train of thought musings of a guy who's getting older and also coming to terms with what's going on with his life.

• Money isn't everything, but it IS everything. And yes, it can buy you happiness. I say this because having financial security and having additional funds for hobbies or travel can help one get by life with a few less things to worry about.
• Those who say money isn't everything, or even those who promote a minimalist lifestyle are way richer than you think, hence the lack of dependencies on a lot of things. That's one of the reasons why I stopped listening to a minimalist podcast. They kept giving great advice but also looking at their situation they were also pretty well off enough that they could live simpler lifestyles. How does this work I can't explain but most of the people I've seen in youtube videos of small house living, van life, and minimalist stuff are people more well off than what they want you to think.
• I still have a lot of work to do to be more mature, more resilient, and more patient. It's a journey and at least I'm self-aware enough to know what I'm slipping. It's still a daily challenge and I honestly wish I could just change in a snap, but that's not how life works.
• I need to live a healthier lifestyle. I bonked (or got hypoglycemia) yesterday after jogging a little over 1 km. I was targeting to do 2 km after a few weeks of general inactivity. Big mistake, and I had to call my dad to fetch me a few hundred meters from the house. Now I need to go walking everyday to get my conditioning back up.
• It's all a matter of perspective. My wife keeps telling me this and I wish I could just force myself to adapt a new perspective. Best I can do is to reason with myself why I should have a better perspective.

That's it for now. I continue doing my best to change for the better and to seek this happiness I honestly want to find.

Out.

[1002] Materialistic Birthday Wish List

Time for a shallow moment. Let's make a materialistic birthday wish list, because I need a filler blog post and because it's also been my tradition to wish for things way beyond my financial means.

• Flat mount custom built gravel bike. I have a blog about it. I keep going back between Shimano and SRAM groupsets. Up to now I'm not sure but I just realized I can go with either groupset because Shimano has a 40T chainring with 11-42T cassette, while SRAM has a 40T chainring with 10-42T cassette.
• A brand new car. If we're being realistic, I'll be choosing between the Suzuki S-Presso AGS or the 2023/2024 Toyota Wigo E. If we're going with an unlimited budget I'd still pick something semi-practical, like any CVT variant of the the Honda HR-V or the 1.0 Turbo CVT Toyota Raize.
• A condo unit in Makati or BGC with at least two parking slots. Minimum one-bedroom, max of two-bedroom. This would move us closer to my wife and daughter's respective schools, which would hopefully save us on gas and toll fees. Moving to either place also makes us closer to malls and groceries so hopefully we can just walk anytime we want. Traffic really is a bitch here, specially with the "camote" motorists.
• Garmin Fenix 7 Pro. I don't even know the specs but I do know this model is way over whatever budget I used to have when I was planning on buying a Garmin smart watch.

Actually the only ones I really want in the wish list above are the car and condo unit. Those are the two things I doubt I could be able to save up for.

Out.

[1001] Birthday Wishlist 2023

It's that time of the year again where I start magnifying my selfishness and making a wish list of stuff I want. So without further ado...

I just want to be happy. I have no idea how to achieve this, nor do I know what will make me happy. Actually I have some ideas.

Financial stability and security for one thing. I just want to be sure I have enough money and health to make sure my daughter finishes her studies until college. Just set her up enough for her to be a strong and independent woman.

There are other things I know would help make me happy but I'd rather not blog about them. I've learned my lessons and I have no plans of oversharing on a public internet blog.

Out.

[1000] Post Number One Thousand

I never expected my blog to reach this number of posts. Sure a good number of my posts are filler/shit posts, but still. One thousand blog posts.

Half the year is done, today was the start of the second half. There are so many difficult decisions and challenges in my life at the moment and I really, really, have no choice but to face them.

So here's to 1000 blog posts, and hopefully I keep my motivation to do at least six or seven posts a month.

Out.