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Post by jakecastle on Nov 7, 2006 5:39:42 GMT 8
Am planning to bike to work in makati cbd for one call center from my place near nagtahan. Anyone tired this before? What's the best route? nagtahan then osmena? It's a mere 8.2 km ride and took me less than 30 min on a sunday night test ride. my questions w/c I hope you guys and gals can help 1. Is there a better route coming from Pureza St. (ramon magsaysay/nagtahan) to Makati CBD Ayala ave. 2. What nuances/quirks to expect from pulis-patola/yellow boys/security gaurds? 3. In case my place of work doesnt provide for parking for my beloved bicycle where should I chain/padlock/secure it? 4. In case my place of work doesnt provide shower facilities for employees does anyone know of a cheap/affordable gym/shower facility in the area? Many thanks guys ..... am starting nov. 13 so i hope you guys can help me in time
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Post by anthrax76 on Nov 7, 2006 17:15:46 GMT 8
1) from Pureza, you can take either Magsaysay -> stop & shop -> shaw -> nueve de febrero -> san francisco -> vergara -> makati mandaluyong bridge -> makati ave.
or just go straight to quirino -> south superhighway (or what's it's name now?) -> buendia/dela rosa
i could think of 3 more routes through side streets but i don't know the street names
2) nuances, not much as long as you stop at red lights. motorists tend to be very aggressive on these routes. security guards, well it depends on your building admin and how well talk to the guard, he he he
3) parking....now that would depend which part of CBD are you. i know PinoyMTBiker folks in RCBC tower doing well. i used to talk to the guards in our building regarding my bike. normally i chain it where they also chain their bikes or i inspect the area prior to bike commuting then ask permission if i can chain my bike there.
4) shower hmm....the only idea that pops in my head is enroll in a gym. or....if you have in-house people who do services for you (janitor, electrician, plumber, guard) i'm sure there's a place where you can take a shower.
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Post by krx on Nov 12, 2006 1:00:23 GMT 8
1. Is there a better route coming from Pureza St. (ramon magsaysay/nagtahan) to Makati CBD Ayala ave. If I'm coming from Pureza, I'd cross Nagtahan, turn left on Jesus Steet(Pandacan Oil depot), turn left when you see the railroad tracks to your left(straight lead you to quirino). Going staright this road brings you to JP Rizal, which brings you to Pasong Tamo(or the Sta Ana Racetrack area. You are now in Makati.2. What nuances/quirks to expect from pulis-patola/yellow boys/security gaurds? If you're taking the Quriino-South Super route, pollution is very high. the corner of qurino/south super is quite tricky when turning left. Traffic volume is very big for bike commuters to be able to tuen confidently with traffic. I usually walk my bike on the pedestrian lane in this area.
I'd suggest the the Pandacan route. Just be alert for the Pedicabs and the jeeps. traffic gets heavy when you reach JP Rizal, but this should be a breeze for bikers.
MMDA, lespu, or tanods usually ignore cyclists. But the alligators at the cor of Qurino and South super seem to be always hungry ;D 3. In case my place of work doesnt provide for parking for my beloved bicycle where should I chain/padlock/secure it? Talk with the guards of the building and ask them where you can park it. I'm sure they know. Parked bikes in sidewalks sometimes get confiscated in the CBD. Som,e private or public parking areas let bikes park for free. Some ask for payment. 4. In case my place of work doesnt provide shower facilities for employees does anyone know of a cheap/affordable gym/shower facility in the area? You can always ask your officemates. Or the guards of your new building. They know a lot of things.
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Post by jakecastle on Nov 15, 2006 22:00:47 GMT 8
Day THREE of Bike to Makati: It's really a great idea to do this bike to work thing I get to start a great habit. I got gym membership at Fitness First as sir anthrax suggested. I'm on my third day and I hope it becomes a habit. It really is a great prividledge to be able to to bike to work and still have the time to do weight training before going to the sauna and shower. Come eight o'clock I'm at my place of work fresh and very much alive while all if not most of my fellow trainees are haggard from trying to navigate through the traffic and finding parking space. thanks to Sir Krx and Anthrax for their tips. I decided to take the osmena highway route in the early in the morning. In the evenings I take the Pandacan route home.
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Post by plankton_dash on Nov 16, 2006 12:12:35 GMT 8
congrats, sir jakecastle if you don't mind me asking, how much is the gym membership? is there a discount if you only pay for the shower facilities? (probably none, but just wondering...) thanks in advance!
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Post by anthrax76 on Nov 16, 2006 12:38:12 GMT 8
no problem dude and congrats!!! when your body starts to adapt, you'll soon see that you won't sweat anymore with the commute distance you're riding btw, did you get yourself a headlight and tail lights?
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robpax
Bike Commuter
Veni, Vidi, Vici
Posts: 73
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Post by robpax on Nov 16, 2006 13:03:55 GMT 8
Hi brad Jakecastle. Congrats on your new routine. At least, your job doesn't require you to be elsewhere during office hours.
I also work in Makati and occassionally bike to work, whenever i feel like it or if arrangements can be made for necessary and indispensable considerations like bringing my work clothes a day in advance, leaving my notebook computer the day before, anticipating would be client calls or meetings in Ortigas or other areas, etc.
It's a good decision to sign up with a gym. Serves 2 purposes for you. Bottomline, you'll maintain your fitness regimen.
I guess sir Anthrax has been quite helpful to you. I agree with most of his comments and suggestions. I'd reiterate on the tail and head lights, however. Remember, equally important as seeing well at night is being seen clearly by other motorists and pedestrians to avoid accidents.
Congrats again, brad! Not every biker gets to have a chance to enjoy biking like what you do.
Just remember always ride safe.
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Post by feline13 on Nov 17, 2006 12:19:01 GMT 8
another bike-to-work convert! yahooo!!!
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Post by jakecastle on Nov 18, 2006 11:35:58 GMT 8
Thanks for the support bros.
1. About lights I use two cat eye tail lights for safety and one Cat-eye EL-500 for my headlight, I'm planning to purchase another healight perhaps EL-530 as soon as its avaialbe at LBS.
2. My Fitness First monthly dues is Php 2290 a month. PBCom and Insular Life Bldg is literally right next door to the gym at Robinson Summit Bldg, which really makes this a sweet deal for me.
3. I think RCBC fitness first is much nicer albeit farther away from my place of work.
4. Yesterday, Friday was day FIVE for my bike to work day!!!! yahoo!!!
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Post by jakecastle on Nov 22, 2006 23:02:39 GMT 8
Today is day eight of Bike to work for me: 1. yup, it gets easier and sweeter everday. 2. still waiting for the company to issue us lockers so I can just leave office attire/ business casual at locker 3. found great parking spot: right beside parking gaurd house of insular life buidling parking, hehehe will post pics soon 4. Less people using gym, looks like free trial period for fitness first is over , am seeing more chicks there 5. Looking for clipless shoes that will pass for business casual attire any ideas? where to buy and how much? 6. Thanks to Robpax and Krx as well for suggestions. Sir Rob hoe to get to meet you one of these days maybe share some chocolate soup at hhmmm....
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Post by jrjrjr on Nov 23, 2006 9:26:04 GMT 8
might want to try the shimano black dx shoes
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Post by anthrax76 on Nov 23, 2006 9:27:23 GMT 8
brad you can take a look at hmm....there are a few shimanos with leather uppers which are spd compatible. there's also err...great, there's this shoe in cartimar , the brand escapes me at the moment, it looks like a hiking shoe, it's cheap but it's okay, it's also spd compatible.
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Post by jakecastle on Nov 24, 2006 5:07:38 GMT 8
Day ten: Still going strong. Saw Kaplan review center right next to PBCom. Bike to makati is so much sweeter. Hehehe Bike to gym and sauna, then work as call boy while reviewing for NCLEX at KAPLAN .... whats so nice is that the gym, place of work and review center are on the same street!!! It's like the God of Cycling put this oppourtunity right on my lap When my review kicks in I'll have an eight hour work schedule, a five hour review session, an hour and a half for travel c/o bike, a thirty minute buffer and eight hours for sleep. Could life get any better?? The downside to this schedule is...... darn, girls will have to wait till my weekend. Hope to visit cartimar for those black shimano DX shoes, hope they dont cost me an arm and a leg.... hahahaha ... an arm and a leg get it ?!? Is there a place somewhere in the makati shopping area I can look for one?
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Post by anthrax76 on Nov 24, 2006 9:33:15 GMT 8
for spd shoes? it's gonna be a little pricey but Storeshop in parksquare carries spd shoes. i don't know if Toby's carries them. but if you can ride to libertad, he he he, give Endless a holler, or try Dan's bike shop at the corner of Pasay Road and Edsa
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Post by jakecastle on Nov 26, 2006 23:13:04 GMT 8
now thats my nice little parking spot in makati talk about lucky, completely enclose and its free, whats even better it's just beisde the gaurd house and the yellow boys make tambay at the corner !!!!! Just bought a u-bolt lock yesterday to secure more though.
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Post by jakecastle on Dec 13, 2006 20:12:03 GMT 8
It would be nice to meet the Single Speed Rider of this bike parked outside Philamlife/Insular, I'm sure he's a member cause he's got PinoyMTBiker sticker on his SS bike
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Post by Ben Dover on Dec 14, 2006 9:19:34 GMT 8
hmm...looks familiar...must be maxbuwaya's.
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Post by anthrax76 on Dec 14, 2006 9:53:08 GMT 8
i've seen max's rig, i remember it's red and it's an SS, i just can't remember the frame though
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Post by jakecastle on Dec 14, 2006 23:00:47 GMT 8
the frame is a GT chucker/avalanche?
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Post by maxbuwaya on Dec 16, 2006 21:24:17 GMT 8
i know who owns that, he is a jerk. stay away from him.
Hey jake, i always see your bike at the guard house. Pretty neat on what you did hehehehehe
Guards at Insular Parking are much nicer.
The other side which BPI operates is much less nicer hehehehe although they have rails for bikes
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Post by anthrax76 on Dec 18, 2006 9:27:52 GMT 8
hey max, have you seen the thread on bike parking in makati? he he he
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Post by ice on Jun 17, 2008 16:03:15 GMT 8
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