This post is very late and so I have forgotten some of the details about this ride that happened last year. From today and counting the days back, it has been more than 100 days since that fateful midnight of November 28, 2010.
Perhaps because of the anticipation and excitement, I wasn't really able to get enough sleep the night prior the ride. I tried to sleep during the day with no success. Night came and I decided to summon San Miguel's help. It was effective or at least an hour.
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Update as of 11nov2011
I really can't find the time to finish this ride report. Anyway you can click on the link below and read about what I posted in MCP. Post #78 and #90
Manila-Matnog-Manila 24hrs
We have another one coming this year 2011, almost the same route but 50kms more.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Manila-Matnog v.v. in 24 hours - Man and Machine Endurance Ride (1)
As early as September, I've been following a thread in MCP Rides and Touring section titled Manila-Matnog in 24hours Extreme Ride. Last year, they had a similar feat which I missed because a few days prior to this ride, I completed my solo ride to Caramoan also in Bicol region. Needless to say, I am very much interested in joining the challenge this year.
For rides like this, careful planning is required especially for those on small bikes. Since I'll be riding my Honda Bravo for this challenge, there is really no room for mistake like getting lost. As part of the planning, I studied the maps and the start and stop points which is both located along C5.
Never been to C5 on two wheels and the mentioned places in the forums where the challenge starts and ends is really unfamiliar. Three weeks before the ride, I went to the two Petron stations along C5 where the ride is supposed to start and end.
This is the Petron station after Market-Market and this is the place where we will start the long trip at 12 midnight of November 28.
And this is the Petron where we should be at before the 24 hour countdown ends.
For rides like this, careful planning is required especially for those on small bikes. Since I'll be riding my Honda Bravo for this challenge, there is really no room for mistake like getting lost. As part of the planning, I studied the maps and the start and stop points which is both located along C5.
Never been to C5 on two wheels and the mentioned places in the forums where the challenge starts and ends is really unfamiliar. Three weeks before the ride, I went to the two Petron stations along C5 where the ride is supposed to start and end.
This is the Petron station after Market-Market and this is the place where we will start the long trip at 12 midnight of November 28.
And this is the Petron where we should be at before the 24 hour countdown ends.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Voltage Stabilizer for Motorcycles
I was lurking in MCP electrical forums and came across with a gadget called voltage stabilizer or VS.
Looking into the schematic, it is nothing but capacitors and wires of course. A variation is to put a safety feature by inserting a fuse.
Some users claim of better horn performance, easy starting and even fuel economy to mention a few of the benefits.
I tried installing my version of a VS in my motorcycle. This is how it looks like. It fits nicely inside the U-box. Now I have to figure where to put my other stuffs. Things such as spare tube, wrenches and rain gears.
Unfortunately, I didn't really have the chance to test or gather data to verify the claims above. I prefer the peace of mind having a spare tube, tools and rain gears. Perhaps when I can afford to buy a Givi box.
Looking into the schematic, it is nothing but capacitors and wires of course. A variation is to put a safety feature by inserting a fuse.
Some users claim of better horn performance, easy starting and even fuel economy to mention a few of the benefits.
I tried installing my version of a VS in my motorcycle. This is how it looks like. It fits nicely inside the U-box. Now I have to figure where to put my other stuffs. Things such as spare tube, wrenches and rain gears.
Unfortunately, I didn't really have the chance to test or gather data to verify the claims above. I prefer the peace of mind having a spare tube, tools and rain gears. Perhaps when I can afford to buy a Givi box.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Log Periodic Antenna (1)
The antenna motivation
Who needs an antenna when there's cable TV available? What is log periodic and why log periodic?
I live about 90 kilometers from the capital Manila and TV signals are weak. We have two local relayed channels of the biggest TV networks, GMA7 and ABS-CBN2 broadcast on channels 12 and 10, respectively. A simple dipole is enough to watch these two channels and that was our setup since moving here. But then there is an emerging power in the Philippine TV network wars and it is Channel 5. I believe the guys behind this channel is quite aggressive in designing their programming and it is also refreshing to watch an alternative. I like channel 5 and the kids like it too which is enough reason for me to construct an antenna with a better reception. To answer the first question, I don't think we need cable TV. Some news and a little of those documentaries is enough for me. The kids are happy with Ben 10, Sponge Bob, etc. Why pay when all of these are available and free?
The log periodic antenna
So what is a log periodic antenna? The complete name for this type of antenna is Log Periodic Dipole Antenna (LPDA) TV channels are in the so-called VHF and UHF segment of the RF spectrum and each channel has its own transmission frequency. A dipole antenna can be optimized to receive one channel if cut according to a known formula but it won't be able to give you a good reception when you change the channel. Since it is quite impractical to cut a dipole for each channel, a log periodic antenna is a good option. Log periodic are wideband antennas and thus capable of receiving multiple channels.
Why part 2
Since long posts are somewhat boring, I'll be posting another installment on the same subject.
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