Bike vs Climate C.H.A.N.G.E.
NEWS
17th Tour of the Fireflies
November 2016
The 17th Tour of the Fireflies Underway The 17th edition of the Tour of the Fireflies is underway. The tour is already known as the largest and longest running, mass bicycling event of the country. Every Tour of the Fireflies has been designed to be a ride through parts of Metro Manila to show how practical, fun, and enlightening bicycling in the city can be, especially when you do it in a group. Practical because commuting on a bicycle can be the fastest way to get from any point in the city to another, avoiding the time-consuming traffic jams on the roads and the long queues and crowded conditions on the often broken-down trains (as the article by Pio Fortuno on bicycling versus other transport modes shows). Bicycle commuting can be fun as, legally high on exerciseinduced endorphins filling your brain, you smile past all the aggravated drivers sitting in their traffic-stalled motorized cages. Riding through the city is enlightening as you notice little details—the patches of green where people sit during their breaks to let out the stresses of work, the details of classic or even modern buildings that give a sense
of the wonders that proper architecture can achieve, the enticing smell of street food—little things that you tend to miss out if you are in a motorized vehicle. (See Pio's tips on commuting in this newsletter.) Every tour also has a serious side as it highlights topical issues of the day. This year's theme is climate change and how bicycling and other forms of alternative transport can be part of the solution for facing the challenges of a changing climate that threatens our very existence on this planet (as the accompanying article on cycling and climate change discusses). And every tour also has its lighter side, with participants dressed in costume, all eager to best epitomize the current theme and spirit of each tour. The best costumed participants get to win valuable prizes. The Tour of the Fireflies began as a small advocacy event to show that bicycling is an essential part of making a city more livable. Over the years it has grown to involve thousands of
cyclists celebrating the joys of urban riding, showing how the vision of a better city is shared by many people. It takes a lot of resources—time, volunteer work, money, effort—to put up the tour and we have been fortunate to have sponsors that have consistently supported the tour through the years. The Firefly Brigade also organizes a monthly critical mass ride, lobbies policy makers and local governments to create pro-bike policies and put up bicycle facilities, and networks with other NGOs to advocate for environmentally sound programs and technologies for transport and for redesigning our living spaces. All this work requires a tremendous amount of resources, and we welcome anything you can provide—your time, your skills, your knowledge, your networks, your financial contributions. Carmen, our resource generation officer, will be happy to speak with you on how you can be a part of the Firefly Brigade's advocacy. (Please read her article in this newsletter).
Cycling and Climate Change Will bicycling save the world from climate change? What a strange question to ask, you may say, since that is precisely the implication of the theme of this th year's Tour of the Fireflies (the 17 , by the way). Of course cycling advocates like ourselves will
definitely shout out a big resounding “Yes!” But even now a number of political leaders are saying, “What climate change?” So let's try to clear the cobwebs based not on our emotional biases but on science. Climate change, the increase
In 2010, 35% of GHG emissions were released by the energy sector, 24% (net emissions) from AFOLU, 21% by industry, 14% by transport and 6.4% by the building sector. When emissions from electricity and heat production are attributed to the sectors that use the final energy (i.e., indirect emissions), the shares of the industry and building sectors in global GHG emissions are increased to 31% and 19%, respectively. IPCC, 2014: Climate Change 2014: Synthesis Report.
and decrease in global temperatures associated with corresponding levels of greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide, is a clear cyclical pattern that scientists have observed from ice core analysis that covers the Earth's last 650,000 years. (Yes, the Earth is 4.5 billion years old and was not created just 60,000 years ago by heavenly edict). Those changes in climate, occurring thousands of years apart, were caused by natural factors, such as changes in the Earth's orbit, variations in the sun's energy, even volcanic eruptions. The change in the climate that we are experiencing today, however, is largely caused by human activity. Climate change is happening because the atmosphere is being filled by heat-trapping (greenhouse) gases, primarily carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, produced directly and indirectly by human activity. In 2010 carbon dioxide (CO2) from the burning of fossil fuels and industrial activities made up 65% of total greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. CO2 emitted from various land uses including agriculture contributed 11%, methane (CH4) made up 16%,
nitrous oxide (N2O) 6.2%, and other gases the rest. In 2010 electricity and heat production contributed a quarter of total emissions, while agriculture, forestry, and other land use (AFOLU) added 24%, industry 21%, and transport 14%. This is the scenario that is produced when people's appetite for goods that consume fossil fuels and transform forestlands keeps growing insatiably. Clearly, even though the Firefly Brigade promotes nonmotorized transport and bicycling to respond to global warming, it will take more than that to make a difference. What is needed is a radical transformation in our behavior, adopting a way of life that not only consumes significantly less fossil fuels but also certain agribusiness produce (livestock, plantation crops, etc.) the production of which has depleted our forests and natural carbon sinks. Only by consuming significantly less of such goods can we hope to transform our economy and production sectors into one that does not threaten our very survival as a species. Yes, it is about the economy, stupid.
Bike Commuting is Fastest, Saves Precious Time By Pio Fortuno, Jr.
Bike commuter Cesar Platon preparing to ride to La Salle Taft
Several months ago, on a very fine Monday, in the midst of standstill bumper to bumper traffic along EDSA, local TV channel GMA 7 conducted an urban social mobility experiment—to test which transport mode is fastest given the city's road congestion problems. A bicycle commuter, a bus rider, and a rail commuter
using both MRT and LRT trains were pitted against each other. Each would commute from Trinoma at the corner of EDSA and North Avenue to La Salle Taft. The result was consistent with all other contests of this sort tried in many other countries—the bike commuter was fastest point-topoint.
Cesar Platon, a regular bike commuter and member of the Tiklop Society of the Philippines, a prominent local bike advocacy group, was put up against one bus and one train rider. Cesar was asked to ride a pre-determined route—EDSA from Trinoma to Guadalupe, right at JP Rizal Avenue, Makati, and on towards
La Salle. An alternative route avoiding EDSA could have brought Cesar to La Salle even faster. All three commuters started off at Trinoma at 8 AM. Cesar arrived at La Salle Taft 58 minutes later. In contrast, the train commuter had only got her ticket by that time, while the bus commuter was stuck in traffic near Ortigas. The van in which the GMA 7 organizers had ridden was also stuck in traffic somewhere in the Kamuning area at this time. Even a motorcycle-riding camera crew could not keep up with Cesar in the EDSA traffic. The train commuter, having had to endure long queues at two train stations, took two-and-a-half hours to get to La Salle. The bus rider was last at three hours. At least he got to finish his book during his extended commute. If time is money, as economists like to argue, then bike commuting in Metro Manila is a no brainer. Of course bicycling is a physical activity that requires a certain level of fitness, and it takes a fairly high level of skill and road sense to commute among motor vehicles. But that only means that safely commuting on a bicycle can be learned and the proper skills acquired, both through formal instruction and through experience. Riding in a group with experienced cyclists is also a great confidence booster. The Firefly Brigade offers these aids for learning how to bike commute, and all you have to do is get in touch with us.
Some Basics of Bike Commuting by Pio Fortuno, Jr.
If you see yourself as a bike commuter, remember these Very Important Points: Visibility—This is the primary key to safety. Simply put, your safety margin is heightened if other road users are aware of your presence. Thus, wear light colored clothing, have blinkers, lights, and reflectors at night, and position yourself on the road to be seen. Be audible—ring a bell, toot your horn, whistle or shout to draw attention. Strive to have eye contact always.
Immersion—Immerse yourself fully in the bike commuting role. Be fearless, yet smart and courteous as well. Know that you have the right to be there on the road, yet remember that you should also share the road. This is a silent covenant between you and other road users that at times you will make way for them if necessary, as they will for you as well. Learn from others to develop this skill set, there are many groups that promote safe and responsible riding.
Predictability—Your movements should not surprise other road users, so avoid swerving and weaving in and out of traffic. Use hand signals to relay to others what you are about to do (such as turn right or left) so that they can give way to you.
Left Turn
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Bike commuting is a very viable way of getting around the city. If you know how to bike, then you have nothing to lose by trying it—except perhaps unproductive time sitting in heavy traffic.
November 2016
The Electric Future of the Bicycle
China electric bike
I don't own an electric bicycle nor have I ridden one. Well, almost—I once test rode a Yuba Mundo electric that's designed to carry cargo or passengers (children) up and down the street. But it was a heavy bike powered by a heavy electric motor and heavy batteries in a special pannier pack. I like bikes that are sporty, light weight, and can go fast. And I believe that electric bicycles are the future—not just for commuting but for anything you can do on a bicycle—mountain biking, adventure riding, long-distance touring—without spewing emissions all over the planet.
and a heavy battery back hanging on the frame, and looked very “utilitarian”—not an inspiring sight. Gary Fisher, the mountain bike pioneer, once said that for electric bikes to have broader appeal, they had to be “fast, fun to ride, and feature cutting-edge electronics.” Well, finally they have started to produce such electric bicycles. Electronics advances mean the newer, high-tech bikes have cell phone integration that allow the rider to control bike functions with their smart phones, such as locking the bike, changing levels of motor support to pedaling, navigation, rear camera viewing, even accident reporting and collision avoidance. These are all features of the Visio bike, which otherwise looks like a very modern, carbon fiber-framed city bike. Even Daimler, the producer of Mercedes-Benz cars, has seen the future and has designed an electric bike with four levels of electric boost.
Even folding bikes have gone electric, with the GoCycle having a “futuristic” design with the battery hidden inside the frame. It weighs 16 kg and folds down to 60cm x 70cm x 30cm.
GoCycle electric folding bike
The VanMoof Electrified S bike looks like a conventional bike but even with the motor and battery weighs only 18 kg. Its lights are integrated into the frame and it has an antitheft location function.
Visio carbon fiber bike
Yuba Mundo VanMoof electric
China has 30 million electric bikes, which they have made available here. I see more and more people riding them to commute short distances. But they have small wheels and heavy battery packs, and are obviously aesthetically challenged. And for a long time, electric bikes looked just like regular mountain bikes or cruisers with a wheel motor attached
Electric bikes will greatly appeal to commuters who will not have to sweat so much as to require a shower when they get to their destination. Now if they can only get those prices down to a more consumer-friendly level (the VanMoof currently retails for US$2500).
Daimler Smart eBike
An Aussie in the Tour of the Fireflies
On the left, cyclist Terry Roth from Australia volunteers as a marshall on the Tour. Firefly Brigade member Joey Tan, on the right, contributed this article
November 2016
NEWS
“Tumigil po tayo.” “Magandang umaga po.” “Sandali lang po.” Common instructions from a Tour marshal but coming from Aussie Terry Roth, it can be a little shocking. For the past eight years Terry has been travelling from Australia to the Philippines to participate in the Tour of the Fireflies. For the past four years he has been volunteering for the Tour, donning the special marshal's jersey, to keep participants safe. His unlikely presence is a source of amusement for the participants just as his cheerful demeanor encourages them to keep on pedalling. What is this white man doing in our local bike event? Ask him, and he would say, “I like the people and I love the climate. In Australia, I have always loved riding along, mostly solo. The Tour of the Firelies poster I saw in a bike store got me into my first one. And from there, it became a habit. Now it's my eighth one and, hopefully, while I can still bike, forever more.” Such enthusiasm can only be contagious.
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Three Questions about
Climate Change 1. Why all the fuss, isn't climate change natural? Firstly, climate change naysayers continue to argue that climate change is a myth. Even if 97 percent of scientists believe that climate change is actually happening and is a threat to many living species, not just humans, the skeptics are unconvinced. Even those who admit a warming trend say it is nothing to worry about. But scientists predict that the climate is changing at such a rapid rate that global surface temperatures will rise by 5 degrees Centigrade by the next century. Such warming will cause global mass extinction of species, including humans. It is true that the Earth's climate has changed over the billions of years that the planet has existed. However, the current warming is being caused mainly by human 200
international community. (Note: Pres. Duterte finally agreed to ratify the Paris agreement on Monday, Nov. 7, months after expressing his “personal opinion” that he did not want to sign it. He said he now accepts it because his Cabinet agreed to do so. It can be expected that Senate President
Contributors to Global Warming over the Past 50-65 Years
Franklin Drilon will now have the Senate ratify the agreement even though Drilon had also previously expressed his “opinion” that the Senate would not do so. But, as Duterte has pointed out, the agreement does not impose sanctions on signers who later fail to fulfill their commitments or withdraw from the agreement.)
3. Will Donald Trump do a Digong Duterte on climate change?
150 Human (Total)
% Contribution
100
Natural (Total) 50 TC0 M04 S07 LR08 HK11 G12 WS12 J13
TC0 M04 S07 LR08 HK11 G12 WS12 J13
0
-50
skepticalscience.com
Source: Reproduced from The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-percent/2014/may/06/top-ten-global-warming-skeptic-arguments-debunked.
The American people, in their infinite wisdom, have just chosen Donald J. Trump, a climate change denier, to be their next president. While the US under Obama has signed the agreement, Trump could, and very likely will, cancel it or not take any action to implement the US commitment on emissions. He may also strike down all policies and regulations put in place by Obama to ease global warming. Trump's election has put the agreement's plans in jeopardy as the US is the second largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the world, and its possible withdrawal from the agreement will likely kill the goal of reducing emissions significantly. If that happens, other countries may follow suit and no effective action will be taken against climate change for the next several years.
activities that produce unprecedented levels of greenhouse gases. Based on evidence gathered by scientists, global warming over the last sixty years has almost exclusively been due to human activity.
2. Won't the Paris Agreement hinder the country's economic growth? Like his favorite pugilist, President Duterte is threatening to KO the Paris climate agreement because he says it is unfair to limit developing countries' options to pursue economic growth by limiting their greenhouse gas emissions whereas rich countries accomplished their development while filling the atmosphere with greenhouse gases. But the only way to minimize and halt global warming is to drastically reduce and eventually end the use of fossil fuels. And the consensus among economists is that doing nothing will cost more in the long-run due to disruptions to production, particularly agricultural production, rise in health costs due to increased incidence of diseases, the extinction of species, and ultimately the cost of lives lost. By not ratifying the agreement, the country sends a very worrying message to the
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Canada 2% Japan 4% Russian Federation 6% Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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November 2016
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The 17 Tour of the Fireflies
Bike vs Climate C.H.A.N.G.E. November 20, 2016
#TOF2016 #BIKEVSCLIMATECHANGE
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CLIMATEANDTRANSPORTNEWSCLIMATE CLIMATEAND CLIMATE ANDTRANSPORT TRANSPORTNEWS NEWSCLIMATEANDTRANSPORTNEWS CLIMATEAND ANDTRANSPORT TRANSPORTNEWS NEWS Greens rejoice, Germany bans ICE Actually it is premature to announce the death of internal combustion engine vehicles. But last October the Bundesrat (German federal council of all 16 German states) passed a non-binding
ELECTRIC VEHICLE ONLY
resolution to ban all new internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles by 2030. This is apparently in response to what has so far been the painstakingly slow transformation of the transport industry from fossil fuel dependence to electric and hydrogen fuel cell dominance. Such a ban would be a tremendous incentive to accelerate alternative fuel technologies, as well as give non-motorized transport some more wheels to roll on. Germany has a significant influence on European
Bike Lanes to Hell?
Cyclist “salutes” Boris Johnson along part of London's cycle superhighway
Boris Johnson, former mayor of London and the current UK foreign minister, is a regular cyclist commuter. He was also one of the principal architects of Brexit and has been called the Donald Trump of the UK. Being an avid cyclist doesn't automatically make you one of the good guys, it seems. As cyclist and mayor of London, however, he did walk the talk, as they say. He pushed through London's cycle “superhighway” infrastructure that former mayor Ken Livingstone had initiated that serves as the core of the London Cycle Network. Johnson said he was inspired by the bicycle networks of Amsterdam, Copenhagen, and New York. He also initiated a city-wide bike sharing program. And then he found commercial sponsors for both these programs, giving them the names of the sponsors (both large banks), Barclays for the network and Santander for the bike sharing scheme. But the plan to make London more bicycle friendly has been mired in controversy since the start. Some areas of Greater London have disallowed paths to be constructed on their lands. Politicians and motor vehicle drivers
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and owners blamed the cycle ways for worsening traffic congestion. Accidents, some leading to deaths, on the cycle ways between cyclists and motor vehicles and among cyclists themselves have raised questions about the
policies and practices given its status as an economic power and its leading role in motor vehicle development and manufacture. The resolution may also be seen as part of a trend that has seen major cities trying to further limit motor vehicle use by restricting or banning older motor vehicles from their streets—Paris has restricted pre-1997 cars to weekends while even the Philippine government has talked about banning 15-year-old vehicles due to pollution and climate change concerns.
design of the network, particularly at known points of conflict such as intersections. Johnson blamed cyclists for bad behavior on the lanes, overtaking recklessly and jumping stop lights. There have also been shouting matches between cyclists and runners and pedestrians. The experience of London seems to show that transport changes need to consider the varying needs and desires of all who use the roads, including pedestrians who have to cross those roads. Building London's cycle superhighway seems to have exacerbated the conflict among road users, instead of promoting peaceful co-existence. People blame Boris Johnson's rush to put up the cycle network for some of these problems, but they also admire him for his resolve to plow through despite the tough opposition. But London's experience shows that there is more to promoting cycling than just putting up infrastructure—taking into consideration the needs of all those affected, educating road users about proper and legal road behavior, and building a culture of coexistence and sharing can go a long way towards creating the less polluted, less congested, safer, and more gentle communities that we all long to live in. Maybe what we need is a less abrasive, more genteel but just as tough a version of Boris Johnson to finally realize our dream of a bike lane to heaven.
The Victoria Embankment stretch of London's eastwest cycle superhighway. Photograph: Martin Godwin from The Guardian (https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/aug/07/ london-cycle-superhighways-heaven-heaven-or-hell)
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November 2016
17th Tour of the Fireflies
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Bike vs Climate C.H.A.N.G.E. How to Ride in the Rain
from p. 8
Deflating your tires by 5 to 10 psi from the normal pressure gives you a bit more control, but also less speed. 7. Rinse Your Bike. Your bike will accumulate road grit for sure. It will cake and harden when it dries up, so rinse it out while it is easy to take off. Bounce your bike on its wheels to shed off excess water. 8. Medication/Supplements. To ward off sickness and increase resistance after a ride I take 2 Vitamin
November 2016
C capsules of 500 mgs each. This works for me as it wards off colds and other respiratory ailments. If you pass through dirty floodwaters, and especially if you have an open wound, some doctors recommend taking a 200 mg tablet of Doxycycline, to help prevent the onset of leptospirosis which is a bacterial infection borne by flood waters in contact with animal waste. Taking this single dose will protect you up to a week, even if taken post-exposure. 9. Change Thy Clothes. When you get to your destination, towel down quickly (a microfleece towel is handy here) or take a quick shower then
change to clean dry clothes. 10. Things to Watch Out For: Rainbows - not in the sky, but on the road surface. This indicates that there is a thin layer of oil there, and it might be slippery. Your Brake Pads - Wet weather stirs up road grit and gets to where it does the most damage, your brake pads. When you brake the grit acts like sandpaper, wearing down your pads and rims. Water these from time to time to get rid of grit, and cleanse after the ride. Painted Lines - Those road markings are slippery when wet. Try not to bike on them.
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Metal and Brick Surfaces - Are likewise slippery. When you cross grates, manhole covers, train tracks, keep you handlebars straight. Your Chain - Use a heavier chain lube, as the lighter ones get washed away quickly, making your chain easier to rust. Your Braking - It takes a longer distance to brake, so anticipate, brake earlier. 11. The Rain Bike. If you ride regularly in the rain, consider getting a rain bike. This is a beater bike that you don't mind getting wet most of the time, and this will spare your fancier bikes from grit and rain.
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Firefly Brigade Welcomes Your Financial Support By Carmen Villaseñor
Let's face it, most people, deliberately or not, think, “What's in it for me?” when asked to donate money to some cause or group. This has been in my mind since I accepted the challenge of becoming the Resource Development Officer of the Firefly Brigade several months ago. What are the benefits of charitable giving and why should you financially support this particular non-profit, only one amongst the many proliferating in the country? After thinking, and then thinking harder, I've come up with possible answers. Giving makes me feel good. I feel that sense of satisfaction when I share some of my hard-earned money with a good cause, and probably so do you. Giving to the Firefly Brigade supports the group's effort to promote bicycling as a sustainable form of personal transport that lessens our use of greenhouse gas emitting fossil fuels. Supporting a cause by sharing my time and financial resources allows me to have an impact that goes beyond the comfort of the familiar that defines my personal life
They say that one sign of climate change is that rains are getting heavier, more frequent, and can pour buckets anytime of the year. Rain leads to slick roads. A heavy downpour limits visibility. Puddles may hide deep potholes that will gobble up your wheels. And a heavy downpour can happen without much of a warning, so being prepared is a must when bike commuting. I love riding in the rain. The raindrops make a racket as they carom off my helmet, collecting into rivulets which cascade down my face, gliding down my tongue where I can taste it. My shirt, shorts and sandals slowly get drenched, soon my underwear is breached and every single square inch of my skin is wet, seemingly immersed as I pedal down the glistening road. Therein may lie the reason why I enjoy riding in a downpour - is it some primordial longing to be back in the safety of my mother's womb, where I was nursed, comforted, sustained and enveloped in protective amniotic fluid? Does being drenched this way remind me of a safe place where I came into being? Here's how you too can safely enjoy riding in the rain. 1. Make Sure Your Gear is Protected. Put your electronic gear and clothes and whatnot in waterproof plastic bags and seal well. I recommend using dry sacks, which are basically roll-up sealing waterproof stuff sacks, and they come in all sizes and colors, available in your favorite outdoor shops. If you are fond of getting caught in the rain, invest in waterproof gear watch, phone, camera. They cost more but are worth it.
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and lets me contribute to making my community a better place for everyone. I am sure you also have experienced this feeling of transcendence when you support an organization that seeks not only to allow the world to weather the vicissitudes of climate change but also to change its systems for personal and public transport, thereby ensuring clean air, safe transport, and healthy lives. The joy of cycling filled my life when I cycled across America in 2003 for Bike Aid. That endeavor opened my world to a whole new perspective—that life is better experienced in a silence broken only by the soft whirring of two wheels. You as a cyclist have probably had that same feeling when commuting to work on your bike or exploring mountain trails on two wheels or just leisurely riding around the neighborhood. The Firefly Brigade want to awaken people to that same joy by taking up bicycling. Your contributions will help ensure that the Brigade fulfills that mission. Good karma, altruism and genuine selflessness, social
responsibility—all these are other reasons that I've come up with as to why you should support the Firefly Brigade—by making a generous donation, by motivating other people to financially support the Brigade's activities, by asking the firm or office you work for sponsor Firefly Brigade events such as the Tour of the Fireflies and smaller bike events that are held monthly or on special occasions. The members and volunteers of the Firefly Brigade work tirelessly to bring you participatory cycling events, lobby government to initiate pro-bike programs and put up bicycle facilities, work with legislators to craft laws and ordinances that seek to promote cycling and cyclist's safety on the road, and network with likeminded organizations throughout the country to broaden the advocacy for cycling and sustainable transport. All these activities require substantial amounts of money and your generous financial support guarantees that the Firefly Brigade can continue its work in the future. Here is how you can support the Firefly Brigade:
How to Ride in the Rain by Pio Fortuno, Jr.
2. Go Slow. The road might be slippery, more so during the initial downpour as the rain lifts a film of oil on the surface of the roads. You might be careful and predictable, but other road users may not be as visibility plummets. Also, potholes and road cracks lurk under those puddles, and you will use your knees or nose as a brake if you hit one at speed.
a reflective vest if you have it.
3. Be Visible. Wear light colored clothing - neon colors in particular pierce the mist and announce themselves. If you have blinkers and lights, turn them on. This will alert motorists that you are out there. Wear
4. Fender Up! When it rains, you can easily tell who a cyclist is by the stripe on his back. This stripe is composed of road grit and grime thrown up by the wheels. This frit will also mess up your bike, especially that bottom bracket area that is so hard to clean. Install fenders on your bike, preferably the robust full-coverage ones like those made by SKS for maximum protection. The wimpy ones that cover a mere portion of the tire? Well let's just say it's an exercise in futility and you are better off spending your money on a cup of coffee.
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Cash or check can be deposited to our BPI Commonwealth branch account: Firefly Brigade, Inc. checking account # 0421021384. Foreign currency donations also welcome. Please email resourcegen@fireflybrigade.org or admin@fireflybrigade.org for instructions. You may also send your checks to our office. Better yet, you can come and visit us at: The Hive, 120-A K8th Street, Brgy. East Kamias, Quezon City 1101 Philippines. Please call us at +63 2 4410976 to make sure that someone will be there to personally receive your donation and issue an official receipt. Online donations can be made directly to our PayPal account through our PayPal ID: blinkingfireflies@gmail.com.
5. Don Raingear or Not? This is a matter of choice. Here in the tropics, I prefer not to wear raingear, allowing myself to get drenched with my ordinary attire. Wearing a raincoat just traps the sweat you generate and you get soaked in it anyway. During rest stops, I wear a light windbreaker to keep my core temperature stable, and I take it off when I ride again. It is important to keep your core temperature high to ward off sickness. While biking, this is kept high through muscular activity, but this will plummet when you rest. So have a light jacket ready to wear during those stops. There are times though when wearing a raincoat is ideal, such as when the temperature is low and cold and if you are not exerting too much effort that your elevated body heat is not enough to dispel the cold. Those cheap light disposable raincoats are alright in an emergency but some are so flimsy that they tear easily, resulting in unnecessary landfill. This is not an environmentally sound practice. Most of these coats though do not have vents at all, and may result in getting you wet from your own sweat as it cannot evaporate away from your skin. What you need is a coat that is waterproof, and has some sort of venting feature such as a front zipper and a vent at the back or a somewhat loose tail. This will eject moisture laden air away from your body and keep you cool and dry. Consider using a poncho, as this allows air circulation, and a big plus is that you can wear your bag under it and keep it dry. 6. Deflate Your Tires a Bit. A softer tire has more contact with the road and results in more traction. continued on p. 7
November 2016