My cyclo computer logged in 110.78km from my house and back last Saturday April 25, 2009. This was a ride at Licao Licao in the boundaries of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan and Rodriguez, Rizal with Pinoy Moutain Bikers (PMTB) people organized for the veteran bikers Kuya Arci, PapaRock and company. I'm not sure if this was done as their comeback ride from long layoff or from coming back from abroad. Maybe both. Please note that all of the names used here are aliases or handles from people in the PMTB forum, http://www.pinoymtbiker.org/ . I joined this forum where all bicycle lovers especially mountain bikes meet and discuss stuff about bikes and rides outdoors. Oh God knows how I love outdoors and adventure.
It was 3:30 early Satur
day morning. I started to pedal my way for a warm up 7-kilometer spin to Santa Ana, Manila to meet up with BilogGirl and Nards who were the closest from my crib (Pasig-Makati boundaries) and who I will ride with to University of Sto. Tomas in Espana to then join another group (Ryanusuke, Kirkmeynard, Shigatsu, Tantantini, 3739, and Charlie Barkin). They were all coming from the Southern part of the city, hence dubbed Manila Riders, since the trails for this particular ride were located North of Metro Manila. I had to meet them since I don't know for sure the main convergence in Fairview and don't want to risk a leg in the treacherous Commonwealth Avenue in that wee hour of the morning. I hit the road at 20kph. No traffic, very few vehicles. I was able to reach Santa Ana in 19 mins, still not fast enough for any experienced rider, waited for BilogGirl, had a quick breakfast at Jollibee, waited for Nards and ScalawagX then took off to meet the main group up North.
It was 3:30 early Satur
day morning. I started to pedal my way for a warm up 7-kilometer spin to Santa Ana, Manila to meet up with BilogGirl and Nards who were the closest from my crib (Pasig-Makati boundaries) and who I will ride with to University of Sto. Tomas in Espana to then join another group (Ryanusuke, Kirkmeynard, Shigatsu, Tantantini, 3739, and Charlie Barkin). They were all coming from the Southern part of the city, hence dubbed Manila Riders, since the trails for this particular ride were located North of Metro Manila. I had to meet them since I don't know for sure the main convergence in Fairview and don't want to risk a leg in the treacherous Commonwealth Avenue in that wee hour of the morning. I hit the road at 20kph. No traffic, very few vehicles. I was able to reach Santa Ana in 19 mins, still not fast enough for any experienced rider, waited for BilogGirl, had a quick breakfast at Jollibee, waited for Nards and ScalawagX then took off to meet the main group up North.
The entourge took a different route as I would have taken if I were to ride alone to the ma
in meeting point at PapaRock's house somewhere in Fairview-Lagro Area. That was some 20km from my pad basing on google maps or wikimapia. We took the A. Bonifacio-Qurino Highway-Novaliches route and reached PapaRock's after an hour running on average of 20 kph. There we found more riders from different places getting ready for the climb or should I say ride. The now larger group of about 50 plus headed to the jump off point (Pangarap) which was some 15 mins away. I was even more surprised to find out some 30 more helmeted, dry-fitted, shoe-cleated-people waiting for us to join this now "epic ride". Headcount gave us 85. Wow! I suddenly remember my experience in TLBF last month. Wherever I glaze my eyes upon, I always see a bike or a biker. What a beautiful sight indeed.
in meeting point at PapaRock's house somewhere in Fairview-Lagro Area. That was some 20km from my pad basing on google maps or wikimapia. We took the A. Bonifacio-Qurino Highway-Novaliches route and reached PapaRock's after an hour running on average of 20 kph. There we found more riders from different places getting ready for the climb or should I say ride. The now larger group of about 50 plus headed to the jump off point (Pangarap) which was some 15 mins away. I was even more surprised to find out some 30 more helmeted, dry-fitted, shoe-cleated-people waiting for us to join this now "epic ride". Headcount gave us 85. Wow! I suddenly remember my experience in TLBF last month. Wherever I glaze my eyes upon, I always see a bike or a biker. What a beautiful sight indeed.
We pushed toward the mountain in no time. Newbies, veterans, whover, hit the t
rail and do their own thing which was to ride the bike, conquer the trail, appreciate the view, and make new friends. The trails were really hard for any newbie, but these were the materials that would help a neophyte from joining the ranks of the veterans. More people meant more traffic jam along the trails. The area offered different terrains from rolling hills, to single track, to small meadows, to downhill rush. I definetely enjoyed this ride though I missed that there was a group who actually went inside the more diffucult trails. Nobody told me ahead or maybe I didn't hear any announcement since I was already battling with my own labor on the pedal. Haha.
rail and do their own thing which was to ride the bike, conquer the trail, appreciate the view, and make new friends. The trails were really hard for any newbie, but these were the materials that would help a neophyte from joining the ranks of the veterans. More people meant more traffic jam along the trails. The area offered different terrains from rolling hills, to single track, to small meadows, to downhill rush. I definetely enjoyed this ride though I missed that there was a group who actually went inside the more diffucult trails. Nobody told me ahead or maybe I didn't hear any announcement since I was already battling with my own labor on the pedal. Haha.
The rain poured down mid-morning after the first major rest at the Village of Macabud, still inside the territory of Rodriguez, Rizal. It was a badly needed relief since that temp that day could be like 32 or 33 deg Celsius. Everybody seemed to be re-energized. The push uphill became easier, less laborious and less painful. Lunch break at the Terminal, aptly called for it is the jeepney station for residents going in and out of the area. This small community resides at the foot of the mountain which name I didn't get that shares the forest and mountain covers of the next province of Quezon. Interesting. I could always brag to my friends about how far places I reach with this bike without spending a heft of money on fuel and other travelling expenditures. The only thing you need to money out is for food. Only thing you need to get to this place is your bike. How about that..
We took the same route going back home. I guess I was the last to touch homebase from the Manila group. I reached my apartment a few minutes before seven in the evening. As I was checking on my cyclocomp indeed it was a "century ride". Had lots of fun over lots of pain.
The Week Before, Tour of the Fireflies
Last April 19, a lovely Sunday, one of biggest bicycling event in the Philippines took place. It is called Tour of the Fireflies. TOF aims to promote cycling as
a sustainable means of transportation. I found the theme really a call of the times, "Bike to Work, Bike To School, Bike to Play". It was again my first time to join TOF as a newcomer to the world of biking, I mean technically. I used to bike a lot in Palawan but it was just a crude and simple mountain bike, no technical no how, not the Sonix I have right now, no groups to join on a weekend, but just pure solitary drive with nature.
a sustainable means of transportation. I found the theme really a call of the times, "Bike to Work, Bike To School, Bike to Play". It was again my first time to join TOF as a newcomer to the world of biking, I mean technically. I used to bike a lot in Palawan but it was just a crude and simple mountain bike, no technical no how, not the Sonix I have right now, no groups to join on a weekend, but just pure solitary drive with nature.
This year's TOF which was the 11th took riders of all kinds to the major streets of Pasig, Mandaluyong, Makati, and Quezon City. We are talking of EDSA, the main thoroughfare of Metro Manila, Ortigas, Buendia, and Ayala Avenues. It targeted to cover 50km by my cyclocomp totaled only some 38km. Sorry, folks.
For one day, bike lovers ruled EDSA. I estimated between 2,500 and 3,000 riders on that eventful day but my numbers were too small compared to what the organizers gave later. They said it reached to about 7,000. Gee! I hope it happens everyday or even just every Sunday. Less air pollution, less traffic, less road accidents, less expenses on transpo. Cool idea, isn't it? I'm gona be a big supporter of TOF.
According to the leaflets TOF was being organized by Firefly Brigade which is a citizen's action group formed in 1999 to banner clean air and habitable, people-friendly environments in cities of the Philippines. It likens the urban people to those of the fireflies who have disappeared from the city due its polluted air. Same fate could happen to them if they don't start to help stop the dirtying of the city's air.
It was also simultaneosly held in other major cities in the Philippines including Puerto Princesa where I first got the taste of mountain biking.
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