After conquering Shotgun last Saturday, June 18 for the second time, I decided to give it another try. Maybe on a regular basis. I'm making it a midweek training ride since weekend pedals seem to be dull and heavy if you didn't do some saddletime a day or two or in between major rides.
I posted on PMTB about this ride but it didn't get much response. I can understand that not too many are available on weekdays. This was a goal for me to test my own limits since riding with other people specially in big groups compromises one's ability to test his speed, endurance, and riding skills. You always have to go with the set pace and don't try to appear you are a better rider than anyone else. It is always time consuming riding in throng though always fun. So riding solo I can do my own pace, test my time and reach some personal goals.
Waking up at 4:30 AM has always been difficult. Given the reality that it was always an issue for me to get decent sleep the night before every ride. Ironically, it looks I was stronger with only some 2 or 3 hours of sleep before a ride than getting five or more. I planned to start pedalling at 5Am but was able to leave a few minutes past 5:30. Need to eat some Quaker Oats for some energy. I happened to pick up from the shelf not the instant pack. Stupid of me. I reached Aling Tina's at 6:40. It was closed. No breakfast this time. Pushed up the road trying to find some food. Saw one at Froi's motel but the mini canteen's manager seemed to be very busy counting hundreds and I didn't see anything ready within minutes. I decided to go ahead the trail hoping my banana and chocolate bar will hold.
It was 6:53. Weather seemed to be fine today. Sun was partially out , my head would look up to the sky from time time a bit anxious on the solar eclipse that should hap
pen today. Oh boy, Shotgun is always a challenge to most riders. Steep gradient even from the start. But in my two previous climbs here I would say she is overrated. Riders seem to give her overwhelming reviews as to diffuculty of one's experience but good for anyone's training. I would say, with correct pacing shotgun is just as hard as any other trail. Decided to do a quick stop at the new sari-sari store just around the bend since a dump truck was pushing up the hill emitting black smoke. No soda so I decided to get iced-water (no bottled water too) and some crackers. Reached my first planned pitstop where there's a view of Lamesa Dam, Licao, and beyond after a few minutes in granny. Can't sustain my mid-ring plus second to the last sprocket combo. Some men were already at work, adding more concrete roads up the hill. I reached the recovery section some 50 minutes from the trailhead. Checked the tire pressure on the rear tire, I am dragging the whole world I guess. Just as I was putting the cap back to the tire's air nozzle(?) I notice the cream pick-up truck which passed me by midway uphill. She was now going down hell fast from the summit (assault). This is the place where all heavy equipment are parked, leading to the dumpsite itself. In no time the truck was flashing lights in front of me so I had to pull my bike to the side of the road. She must be in a hurry. She didnt need to flick the headlights if it wasn't anything important and rush. As the back of the truck appeared I saw two men and a bike. One man was doing chest pumps to someone lying in the back of the truck and the other one was holding the bike fro m falling off. I heard the man say "Kaya mo yan Boyet, hinga ka lang" while pounding the man's chest. I didn't see who was it. Everything happened so fast and the truck disapperead in the meandering hills of Shotgun. I continued pedalling thinking who that rider was and what happened. Reaching the summit, the guard immediately started a conversation, looking ready to share the news. No need to ask a question, he told me a young man around 26, a bit chubby suddenly fell from his bike just before he can reach the top of the hill. His companion, someone a lot older asked for some help to rush the man to the hospital. He had a locked jaw. I dont know if it's a seizure from epilepsy, heat stroke or heart attack. It was indeed very hot at some point of the ride and Shotgun dont offer any shade. Not even a tree. I took some picture's of the bike for reference. Maybe someone knows the guy. Let's hope nothing serious happened.
pen today. Oh boy, Shotgun is always a challenge to most riders. Steep gradient even from the start. But in my two previous climbs here I would say she is overrated. Riders seem to give her overwhelming reviews as to diffuculty of one's experience but good for anyone's training. I would say, with correct pacing shotgun is just as hard as any other trail. Decided to do a quick stop at the new sari-sari store just around the bend since a dump truck was pushing up the hill emitting black smoke. No soda so I decided to get iced-water (no bottled water too) and some crackers. Reached my first planned pitstop where there's a view of Lamesa Dam, Licao, and beyond after a few minutes in granny. Can't sustain my mid-ring plus second to the last sprocket combo. Some men were already at work, adding more concrete roads up the hill. I reached the recovery section some 50 minutes from the trailhead. Checked the tire pressure on the rear tire, I am dragging the whole world I guess. Just as I was putting the cap back to the tire's air nozzle(?) I notice the cream pick-up truck which passed me by midway uphill. She was now going down hell fast from the summit (assault). This is the place where all heavy equipment are parked, leading to the dumpsite itself. In no time the truck was flashing lights in front of me so I had to pull my bike to the side of the road. She must be in a hurry. She didnt need to flick the headlights if it wasn't anything important and rush. As the back of the truck appeared I saw two men and a bike. One man was doing chest pumps to someone lying in the back of the truck and the other one was holding the bike fro m falling off. I heard the man say "Kaya mo yan Boyet, hinga ka lang" while pounding the man's chest. I didn't see who was it. Everything happened so fast and the truck disapperead in the meandering hills of Shotgun. I continued pedalling thinking who that rider was and what happened. Reaching the summit, the guard immediately started a conversation, looking ready to share the news. No need to ask a question, he told me a young man around 26, a bit chubby suddenly fell from his bike just before he can reach the top of the hill. His companion, someone a lot older asked for some help to rush the man to the hospital. He had a locked jaw. I dont know if it's a seizure from epilepsy, heat stroke or heart attack. It was indeed very hot at some point of the ride and Shotgun dont offer any shade. Not even a tree. I took some picture's of the bike for reference. Maybe someone knows the guy. Let's hope nothing serious happened.
I go on with my bike up to Kubo. Reached Roxas crossing/trail and slide down Timberland/Wall to get back to Aling Tina's. This time the canteen was open. Had a breakfast there and some chat with another rider and the canteen's staff. I was right on sked. It was 8:40, just 10 minutes behind my target finish. Well, something happened along the way that took some of my minutes.
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