Back in Sta. Rosa

July 5, 2009. Sunday. One HOT Sunday morning…lunch…afternoon…bike ride.

I got an invitation from my buddies that there will be a Sta. Rosa trail ride that Sunday. With no prior commitments, I obliged, feeling I needed the exercise. Originally it was supposed to be a “LSGH Batch ‘95″weekend ride. When we, with Bok & Deo, reached the meeting place at Paseo de Sta. Rosa, around 9:45 am (we were 1 hour & 45 minutes late), Ogie (Bok’s older brother), Paul (‘95), Donn (‘95), Trek (‘95), Douglas (Trek’s cousin-in-law), Momon  (CSB peep), Robert (CSB peep) were already warmed up waiting for us. I was so embarrassed because I was the reason why all 3 of us were late.

Upon unloading from the ever faithful L-300, I started making my presence felt. I was so apologetic that our 8:00 am take off was delayed for 2 hours. 30 mins have passed and I found out that we were still waiting for more company. I felt relived and even Bok joked about us not being the last to arrive at the meeting place.

Trek, Bok, Looney

Then came Monch & Robbie, both Ogie’s village neighbor and LSGH Batch ‘95. After gearing up, we finally took off at around 10:30 am. We headed off to Cardiac Climb, also my first. I did not know what to expect but from the name alone, I know it would not be smiling climb. For those reading this blog, and you are from Manila, you’re probably an MTB’er and have been to Cardiac Climb. If not, here’s an idea of what I’m talking about…

CARDIAC from below

CARDIAC from the top

Climbing Cardiac is not that easy, at least for me. Donn, our guide for the day, went up and down the trail trying to accompany those who stop and take a break. If I remember it right, Donn went back and forth 4 times. Although it was not all the way down, still he was able to climb back to top. If you are a member of http://www.pinoymtbiker.org/, people like Donn would be referred to as HALIMAW.

We rested for 30 minutes or so,

Bukohan

some took a couple of fresh buko. I was tempted to take one of those fresh buko but I was afraid it would cause some digestion problems, as I have not take any breakfast. Next time I go there I’ll make sure to take at least one buko. Anyway, trail continues until one of our veteran rider Ogie had a flat tire after 50 meters from the bukohan. It was a good thing 3 or more bikers have extra inner tube and hand pumps handy, which reminds me to have my own spare and repair kit the next trail ride. As a veteran rider would be, Ogie was up and ready to go in less than 5 minutes, after all the critics from other riders that the reason of his flat tire was because the tire could not carry his…300 pound 5 feet 8 inches frame ( sorry Ogie ). Trail goes on for another 30 to 45 minutes, then another flat tire. Donn made a thorough inspection of the tire because it was very unusual for you to have 2 flat tires in less than 50 meters of trail ride, not unless you are riding in a trail of nails, broken glass and thorns…

Anyway, Donn figured out that there was something wrong with Ogie’s tire, NOT the inner tube. Ogie’s tire side wall was already showing signs of tire wear. Thread was already showing and the side wall was not as solid as it should be, therefore the side wall could not hold on to the rim anymore. The side wall was loosing grip on the rim and the inner tube was forced to pop out of the tire, causing it to explode. Our handy MANG-GYVERDonn did a temporary patch fitting to the tire, hopefully would bring Ogie to our final destination…hmmm, that did not sounded so good…bringing it on, what Donn did surprised even a veteran rider like Ogie, life is an everyday learning process. Donn wrapped the inner tube,  where the side wall is showing wear and tear, with an empty chips packaging, like a blanket holding the tube and refraining it from popping out of the tire. What Donn did held for another 100 meters or so, but as for any temporary solution, it gave way, popping another inner tube. Ogie is on his 3rd inner tube for the day. Riding as slowly as possible to prevent another mishap, Ogie pedaled until we are out of the woods and back on the main road.

Finally, a SARI-SARIstore! I was so tired and hungry I stopped at the store to buy one of their homemade tinapay and a bottle of soda. The rest of the group went on to our eating destination. After consuming the goods and a little chat with manong tindero,I went off to catch up with the rest of the group. Just pedaled for 20 meters, I found Monch, Robbie, Bok and Ogie with another flat tire. That was the turn over of the events. Ogie, popping his 3rd inner tube of the day, decided to call it quits for the day. He probably couldn’t get over the thought that he popped 3 inner tubes and owes 3 people for the tubes he popped. Scenarios have been flying in the air as to how are we going  back to Paseo de Santa Rosa.

The group of 13 riders was divided into two. One group stayed with Ogie while the other group, mostly Batch ‘95 including me, pedaled their way back to Paseo.

On our way back, we trailed UPAK (as far as I know). We were back in the mud but this time I have regained some energy and it was fun. All of  us were pedaling as fast as we could, as if we were in a race. Along the way we stopped and cut to the trail and entered Duck trail…

Deo, Looney, Paul, Trek, Donn, Douglas

At first I was hesitant to follow the group thinking that his might be another 3 to 5 kilometers additional, when I’m supposed to be at the meeting place resting my legs. Instead, I was starting to enjoy the trail, aside from being new to the trail, it challenged me. Duck trial has a very narrow path…

Duck Trail

If you get your feet on the ground, surely you will be stepping on the harvest (it did happen to me…:)). Duck trail was so narrow, that one false move and you will land on those planted greens. I like this part of the ride.

Exiting duck trail, I found ourselves back on track. 5 minutes and we’re on the road back to Paseo de Sta. Rosa. This is where I felt my legs are about to go off. Back on the road, my usual practice is that you should always go with the flow of the traffic, in terms of traffic pacing. So, as I hard as I could, I tried to keep in pace with the oncoming vehicles. Then I started feeling I’m going to have cramps. I DID! I went off the road so that those behind me could pass. It was just a kilometer before we reach the parking lot of Paseo de Sta. Rosa, but it felt like 10 times farther. I had to put pressure on the part where it hurts for me to reach our destination.

Finally made it! Back at Sta. Rosa! Everybody was already there except the group that went back to pick up Ogie and his bike. Forgot though who went back with Bok to pick up Ogie. It didn’t matter to me anymore. All I could think of was I’m glad I made it back. The ride was not a gruelling experience, I would definitley do it again, It’s just that I was not physically prepared .

When everybody is back and rested, and has changed into clean clothes, we headed to the newly built “fast food” behind the market where we ate sizzling dishes and drank a couple of SMB’s!!! What’s a boys gimik without SMB!!!

The Blue Corner, Paseo de Sta. Rosa Market

 PHOTOS COURTESEY OF DEO CARLO DIONISIO

 

RIDE SAFE!!!

Migo’s First Ride

After a month of no weekend ride, I was able to say yes when the Lazaro brothers invited me for a weekend ride at Timberland Heights in San Mateo, Rizal, one of the most visited trail here in the Philippines.

To make it more interesting, I brought along my son, Migo. At first I was very hesitant to bring along my son considering the hassle of having to mind someone when you should be enjoying your weekend ride. But my son was on me for the past 2 weeks for a bike ride, so I decided to bring him along. Along the ride, Migo got tips & tricks from his tito’s Paul & Trek, who have been biking for almost two years now. When we reached the other end, Giant store, Migo’s adrenaline is still rushing through his blood that it made him uncomfortable just sitting down. He needs to move! He would get on, get off his bike. Pedaled a few turns then get off again…when we were supposed to be resting and recharging for the ride back. While waiting for the food to be served, he would fool and talk non-sense with his tito Bok. I’m glad that Migo got the humor that I have. It makes easy for him to bond and have fun with my barkadas…which, honestly, is what I’m trying to do (which is also, a different story).

On our trail back to the parking lot, our buddies made a little stop over at the newly opened (for me) bike park (forgot the name ). The bike park consists of trails from beginners to advance riders. Just being the typical Filipinos that we are, we head into the trail without the proper introduction from the care taker. When Migo saw his tito’s pedalled into the trail, now waiting for my go signal, followed them without hesitation. Did I have a choice? NONE! All I did was to follow them and put my eye back on Migo. At the first part of the trail, it was easy for Migo, not until I saw ramps that could take you 5 to 10 feet into the air, that’s when I realized that the trail was getting technical. Honestly, If I didn’t have to take care of somebody, I could have breezed through the track the fastest I could. Anyway, back to the track, we reached a point where we had to go down on a steep, loose soil, single track. That was not the scariest part. What scared me was when I checked the surroundings, the right side was just the ordinary jungle scene, but on the left side, it was a 200 feet drop if you lean a little bit to your left. I had no choice but to order Migo to get off his bike and take the single track on foot. No one has ever ridden a bike 30 meters long that didn’t have to jerk left nor right. So that scared me! One jerk to your left and you will be rolling down the hill like Jack ‘n Jill.

I was so focused on Migo that I was not able to see where the rest of the guys went. The trail consists of a lot of turns. We were at the intersection, that ended the 30 meters, 150° downslope, when we found ourselves deciding which turn to take. I looked back to check on Bok and Alan but they were in a situation themselves. After calling for Bok, and no answer at all, I decided that its time to choice our destination. Migo suddenly saw someone from afar so we decided to take that turn, and luckily we ended up where the rest of the group was, already rested and ready to go.

After a 30 mins rest, the group started to hike back to the top. Some dared to go granny, including my son, but no one conquered that driveway (not that I know of). It  was another 45 mins ride back to where the cars were parked. Our ride ended at around 2:30pm. My son enjoyed the ride and the company of my friends (tito Bok, Paul & Trek, thank you for entertaining my son!). As of this writing, I just received a text from Ogie and heard the news about Migo joining the ride. He said that next time he will bring his son along to experience the 150° down slope.

Till the next ride…

Ride Safe!!!

Labor Day Ride

It was supposed to be a weekend of mountain bike riding at the City of Tagaytay, Philippines, until I got a text message from one of my bike buddy/mentor Ogie Lazaro.

The ride was originally scheduled to be on Sunday. But to most Filipinos and boxing fans, that particular Sunday would not be an ordinary weekend because of the scheduled Pacquiao-Hatton title bout. Realizing it a week before the fight, I confirmed with two of my bike buds if the Sunday ride would push thru considering the Pacquiao-Hatton fight! Ogie texted back that the ride was moved to an earlier day, which was Friday. But since the rain would not stop, again we have to cancel the ride since it would be probably be not safe to go downhill on a mud surfaced mountain.

Thursday night when we arrived at my parents house in Southridge, Tagaytay. It was cold. It was drizzling. But there was no rain. Friday morning. Sun was peeping. No sign of rain. But maybe the mountain soil might still be a little damp from the weeks rain. The weekend downhill ride became a village ride with my wife & son. No regrets though.

I did my usual enjoying urban stints. Hopping from one side walk to another, avoiding trees, lamp post & fire hydrants. Until one hop to the side walk blew my rear tire. With my wife and son riding along, I told my wife to go back home to get the car so that I could bring my MTB to the vulcanizing shop the have it repaired. Upon reaching the vulcanizing shop, I dismounted my rear tire from the frame to have an air refill. I was surprised that I could not fill the tire with air, since I can’t find any holes on the tires. When the guy took of the inner tube of my tire, we were surprised to see that the inner tube got punctured thru and thru. It was really a bad jump since it caused my tire rim to bend.

Lesson learned:
1. Never ride on an underflated tire.
2. Always bring an extra inner tube. If you can afford two sets, better.
3. Always have a portable hand pump handy. Or anything that can inflate a tire.
4. Lastly, of course, all this would not be possible if you do not have the right tools. As of now, I already have the Topeak Hexus 16, which I find it very usefull.

If I had all of what I mentioned above, right there on the spot I could have repaired my tire, and not have my wife go back to the house to ask for help…

LET’s RIDE!!!

Ride Safe! Be Safe!

Why Bike?

Why would someone get involved in the sport of Mountain Biking?

Why not? You get to exercise, meet new people, explore the unexplored…and so on. Some even get to earn a living by riding their bikes.

I’ve had my bike for only 6 months now. Had an upgrade when I received my ‘08 bonus. Hey! What guy would not spend on their toys…

Biking friends have brought me to Sta. Rosa, Timberland & The Fort. When I’m a lone rider, I do urban riding. I find urban riding exciting because, as a daily driver, I get to apply my driving knowledge/techniques while riding my bike. Being an urban rider is sometimes too risky. Maybe I would not enjoy urban riding if I don’t know how to drive. In urban riding, most probably you would be cross road intersections, whether be in a 1 way road or be at EDSA. If you don’t know how to drive, chances are you will be crossing the intersection without taking precautionary measures like checking for oncoming vehicles. Or as simple as changing/switching lanes. If you are a daily driver, you would look to your side where you would be switching to. There are times, during my urban riding, that when I intend to change lanes I look 45° to my right or left, as if I have a side mirror. Funny!

One thing I enjoy when urban riding is the sidewalks, potholes, lamp post, trees on a sidewalk, pedestrians, which serves as an obstacle. It excites me! But of course that’s just me!

One thing I hate when urban riding are wet roads. Not rain water wet… You don’t know where those water came from…:)…Then water will splash to your face…Then you will start smelling something foul!…Then you will realize where that water leaked from…These usually happens when you ride in areas where there are temporary settlers…

Biking is not addicting! But definitely you will get HOOKED!

so…

LET’s RIDE!!!

Ride Safe! Be Safe!

Bike Blog

Now a dedicated blog to my new found sport…