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!!!