TeoB's Blog: My 2016 MTB Adventures

The year 2016 was the best year for my mountain biking experience. I have been into mountain biking for many years but 2016 was the best so far. This was due to the so many highlights and milestones that we have (literally) covered. This was the time when I together with my fellow Golden Bikers have officially joined the BadBoys. This was also the time when I first had my mixed-up ride with X-CBP Padyakers and Golden Bikers creating a bigger MTB riding family. This has paved the way to more exciting and unlimited riding adventures for year 2016 and the years ahead. This is the first part of my blog on My MTB Adventures for 2016. Please come and join the ride..

NUVALI AREA

We welcomed 2016 by taking a short ride around Nuvali area. It was actually more of eating than biking LOL! Every time X-CBP Padyakers are gonna be having a ride, and our manager Sid De Leon is riding with us, it surely is gonna be a wonderful eating experience no matter how short the ride is.

Selfie while having our breakfast at Blue Corner in Paseo de Sta. Rosa, Sta. Rosa Laguna

PADYAK CABUYAO, JANUARY 15, 2016

Next in line was the yearly bike event called Padyak Cabuyao which was sponsored by the local government of Cabuyao. Laguna. We woke up very early in the morning (4am) of January 15, 2016 and kicked our way out to the 10 km ride to reach the starting point just to ensure that we're gonna be getting the free souvenir t-shirt. The event was participated by hundreds or maybe even more than a thousand bikers from different localities of Laguna. Other participants even came from outside of Laguna. The ride was slow paced and created traffic jams but we enjoyed it just the same.

From L-R: With Archie, Boy & Alex at Padyak Cabuyao

CASILE AREA, FEBRUARY 12, 2016

Upon completing the next two steep climbs after the Marcos Mansion, we took a break at this fruit store and had our fresh coconut and banana fruits. We initially planned to take the Revpal climb but Mang Boy decided not to and called it a day. This ride was very memorable to him because this was the first time that he was able to finally make that two steep climbs without stopping.

Having a break with Mang Boy

CARDIAC HILL, FEB. 20, 2016

One of our favorite spots is the long climb that bikers call Cardiac Hill in Silang Cavite which is just a few kilometers away from Nuvali in Sta. Rosa Laguna .Just like my previous climbs in this area, it was a leg breaking and extreme heart pumping biking experience before reaching the top. A feat that was always quickly rewarded with the plenty supply of fresh coconut fruits that await every climber.

Photos taken last February 20, 2016 during one of our Cardiac Hill rides:

From L-R: Alex N., Alex M., Ogie and myself

From L-R: Me, Lean, Alex N. and Alex M.

ARIEL'S SPECIAL LOMI HAUS, MARCH 2, 2016

This was the best ride ever. We woke up one morning and out of the blue just decided to have a short bike ride together. But much to my surprise we ended up having our breakfast at Ariel's Special Lomi Haus in Bunggo Calamba City which was about 10 kms away from where we started. That was quite a feat for Mommy who has not been riding a bike for eon. After having the very delicious Ariel's lomi, we concluded our breakfast by accepting the videoke challenge before finally going back home to complete the loop. Biking combined with having my breakfast at Ariel's is always a winner, but doing it with Mom was priceless!

Isn't she lovely?!

SAMPALOC ROAD BGY SAMPALOC TALISAY BATANGAS, FEB. 25 & MAR. 5, 2016

I consider this route as one of the most difficult climbs in our MTB gests not because of its height but because of its gradual but continuous 13 km ascent. Not to mention the almost absence of trees or shades to where you can take refuge if you feel like stopping for a while to recover. The only place along the route where we usually stop to replenish our water jugs and wash our heads and bodies to cool down is the section along the side of the mountain, which is maybe about 3 to 5 km away from the top, wherein supply of water is continuously flowing.

Selfie at Sampaloc Talisay Batangas before taking the 13 km climb to Tagaytay Nasugbu Highway near Hotel Tagaytay. with Taal Lake as our background.

Helping a couple who were riding on a motorbike, in fixing their flat tires. They failed to bring the proper tools or repair kit to do the repair themselves. Luckily we passed by and was able to put back their bike to life.

PEOPLES PARK IN THE SKY, MARCH 6, 2016

Another site worth mentioning is the route to Peoples' Park in the Sky in Tagaytay Cavite thru Casile and Dapdap.or what bikers call Reverse Palace or Revpal. This is also one of our favorites and like the Cardiac Hill, there is also a kiosk serving fresh coconut fruits right after completing the climb to Marcos Twin Mansion. Here bikers from every direction congregate to re-energize for the next 10 km and 1 km elevation gain uphill ride that waits ahead. And just when you are about to reach the Peoples' Park in the Sky, on the right side of the road, is the All Is Well Bike Stop or Aling Yolly's Tapsihan. Here bikers have the option to make a stopover to have their breakfast or lunch depending on what time of their arrival.

Photos taken from our REVPAL Ride last March 16, 2016 at Marcos Twin Mansion.

From L-R: Archie, Charles & Alex

From L-R: Archie, Myself & Charles

Here are the links of the videos of one of our Revpal rides.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CKeN60NWzI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuzyqMsL1Q4

TAYAK HILL, APRIL 2, 2016

One of our most memorable rides was the Tayak Hill Loop (Calamba-Los Banos-Calauan-Rizal and back thru Nagcarlan-Victoria-Los Banos-Calamba). Tayak Hill is situated at the Western side of Mount Banahaw in Tala Rizal Laguna. We covered a total of about 120 kms after completing this loop. The climb was very challenging especially when we were about to reach the destination. But the scenery when we finally reached the spot where the cross is standing was very rewarding. The temperature was soothingly cold and the mountains surrounding the hill were awesome! We stayed for maybe an hour to do some selfie stunts before heading back home. This journey was the Golden Bikers' first long ride officially as BadBoys.

MOUNT MAKILING, APRIL 24, 2016

Your Laguna mountain biking experience will not be complete without visiting Mount Makiling in Los Banos Laguna. It's a 25 km ride from our location in Calamba City. Mount Makiling is a well protected rain forest. It's rocky trail was very ideal for hiking and mountain biking adventures. But sadly the last time we went there to my horror, the trail has already been paved. I just could not comprehend why Filipinos are paving trails like this and leaving city roads with holes as big as mountain craters? Although I am definitely certain that we all know the answer to this.