I postpone my ride to Baguio City

My mother, who lives in Sydney, Australia, arrived last Monday for her annual vacation here. And, we'd planned of spending this weekend in Baguio City.

An idea crossed my mind. I'd leave a day ahead of them by pedaling all the way to Baguio City. It would be a part of my training for my planned Novaliches to Tuguegarao City ride. I'd leave Thursday and arrive Baguio Friday afternoon. They'd leave Friday: and, we'd rendezvous in Burnham Park.

However, the trip was postponed; and, I also postponed my ride.

I register at 43 Bikes Philippines

I just found out about the 43 Bikes forum; and, I immediately registered.

My handle is "Tom D' Biker".

Training for mountain crossing

My planned pedal all the way to Tuguegarao City involves crossing several mountains. As a preparation, I went to San Mateo, Rizal this weekend and climbed mountains. Yesterday, I climbed the Timberland Heights twice; and, today, the Shotgun then the Timberland Heights.

I would do more mountain climbing to make my legs stronger.

Saturday




Sunday

Protection from the sun

It's summer; and, it's so hot riding under the sun.

I usually ride out when the sun is already out - between 7:00 am to 2:00 pm. As a results, my exposed skin becomes darker. To prevent it from getting darker, I bought garments that would cover and protect me from the sunrays; such as pairs of jogging pants, pairs of arm warmers/covers, and bonnets.

Bonnets

Arm warmers

I join the 12th Tour of the Fireflies

My out of town trip today didn't push through. And, I was able to join the 12th Tour of the Fireflies.

I woke up early; so, I could pedal all the way to the starting line in Tiendesitas, Pasig City. That's about 21 kilometers one-way. I passed by Neopolitan Business Park to join other bikers for the pedal all the way. But, only Jerome showed up. The two of us left Neopolitan at about 5:45 am and passed through Commonwealth Avenue - Tandang Sora - Katipunan Avenue - White Plains - Ortigas Avenue. We arrived at Tiendesitas an hour later.

The total participants was estimated at more than 10,000. The total distance of the route is about 40 kilometers. In the process, gridlocks were created along the way to the discontentment of the affected motorists and pedestrians. At the Ayala Avenue, the bikers stopped over for a breather and for another program.

It was indeed an enjoyable experience joining this kind of biking event.

A fellow PMTBiker, Jerome, who rode with me from Neopolitan to Tiendesitas. Nice meeting you and riding with you.




When we arrived, the pack's ready to pedal just waiting for the go signal.


Along FVR Road









Stop-over along Ayala Avenue, Makati City


The biking beauties

My bike - AlitePot

Along Makati Avenue

At the Makati-Mandaluyong bridge

The biking plant

At the finish line, the bikers were treated with showers.

Nice looking green bike

The biking plumber and his bike with full of faucets

On my way home approaching Katipunan - Aurora flyover

My lunch of siomai fried rice at a Chinese Restaurant near Ever Commonwealth

I miss climbing mountains

It's been a long time since I climbed mountains. The last one was more than a month ago.

Hence, this morning I left home at 8:00 am and pedaled all the way where the mountains are - to San Mateo, Rizal. I arrived at Aling Tina's Eatery for my first pit stop. Checking the food, I found a favorite - a dinuguan. I ordered one with rice. While eating, I contemplated on what mountain to climb - Timberland or Shotgun? I chose the former.

Dreaming of Novaliches to Tuguegarao City ride

Tuguegarao City is about about 470 kilometers from our place in Novaliches. My parents came from nearby towns. My father was from Iguig and my mother is from Penablanca.

These are details of my initial and tentative plan of my dream ride:

When = within the month of June 2010

Routes to take:

• Novaliches to Cagayan Valley Road, Bulacan via either Quirino Highway or Manila North Road;
• Stretch of the Cagayan Valley Road from Bulacan to Santiago Isabela;
• National Highway from Santiago City to Tuguegarao via Roxas, Isabela.

Number of biking days = Three days

Days of ride = Friday to Sunday or Saturday to Monday

Speed = about 15 kilometers / hour

Number of hours of ride per day = about ten hours

Starting time = at about 6:00 am

Rest time - every one and a half to two hours of pedaling

Places of stopover for overnight:

• First night = San Jose, Nueva Ecija
• Second night = Diadi, Nueva Viscaya or Cordon, Isabela
• Third night = Tuguegarao City

This is still a dream and may not materialize. Nonetheless, I've been preparing and training for this.

In the meantime, I've sought the thoughts, tips, advices, and suggestions of my fellow PMTBikers to make this trip doable, easier and more enjoyable. Thank you in advance for your inputs.

My second experience at the FBMTB Circuit

Last Saturday, it's the CABA Zone. And, yesterday, I again experienced the FBMTB Circuit.

I arrived at the fort's parking lot by car at about 1:30 pm. While driving to the fort, my eyes were closing; so, I took a nap first before hitting the trails.

At 2:30 pm, I entered the trails. After riding the sections I'd ridden before, I was able to locate the other sections and tried them.

Taking a nap first

After my 30-minute nap, I fixed my bike (AlitePot)

Warming up.

Resting under the tree shades.

The Libingan ng mga Bayani is just adjacent. So, I visited my father's grave first before concluding my ride.

The graves are also affected by El Nino. The verdant grasses are turning into brown.

My father's grave.




Packing up.