SSolo Ride at Mt. Maarat

Another SSaturday of SSolo ride at Mt. Maarat, San Mateo, Rizal.

Typhoon Lando Ride

There's an incoming typhoon (locally named "Lando"); and, it has been declared signal no. 1 in Metro Manila.

As I looked out at the sky, the weather's cloudy and still perfect for riding.  So, I prepared to bike and headed to Mt. Maarat, in San Mateo, Rizal.

Mt. Maarat Ride - 9/5/15

Another Muddy Ride

@ Mt. Maarat - August 23, 2015

With Jay Van Geli:

Training for my Baguio ride

More than two (2) weeks from now, I'll attempt to pedal from Novaliches all the way to Baguio City.

As part of my training, I'm going to do tomorrow the Novaliches to Antipolo to Mt. Maarat to Novaliches loop.  This is about 68 kilometers.

My intended route:

Novaliches - Masinag - up to Antipolo via Sumulong Highway - down to Cogeo via Olalia Road - Cabading - up to Mt. Maarat - Timberland - down to C6 - Novaliches.

The distance from Masinag up to Olalia Road via Sumulong Highway is about 7 kilometers; while from Cabading up to Pintong Bocaue 4 kilometers.

If there's extra time, I'd side trip to any of the trails in Mt. Maarat.

SS Attack to Timberland and Mt. Sinai

I had a hard time climbing Timberland Heights this morning. And, I felt I wasn't in the mood. I stopped and rested five times; and, it took me an hour to reach the gate.  While resting, I was thinking whether to push through with my ride to Maarat basic trail then up to Giant and Mount Sinai to see the Merrell Run Event.

Then, someone greeted me.  It's Jermaine. When I learned that he and his friends would go to where I was supposed to go, I decided to tag along.

Jing, Dexter, Jermaine, & Marlon

Spicy Pancit & Spam at Giant Store

 At Mount Sinai

Broken RD converted into SS

SS Attack to Timberland, Maarat, Pestano

I woke up early today.  I pinched my legs; and, the pains were gone.  Great!

After peeping the Internet while sipping a cup of coffee, I prepared to bike.  My planned route: pedal all the way from Novaliches to Timberland to Maarat to Giant & v.v.

I again rode my SS bike.  The last time I climbed Timberland, I did it in 5 stops.  Now, it's 3 only.  More training!

Thence, I proceeded to Maarat basic trail and Giant.  However, instead of going to Giant, I turned right to Pestano Breakfast Club.  It's now serving buffet breakfast.  But, I still preferred the ala carte and ordered Trailblazers Skillet and a cup of coffee.

It's another day of great ride!

Muddy weekend rides

It was raining for the past days. Consequently, the trails were muddy despite there were no more rains last weekend.

I had been shunning muddy trails, as much as possible, to avoid getting my bikes, clothes and things full of muds.

But, last weekeend, I craved for them. Saturday, I passed by the Macabud trails on my way to San Mateo, Rizal.

While resting somewhere in Macabud

And, on Sunday, I went to Mt. Maarat and passed by the basic trails going to Giant store adn vice versa.

After the Maarat Trails ride

Both trails were muddy with slippery portions. And, I had hard times negotiating them. Unfortunately, there were slips and falls. To avoid more falls, I just walked and pushed my bikes some of the times.

Pasig to Maarat / Timberland via Cabading

I had my car repaired at Kia Pasig this morning. Instead of waiting for it to be finished at the Customers Lounge, I brought my bike and pedaled to Timberland Heights in San Mateo.

Two PMTBikers, Kinetic and Soltero, showed up at the service center and rode with me. We left at about 8:00 am.

Another PMTBiker, Slipoldey, arrived 15 minutes after we left and chased and caught us up at Cabading - Marcos Highway junction.

Slipoldey, Soltero, & Kinetic

Slipoldey, Soltero, & me

Our route: Kia Pasig – Marcos Highway – Cabading, Antipolo – Pestano – Maarat – Timberland.

Slipoldey

Soltero

Kinetic



Breakfast at Pestano Farms

My order of Longanisa Hamonado with eggs



At Timberland

I join the Manila group in conquering the Wall

This morning, the Manila bikers met and started pedaling at the Kilometer Zero (Rizal Monument in Rizal Park). I and other bikers joined them at the UP Diliman Oval. Thence, the fortified group proceeded to San Mateo, Rizal to conquer the Wall and beyond.

Note: The Wall is the infamous name dubbed to the ascending part of the C-6 road leading to Timberland Heights in Mount Maarat from San Mateo, Rizal

Meeting of bikers at UP Diliman

Rest at Aling Tina’s Eatery before the climb

One of the rest places on the way up

Timberland, conquered finally

At the Mt. Maarat trailhead ready to conquer what lies beyond Timberland

At the Pestano Farm Breakfast Club – everybody's tired and hungry.

My lunch of corned beef and eggs

Back to Timberland and on the way home