Novaliches-Santolan, Pasig-Marikina-San Mateo-Novaliches

Yesterday morning, I left at around 6:30 AM. I again braved Commonwealth Avenue. This time, it's the stretch from Mindanao Avenue up to Tandang Sora Avenue, where I turned left.

My first pit stop was at UP Diliman. While resting, I was surprised when a totally stranger biker approached me and called my name. He's Momoy - my blog visitor. And, he recognized my bike. Nice meeting you personally, Momoy!

UP Diliman Sunken Garden

After a 10-minute rest, I proceeded via Katipunan Avenue, Aurora Boulevard, Marcos Highway, and entered Evangelista Street - the way to Barangay Santolan.

Entering Barangay Santolan

Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Parish Church

After visiting my relatives, I traversed and explored Marikina City going to San Mateo, Rizal.

Marikina City Bike Lane

Marikina City Hall

Entering Sto. Nino, San Mateo, Rizal

Fried vegetable lumpia to satisty my hunger

Kambal Extension Road, San Mateo, Rizal
A bottle of beer at Froys Plaze

From San Mateo, I went home via Batasan Road and Commonwealth Avenue.

My ride to Santolan, Pasig City

This morning, I'm pedaling to Santolan, Pasig City to visit my Aunt, who's celebrating her birthday today.

It's about 20 kilometers from our place here in Novaliches, Quezon City.

My planned route is Commonwealth Avenue - Tandang Sora Avenue - Katipunan Avenue - Aurora Boulevard - Marcos Highway - Evangelista Avenue, Santolan, Pasig City. On the way back, I'd passed by Marikina City and San Mateo, Rizal.

I'd be leaving at about 6:30 AM.

Wish me safe ride.

My bike stand

I bought a bike stand.

Bike to burn extra food intake

We're invited to a birthday and thankgiving luncheon. And, I ate too much - especially the lechon (roasted pig).

I need to burn these extra food intake. So, instead of going to my scheduled UP Diliman ride, I went to San Mateo, Rizal for uphill climb instead.

At Froys Plaze, I was still undecided where to bike. While preparing, I considered where to go:

To Shotgun?

Or, to Timberland?

I decided the latter.

At the Timberland:


A refreshing bottle of Light Beer after a hard climb.

Happy birthday, Rachelle Ariola. Again, congratulations to her sister, Atty. Aimee Ariola.

Novaliches-Payatas-Rodriguez-San Mateo-Batasan ride

My Kia Carens (KarenPot) has run more than 51,000 kilometers. She was already overdue for her 50,000 kms. Periodic Maintenance Service (PMS).

My original plan was to bring her to Kia Pasig. And, while waiting for the service to finish, I'd bike the Marcos Highway - Sumulong Highway - Ortigas Avenue - Amang Rodriquez Avenue Loop.

However, the plan was changed. Instead of Kia Pasig, I brought my car to Kia Fairview, which is the nearest Kia service center from our place. Thence, I executed my other ride plan: the Payatas/Litex Road - Rodriguez - San Mateo - Batasan Road Loop.

After turning over KarenPot to the service center, I started pedaling. This is my first time to traverse Payatas Road and Rodriquez. As expected, the ride along Payatas Road was stenchy.

The loop consists of paved roads. And, for some bumpy rides, I again took the Patiis, Maly-Ampid, and Abuab Roads in San Mateo.

From Kia Fairview, I started pedaling

Corner of IBP Road and Payatas Road

Somewhere along Payatas Road, I saw two mountain bikers taking the same route

Highway Boundary

Montalban Bridge

Marikina River viewed from Montalban Bridge


Rodriguez-San Mateo boundary

The muddy portion of Maly-Ampid Road

San Mateo-Batasan Bridge

And, back to Kia Fairview

Thanks to PMTBikers Plankton_Dash and Rocky for your very helpful heads up and advices on how to ride the Payatas/Litex Road.

Bike commuting home

My car's number coding day is Wednesday. Thus, I have to wait for 7:00 PM to leave my office.

Instead of whiling away the two hours in the office or in a bar, I'm thinking of bike commuting home.

The distance from my office in Makati City and my home in Novaliches, Quezon City is about 30 kilometers only.

Yesterday, I'd planned of executing this. I looked for possible routes and charted the safest route. I estimated that I could be home in 2 and a half hours (at an average speed of 15 kms/hr), including stops.

So, I checked my equipment. They're okay except for my rear light. Its bracket is broken. Hence, I called my plan off.

I have to fix it first and attempt again next Wednesday.

Exploring Maly-Ampid and Patiis Roads

Two days ago, I partly explored the Maly-Ampid Road. Today, I went back and fully explored this road and Patiis Road. They are located in San Mateo, Rizal.

I parked my car at Froys Plaze. Thence, I pedaled along Kambal Road Ext. towards E. de los Santos Road then U-turned at the intersection for my warm-up ride. From C-6 Road, I took the road going to Shotgun Trail and proceeded to Maly-Ampid Road then left turned to Patiis Road. The latter ends at Gen. Luna Avenue - the main road of San Mateo. At its intersection, I turned and pedaled back. Along the way, I saw three resorts and checked them out.

Patiis Road from Gen. Luna Ave.

Maly-Ampid Road towards Abuab Road

Shunji Resort (Mt. Maarat at the backdrop)

Enjoying a bottle of not-so-cold beer.

Green Nature Resort

Biking around the GN Resort

My second Mt. Maarat trail experience

My first Mt. Maarat trail experience was last December 6.

This afternoon, I again explored the trail and took the main road - straight ahead. The trail has many branches. The last time, I turned left at the first intersection from the trailhead.

Preparing AlitePot for the ride:

Timberland Clubhouse at the backdrop

Everything's ready:

Approaching the trailhead:

The farthest that I've gone; and, I turned back:

On my way to and fro, I did not see any biker. However, when I exited the trail, I saw a group of bikers preparing to enter the trail. Then, I saw some bikers coming out from the trail.

New Year ride to Timberland Heights

It's the first day of the year. And, I pedaled my first ride for the new year.

At noon, I proceeded to San Mateo, Rizal and again climbed up to Timberland Heights.

Up . . .

Down . . .

Up again . . .

And, finally . . .

I also explored the few hundred meters of Maly-Ampid Road.

My quickie ride ended at 3:30 PM, and, I went home.

Happy & Prosperous New Year!

Happy and Prosperous 2010
to all of us!