Balanga to Morong ride pictures

My family, in two cars, overtook me at the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant. And, these pictures were taken my my daughter, Jaja.

Balanga City to Morong, Bataan

We're back to Bataan again this weekend for another family outing.

Today, we drove from Novaliches to Balanga City and rendezvoused at my sister-in-law's house. From there, I left ahead at 9:30 am and pedaled all the way to Morong, Bataan. It took me three hours, enduring the long uphills and enjoying the long downhills, to reach my destination. My family, in two cars, overtook me somewhere after the gate of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant.

After two hours of ride, I stopped, replenished my water, and a little rest.

When there's uphill,

There's downhill

Finally, I arrived at Phi-Phi Resort

Rehydrate, rehydrate:

No dismount climb to Mount Samat in 48 minutes

My first climb to Mount Samat was in Christmas 2009. I dismounted to rest 5 or 6 times. I made another climb in June 2010 with two dismounts.

Last month, I attempted to climb it again coming and pedaling all the way from Novaliches. But, I arrived in Balanga at dusk already. So, I didn't push through with the climb.

Last night, we attended the debut celebration of our niece in Balanga City. Hence, this morning, I had the opportunity to climb Mt. Samat again. And, I'd attempt of doing it non-stop, no dismount - from the arch to the gate.

From Balanga City, I pedaled up to the arch of the Dambana ng Kagitingan. After setting my stop watch, I pedaled off and up. At the gate, my stop watch read exactly 48 minutes.

From Mt. Maarat to Mt. Samat

Last Saturday, I climbed Mt. Maarat in San Mateo, Rizal. Today, I climbed another mountain - the Mt. Samat in Pilar, Bataan.

Yesterday morning, my family went to Balanga, Bataan to visit my sister-in-law and her family. I brought my bike. And, I planned either to climb Mt. Samat again or taste the long and winding road to Bagac.

We arrived at my sis-in-law' place at about 11:00 am. And, we're treated with a hearty lunch. With the volume of food, I thought there's some celebration - a birthday or fiesta. There's none!

Steamed fish topped with mayonnaise, boiled eggs and pickles

Adobong pusit

Ginataang hipon

Beef with corn

Tokwa't goto

Fried pugo

Pipino

Malagkit

My sister-in-law, our generous hostess, in the middle flanked by (R-L) wifey, son Luigi, daughter Jaja, & Jaja's friend - Jonathan

Thank you Ate Tatie for the sumptuous and hearty meal.

I wasn't able to control myself and indulged. I was so full and rested for sometime. I thought I couldn't bike anymore. And, I napped. Zzzzzzzzzzzzz!

I woke up after about 20 minutes. Still full, I needed to burn it. And, I prepared to bike.

It's good I already have a bike rack; otherwise, I couldn't bring my bike. Or, I would pedal all the way again. He he . . .

I started pedaling towards Pilar at around 1:00 pm. Along the highway, I saw the cross calling. So, I decided on climbing it again. The last time I climbed it was last Christmas for my Christmas ride.

The Dambana ng Kagitingan Arch at the foot of the mountain. It's about 10 kilometers from my sis-in-law's place and about 7 kilometers to the Dambana ng Kagitingan.

My first stop / rest at Km 3 to DK since the arch. The weather was conducive. No rain; and, the sun hid most of the time. I thought I could pedal all the way up without stopping. It's more than halfway - it's okay! The last time, I did it with 5 or 6 stops.

My second stop / rest after the last curve and before reaching the gate. I ran out of breath and power.

I reached the peak at around 3:00 pm.

After an hour of rest and beer-hydration while enjoying the breeze and the overlooking views, I started my descent.

The long downhill rush was superb. At the foot, I thought of climbing again but decided not.

We left Balanga at about 8:30 pm. I repositioned my bike in the rack. Instead of hanging by the top tube, I hanged it by the down tube to avoid clipping the cables under the top tube.

I pedal all the way to Bataan

Yesterday, the Filipinos celebrated the Araw ng Kagitingan. It's the day of the Fall of Bataan. The commemoration was mainly celebrated in Mount Samat in Pilar, Bataan.

To take part in the celebration, not in actual celebration, I pedaled all the way to Bataan province.

This is the route I'd taken:

Novaliches via:

• Urduja Subdivision
• Congressional Road
• Meycauayan City
• Manila North Road
• McArthur Highway
• Olongapo Gapan Road
• Bataan National Road

I traversed the following 19 towns:

• Caloocan City North
• Meycauayan City
• Marilao
• Bocaue
• Balagtas
• Guiguinto
• Malolos
• Calumpit
• Apalit
• Minalin
• Sto. Tomas
• San Fernando
• Bacolor
• Guagua
• Lubao
• Hermosa
• Orani
• Samal
• Abucay

The total distance is about 110 kilometers, which took me about 9 hours. I left home at 6:30 am and arrived Balanga at 3:30 pm.

I went home by riding a bus. From the bus stop at EDSA Quezon Avenue, I again pedaled all the way to Novaliches. I arrived home at about 9:30 pm.

Malolos boundary arch

Bulacan Provincial Capitol

McArthur Highway, Malolos

McArthur Highway, Minalin


My lunch of sisig kariman and shrimp siomai in a convenience store in Guagua

Gapan-Olongapo Road, Lubao

Finally, I reached the first town of Bataan - Hermosa

Layac, Dinalupihan

Orani Municipal Hall

Memorial at Orani Park

National Road, Balanga

Balanga junction (end of the line)

My merienda of dinuguan before going home

By bus in going home

AlitePot in the bus compartment

From the bus stop at EDSA - Quezon Ave., I pedaled all the way home