Sunny Sunday Ride

@ Licao Trails - August 30, 2015

 

Some areas were still muddy:

Licao Loop - 9/16/14

It's a post typhoon "Luis" solo ride.  The loop:  from Nova to Licao terminal via Ygay Road and back to Nova via the Macabud / Pangarap trails.  The distance is about 45 kilometers.

As always, I was late again leaving home a couple of minutes after 8:00 AM.  My plan was to enter Pangarap trails and exit via Tungko trails.  But, the rain fell before I left.  So, I changed my plan - take Ygay Road on the way to and fro Licao terminal.  At Licao, I again changed my plan - take the Macabud / Pangarap trails on my way back home.  The last time I passed Macabud / Pangarap was 4 months ago.

By the way, I bumped into Ato a.k.a. PCTalk at Ygay Road on his way back home.  He also rode solo to Licao terminal.

The downhill portion from Sitio Udiongan to Sitio Quarry is being paved:

The second downhill portion from Sitio Quarry to Selecta is still rutty and now ruttier:

Let's enjoy the trails while they last!

Guiding a Licao first timer

A PMTB friend, Nestor, requested me to guide him to the trails of Licao, which I gladly accepted. The ride was last January 19.

Congratulations Nestor for conquering some portions of the Licao trails.

Licao veterans and Licao newbies meet

I was riding solo.  I woke up earlier and left home by 6:00 am.

But, at the Pangarap gate, I saw two familiar bikers - Ka Leo and Jojo.  They are among the veterans of Licao-licao.  We rode together and proceeded to the trails.

We stopped over at the La Mesa gate as Ka Leo fixed something in his bike.  When its done, we prepared to go on.  Then, a group of young bikers was coming.  Anton (Stoner124) introduced himself and his 3 friends.  They are the newbies of Licao-licao.  Thence, we rode as a group up to the Licao terminal.

SS / Rigid attack to Licao-licao trails

I miss Licao-licao trails.  It's more than a month that I've not been there. And, I thought of riding there for my Araw ng Kagitingan ride. But, there's a problem.  When riding on trails, I usually use my geared Marin Alpine Trail 29er.  However, she's not yet in tiptop condition. Her chain skips when pedaling uphill.  And, the trails from Tungko to Macabud have lots of climbs

So, the only option is to use my other bike - an SS KHS Alite 150 with rigid fork. I usually ride this bike on roads.  And, my plan was to attack Timberland and beyond again.

Then, I changed my mind.  Last Sunday, I attacked Maarat basic trail with my SS; and, I survived.  And, attacking Licao-licao is not a bad idea.   Why not?  Anyway, it's not mortal sin to push the bike on uphills.

From home, I pedaled towards San Jose del Monte (SJDM) City.  Along the way, I saw a group of mountain bikers, some are from Padyakenyos Bike Club, converging in a gasoline station.  I learned later that they pedaled to Licao-licao too via Pangarap Village.

At Tungko, SJDM City, I entered the trails at Paradise to Barrio Bisaya to Jackhammer to Bricktown and exited via the single tracks to Ygay Road.  Then, I pedaled the paved road to Licao Jeepney terminal, where I rested for awhile and had my snack.

On my way to San Mateo, Rizal, I bumped into SSister YummyNia and Noli.

The trail ride with a single speed, rigid fork, clipless pedal, and single brake (front only) had been very challenging, exciting, and more fun.  I really thought I'd push my bike up most of the time.  But, surprisingly, I pushed my bike up in two instances only.

I'm now considering converting my Marine Alpine Trail 29er into an SS too.