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.

Christmas ride to Mt. Samat

We'd spent the Christmas eve and are spending the Christmas Day with my sister-in-law and her family in Balanga City. And, this is the best opportunity for me to try one of Bataan's bike trails.

I woke early at 7:00 AM. After eating my breakfast of fried smoked milkfish, fried egg, and lengua, I took off at quarter to 8:00 AM. My destination - Mount Samat, which is located in the next town of Pilar.


From Dona Francisca Subdivision, the distance to the foot of the mountain is about 10 kilometers. And, the uphill climb is about 7 kilometers.


To make the climb more challenging, I pedaled on unpaved shoulders. I just used the paved road, when it's too difficult or dangerous to ride on the shoulders. It was a grueling two-hour climb. I made so many stops to catch my breath.









But, finally, I made it.