Both cars are in the repair shop. I thought one would be ready in time for the race. Guess not.

As soon as I found out about the car not being available for the race I sent a text message to Togs. I need a ride to the race.

His Mitsubishi Adventure can comfortably fit 3 persons, Togs included. We just decided to say fuck it & see what happens, though he guaranteed (kinda) we can fit all 4 bikes in his AUV.

Both wheels of the bikes need to be removed & we were able to fit all 4 inside. Problem is one person needs to sit in the rear, with the bikes, using a small cooler as a stool. Since I was the last to arrive I volunteered to be that person.

Though a little late as planned we arrived at the race proper at the Phuket Mansions Clubhouse with an ample amount of time to spare.

Start your engines!

This is my first time trial race. Racers would be released 2 by 2, in 1-minute intervals.

I was quite surprised to find out upon starting the bikers would have to go down a short flight of stairs (4 steps). Some opted to walk it, some rode it.

My “partner” was Gerry, a fellow Backout Boy & Team Prima member. As the whistle was blown marking our start time Gerry shot out ahead of me — even after “respectfully” telling me I could be the first one off the line…!

I held his rear wheel but I can sense & feel him subtly trying to shake be off. All I can do is laugh. I didn’t want to exert too much effort into the race at the start. Main reason is this first part of the track came as a surprise as we have never ridden this part that leads to the more familiar Cardiac Hill.

Passing through the Phuket Mansions gate the track turns right onto the main road of The Mansions, but the street in the immediate area after turning was cordoned off forcing the riders to ride on the side of the road. Is this “off”-road?

The rough & grassy “off”-road section slightly ascends then, naturally, turns into a fast (non-technical) downhill section where Gerry finally decided to let me pass, then merges with the road. This must be taken advantage of & the start of gaining momentum should be done here for the approaching first climb.

The game plan

My game plan for these climbs is to stick to my pace & comfort zone. That game plan was teetering on the edge of the window sill I was feeling pressure of doing better than normal but also forcing myself to stick to the plan. The ascent prevented me from straying from the plan, but not by choice.

After a while Gerry was catching up to me. I was expecting it as he has been biking for years now & I’m still a rookie. I don’t mind him. I keep my spinning constant as I listen to the music blasting through my earphones.

Like I mentioned before this first batch of climbs came as a surprise. Just when I thought the first climb was about to end I took a peek further ahead & saw an ascending twisty turn. What the hell, I thought. So I put my head down & concentrate on spinning.

Stronger riders were overtaking me. I didn’t care, that was expected. I continued spinning. I then noticed the road flattening out. Recovery area! Yes! I still tried to control myself so I won’t give out a burst of speed. As soon as the road flattened it suddenly starts to descend. Cemented downhill. Steep.

I moved my weight back, tucked my elbows slightly in, leaned forward, & prayed that all my increased food intake will help me shave a few seconds off my total time. And I think it did. I went fast.

I noticed the gap between the riders in front of me & myself move closer & closer. Then a sudden uphill climb. Naturally they slow down. I urge my fats to work together with gravity, come on, come on, COME OWN!

I had good momentum to boost me a few meters up the climb, & it helped me overtake another racer & get closer to another one.

Breathe easy, I told myself. Don’t let the pressure get to you, I reminded myself.

Then another downhill section towards the foot of what is known as the Cardiac Hill, where the race took its name. On the downhill & flat section after this is where I noticed riders were starting to battle each other. This is familiar ground. I held my pace. I didn’t want to lose all my energy right before the familiar Cardiac climb. We still had a fairly long way to go.Along the climb were clusters of spectators & friends of racers. I found a group of the latter. It was the Bike Hub riders. I reached up to my GoPro Hero helmet cam & started recording. Then Gary suddenly shot out of the group & stood in my path, with arms waving.

“No! You can’t pass! You won’t finish the race,” he started shouting while laughing. We all laughed with him, & it didn’t help me in any way as I was still climbing. As I drew closer he naturally went back to his group to let me pass.

Suffering continues

So I said goodbye & I continued pedaling. The rest of the way was all familiar terrain sans the relaxing atmosphere. Spectators & non-participants were scattered along the side of the route, both resting & watching the racers ride by.

I felt relief when I noticed the first recovery section of the Cardiac climb. When the road started to flat out I shifted to a heavier gear & started pedaling relatively hard, but not hard enough to risk bonking. There were still 2 more road climbs & 1 gradual climb on rough terrain.

More recovery & a chance to gain some momentum was ahead of me as the road started descending right before the uphill climb marking the end of Cardiac Hill. There were more spectators here as this part is usually used by most as a resting area. Because of this this is also where a medical team set up their tent. Good work by the organizers to set one up here in the middle of the route.

Climbing the last part Cardiac Hill I noticed a familiar figure in front of me. A familiar jersey. A jersey exactly what I was wearing. A Team Prima jersey. It was Gerry. With my constant cadence & speed I noticed I was gaining ground on him. Will he let me pass? I laugh to myself.

I stuck to my game plan. I continued spinning in a comfortable gear. I kept to my pace. I noticed Gerry in a heavier gear combination… but I was gaining on him constantly. A few meters before the gate & guardhouse at the top of Cardiac Hill I pass him. I keep my head down, concentrate on pedaling, listening to music.

“Whew!” I breathed out loudly, a feeble attempt at some sort of conversation with Gerry. But, yet again, I got reminded how Gerry becomes more incomprehensible when tired. I also reminded myself how Gerry is already incomprehensible when sober, what more if he’s about to collapse from biking? Hahaha, kidding bro!

He ignored me, he didn’t make a sound. So I continued pedaling, approaching another recovery & downhill section. Rest & build up momentum, I told myself, for the next climb before reaching the end of the cemented road & the start of the dirt road towards bukohan, the usual rest stop of mountain bikers for some fresh buko (coconut) juice, Cloud 9 chocolates, & cold Gatorade!

Climbing the final cemented road climb I looked back to check on Gerry. He was still there. So I continue on. I felt tired but I didn’t dare stop. Finally I can see the local sari-sari store just at the start of the dirt road. Here we go, more exciting terrain. This gave me a boost of energy.

Finally, DIRT!

As I started to navigate the first few ruts & bumps on the dirt road I felt that energy suddenly get depleted. Damn, I thought, but I liked riding offroad better than on the road, even while climbing.

I tried not to look far ahead as the road was still on an incline but I just couldn’t resist. I had to find out how many people are in front of me that I can see, & how far they are from me, & if I will be able to catch up to them & maybe overtake them. I saw 2-3 riders. I concentrated on the one nearest me without having to pedal too hard lest I bonk out.

I continued my more-than-normal way of pedaling in an effort to stay in my own pace but at the same time catch up, & hopefully overtake, the racer in front of me. Eventually, I succeeded. I was also able to overtake the other 2. Whee!

Since this is the main road we had to share it with locals’ vehicles: assembled personal jeeps called owner jeeps, assembled trucks, & tricycles. Good thing we only shared it with 1 of each vehicle. I hate having to stop just to avoid crashing with them. During regular rides, sure, no problem. But not during a race.

My elation of passing a few riders helped boost my energy once more. I knew I was nearing the finish line but I also knew there was still quite a distance to go. Though with slight downhill portions most parts of this stretch is uphill, on rough terrain, without real shade from the sun. Good thing I enjoy riding offroad rather than road as I was able to still conserve my energy.

Again, looking ahead I finally caught a glimpse of bike tires hanging from the bukohan’s improvised bike rack. More people were resting & watching the racers from there. As I neared it a man was waving for me to continue. He was shouting the finish line wasn’t there, that I should continue pedaling. I understood his concern. The bukohan is a regular resting place for bikers riding in these areas. But I still wanted to shout, “I know! Shaddap dedemet!” but I just nodded my head & smiled in thanks. Polite, no?

Right after bukohan the dirt road ends & a cemented road starts once more. OK, at least the flat surface would help me catch my breath, but I still didn’t want to pedal too hard. I could feel myself giving up if I did that. So, as always, I pedaled in my comfort zone, feeling no pressure from riders behind me as I couldn’t hear anyone. Good.

Looking ahead I noticed more riders. Will I be able to catch up? I hoped, but didn’t really count on it.

After a few meters I noticed I was catching up to the guy in front of me. I started balancing the pressure plus temptation to pedal hard with my own pace & cadence. Damn this pressure!

I also noticed him to be more tired than I was. The gap was growing smaller. Yipee! Go, go, go, I silently told myself. When I was about to overtake him on his right side I called out, “Right side, sir,” then he swerved to the right. What the…?! Then he look back & saw me, so he swerved back to the left. I take it he misunderstood me. Maybe he thought I was telling him to move to the right. That or he couldn’t think straight anymore.

“Thanks,” I said as I passed him.

The final stretch

Up ahead I saw another rider & further another one was dismounted, checking something on his bike. I wished I could overtake him, then I noticed his jersey: Team Prima. Uh, oh. That’s when I noticed it was Ramil. Broken chain? Broken derailleur? I hope not. I hope he could still get on his bike & finish the race. Then he mounted & continued the race. Nice!

I knew we were nearing the end & I decided to go for it & pedal harder than normal. I knew I wouldn’t have a chance of overtaking Ramil, but I could take that. So I set my sights on the rider between him & myself.

I shifted to a heavier gear & pedaled hard. Good thing we were on a wide dirt road. Even with ruts & dips it was still easier to find good lines. Then I heard a vehicle behind me getting near. It sounded as if the driver was trying to race against me. Why the heck would he do that, I asked myself. To be safe I stayed on the right side of the road to give him room to pass.

Then he overtook me. When the vehicle was ahead of me it kept its speed the same as mine. Then the person on the passenger side stuck his head out, along with a camera. Damn! Fight. The. Urge. To. Stop. And. Pose. Then I noticed the decal on the side of the truck: Weekend Warrior, the magazine.

Fighting. The. Urge. Harder. To. Stop. And. Pose.

After they took the photo they sped up to the next rider. Nearing him they naturally slowed down, for safety reasons, but I saw I can successfully overtake him. Problem is the small truck. When they noticed what I was planning they slowed down some more to give me room to maneuver to the right side of the other rider. So I did & pedaled harder.

I could see all the other participants who’ve finished the race along with some spectators. A tent was set up on the left side of the road. A man from the tent brought up some binoculars aimed at my direction. As I got closer I could hear a few of them informing the others of the racers that are about to cross the finish line.

“127! 127 about to cross!”

As I passed them they told me I’m finished with the race. Whew!

Enough? Not nearly…

With racers still climbing to the finish line we have to choices to get back to the assembly area (starting point): Wait for the race to finish & follow the reverse route (shorter) or go through other Sta. Rosa trails (longer). From what I heard a lot of other racers went with friends & chose the longer route. Same with us.

As the racers from Team Prima started the reverse route down, & I got a surprise when I saw Rodel, a fellow Backout Boy watching the race (he has since moved to Malabon; he pedaled all the way to Sta. Rosa to watch & was planning on pedaling all the way back) we came upon the other team members who didn’t join climbing up the track, telling us to turn back & we’ll do the longer route back to the race assembly area.

I was taking up the rear along with Rodel. When I saw them approaching me I gave them a puzzled look. Togs said we’ll be taking the longer route & go down Upak Road (the long downhill road which used to be pure rocky & slightly technical dirt road but is now almost fully cemented).

As I don’t memorize the route I stuck to the rear & followed the whole group. We passed through an easy trail, descended into a stream, dismounted, & carried our bikes across the footbridge.

After crossing the trail didn’t give us a chance to mount yet as we needed to ascend a man-made set of stairs sculpted out of the soil. Once we were on more level ground we mounted, continued pedaling, & came out to a small cemented road — and no one knew for sure which was to go. It was a Team Prima tradition: getting lost in the trails.

Eventually we found our way to Upak, but not before our group was split in two. Gerry decided to be the trail master & led the others away from Upak, quite convinced he was in the correct path. They were too far out to chase after so we decided to just send them a text message that we’ll see them back in The Mansions.

Going, going, gone!

Going down Upak I really wanted to enter the Duck Trail to get down but Togs was in a hurry — he didn’t want the raffle to start without us. So down Upak we went, quite fast, exiting into the road that connect Sta. Rosa with Tagaytay.

Rodel & I being left to take up the rear along with another rider we didn’t know. As we passed through Paseo de Sta. Rosa the other rider disappeared. We assumed he had his car parked there & after waiting for 5 minutes we decided to go on without him & went after the other guys.

When we reached The Mansions the raffle hasn’t started yet, but the others have started eating. I went to get my free meal courtesy of Yellow Cab Pizza (2 huge pizza slices, 1 serving of carbonara, & 1 can of Sprite Zero) while waiting for the raffle & awarding to start.

Gerry & Togs were called for the raffle, but they weren’t available. Gerry still hasn’t arrived with Chucky, Borj, etc., & Togs was in the restroom. Their numbers were put back in the bowl. Ryan’s number was called & he won a Mongoose shirt.

In our category (Men’s 24-30), & in others, there were discrepancies in the ranking & time-keeping. After hearing the announced winners’ times we found out Ryan’s time & rank wasn’t included correctly. Bottom line, he should have been 2nd.

I’m not sure if the issue has already been resolved but I’m pretty sure Chucky, as team captain, & Ryan won’t leave it in error (pressure for you, Chuck, haha!).

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