The Strike Ride for A Cause is an event spearheaded by the Cavite mayor himself to promote a sporty and healthy lifestyle. Being a biker himself, Mayor Strike saw it as a good opportunity to support the biking community in and around the area. Aside from it being a late birthday celebration (his birthday is March 2), there will also be a fun run in the same location prior to the bike race.

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Curiosity, and the chance to pedal a long distance (for some), got the best of some Mofos (a.k.a. Philmofo members).

I received a PM asking if I’ll be available to lead a a group of Mofos around our local trails. Since majority of the group normally rides in the east (of the metro) I decided to give them a proper welcome to the south (of the metro) trails, with this route in mind:

• Malipay trail network
• Paliparan trail (Halfway)
• Bokiko single tracks
• Bokiko’s rocky dirt road
• Langgam trail
• Paliparan trail (opposite direction now)
• Turn left at Halfway towards a dumpsite (sucks)
• Eat at the ihaw-ihaw along the road where this trail exits
• Go back in after eating, go straight to Tubuhan (a.k.a. Marlboro)
• Cross the river near the sampaloc (tamarind) tree
• Follow what I started to call the “Viva” trail going back to the Malipay single tracks
• Exit the Malipay trail network

After the first loop around Malipay we decided to have a quick breakfast and refreshments at the stores in Victoria. Then Hairball called me saying he was already at the Petron Daang Hari station. After giving him directions to where we were I went out to meet with him and bring him back to where the group was waiting so he can join the rest of the ride.

I was given a prototype of the upcoming version of the Philmofo socks which I raffled off at the end of the ride.

With 41 riders at the start only 14 riders were left at the very end* who were given a shot at the pair of socks. The challenge: guess my cyclocomp reading at the time (of the raffle). Whoever guesses closest to it will win.

Here’s the first part of the videos I shot with my GoPro helmet cam:

2010 06 13 Philmofo in Malipay, Part 01 from Francis Arellano on Vimeo.

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October 24, 2009, the Sanitarium ride happened. Click on the link to read about the ride or refresh your memory, but finally, after almost a year, I was able to fix and upload the video of this ride. It’s mostly the clips of our visitors: Vic, Ria, and her husband Dex — first-timers in Malipay.

Video follows:

2009 10 24 Rideables in Malipay from Francis Arellano on Vimeo.

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Route: Phoenix Daang Hari >> Pala-pala Dasmarinas >> Trece Martires Phoenix >> Tanza >> Kawit Phoenix >> Phoenix Daang Hari

Phoenix Ride for a Cause – community relations-building with residents of the Malipay trail network

June 12, 2010, Saturday

• 6:00 am: Assembly (Phoenix D.Hari) fellowship breakfast (light snacks)
• 7:00 am: Take off (via Paliparan, SM Dasma, Governor’s drive to Trece)
• 8:00 am: Arrival at Phoenix Gas Station, Trece Martires rest stop
• 8:15 am: Leave Phoenix Trece, proceed to Phoenix Kawit (via Governor’s Drive then right turn at main intersection to Tanza, then right again through Gen. Trias, through Bacao Road till we reach Kawit.
• 10:15 am: Arrival at Phoenix Gas Station Kawit, rest stop
• 10:30 am: Leave for Daang Hari
• 12:00 nn: Arrival at Phoenix Daang Hari

Mechanics of the Fund Raiser
1. All proceeds will be used to purchase groceries for gift-giving to the residents living along the Malipay Trail Network, and the purchase of medicines for donation to the Barangay Health centers that cover the Malipay Trail Area.

2. Phoenix Daang Hari will donate 50 pesos for every participant that will be able to complete the whole trip. Tickets will be issued to every rider at every station during their rest stop over and then will be submitted to Phoenix Daang Hari for the computation of the total donation amount.

Other projects : putting up of area map of trails along the trail network to prevent riders from getting lost, to avoid trespassing in other restricted areas, reminders for riders to slow down in residential areas to prevent accidents and warning signages at danger zones, reminders regarding proper trash disposal (water bottles, wrappers of snacks/energy bars etc.), etc.

With this, we hope we can encourage more riders to visit the Malipay trail network more often with our strengthened ties with the barangay/local gov’t and the residents themselves.

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It started out with a tweet. Me expressing a thought, saying I wanted to try downhill riding, but at the same time hesitant to do so.

With Ian’s assurance it will be safe I finally agreed. He assured me we’ll be riding the most newbie-friendly downhill tracks. Plus, he promised to lend me complete safety gear: a full-face helmet, body suit, knee and shin guards.

We also borrowed a DH bike for me to use. A Kona Stab Supreme.

I arrived at the meeting place on time. My riding buddies, Ian and Edwin, weren’t there when I arrived. Are they backing out? Hah! Yeah, right.

The travel was a time suck. Because of both the distance and the hellish traffic on SLEX (South Luzon Expressway — EXPRESS my ass) approaching the toll gates. The distance is bearable. The traffic I’m sure something can be done about, but dare I say making money off of motorists is more important than easing the highway users’ inconvenience. OK, I’m ranting, but seriously. 1 hour and 30 minutes of SLOOOW moving traffic towards the toll gate early in the morning, and the same thing in the afternoon going home (on the same lane/direction), on a Saturday? Common sense dictates something should be done about it! OK, I’m still ranting. I’ll stop this now.

Finally, I started seeing signs reminding people to keep Mt. Makiling clean. In no time we arrived at the UP Los Baños Sunken Garden.

From the very beginning I was experiencing a whole new way of riding: the bike’s setup and body geometry, the cumbersome safety gear strapped on the top tube and hanging from my back, the nice and plush suspension system of the Kona Stab Supreme, the pair of cycling rubber shoes I was wearing and the platform pedals (naturally, I’m not clipped in), and the weight of the downhill bike.

Starting from the parked cars I tried to pedal as far as I could go but it was impossible to pedal it all the way up the Mud Spring tracks. I didn’t take note of the time but if I remember correctly the ascent of pushing the bike up where we started took a little over an hour, including the pit stop at Station 5.

First things first, upon reaching the stores that mark our starting line: fresh buko (coconut)! Natural energy drink. And a much-needed rest. I’m not made for hiking… yet? We’ll see.

I was still wheezing from the uphill push when I noticed my guides and mentors were starting to prepare for the downhill ride. With much effort to push myself up from the bench I was sitting on I started getting my gear ready.

2010 05 01 DH Day – Prepping from Francis Arellano on Vimeo.

Now we’re ready to go. Being a first-timer on this trail and on this bike I was fairly cautious. As long as I can see way way ahead of me I wasn’t scared to let go of the brakes. But as we were riding down a (wide) mountain trail the tracks have non-stop winding curves — and these scared the shit out of me. I still have a way to go in learning to ride turns with speed so I apply the brakes as I approached and slowed myself down to a unimpressive speed.

I’d rather be unimpressive than overshoot the damn cliffs. So I ignore the voice of my self-conscious mocking me about my form. SHUT UP, I thought, shouting at it. I kept alternating between sitting down on the low saddle and standing up on the pedals to be able to use my legs as additional shock absorbers. I felt my feet and legs shaking uncontrollably from the stress of standing too long and from the vibrations from the rough terrain. I’m more used to doing descents much slower than this.

Then I hear the noise, the rattles than can only be associated with bicycles barreling fast down rough terrain. A split second after, as I go slow around the bend, a blurred vision of the downhill rider appears in my peripheral vision. With the streak of yellow on his shorts I recognized him to be Ian. Seeing him pedaling around the curves made me want to slap my hand on my forehead, as I thought to myself how the hell he did that.

I turned my attention back to the trail. With the moss-covered baby heads (rocks embedded into the ground) I had to make sure I’m following a good line and stay alert. Even though I’m not going as fast as I want to I know crashing in this terrain will hurt.

I entered and passed through another right-turning curve. I started to notice the rocks up ahead are slightly bigger than what I’ve just passed. I gripped the handlebar tighter. Then I saw a huge rock in my path. Huge enough to form a small drop. The drop isn’t really a problem, I know I can manage that. What I didn’t know was the interior tube couldn’t. As soon as I passed it I heard a different kind of sound as the fork absorbs everything the trails gives it.

I thought it was a normal thing as I’m only getting acquainted with this bike on this ride. It’s the sound of some kind of metal hitting a hard object, like a rock. I kept riding.

Then my front tire wiggles, which in turn passes it on to the handlebars, then to my hands, then to my arms. I almost lost control. My heart skipped a beat. Then I regained control back.

The trail up ahead curves left. Then I hear a shout. It was Edwin, behind my. Checking me, guiding me.

“What?!” I shouted back.

“Flat!” he said.

I applied the brakes. No wonder I almost lost control, shit, I thought. I thank God and Edwin for staying behind me.

We slowed down and proceeded to fix the flat. More than 1 snakebite pinch flats were found. We even almost ran out of patches!

And finally we’re done. Off we go again to continue the ride!

Knowing Edwin will be staying behind me as a guide Ian went ahead to have his fill of his downhill rush. 5 seconds after taking off I didn’t have any idea where he was. I couldn’t see him anymore.

I focus my concentration back on the trail, looking ahead a few feet in front of me to see what’s coming and to anticipate if I should/could roll over is, jump over it (heh!), or swerve to avoid it.

Finding me too slow Edwin alternated between staying behind me and slowing down to let me pass. Then I saw it again. Similar terrain characteristics of where I think I got the front tire flat. I was too chicken to swerve and, at the same time, too confident with the patch job we just did. I could pull the bike up a little to lessen the impact, I thought.

As I neared the small rock-formed step I pulled on the handlebar. A split second after I did a slight jump on the pedals.

Then I land back down. BLAG! I felt and heard the rear tire touch down on the trail hard. Too hard for it to be a smooth landing. I felt a slight wiggle, this time on the rear. Shit, I thought.

Edwin passed me a few meters back. But on the next curve I saw him riding slow, waiting for me. As soon as I was within earshot I shouted, “Am I flat?”

“Huh?”

“Is my rear tire flat?” I asked again.

“Yes!”

Double shit, I thought, again.

We stopped. I flipped the bike. He got his tools and we started working on the flat. One last patch left. Gulp!

Done. We inflated the tube and got ready to put it in the tire. Edwin pumps while I squeeze the tube checking if it’s inflating.

It wasn’t. Hrmm…

I don’t know why but I checked the front tire. I squeezed it. The tire folded. No air.

No patch. We ran out of.

We looked at each other. We were both disappointed with me not being able to finish the whole downhill ride.

After putting the tube back in the tire I flipped the bike back up, checked our stuff to make sure nothing was left behind, and I started the hike down. Edwin opted to walk down with me. More “mountain bike hiking…” Descending this time.

Watch out for the post about the next Mt. Makiling trip we did which had way way better results than this trip. Stay tuned!

Ride safe, ride hard!

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Excerpt: “We’ll be riding in La Mesa this Sunday. Find me a bike.”

My wife suddenly blurted that out last week. I had to make sure I was awake. I had to make sure she was awake.

***

Read The Newbie-Killer, the “novel” here

Finally, I was able to upload the short video of this ride. Watch it inside:

2010 02 28 Newbie-Killer, La Mesa Nature Reserve from Francis Arellano on Vimeo.

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(L-R) Chris, Doc Riz, Borj, me

Our plan to pedal all the way to U.P. Los Baños, to watch the Big Daddy Downhill Cup, got canceled as soon as Doc Riz found out where the race was going to be held. Main reason is we will surely get caught in the dark on our way home.

We then decided on pedaling to Sta. Rosa (and back), for a change of scenery.

We were joined by Borj the Conqueror and my old friend Chris, a first-timer  who met us at Paseo de Sta. Rosa. My riding buddies on this specific ride are heavyweights. 200+ pounders of excellent attitude, friendship, and power! (Naks! Free breakfast c/o Chris and lunch c/o Doc Riz now paid )

Because of the scorching heat we were happy with the jokes, stories, discussions, and company of today’s ride. We just decided to do 1 lap around the Nuvali mountain bike tracks, and play a little on the 4X track.

With heavyweight riding buddies it’s just right (or wrong?) to have a heavyweight route (cyclocomp’s not working… AGAIN, so no distance reading!):

• Daang Hari Police Station
• Victoria Homes
• Sampaguita
• Binan
• Carmona
• Timbao
• Sta. Rosa
• Paseo
• Nuvali tracks
• Nuvali 4X tracks
• Balibago
• National Highway
• Pacita
• San Pedro (and quick stop at Bike Hub)
• Muntinlupa/Metropolis/Star Mall area
• Alabang
• Daang Hari
• home

Next time I want Chris to experience the real Sta. Rosa trails. We’ll do this again with him soon. He said he wanted to try to pedal all the way from Mandaluyong to Sta. Rosa to the Sta. Rosa trails and back home. I can see another MTB junkie in the making.

Videos to follow (when I get to it)…

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It was weird. Last Saturday I arrived at the usual meeting place of our group during our weekend rides, at the Daang Hari Police Station. From our group (Backout Boys and Team Prima) I was the first to arrive.

Text messages were previously sent to some of the guys asking if they would be riding. Only Borj replied with, “I’ll be riding this afternoon,” as he had a hang over

A passing car on the opposite side slowed down, then I recognized Archie.

“Who are you riding with?” he asked.

I shrugged, indicating both “no one” and “I don’t know”, then he pointed towards the Fernbrook parking lot.

So I gear up and follow him there. Arriving at the entrance I saw Bonggie and his son waiting. After small talk Archie arrives on his bike. We opted to join Bonggie’s group.

We did a mid-intensity ride around the Malipay trails. After the loop they had plans to eat at Mang Ding’s. Since we saw some of our friends at Tita’s Hardin de Malipay as we were finishing the loop Archie and I opted to meet up with them and get our refreshments there.

Still wanting to ride I kept trying to convince Tugel to ride the trails, since him and Benny only rode the Sisters of Mary Immaculate (SMI) hill — all road, but he always declines. So I move on to the others (Tantan, Theo, Daniel, Eugene, and Marco). They agreed to do a quick ride around towards the exit, but I got their interest when I told them I’ll bring them to a new section.

So we did a little bit of exploration but wound up in a dead-end by a creek. And that very short downhill portion was just lovely. Too bad about the dead-end. Short video follows:

2010 03 13 Malipay 01 – Dead-end Downhill from Francis Arellano on Vimeo.

After that dead-end, plus already tired from the earlier ride, we decided to call it a day — but we just had to ride the “Malipay Roller Coaster” before heading to the exit.

2010 03 13 Malipay 02 – Malipay Roller Coaster from Francis Arellano on Vimeo.

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