I always actively participate in these worthwhile activities to help promote cycling as a good alternative form of transportation and gives a chance in promoting good cycling tourism here in the Philippines. Other places that actively and annual does critical mass rides are Cebu, Iloilo, Davao and Palawan as mass number of cycling and environment-conscious individuals amass in these areas.
These critical mass rides are not only done here in our country but also in New York, San Francisco, and other states of the USA. Cycling tourism and advocacy are actively promoted in Europe, also in Asia like Vietnam, China, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Japan.
I believe its high time that we have our own little share too.
We all met up in the usual place in Pasong Tamo in Makati then pedaled all the way to the staging area in Marcos Hi-way in Marikina.
From there we met up other mountainbikers, loaded up our bikes on their pick-ups and SUVs then rode straight to the trail head somewhere in Antipolo.
The total trail ride is just approximately 15kms.
The first part of the area is a cemented road with gradual inclines. End of it was the start of the off-road section wherein it is so muddy and have terrible ruts. Most portions too were not bikable since the ruts are almost knee-deep and too technically dangerous for us recreational bikers.
The uphill was painstakingly hard to even walk our bikes! It was so slippery as the mud literally grabs our feet and get stuck with it.
Most of the downhill portions too are too technical to bike as ruts are almost identical in knee-deep depths.
The river crossing gave us all a breather and a chance to clean our bikes from so much mud and grime. Loose rocks and pebbles makes it a challenge to even mount on our bikes and pedal, as most time we are more walking our rigs than riding it. hehe.
Despite the hardship in this trail... I think we'll do this again next time. hehe.
