13th Tour of the Fireflies; 2011

13^th Tour of the Fireflies, 2011

             

            This is the first time we joined this annual bike tour. This experience is intense, tough, as well as challenging, and really fun. For the sake of the environment, and for the implementation of bicycle lanes and parking racks, we rode a distance if 42kms, that’s just for the actual tour. But our group, we still have to go home by bike. In spite of the fact, it is the most gratifying experience in this point of our (my friends and I) lives. Why? This is why?

Before the actual tour, we had to go to the event proper; it was an approximately 1hour trip from Santa Cruz, Manila to Tiendesitas, Pasig City. There were no problems during the trip from our house to Tiendesitas. We arrived there, got ready for the actual tour, and we took our rests for an hour.

Then the time to ride out came. Exactly 7:00am, we started to move out of Tiendesitas and headed to CCP in Pasay City. On our way there, the pace was relaxed with a speed of 15-20kms/h. there were some problems along the way, including one cyclist crashing due to collision with another biker, another had heat stroke in the beginning part of the route; - we are glad the those cyclists were Okay - but we kept our minds on the road, and rode happily and optimistically.  

    

We arrived in the Cultural Center of the Philippines in Pasay City approximately 10:30am. As we were entering the C.C.P grounds, we heard a hissing sound as if a tire’s air has escaped the tire. We were surprised to see that the rear tire of my friend’s mountain bike was flat. Some bikers saw our problem and offered help to repair my friend’s bike tire. Unfortunately, the bike’s inner tube was ripped apart. – Maybe because of the pressure caused by the intense heat of the sun – They (the bikers) said that the only solution to the problem is to change the inner tube of my friend’s rear tire. It was really a problem being unprepared in a long trip, - and we learned because of that – because we don’t have equipments with us except the Allen wrench set and an air pump. We don’t have an extra inner tube with us; so another friend of mine volunteered to search for a bike shop in search of an extra inner tube. After a few minutes, he returned successfully; however, as we were repairing the bike tire, the tour is already leaving. Time is of the essence; we had to work double time…

            We repaired the bike just in the nick of time and only a couple of cyclists were to be seen. We had to rush our way so that we could catch up with the group.

            We caught up. Very tired and drenched with sweat, we caught up with the group in Lawton, near Manila City Hall. And, just to be sure that we don’t commit the same mistake again, we decided that we buy an extra inner tube on our way to Quiapo. It also took us a couple of minutes to purchase another inner tube… we were left out, Again. 

           

A couple of meters passed, in Quezon City we met a group of bikers waiting for other ones that were not yet able to catch up with them. So we decided to ride with the cyclists.

            About 12:30 pm we arrived – finally! – at Tiendesitas. The shower was ready and free for cyclists who finished the tour; there were also free refreshments from Nutribar, Pocari Sweat, and Gatorade – blue burst. Some cyclists already went home but we stayed because of the scorching sun waiting for us if we were to travel home at that time. 

As we waited for the sun to settle a little bit, we watched the program where the raffle was held; and the performance by “The Jerks” where they did their renditions of some popular songs like: “Come Together,” “Ang Himig Natin,” and some other popular hits of the past…

            At 3:00 pm we went home. Facing the heat of the sun, extreme road conditions, and enduring the ache of the tiredness of our body; finally, as our reward for ourselves, we dug in a lot of rice and the delicious chicken at Mang Inasal; where we consumed at least 6 bowls of rice.

[Really, some great day, isn’t it?!]

Semplang Pinoy!

Yesterday, Sunday, April 10, 2010 is a bike day. And is the date of GMA7's Fun Run. Because of that, SM Mall of Asia is a No-Go. We have to find another destination.

I was in the process of inquiring information of how am I going to reach Cavite by bike and it looks like it's impossible to reach Cavite this Sunday morning.Then my friend, Miguel Francisco suggested that we should go to U.P. Diliman Campus in Quezon Cityinstead of Imus, Cavite. He added that it is a great biking place; also, he said that going there is easy. So we set the new destination to U.P. Diliman, and confirmed who are going with us... the next day, Sunday was a clear, and sunny day. A great day to go biking.



We started off, pacing through the España Blvd.... it stared easy because it was early in the morning. Next, Quezon Ave., where we turned and visited the location of Big Brother House near ABS-CBN's building. After that, we came back to Quezon Ave., and continued to the route going to U.P. Diliman Campus.

And after an hour of travel of uphills and downhills, we reached U.P. Diliman. Before 8AM., first we ate breakfast in a "lutong bahay" carinderia inside U.P. Campus where the food is affordable but tastes so ordinary. After we've had our fills, we left the carinderia and came to get our bikes. We suddenly smelled something like it was rotting. I almost threw up because of that smell. We left the area where the stench was strong and went to the Grandstand inside U.P. The road in the Grandstand was rough; perfect for practice runs either on foot or on bikes. Next, we just went anywhere inside U.P. Campus... then, we met a cyclist, we never knew his name at first, but he volunteered to guide us through the rough trails inside the campus. But due to the wildness of the trail, I failed to follow my friends midway of the trip through the trails. Because of that, my friend, Jerick Tapan who is following me, also lost the idea where to go.

It was confirmed that we will be lost if we went finding for them knowing nothing about where will we go... so we just sent a message to the other two where we are standing by. Me met up near the College of Business Administration in front of the oval. The two said that they "almost completely" followed Kuya Cyclist; so they guided us where they went with Kuya Cyclist. It was really an experience running through the trail, because it was hard... seriously. In spite of the roughness of the trail, we enjoyed it because we are with each other. And as we were finishing the trail, we met up with Kuya Cyclist. - and we finally knew his name, Manong Rock Drilon! - We talked to him about some bicycling events that will happen in this month. Finally, after minutes of talking, we said our goodbyes to manong Rock Drilon and went home.

Currently, It is the greatest experience. The conditions of the road was a new experience for us. However it could really be great if I could finish the trail with Manong Rock. Until next time!

Special Thanks:

Manong Rock Drilon for showing us the way through the trails and for telling us information about "the Ride of the Firefly."

More Pics inside the U.P. Campus...

Beginning to familiarize with It

Lesson 2:

Biking is not that easy. you have to consider factors such as weather, road conditions, and the unexpected events along the way such as Fun runs, Accidents, etc.; Because those factors affect where you (...and your friends) will go or will go through. You know what I mean...

For starters, if you want to witness Cycling in action, you can go to SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City. The route is easy, and you can see a lot of landmarks along the way; including Rizal Park and Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Early in the morning about 6:00am - 8:00am, the Bayside road of MOA is open for cyclists. People from different parts of Manila run their best and most prestigious lightweight bicycles along the Bayside boulevard of SM MOA. Easy to say that you can outrun them all... but think again. If you want to run your bike with the bikers of MOA., you have to maintain a speed of approximately thirty(30) kms/h just to be on the last position. that's just for the easy part; Here's the hard part, you have to maintain that speed for a distance of more or less three(3) kilometers for one(1) round. If you're tired, good thing the sidewalks are free for cyclists too. Cyclists take their rests at the sidewalks for a few minutes. Some of them continue their rounds a little more, and the other half, just goes home.

Then if you're really finished, and you want to see a lot bicycles for reference, you could take a rest at the rocky beach located at the parking lot at the U-turn slot near SMX Convention Center. Go there and be amazed of how many bicycles are just standing there as if you're in a bike convention, but you're not. You can see different types of bikes such as Racers, Mountain Bikes, and - the seldom sighted... - some BMX's. [well, its just my experience, so don't sue me!]

So if you're really a Bicyclist at heart, and you're really into biking, you have to try SM mall of Asia; open for bikers, 6AM - 9AM. Try and take the challenge!

Special thanks:

Kuya Sai Sicad for the tutorial on hyper-linking.
Chairman Giovanni Gaerlan for the Cycling shirts he PROMISED us.
Again... Wikipedia for additional references and links!
                                                   
For comments and suggestions, feel free to post! Thanks!
- Freed

Starting-Up

This is my first time doing this so I hope this will turn out well... This is the start of my Blog all about bicycles. The reason why I want to create this blog is because I want to promote the Cycling Sport industry here in the Philippines and I want - even though this might be a dream! - the majority of people to take up cycling for a greener Philippines and for a better You. So as anime characters say, "Ikimasu!" Let's ride with the wind!

A bicycle, also known as a bike, pushbike or cycle, is a pedal-driven, human-powered, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A person who rides a bicycle is called a cyclist or a bicyclist(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle)

As the previous paragraph suggests, the bicycle is fueled by human force. Every push you make on your pedal, the farther you go with your bike. and that's one advantage you get with cycling, you don't need gasoline; which nowadays, goes higher and higher in price. We can say that Bicycling is cheaper than using motorized cars. Another advantage of cycling is, you won't have to endure Manila's bad traffic. Believe me, I've already tried it. Well, always bear in mind that you need extra effort in taking caution with the vehicle drivers of the present time. Finally, with the fun you get with traveling and customizing your bike, You'll also have a physically fit and healthy body. With that, your immune system will become strong and going to the hospital because of sickness will be less often...

So let me just outline it for you... Bikes...:

• Give enjoyment in traveling or sightseeing with friends
• Give artistic view in customizing your bike
• Provide good exercise for a physically fit body and stronger immune system
• Save money because bikes don't consume fuel and so, it also promotes a greener Earth
• And lastly, less traffic endured when traveling on a bike. However, Remember that you should always be cautious.

So what's stopping you?! Experience the joy of bicycling!

Special thanks:

Kuya Sai Sicad for Introducing me to this wonderful world of blogging
Wikipedia.com for the article on Bicycles
And of course, the Barkudas!