Pinoy Adventure Rider at Taguig’s E-Graduation

GMANEWS interviewed Pinoy Adventure Rider for Taguig’s E-Graduation.

Balitanghali version.

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PETRON SAFERUN 2012 -THE SUPPORT CREW/VEHICLE STORY

I believe no expedition can be successful without a support crew/vehicle. I know a lot of groups want it but cannot afford it, so they resort to dividing the support jobs to each and every rider.

Support Crew/Vehicle is an essential part of the success of the 3 PETRON MOTORCYCLE RUNS.

During every PETRON RUN, motorcycles and rider’s gears are scrutinized just to insure that accidents can be averted at an early stage.

But of course, the motorcycle, as we all know, is a magical machine. It can take us to great adventures and beautiful places but, it only has 2 wheels and cannot stand on its own. It is very easy to crash on a motorcycle. Accidents are common and support crew/vehicle should act as a guardian angel, able to respond and reach a fallen rider at a short notice.

All pumped up and ready, we rode on chasing the 400+ motorcycles. We are on 4 ISUZU pickups. Equipped with radios, we communicate on how to tackle each and every situation.

Fallen riders are very thankful that we are there as needed. Slips, slides, engine problems, etc. we are there.

I have to admit, the ISUZU pickups can take some serious beating. We rode so hard on every terrain imaginable with no problems.

THANK YOU PETRON and ISUZU! SEE YOU NEXT YEAR.

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PETRON SAFERUN 2012

SAFERUN is a SAFE AND RESULT-ORIENTED event wherein motorcycle manufactures and enthusiasts can test the fuel efficiency, performance, durability and dependability of their motorcycles over a 2-day 750km run in actual traffic conditions, various terrain and weather conditions.

SAFERUN aims to further strengthen our advocacy for Road Safety by training the participants to strictly adhere to all government laws and regulations pertaining to road and public safety, to improve their riding skills, fuel economy riding techniques and navigation abilities.

SAFERUN aims to guide the Filipino consumer by publishing the actual fuel consumption and performance of the various engine displacements of motorcycle brands available in the Philippines and emphasize that the motorcycle is an economical and safe mode of transportation.

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MARCH 2.2012 “D” Day. This is the 3rd time PETRON held a 750-kilometer motorcycle run. The route is the same as last year’s. Tarlac, Pampanga, Bataan, Subic, Zambales, Alaminos, Pangasinan, down to Urdaneta, San Jose City, Nueva Ecija, Santa Fe, Aritao and finally Baguio.

Lots of riders showed up from all over. All geared up for WAR!

Actor Bembol Roco on a Kawasaki NINJA is also here!

I am telling you, this is not a sissy ride. I was in survival mode last year and up to this very day still thankful I made it. I know this year’s riders are hardcore.

It was 5AM. Time to ride. All gassed up and pumped, riders are ready.
The big bikes started rolling, followed by the smaller bikes at 5 minute intervals.

More than 400 motorcycles rolled out of PETRON Diego Silang in Taguig City. I saw 2 Suzuki back up vans, 1 Kawasaki back up vehicle, 3 Isuzu DMAX back up pick-ups and 2 Red Cross Ambulances.

This event is covered by media partners and adventure photographers like me.

Compared to last year’s, I noticed riders and motorcycle manufacturers are taking this economy run much more seriously. A lot of riders are in an aerodynamic riding position to prevent wind-drag which is really tough for a long ride like this. Most riders are riding at 50-70 kph to maximize on fuel consumption but that really sucks because I would call that speed slow. But that’s just me.

There were minor troubles along the way. Sure enough, the back up vehicles are there to help them. Equipped with radios and dedication, they swiftly race to the scene.

It was a hot,humid day when the riders arrived at Alaminos,Pangasinan for an overnight stop-over. Home of the famous “HUNDRED ISLANDS“.

Alaminos is a nice place. Once there, I hit the shack, opened my laptop, checked my emails, did some work and faded into the night.

MARCH 3.2012. 4AM. Breakfast. Pandesal with egg and coffee. Perfect.

Riders have risen from the dark. 400 plus strong, ready to roll out.

5AM, It’s TIME! Motorcycles roared out from Vislas Resort. Like fireflies through the night, we rolled. We are heading to Urdaneta for the next check point. After Urdaneta, we rode to San Jose City, to Santa Fe where we encountered serious rough road, bone-dry pavements, powdered, airborne soil and mud causing slips.

Then there it is. ARITAO. The wild,scary,twisty, bad-ass 103-kilometer ARITAO to BAGUIO route. At least this time, it is still daytime 1PM. We entered the route hard wanting to appear cooler this time. In my last year’s blog, I described the route as with “ENDLESS TWISTIES“. I would like to count them this time. Just the left turns.

But NO! I could not count them as I am busy saving my butt from falling to a ravine. It is really called “ENDLESS” for now. I even got motion sickness at the last 30 kilometers.

Ah, FINALLY!! BAGUIO. I miss BAGUIO. I miss the fresh strawberries.

I dropped my bags at a hotel and searched for fresh strawberries. I got 1 kilo and after strolling a bit at BURNHAM PARK, I got back at the hotel bar and got some SMB LIGHTS with the fresh strawberries as “PULUTAN”.

Tomorrow, awarding day.

Thank you PETRON, ATPI and Sir FRANCIS RIVERA for this yet another, UNFORGETTABLE RIDE. I even got new pals [Lawrence of ATPI and Homer of STOPLIGHT TV] along the way!

Special thanks to Kenneth,my riding buddy last year, for the input on this year’s ride.

The PETRON SPRINT 4T Engine OIL will always keep your engine cool specially on long rides like this.

Cheers! See you next year.

To see 1,000 photos of this event, just add FACEBOOK PinoyAdventurer.

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PICNIC NIGHT RIDE [attack at the picnic basket]

It was a perfect night. I saw lots of stars[and planets] convincing me that there is a slim chance of rain.

My friend Rocky finally saved enough to assemble a mountain bike.
His bike is a flat-blacked frame with a glossy-white fork. It’s beautiful and ready for action.

This is his first night ride and we chose to ride to Quezon Memorial Circle.

As we were riding along the road, Rocky told us to pass by Riverbank Mall because his wifey Jho, kid Arren  and friend Malou are having a picnic.

And there they were on a perfect picnic area, blanket, basket and all.

There is FOOD! Lots of it. It is time to chow down. What a pleasant surprise as some of us haven’t had dinner.

After attacking like locusts at the picnic basket, we waved goodbye and headed for QC Circle to search and attack more picnic baskets!

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