175 Km. Marikina-Tagaytay-Marikina Bike Ride

It is a Sunday, October 21.2012.

We are supposed to ride to Tagaytay via bus with the bikes. Our friend Chris told us that there is a certain bus company that allows the mountain bikes in the bus compartments for free.

I would like to try that and find out if it is actually true.

But hey,remember Manny Aranton [ in white shades]?,our trailmaster in such crazy rides as Marikina-Batangas-Marikina bike ride?

Well, he is here. He told us AGAIN! that this trip is EASY and Tagaytay is VERY, VERY near.

After pretty much kicking and screaming..we decided to pedal all the way.

It was 430AM. 10 riders pedalled. Our plan is to maintain 20-25 kph speed in order to reach Tagaytay for at least within the month…or today.

The weather is cool and it is a cloudy day. Perfect.

We started strong at 26 kph. speed. We left Marikina taking the C5 highway.

Pasig City, Taguig City, Paranaque City, all flat roads. But then, we hit Cavite. Bacoor, then Imus, the road started to elevate. Tagaytay is 2,000 feet above sea level, and the ride sure is punishing.

Upon reaching Imus,Cavite, it will be uphill all the way for at least 30 kms. It is surely a pain-in-the-*** ride.

We are on Aguinaldo Highway where buses and jeepneys fare. Some riders hired a jeepney to take them to Rotonda at Tagaytay.

3 of our motorcycle buddies arrived towing some riders uphill. 7 riders struggled on to finish this 30 km. grueling uphill ride.

Upon reaching Tagaytay, I felt a sigh of relief. 82 kms. in 6 hours.

Time for lunch.

We had the famous Tagaytay BULALO, a fresh beef and pork boiled until tender  with potatoes and cabbages. We also had some grilled Tilapia fish. Delicious!

4 PM. Time to hit the road. We all know that it will be mostly downhill from here on.

Our plan was to get out of Aguinaldo Highway before it gets dark.
Vehicles here run at high speeds. Very dangerous.

It is already 9PM, we arrived at Marikina. Another crazy ride in the books.
We are so happy.

Our next crazy ride will be to Nueva Ecija 350 kms.

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75 km. Morong-Cardona, Rizal MTB Rain Ride

Sunday, Feb.12.
On to MORONG,RIZAL.


I woke up at around 3 AM and prepared for this 75 kilometer ordeal. I installed a new cross country seat.

It started to drizzle. It looks like it is going to rain.

Rain ride. No problem. But I am not a fan of it anymore. Water from the front tire splash goes into your mouth.

Not a tasty and healthy treat at all. 10 riders gather up to take the ride.

We took the Binangonan route. Along Marcos Highway, the drizzle got stronger.

We wanted to go back but we already ordered 5 kilos of giant Tilapia Fish. We rode on.

I got a flat tire at Junction. We replaced the tire tube and moved on.

9 AM, we reached Cardona near Morong,Rizal.

We grilled the giant Tilapia fish. The biggest Tilapia I have ever seen.
I have a strong feeling that this Tilapia will have a flat taste.

In my knowledge, over-sized, fresh water fish taken from the Laguna lake, tastes flat. I hope I am wrong.

We even had some boiled fish with fish eggs inside.

Time to eat.

The grilled Tilapia is so sweet and delicious. I was wrong after all.
Boiled fish with eggs, great.

After eating, we rested. Chilled out a bit.

We rode back to Marikina taking the Teresa,Rizal uphill route.

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