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!

]]> http://travelsandgears.com/2010/05/23/dh-day/feed/ 6 http://travelsandgears.com/2010/01/18/killing-serenity/ http://travelsandgears.com/2010/01/18/killing-serenity/#comments Mon, 18 Jan 2010 02:17:12 +0000 Craw http://www.themtbjunkie.com/?p=1760 It was a Thursday, 14th of January.

The day before, as what happens quite often lately, I’ve realized, I vowed to go out and ride — solo or not. But as the time nears when I’d really have to start preparing for the ride the high I got was starting to wither down.

I was undecided. Quick short ride or stay at home? Then I remembered an old, short entry I did about how Erick of Nema gave me a boost about going out there to train, or just to simply ride.

Because of my fickle-mindedness my original plan to leave at 2:00 P.M. was moved to 3:30 P.M.

Headwind was strong. I even did a simple test. In a downhill section of Daang Hari, specifically the part after the exclusive subdivision of Verdana towards to bridge marking the boundary of Cavite and Muntinlupa, before reaching the new Petron station across the Daang Hari police outpost (north-bound), I stopped pedaling.

Normally, since the road was going downhill a bit, we would freewheel and let momentum and gravity do their thing. But not today. The headwind was literally stopping me in my tracks. If only I didn’t start late on this ride I would have waited for the wind to put me in a full stop. It wouldn’t take long, I was sure, but I was kind of in a hurry to finish the ride.

That damn headwind almost made me turn back and leave the ride as it was: a half-baked road ride. But no, I decided to pedal on and try to finish whatever I can ride in the Malipay trails. I’ll take whatever route I can take in the limited time I have, I thought.

As I was entering the trail from Fernbrook my phones started ringing. It was my wife. After a short chat, I also found out she didn’t get the text message I sent about me going out for a ride, I started pedaling, slowly gaining momentum, but still undecided if I should ride hard.

Then I reached the creek. As always it was rideable, but I wasn’t in the mood so I decided I didn’t want to get wet. At the same time there was a little kid crossing and playing on the rocks. I had no choice but to stop, though I welcomed it.

Riding alone in Malipay, knowing I can go as hard as can or as slow as I want the familiar feeling of the uneven surface under me started to give me a boost, like it almost always does. It was starting to make me concentrate on riding hard, not giving any thought to the route I was about to take. Besides, I’ve ridden these trails countless times. I already have a set route.

As I reached the Plaza (basketball court) I steered left on the main dirt road, only slowing down whenever I see little kids walking home from school. Good afternoons were exchanged with the kids, some were extending their arms for a high-five. Whenever I can I oblige. Then it hit me. Where the hell am I going, I thought? Sure, I was planning on riding the Otso-otso first, but that was at the Amore entrance, the opposite end of where I started (Fernbrook).

I made a U-turn and decided I would try to ride the sections in reverse order. I would start with the Single Tracks that ends under the tamarind tree (I think; when I asked quite a few people what tree that was I got a bunch of different answers; best one was “Puno ng Malipay” (“Malipay Tree”)).

After turning back I saw the small gate pillars that lead to the Single Tracks. I’d have to turn left between them to start that section, but then I would be missing another section we usually ride before entering that “gate”, so I continued to ride the main dirt road, aiming for the Plaza again. I greeted the kids once more and when the coast was relatively clear I continued on past the basketball court then turned left at the first corner, into a mild twisty single track with a dip then climb to a section with small roots creeping in all directions.

I was breathing hard, I was sweating hard, but it was fun. This is one of the fun ways to ride your mountain bike, I thought, on single tracks, going down fast, climbing up hard, natural handling against the dirt and roots. Scary, but exhilarating!

When the ground leveled off I pedaled lightly. Recovering. Regaining my strength.

Then the left turn appeared, as the single track I was on dipped left into a tight double track. Momentum. Gravity. I kept rolling. Using slight body english to steer the Darna, my bike, from small but dangerous obstacles on the trail. Then another dipping left, and more speed.

But I was still not riding as hard as I can. I was still cautious…

I followed the tracks as it turned right. Then I saw the small eroded section with the exposed cement pipe. Rocks were used to fill up the gap. I didn’t think twice about it. This is part of our regular route.

But I wasn’t going fast enough. I pulled on the handlebar to lift the bike. Without the proper speed and momentum the front tire didn’t clear the gap. It landed on the rocks which weren’t tightly packed. Loosened by traffic of community locals and visiting mountain bikers. I felt the bike stop suddenly, but only for a beat. I felt the rear lift up suddenly, but, again, only for a beat. I still had enough momentum to push the bike forward, but not enough that I was able to successfully move my body weight towards the back of the bike.

The front tire cleared the rocks and continued to roll, pulling the rest of the bike away from the rocks. The endo was avoided. The heart was beating fast. The shock not helping. “Shit,” I breathed out.

I shook my head as I continued to pedal. Now I can see where I did the U-turn. Now I can go back through the “gate”. So I turn right into it. Slowly my legs started pumping harder and harder. Slowly gaining speed, unconsciously, I was trying to get away from the near-endo experience.

The Single Tracks now have been “cleaned” of cut branches. Good, I thought. Less risk of damaging my rear derailleur or hanger. I felt the sudden tiredness, and lazyness, burst like a bubble. Replaced with the need to pump my cranks hard, to push the tires to roll faster, to weave in, out, and around the obstacles in my path. And so I did.

Before long the bushes open up to reveal the hard-packed trail start its descent, and change into what looked like a huge rock surface. It curves left, then a fork. Familiar view. I took the track on the left, entering a tunnel-like area made up of branches and leaves of the surrounding trees, but not before releasing the brakes.

I used the momentum to bring me higher up the sudden climb, a natural characteristic of the Malipay trails: downhill section the sudden uphill climb. “Home”.

I started pedaling before reaching the halfway point, taking advantage of the speed I was able to develop. Reaching the top I eased off of my pedaling. Taking deep breaths, smiling, humming.

Then my heart skipped. Caused by what I was seeing. Or rather, what I wasn’t seeing. The single tracks, which used to only have few holes for sunlight to pass through, is now as bright as the rice fields around Malipay. The right side of the tracks are now lacking the trees, though small, that make this section what it is. A beautiful, peaceful, serene stretch of natural tunnel-like maze.

I stared in disbelief. A teenage boy stared back while his arms continue to do its work. Holding, cutting, slashing, hacking. Before long I’m sure a lot more of these small trees will be cut down… to be made into charcoal.

The rest of the ride I tried to concentrate on the trail, on the actual act of riding my bike, but I can’t help but be bothered…

I want to give them something more sustainable. Something that will make them value the land where they live in right now. Where in the long run they will not succumb to land developers — win-win situation for them, and for us… I hope.

Now I ask you: As a mountain biker, as a citizen of the Earth, as a human being; whether we share the same trails or not, what can we do to stop, or better yet, educate the locals and make them understand how short-term these activities are? Is it not our place to do this, to plan this?

That was my text message Monday night to a few people when I realized I could do a quick ride the next morning around Malipay (again), while looking for people who are available & might want to join me.

Tantan responded telling me they’ll be meeting at 7:30 A.M.

“Who?” I asked.

“South Cycle. Wanna join?”

My heart skips a beat. Then another. Then another. Eventually it starts to beat a little bit faster than normal. South Cycle, I thought…

The South Cycle riders have become friends of mine but I have never really ridden with them as the main group. Main reason, I think, is because their primary game is downhill riding… and I’m still chicken to try downhilling.

I psyche myself too much on the hardcore stuff (downhill cycling, FYI!). Gotta slap & remind myself to take it little by little. Beginner trails first then slowly progress. But I will try it out. One day. When? I don’t know.

Anyway, I told Tantan I’ll join them if I can. I was planning on a real quick ride so I could get back home early, but with their 7:30 A.M. meet-up, plus allowance for late-comers, I was having second thoughts.

My subconscious kept reminding me how bored I get during solo rides. As with it being more risky as I won’t have anyone I trust with me if something happens while inside the trails. With these arguments I’ve decided to join the South Cycle group the next morning.

Not sure if Tantan has told the group I will be joining but I didn’t dare arrive late. In this ride I was looking at myself as the guest in their group ride.

As soon as my alarm went off I stood up and started preparing… and looking for food!

When I arrived at the meeting place there was only 1 person from the group there, Ace.

After only an hour and a half of waiting (!!!) we were almost complete, with Coach Eboy Farr informing the others he’ll just catch up. Plans were made to meet him at the store inside the Malipay community and we’re off, finally! But not without Tantan and Theo bugging me to lead. Me? The guest? Take the reins, and lead? No thanks

We head towards the Daang Reyna rotunda. The pedaling was easy. Didn’t they think it was getting a bit late, I thought to myself, but I didn’t care. At least we were already rolling.

Along the way someone called out to me. When I looked on the other side of the street I saw Jerome, a.k.a. Bornok23 in the forums. He was alone. I assumed he was taking a road ride. I signaled to him about joining us. So he made a U-turn as I stopped & waited, with Theo even encouraging me to convince him to join us.

The usual pleasantries were exchanged when he caught up to me. Questions about where he has been, where he was about to ride, and the never-absent invitation to join us in the trails. He was hesitant. His chain was making noises. It was dry. He hasn’t lubed it yet. With the sudden uphill shocks of Malipay he was quite concerned about breaking his chain. And the never-absent (un)reasoning of, “No, it won’t,” made him accept my invitation… I think.

Thinking about it now maybe he did accept my invitation to shut me up. Or maybe his conscience was bothering him about not being able to attend the Philmofo Christmas party and to make up for it he decided to accept my invitation, knowing he has a bigger chance of breaking his chain.

After the first uphill climb, what we call the Otso-otso, Jerome finally decided not to continue. His chain was complaining too much. So we said our good-byes and we all continued on with the ride.

Like I said earlier these guys regularly go downhill biking. In the downhill sections, twisty or not, they were going too fast for my taste! It was fun, and at the same time scary, to watch. Seeing how they easily control their bikes, how they are flowing as one with the bike AND the trail was pushing me to try and do the same.

I didn’t take a giant leap. I was still cautious, just pushing my speed a little faster than I’m normally comfortable with. And it was fun!

Even on a section which Ondoy (Typhoon Ketsana) initially destroyed a new line was found: the left off-camber side of the heavily eroded rut. Past attempts to ride the rut would cause one to hit the pedals/cranks on the immediate sides, thus the new off-camber line.

Naturally, my first few attempts on this line in the previous rides were ridden quite slow for fear of the tires sliding into the rut. But as I watched Crazy (a.k.a. Alvin) attack that section like it was flat land again made me say, “Fuck it, if he didn’t crash I could probably do it, too. Use the momentum!”

And that’s exactly what I did. As soon as I passed the rutted section, as soon as my elation was starting, I brought my concentration back to the trail as immediately after the rut is a small 1-foot drop.

I shift my weight back to prevent a possible endo, but I was confident. I have ridden this countless times. Then the last dip of this section and the sudden uphill climb. Still confident I continued pedaling up as I have done before and marking the end of this section is a very short single track curtained by tall wild grass, then exiting into the main wide tracks.

The rest of the ride was the same, especially after meeting Eboy at the store. Him, Crazy, and a couple of others were all leading, mashing, pedaling hard around the trails, while I do my best to stick to their rear wheels. Or at least keep the distance of 1 rider between us constant.

Not my regular style of riding. But, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, it was daaaaamn fun! I felt my heart rate go up, my sweat pouring, my arms numbing, my legs aching, but my big smile stuck to my face like an old strip of duct tape on an idling car’s hood under the burning sun.

At the tamarind tree after the winding single tracks, which usually marks the end of our Malipay ride, we rested for quite a long time. Everyone was breathing hard, smiling, laughing, exchanging stories and jokes. Some even checking for little problems on their bikes.

It was getting late so when they still decided to do one last section of a new trail I’ve never ridden before I had to pass, but not before vowing to try it out next time. A few others also had to bail out early, or joined me towards the exit for different reasons: previous commitment (Alfie), using a different bike (Ace sold his XC bike and was using a heavier rig, Lake a.k.a. Edward was using his son’s smaller bike since he still had to have some finishing touches done on his bike), and a tired first-timer (Candyman, an employee of South Cycle).

Thanks for the invite, and thanks for the ride! When are we riding again?

I had to ride. I had too many rides canceled just this week due to a number of different reasons.

I felt the desperation yesterday. As soon as my 5-year-old left for school I was alone & it hit me suddenly — I should have prepared to go out for a ride. Timing is crucial in a sense. I only have a few hours to ride in between my youngest leaving for school & all of them arriving home. 30 minutes, more or less, one-way just to get to the Daang Hari police outpost, the usual meeting place.

When my wife’s working from home there isn’t much pressure. But she wasn’t home yesterday, as today.

I would have been able to ride Tuesday and/or Wednesday this week but my second son came down with fever. He went back to school yesterday, that’s another reason for me being surprised about the peacefulness of the house, then the realization I could have taken a quick ride.

Call to arms!

After the sound of silence, accompanied by the realization I could have rode my bike, I sent a text message to Keelo asking if he wanted to ride tomorrow (today). Possible meet-up time was discussed (morning, I had to be home by 8:45 A.M.) I had the idea of riding again at 2:30 P.M., so that info was relayed. He wasn’t available for the afternoon ride.

A tweet was also sent out with the possible riding schedules. It was a form of invitation to everyone if they wanted to join.

Morning ride didn’t push through because of rains the night before & Keelo got his appointment moved earlier. I didn’t want a half-assed ride of taking shortcuts because of time constraints. Not to mention the trails would definitely be wet.

NEXT!

Around 11:00 A.M. today I noticed the sun was out. Looks like the afternoon ride’s a go, I thought. So I made a pact with myself to ride today. I put my bladder (for the hydrapack) inside the freezer & cranked up the thermostat (Disclaimer: Just until I have to leave. Disclaimer to the disclaimer: I think my wife sometimes reads my blog).

As soon as my 5-year-old stepped out of the house I got my stuff ready. Mentally ticking off my checklist as I put the items on the bed.

• Phones. Check.
• Philmofo ID card. Check.
• SSS card, ATM card. Check, check.
• Money. What money? OK, wallet. What for? Just do it. Fine, check.
• MP3 player, earphones. Check, check.
• Underwear, jersey, shorts, socks. Check x 4.
• Glasses. Check. (Can’t wait to get my Spy!)
• Nema gloves. Check.
• Helmet. Check
• GoPro camera. Batteries not charged. Oops.

After getting the bike from the stand I noticed the front tire to be on the soft side. At least it wasn’t flat. So I got my air pump & checked both tires. Now we’re good to go! Rolling out!

To trail or not to trail…?

Nearing the trailhead by Fernbrook I couldn’t stop wondering how the Malipay trails are now. Will it still be wet from yesterday’s rain? Would it have dried up by now since the sun had been out all morning & noon. I only had one way to find out.

I stepped-up to the last curb to get to the Fernbrook trail entry to Malipay. The footpath still had patches of mud. No problem with slow riding, but I was used to riding these trails quite fast. Blame the Backout Boys. I stopped a local walking on the path & asked her about the conditions inside. Is it wet? She said no. There was a chance she lived just nearby making the route she’s taking dry because of busy foot traffic. I decided against going in through here. So I turned back & continued pedaling to Portofino Amore, our usual trail entrance.

I can just exit Fernbrook if the trails are dry, I thought.

The route I took wasn’t our normal route. I did detours to avoid areas I know will be wet. Deep ravines that would still have standing water at the bottom. Reason for this is it breaks the flow of the ride. Plus the bottoms of these ravines have been destroyed by Typhoon Ondoy (international name Ketsana). Safety also played a part in my decision to avoid these areas. A lone mountain biker in Malipay. Paranoid much?

But with the detours I was still able to enjoy the ride, solo at that. It has been a long time since I’ve truly enjoyed a solo ride. With the great network of trails in Malipay one can create a number of different routes & still be able to ride everything, without backtracking. Sure, I did smaller loops but I didn’t go through the trail I rode on as I exited these loops — except for the double tracks that serve as the main road of the area.

On the single tracks which was leading to the end of the ride I opted not to go too fast. Normally we would be riding fast in this tight & winding single track. After a few meters I decided to ease up on the pedaling. I didn’t have to ride fast, anyway.

Good call on my side, too. As I approached one of the many twisty curves of the trail I noticed something orange move in between the bushes. With my earphones on & my MP3 player blasting out a Slapshock song I didn’t hear the 2 local women talking while walking. I stopped & moved to the side of the trail to let them pass.

The 2 women had huge basins with freshly-washed clothes on their heads. I smile & greet them a good afternoon. They smile & greet back, and said, “Tinanghali na kami (Took us quite a while)!” They just came from a stream where they normally wash their clothes. Seems like they were there the whole day washing, since morning.

When the track was clear I pushed off & continued pedaling lightly. I give in a little to the urge to ride these tracks fast, but still controlling my speed. I didn’t meet anyone else along the way.

Freewheeling

When I reached the tamarind tree I decided not to stop. I can drink from my hydrapack while riding, anyway. With the wide open space & established track, with clumps of tall grass making a part of this track tight for 2 bikers, I pedal easily, lightly. Enjoying the afternoon, enjoying the place, enjoying the ride.

I reach the main dirt road once more near a community store, but I didn’t stop, deciding to turn left towards the Fernbrook exit (turning right would lead me to Amore). Again, I have just finished a smaller loop. I just passed here 10 minutes ago. With the slight rolling terrain I let my bike freewheel.

I did quite a distance of no pedaling & I laughed to myself. Suddenly the chorus of the song started playing in my head, “Easy like Sunday morning…!”

Epilogue

I left the house at 2:30 P.M. Around 3:45 P.M. I was along Daang Hari pedaling. Going the opposite direction. I was so tempted to stop him, talk, & ask if he’ll be entering the trails, or if he’s willing to enter if we’ll both together. But I decided not to. I was satisfied with the easy trail ride today. Getting home early would give me much time to spare before the kids arrive home from school. So I pedal, lightly, contently, towards home.

Now to focus on tomorrow’s race.

Plans of going back and riding the Malipay trails made Metallica’s song “Welcome Home (Sanitarium)” play in my mind.

Then a friend from Twitter, @vicicasas, sent me a text a few days before, asking about the mountain bike trails around the Daang Hari area. I replied back with an invite to ride with us to the Malipay trails, along with Team Prima and the Backout Boys.

Read Sunday morning rain is falling…

He accepted, but he informed me his group are newbies to mountain biking and kept on insisting I just show them to the trailhead and let them figure out the network of trails in Malipay. I didn’t agree for a few reasons.

For one, if they enter the trails they might have a hard time exiting. Two, it can be a dangerous place since there is a good-sized but under-developed community where the trails are. Unfamiliar people can be taken advantage of. Third, if they stick to the dirt roads (fireroads, but we don’t have fireroads here in the Philippines; dirt road is the correct term) they won’t enjoy the place.

Come trail day our group was unusually large. 24 riders, a mixture of the Backout Boys, Team Prima, and friends, plus Vic’s group of 3: Vic, Dex with his wife Ria — or should I say Ria with his husband Dex (this was only Dex’s 2nd mountain bike ride). So I told them I’ll keep to their pace, acting as guide and sweeper, with Zaldy helping me out, and later on Chris.

Read Friday Group(s) – trail orgy

Just a disappointment for me was the usual route we ride has been cut due to erosion. Some sections of the trail network were too eroded to ride. What used to be rideable terrain now became hike-a-bikes. Oh well, that’s Mother Nature for you.

Vic, a fake newbie (haha!), was able to keep up with the main group’s pace. I stayed with the husband and wife team of Dex and Ria, with the help of Zaldy, Chris, and Eugene rotating, making sure their Malipay trail experience won’t end up badly.

After the Malipay trails Team Prima and the Backout Boys continued on to G4, the National Bilibid Prisons’ gate 4 eatery, while the others, Vic’s group and other friends of the other riders, went on their way home.

Read Auditions

When we entered the housing development area the group decided to turn left. We should have turned right to take the shorter route. I found out later, to my happy surprise, that everyone else wanted a little bit more trail riding, that’s why we turned left, to take the route outside the perimeter wall of the housing development area for more offroading. Housing wall on one side, cliff on the other.

Before reaching the exit and going back to cemented road the group stopped. Upon reaching them I found out Ramil had a flat tire. He jumped one rut, landed not too perfectly, and suffered a pinch flat.

On our way to G4 Zaldy noticed my rear tire wiggling too much. Due for truing once more, I thought. But the wiggle was not as minimal as a slightly untrued wheel. After our late breakfast at G4 Togs, Zaldy, and I checked my rear wheel. I had a broken spoke. So a short visit to Intense Bike Shop in front of SM Molino fixed my problem, and my trusty Darna brought me safely back home.

Video(s) to follow…

Different factors are preventing me from going out 4-wheeling. It has been quite a while since I last ‘wheeled.

That’s the main reason this site has been stagnant. If I haven’t been ‘wheeling, there’s nothing to post, nothing to share, nothing to review.

For this I apologize — but it’s really unavoidable.

Lately, though, the ‘wheeling and trailing I’ve been doing is on 2 wheels, and not the motorized kind. Check out my mountain bike site/blog for now, as that’s what I’ve been updating since I try to go out riding almost every day. It’s called The MTB Junkie @ www.TheMTBJunkie.com

Thanks and happy trails! Don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter!

Original forum thread here: Our Off Road Trails Last Year in Cebu

The Eagle Off-Roaders Davao group has been posting excellent and exciting adventure photos for a long time (all this in the 4×4 Philippines forum). So when they started a topic called “The EAGLE’s Ranch” I was quite curious.

At first I thought it’s just a topic showing off one of the members’ properties in Davao, and as usual I was blown away by the offroad action pictures they shared with us.

These guys trail seriously, but still have some damn, good fun — as evident by the facial expressions in the photos, with or without mechanical casualties. Check out all their other pics in this thread in the forum.

I’ll be posting more from them to share with you guys in the near future. Enjoy!