Monday, November 28, 2011

Montalban KOM XCM route map

Below is the route map of the race. Total distance: 41 km.

The race starts from Rodriguez town hall, designated as Km. 0. From here, the race will have a mass start up to Km. 5.1, passing through Eastwood subdivisions. Road is cemented up to Km. 8.4.

After two climbs and two checkpoints, at Km. 8.2, comes the first junction. Take the left road. You can take food and water here, as the next few kilometers is uninhabited.

Just a hundred meters from the junction, feeder dirt road starts, and a major climb, starts.

First hilltop at Km. 10.3. Start of beautiful vistas. Series of hilltops at Kms. 12.3, 12.7, 13.7, and 14.5. Road is deeply rutted in some parts. Take precaution.

Enter inhabited Sitio Makaingalan at Km. 15.6. Next 1.1 kilometers is muddy, rutted road. There are two climbs here where big, marble-like slippery rocks pockmark the road. Take precaution.

At Km. 16.7, you come into Makaingalan Elementary School (the big building you will notice from the hilltops). Take water and food here if needed, as the next few kilometers and uninhabited, the the terrain is most challenging.

Major intersection here. Take the left road, going up to mountain peak 1.

Peak 1 is at Km. 17.3, a big climb from Makaingalan ES.

Major junction at Km. 18.1. Take the fire road on the left, leaving the feeder road. This is mostly single track roads. Expect to encounter a ravine about 150 meters from this junction.

The most panoramic vista of Metro Manila and its environs at Km. 20.3. A steep descent on a very rutted road from here. Take precaution.

Start of ascent to mountain peak 2 at Km 21.1. Fire road is wider, but rocky.

There is spring water at Km. 24. You will notice this by a stream running across the road. Climb 3 meters to get to potable water (look for the bamboo spout). DON'T DRINK straight from the water beside the road.

Km. 24.6 is mountain peak 2. Another intersection here. Take the major road, going left and down. It is all downhill from here. Steep descent on very rocky road here. Take precaution.

For information purposes, the one going right goes to Helipad.

Km 26. Veterans, start of inhabited area. You can take food and drinks here.  Road becomes feeder road again.

Licao-licao junction at Km. 28.6. Turn left. Then just take the straight way in the coming two intersections. More food and water available here. Rolling terrain on dirt roads.

1st junction inside Macabud proper at Km. 29.7. Take left/straight road.

2nd junction inside Macabud proper at Km. 30.9. Take left/straight road. This road leads to a downhill fire road. Take precaution.

End of dirt roads and start of cemented road at Km. 33.2. Turn left. Watch for traffic.

At the intersection 50 meters away, turn right. Rolling cemented roads ahead.

Major intersection at Km. 38.8. Turn left. Watch for heavy traffic.

Another major intersection at Km. 40.5. Turn left. Finish line at the municipal hall is just up ahead.



Track reading and photo by Robert Rabago



Below is the elevation map of the race.
Track reading and photo by Robert Rabago



Many parts of the road are rutted, contributing to the technical challenge of the race.

Photo by Robert Rabago
However, there are breathtaking scenes of Metro Manila and Bulacan from the top. I hope participants take time to stop and enjoy the views.
Photo by Robert Rabago
On the way to Makaingalan 
Going up mountain peak 1

Entering the fire road

Ravine. One of two, the other is on the way up Veterans/Helipad

Best view!

Steep descent on deeply rutted road

Sprint water near the summit of Veterans/Helipad

Rocky road going down from Veterans/Helipad

Going down from Veterans/Helipad


4 comments:

  1. Thanks for the info. This route looks fun. We'll try and join the race/ride.

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  2. There are no food at the top yesterday.. we had to push our bikes all throughtout the race.. whew.. at the end, all i can think of is food..we even asked some locals for bread they too bought from the lowlands... this is really bad for beginners,,.. geezz..

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  3. Thanks for posting your observation, Anonymous. There should have been bananas and water provided by the barangays at the top, as planned. We'll relay this information.

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