MCC pedals from Rizal to Camarines Sur

Thirteen members of the Montalban Cycling Club pedaled 355 kms. for 16.5 hours on April 20-21, 2011 to reach Sipocot, Camarines Sur from Montalban, Rizal.

From MCC pedals from Rizal to Camarines Sur

For our route, we followed the relatively shorter but harder and less traveled roads going to Bicol. From Montalban (Rodriguez) at 3:30AM, we passed through Antipolo, then Bugarin (Pililla) in Rizal; then passed through the flat lands of upper Laguna from Sta. Maria to Pagsanjan; then climbed the Cavinti-Luisiana Road up to Luisiana, then started to go down and entered the province of Quezon through Lucban, Tayabas, Pagbilao; then took the short but hard-to-climb "Eme" (or Bitukang Manok) road to seaside Atimonan, Gumaca, Lopez and Calauag.

We stopped for the night at Calauag, Quezon at 5:30PM, having already pedaled 243 km.

Next day, we took the rolling and winding Quirino Highway to Sipocot, Camarines Sur, logging another 112 km, and arriving at lunch time. This highway is specially hard to cycle through for us. Aside from its never-ending rolls and winds, almost all part of the road are "magnetic", making pedaling harder and more tiring than usual. We finally reached our destination at lunch time, where we were pleasantly surprised by a welcoming guide car and a welcome banner.

On Friday, inspite of creaking knees, we went swimming on a cool, clear river in a nearby town.

On Saturday, as recovery ride, we visited nearby Libmanan, Camarines Sur for a 50-km. round trip.

We thank Nanding Pahilagmago (Calauag, Quezon) for letting us stay the night in his house, Analie Victoria (Lopez, Quezon) for feeding these famished cyclists twice, and especially Councilor Mario Macalintal for graciously hosting us in Sipocot, Camarines Sur.

Ride to Angat, start of long rides again?

After weeks of rain, and weeks of frustrated long rides due to rains, we were finally able to embark on a relatively long ride after a few months' layoff.

We went to Angat Dam in Norzagaray, Bulacan from Montalban, Rizal, around 120 km forth and back, last September 21. Our path was paved road, although winding and rolling, especially in the Bulacan province.

We had 22 members who joined the ride, surprising number. It seemed many of us were raring to go long distance again.

It was exhilarating, being able to pedal for long stretches of time on changing views, unlike in the oval where one sees the same scene after every round. Our newbies definitely enjoyed the ride, surprised that they are able to reach the place just by biking.

Our bikes and legs showed that this indeed is our first time again in long distance biking after a long time. A few of us experienced aching knees and legs even before we reached our destination. A few more had flat problems. Our bikes, it seemed, were also unprepared for long distance biking.