to Wawa we go

After recovering a bit at Ka Tobias', it was time to hit the trails. We're going to Wawa Dam in Montalban, Rizal. I know it's a long ride ahead, and I'm glad I didn't go all out up the wall.

There was more climbing to be done, albeit on dirt roads, and after another short break we head down into some steep and technical single track. Dips, ruts and off-camber turns...a few stream crossings and some mud. The trail has everything. Lots of fun and the Monkey shined. I rode a bit tentatively because I wasn't familiar with the area...

We pause for a "lunchbreak", and DanDan and King say the next bit is a long hike-a-bike. They weren't kidding. I figure around 800m of climbing, with Spanky on my back. We could see one of the numerous sheer rock faces that made this area famous for rock climbing. We even ran into some intrepid MTBers riding down the same trail we were huffing and puffing up. No helmets too, all four of them. Ride safe guys.

Finally we are spat on on a hilltop clearing, where we snack on some duhat, aka black plum, which was offered to us by some locals. I rehydrate and much on some M&Ms. Edmund said that after this part is a long downhill that leads towards Wawa. We hopped on our bikes and after a short singletrack ride, he wasn't kidding.

Before us is a long winding dirt road that stretches down towards the valley. Sweet. Some corners look a bit tricky. But we go for it. King gets away first, and I find myself following him down. The corners are nice and sweeping, but the loose rocks, ruts and gravel make things a bit sketchy. I think I've gotten the hang of piloting Spanky, by steering not just with my arms but by using my hips and body weight. Niiiice. Carved that corner. Oh no...two mounds of dirt have conspired to become humps. No choice but to air it out. Smooth. Spanky handles like a dream. I don't even have to pedal - that's how fast I was going. Not fast enough, I guess, as DanDan sneaks up on me. He has gears! And full-suspension! The cheat! hehe

The downhill run was a blast, and we recover from our adrenaline rush at Aling Norma's carinderia. Once a hangout for climbers in the area, business has been a bit slow for her thanks to some municipal regulation of charging a P500 for access - whether you are an individual or a group. Hence, climbers have decided to make a stand and boycott the area. I guess some dialogue is needed. Hope it gets sorted out, I think to myself, as I help myself to some sinigang, a soup made from tamarind, with some chilis, pork bits and vegetables.

After settling our tab we're off to the Wawa Dam. It used to be a rock and limestone quarry, but has now become a protected area, and it's quite scenic. I'll let the photos do the talking.





After Wawa, its a road ride back to the town proper. Vic and I manage to get left behind, and somehow overshoot Chow King. Luckily we had our wits about, and doubled back to find the boys digging into their bowls of halo-halo - a local refreshment made of crushed ice, fresh and glazed fruits, topped with ice cream. Yummy. A perfect end to the ride.

Climbing The Wall

Well, today it looked like Spanky and I bit off a bit more than we could chew:

1)riding with Team All Terra (notoriously fast guys)
2)riding from Maarat to Wawa Dam (uncharted territory for me)
3)riding up The Wall (2.8kms of paved road, that points straight up!)

While riding in Maarat with Team All Terra isn't that new to me, I knew sooner or later I'd have to take the singlespeed up the famous Wall - and today was the day. We parked in Chow King and pedaled our way towards Timberland. The start of the wall is a nice little dip, that lets you build up your speed before hitting a steep switchback - the first of 5 or so sharp turns that head up the mountain.

So there I was with quite a bit of momentum heading towards the first elbow. I made the turn alright, but I had to stand up and hammer to maintain my speed. Not good. I was hoping to conserve my legs by sitting and spinning early in the climb. Yeah right.

The next bend was another left-hand turn, and notoriously steep. I was going at a good clip and my legs and lungs felt good, so I decided to carve through it. Again I felt my momentum drop - a feeling somehow magnified by Spanky's 29-inch wheels. I decided to duck into a little roadside cul-de-sac to build up some momentum.

It got steeper after that and after another elbow I decide to stop for a breather. I'm joined by Vic, who's ridden up the wall once before, King, and Edmund (All Terrans graciously babysitting us hehe). I bite into an apple and soon after we're pedaling up. I've resorted to making U-turns and circling round to maintain my momentum. It kinda works, in a two-steps forward, one-step back kinda way. At least it's progress!

After the fourth elbow I feel like my heart's going to explode. Vic decides to take a leak (perfect timing!) so I put a foot down and catch my breath. The rest of Team All Terra have come back down to check on us and after a short bit we're off again.

One last bend and one last push before reaching the top at Ka Tobias' store. I feel like I'm dancing on the pedals as I stand up and hammer the final 100 or so meters. I'm kinda spent, but happy to have made it up - with just three stops!

Did I feel like getting off the bike and walking it? I have to admit, the thought never crossed my mind during the climb - maybe because even considering it would be a sign of mental weakness, and would have did me in.

Muddy Monkey

almost forgot to post this...this is Spanky right after the La Mesa ride :)

La Mesa

Yesterday I was invited to ride in the La Mesa EcoPark - a 2,700-hectare forest reserve/watershed that not only is a nice green spot in our congested city, but is a source of almost all of the Metro Manila's clean water. They're gradually opening up access to the trails there, and the area has become a nice venue for races. Thing is, there is a move to develop part of the park into a housing complex. Not good. That would mean the end of this pristine and really beautiful area.

Anyway, we were a big group - mix of newbies and vets, and after a briefing by the Bantay Kalikasan reps, we set off on the trails with a guide leading the way. I'd ridden there before, and the guide was gracious enough to let me lead some of the pack (the more seasoned riders) through the 17kms. It was a blast going down the double-track trails. I even caught some air on two lil jumps - and Spanky surprised me with its surefootedness and stability. One particularly hairy section was before a water crossing, where I took a more aggressive line(to set me up for the climb out of the water), and ended up rolling through a patch of rocks. Spankers just took it all in stride - am sure if I was on a 26er I'd be bouncing around!

Once in a while we'd stop and regroup - and one hilarious instance was when we were resting in a bamboo shed. Dominic had already broken a bench when he sat on it (rickety, weatherbeaten thing), and so him and the rest of the guys (10 of em or so) sat down on another bamboo bench. Minutes later there was a loud KERAAASSHHHH!!! and all of the guys were on their butts on the ground. It was too funny! Luckily another rider was able to snap a few photos of the debacle. We all had a good laugh. I must get a copy of that pic hehe.

We headed back to the campsite/parking lot and I was entertaining thoughts of going on another lap - I just wanted to get my P200 entrance fee worth hehe. No takers so I abandoned the idea of soloing it - it is doable though as the terrain is of the easy, rolling variety. Great for people who are new to the sport.

So no extra lap for me and 17km short, but hey, I made new friends and we all had a blast!

stormy weather

Don't blame me for feeling a bit angsty. Mother Nature had just decided to send over a storm this weekend - so, no riding for me, since the trails are going to be a mess.

It's all good actually, since it allows me to catch up on things I've been kinda neglecting. Darn, single-speeding is a full-time job hahaha

Speaking of which, Jay and I are trying to rustle up a group of single-speeders for a group ride on June 11. Incidentally this is the day before Independence Day. So yes, it's going to be a fun ride. So far we have a dozen brave souls signed up. Hope they show up! Geared riders are welcome too - but WE WILL TAPE YOUR SHIFTERS. Mwahahaha!

Voodoo Chile

Yesterday was Mickey and his Voodoo's coming out party. After finally finding a helmet that fit his noggin, it was off to the trails in Sta. Rosa. Mickey's never been off-road and after giving him some pointers, we pushed off. It's always cool to hit the trails with new riders - they're always positive and end up having a lot of fun (well, I have yet to encounter someone who's actually given up on mountain biking after his or her first real off-road ride...guess I'm lucky!)...

Jay, Polly and Jennie joined us for the inaugural and it was quite a combination of characters! The ride starts off with a few climbing sections (why are most rides this way? Beats me!) And we advised Mickey to just take it easy and walk up the hills if he has to, in order to conserve his energy for the singletrack and plantation rides we will be doing later on. He did clean the first two hills - seems like Mickey (who was my high school varsity team mate in football) still has a lot of grunt hehe. Once over the top we took the usual break at the Gatorade stop. We rode some more and had another break at this little store that serves home-cooked lumpia (fried rolls stuffed with vegetables) and quekquek (quail eggs coated with batter and deep-fried! nasty stuff!)...Jennie finished of 9 QQs! I just had a glass of Coca-Cola. I normally can't eat too much solid food during a ride...not sure why. I stick to fruits, a bite-sized bar of Cloud 9, or if there's nothing else, a Powerbar.

Break over, we headed into the tight singletrack. To give Mickey some confidence we lowered his saddle a bit - and he did appreciate the more control it offered in the bumpy and twisty bits. He still has to master weight distribution and shifting - but that will all come as he rides the Voodoo more. He was asking some nonsense like "isn't singlespeeding better since you don't have to shift?"...funny guy.

His bike performed flawlessly throughout the ride - and after the downhill he remarked how his rear brake got stronger - finally the Avid Juicy 5 disc brake had worn in...he also said his hands hurt - perhaps from gripping the bar too tight...he also had no gloves on...but otherwise the man was stoked, and I'm happy for him. Would be a shame to let go of that Voodoo after I helped him spec it and all hehe

Here are some pics from the Voodoo's baptism of dirt...

Jay, Polly, Mickey and Jennie:


Another shot of the group:


and here's Spanky: