On ATTACK’s 12th years of outdoor hikes and cross-country mountain biking, experience another mountain biking challenge this coming December 5, Sunday at Gran Europa, Cagayan de Oro City – the Mountain Madness 11. For the 16-kilometer bike trail, riders will come across different challenges from touring rough roads, riding on single tracks and creeks, and stunning view while descending from green hills! Be part of the event and join the fun! For more details, visit ATTACK official website.

Hope to see you there! Let’s ride the fun!

source: http://mountainbike.box.com.ph/2010/07/19th-combat-mtb-race/

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60kms+ Camiguin Island loop bike ride.

The onshore breeze strokes lightly in your whole body and the speed that feels like you’re flying, makes it truly worth why you want to do a loop ride on an island. I’ve been biking across hills and mountains, carrying bikes while crossing rivers, and feeling the rush in single-track trails, but never imagined I could spin around an island. Bike tour island destination – Camiguin Island.

September 19 2009. It was a perfect fine Saturday morning in Cagayan de Oro, together with ATTACK, we got our bikes already in our vehicles as we traveled about 50 miles from CDO to Balingoan port. When we arrived there, we parked our vehicles in a paid parking area as we grab our backpacks, pulled our bikes and headed to the ferry bound for Benoni, Camiguin. The trip took us about an hour and when we reached the port of Benoni, we rode on our bikes to the nearest carenderia and had breakfast there.

At Balingoan port, in a paid parking area. Unloading bikes from our vehicles.

On our bikes, heading towards the ferry bound for Camiguin.

The Acquaintance. We’ve finished our meals and started the trip to our first stop – the capital town of Mambajao, Camiguin. On our way, we met a group of bikers heading in opposite direction. They call themselves COBRA or Camiguin Off-road Bike Riders Association. They’re friendly and even joined us as we headed our way to Mambajao, which is about 10 miles from Benoni. When we passed by Mahinog Public Market, some of us started to tease each other and went on a race, competing like a battle between bike clubs. The fun race ended at Pare Ventures and Trading bike shop near San Nicolas Parish Church in Mambajao, took a drink/rest, and met some of the local bikers. We stayed not too long and thanked our new friends as we pedaled up to our pit stop which just a couple of meters away from the bike shop – the Villa Paraiso Resort.

At Mahinog Public Market with COBRA

Journey to the Black Mountain. We left some of our things at the resort. Our ride for that day just got started and our next destination – PHILVOLCS. The road up to the PHIVOLCS observatory starts straight mid-town Mambajao, passing through Villa Paraiso Resort and climbs about 2 miles. The road is sheltered and ascending wasn’t that tough even if most parts are very steep. For about half an hour, we’ve reached the observatory and enjoyed the overlooking view of Mambajao below. We were still not satisfied with the view and decided to climb more and explore what’s waiting for us up there.

We met another COBRA biker and he was kind enough to guide us up to the black mountain or as the local call it Mt. Itum. As we went higher, the air became cooler and thinner but managed to push through while staring at the amazing slope of Mt. Hibok-Hibok and the taking a glimpse at the white island behind as we slowly ascending on our bikes. It took us about an hour when we reached a small town at the top. We took a rest in a store and enjoyed some cold softdrinks and breads. It rained for a while as we were having conversation and a man was playing on a homemade stringed instrument. We were listening to it as we enjoy the peaceful nature and simple life in the surroundings. We almost got carried away when the silence was interrupted and we’re surprised to see a karaoke machine somewhere in a dark spot went on and this young lady played some dance club songs. Tsk tsk!

Ascending to Mt. Itum, overlooking white island and Mambajao.

We rest in a small town in Mt. Itum as rain cools down our tired bikes.

Sidetrip to Katibawasan. For about 20 minutes, the rain stopped. After paying for our food, we grabbed our wet bikes then slowly and carefully descend on a wet road for about 15 minutes when we saw another road to Katibawasan Falls. Our new bike buddy told us it wouldn’t take us long until we reached the falls. We took the rough, dirt road as it exits to another main road until we’ve reached the falls. We didn’t stay there too long and decided to descend back to Villa Paraiso as most of us were already hungry and need to take lunch.

Descending on a wet cement road overlooking Mambajao.

Rough, dirt road to Katibawasan Falls.

Relaxing at the Paraiso. We’ve checked in to a dorm-type room of the resort. The room can accommodate 10 people and the whole place was soothing and very relaxing. We’re lucky that there were only few people to check in that resort. We washed our dirty bikes and clothes in a faucet outside our room. There’s a large pool and we didn’t hesitate to take a dive. We almost forgot to take our lunch and decided to eat outside the resort.

Relaxing at the pool in Villa Paraiso Resort

We walked down to Mambajao market, bought seafood and hired someone to sugba our bought fishes. It’s already late afternoon when we finished our late lunch in a carenderia near the market. Then, we sat on this park near the shore, talking while eating lanzones, went back to the market to pick our sinugba. I got tired of wearing my bike shoes and bought a cheap slipper. I felt a bit relaxed as we walked back to the resort as the dark sets in.

Night celebration. We bought some beers in a store in front of the resort and continued our conversations there. We enjoyed the bought sinugba as pulutan. We talked a lot, from the stars to our rides. We talked everything under the clear, dark sky. The night’s getting colder but the fun kept us warm.

It’s already past 10 when we went back to our room. We continued the fun there and then we rest.

September 20 2009, closing the loop. A fine morning to wake up. All charged up and ready to roll! Before leaving the resort, we did some group pictorials around the place and left.

On the last day on the island, we continued our journey.

Group pictures before leaving Villa Paraiso

Very strong winds on a land slide prone area

Sunken cemetery

At the old church, a few meters away from the sunken cemetery.

Biking along near the seashore

At Benoni Port, ferry bound for Balingoan. Going home to CDO.

More pictures..

refreshing!

One good reason for a biker to join a mtbike race is to measure how well you can handle fitness and your mountain biking skills. A novice racer normally thinks of joining races for very simple reasons. It could be that he wants to have the event jersey, or got invited by biking buddies, or just simply try out the fun and pressure in it. He does not desire the 1st place and just by finishing the whole course is an achievement and plus experience.

A bike club here in Cagayan de Oro, had their 18th COMBAT Mountain Bike Competition last Sunday August 30. COMBAT is one of the pioneering bike clubs in the country. They are known to hold different races from cross-country mountain biking to extreme downhill bike race.

race route map

Starting point near Concentrix

I invited Rob to join us to witness the race and introduced him to the ATTACK group as we drove our way to the race starting line near Concentrix (formerly Link2Support) and SM Mall. Two of our klub buddies, Jomar and Khokitz were there to participate on the event. We were there to cheer for them. There were different funny conversations and while looking around I saw familiar faces too.

May kinabahan, mayroon din na di mapakali. May iba na excite, may bike na biglang na-busted. May tumatawa pero mas marami yata ang nakasimangot. Si haring araw oh.. Mainit na!

The race started around 9AM.

Preparation: Just make sure your bike is in good condition and particularly the gear worked well. Don’t worry about all that suspension and dual hydraulic disk brakes that everyone else has. Even off-road, lightness is king. [Source]

The group followed the first batch of riders (probably they’re in a touring category) as they split from us as when they turned right from the main road to the first part of the trail going to House of Hope.

steep curve corner waiting

We stayed inside the race trail mismo somewhere in Haway. We waited on the second to the last ascent knowingly that this is one of the challenging parts where a rider pushed himself really hard up to a rough rocky steep curve and refreshing ‘em up with cold water will cool them until the last ascent in Cabula finish line. Even if our klub buddies didn’t make it on top 3 as Jomar claimed the top 7 while Khokitz as finisher, nothing compares to the priceless support from family and friends.

Sa mga talunan, the race it isn’t about winning. To the champions, sus chamba!! Hehehe kidding!

Seriously, nothing compares to the experience of a race where fun, excitement and pressure is felt all at the same time. I remember the first time I joined a circuit mountain bike race last year with my buddy Matt, the tension somehow is incomparable to the tiredness after a long ride. A feeling that triggers the guts in you and when you’re there, you’re actually not racing with the other bikers but rather with yourself. You are competing against your fears, apprehensions, physical limits, and mental capabilities to prove that you can be better. The real winner is the one who tries and when he fails, gets up and do his pace, willing to finish the race.

ATTACK Madness Mountain 10, this coming November!

Fine weather, perfect for a cross-Saturday country mountain biking!

There were storms spotted lately in some parts of the archipelago and one was cited near Surigao del Norte that causes some rain showers in Cagayan de Oro. It’s raining lately especially during late afternoon here but thank Heaven it was a very fine Saturday morning when we started out our Baungon-Kinawe mountain biking! That was my 3rd time to do biking in Baungon, a municipality located in the northern part of Bukidnon province. It has rough but usually wide trails that travel across 2 municipalities – Baungon and Libona. This ride usually takes 5 to 7 hours.  We took off from Cagayan de Oro around 8AM via SM-Lumbia route.

From our usual meeting place in CAP at Gaerlan St., we warmed up ourselves on ascending to Pryce Hotel then all the way up to Gran Europa. I started to heat up after passing Oro Gardens as Demzy and I were kidding around, competing, overtaking each other, knowing that we’re close to our first stop.  We regrouped ourselves at Lumbia Airport gate. I was still catching my breath as my heart’s beating hard and fast, murag kalaspagon likely a result after days without training. Hmm, not really training. I just skipped last time on the Haway ride and my 6km commute ride thrice a week isn’t just enough. Tinatamad akong bumangon sa umaga kase madalas puyat!

Cabula Bridge

Okay, nakarefresh na after eating some bought bananas. We rushed downhill in Cabula down to the Baungon-Mambuaya crossing. We took our breakfast there. At 10AM  we descend to the rough curve road leading to Cabula bridge. We passed Cagayan river which means, we’ve crossed the border of CDO and Bukidnon. This is usually the place where white water rafting ends. This bridge connects the province of Bukidnon and Cagayan de Oro. It leads to some barangays in Baungon such as found on the southeast region- Liboran, Imbatug, Salimbalan, Mabungao, Balintad and San Vicente; and to southwest part – Lingating, Danatag, San Miguel, Kalilangan, Lacolac, Buenavista and Mabuhay.

Long hot stretch road to Baungon poblacion

After spinning for about 5 kilometers, you’ll see a 15-km long straight rough road that slowly ascends and ends in the main town of Baungon. It was around 11AM and the heat crawls beneath my jerseys and warmers. Mirage forms ahead and the road seems to be endless. Every side of it are wide farms planted with different crops from corns, sugarcane, and rice!

Kabalo ba mo? The water in the irrigations that supports ricefields in Baungon comes from the Cagayan river. Baungon is about 1,500 feet high and water climbs up without using pumping machines. I don’t know how it’s done. Baka ginamitan na ng physics or di kaya magic tricks?

Shot taken during my 1st ride in Baungon

We’ve reached Baungon Public Terminal at 11AM and had our early lunch there. Medyo busog pa ako ’cause I had early breakfast and brunch already. But I need to recharge myself with energy. ‘Di bale nang laspag, ‘di naman gutom. It’s also the last place where foods and water are available enough to sustain us in the remaining hours of biking to Kinawe, Libona. Unlike any markets, the whole place seems a bit quiet. There are just few people around. It was calm but the tinderas were goofy! We were kidding around while having our lunch in their carenderia. The water tastes different too! Is it because we think it’s natural or we’re just thirsty? We left the terminal at 12noon.

At some few kilometers ahead, we turned away from the main road and rushed down on this rough road with loose rocks then ended up in a very beautiful and enchanted scenery! We’ve reached the dam where two rivers meet. I am not sure if these waters come from the Kitanglad mountain range. I am so sure these waters are truly amazing and refreshing!

Looking down below..

‘Di na kami nagtagal and after some photo shoots, we grabbed our rigs and headed for the steepest ascent of this journey. The whole part has 4 turns, shaped like an S, probably looks like those in Mangima parang bituka! I wanted to finish that steep hill with my lightest gears and without dismounting but I don’t want to miss out taking photos of the views. It took me about half an hour before reaching the top. We rest in a waiting shed in Sitio Pantunan, Nangka, Libona, Bukidnon. Elevation? Around 1,750 feet.

We took a rest.. phew…..

Rocky steep downhill to Kinawe

After the steep ascent, about a kilometer ahead, we descend to a rocky road that seems to lead us into the forest. It’s as long as the Nangka ascent and ends in a wooden bridge that crosses a stream. That would be the 3rd time we’ve crossed a bridge. Then  we continued our journey, as the road went smaller until we stumbled upon a wooden gate and went through a cattle ranch, climb up to the last hill and we were caught in the rain at the last part of the ascent. Finally, we exit to Kinawe and spinned fast as we passed different farms. There were on-going construction that somehow got us in trouble and took us a lot of time to wait.

[[Visit blog to check out this spoiler]]

crossing the last bridge in Kinawe

The whole ride was amazing! We’ve not just crossed rivers and streams, not  just countries nor bridges but paths that tested our minds and hearts. Paths that would seem to tear you apart but with support and camaraderie, you’ll regain strength that powers up your legs as together you spin all the way up and from there, you’ll be looking down those trails that you thought you might not be able to go through. The long traveled distance shortened by the relieving beauty of nature and friendship strengthened by rocks along the trail, these are just few of the gifts that could not be bought nor borrowed but are obtained from determination and courage to succeed!

The time that we arrived in Indahag, the last part of the trail, is the time when I realized how lucky I am to experience an amazing journey with amazing buddies.

From left to right: Mr M, Doods Yasay, Rusty Billedo, Goma, Matt Baluyos, Joel Haguisan at Baungon Dam

Seagull Mountain Resort

Cross-country mountain biking from Davao to CDO – a ride that most people think it’s crazy! Travel to Davao just to mount the rigs on the starting point instead of taking a break to some famous nature park in the city. Why am I doing this?

To think of something we believe impossible is easy. When actually looking at impossible thing from a different perspective could somehow give us an idea on achieving at least closer to it. It’s a challenge with uncertain results. A challenge that tests ourselves. Who knows we could actually make it to the next level?

It’s not about how far you’ve traveled on a mountain bike in a day. It’s not just reaching the destination. It’s the experience on the road. The camaraderie, different people bond together on the highway, with amazing sceneries and challenges on both steep ascends and descends!

A couple of months ago, our klub thinks of something to do on the 4 non-working days in Holy Week. We’ve decided to cross-country, from Davao to Cagayan de Oro. I thought about – “am I ready?” Everybody seems so excited about it. I am excited! I am ready! My mind and heart are ready! But my legs aren’t. Mindset won’t work if I’m not physically set to such ride.

Butuan, epic training for Davao.

Epic rides training. There were still 4 remaining Saturdays for epic rides before the Davao trip. An epic ride is a long ride that sums up to more than a hundred kilometers. We have 4 epic rides lined up before Holy Week – Iligan, Butuan, Salay, and Talakag. Iligan has a total of about 160kms, Iligan-CDO-Iligan. We left CDO at 7AM and returned home around 7PM. There are cases that it’s impossible to complete a circuit in a day especially when riding in groups. Unlike Talakag (60kms+) and Salay(140kms+), from CDO going to Butuan City sums up to approximately 190kms already!

Butuan ride was tagged as “unfinished business”. We actually did not push to Butuan when we could still descend our way down to the city after a steep ascend in Magsaysay, a border between Caraga Region and Northern Mindanao. We got injured comrades and decided to halt in Carmen. We wanted to finished the course. I could still make it to Butuan aside from experiencing joint pain in my right knee that started in the mid-part of the ride. But we can’t leave men behind and we can have it next time. To me, Butuan ride was one of the most painful experience I had in mountain biking but it was priceless.

Testing out the walls

Side trips at Quezon, Bukidnon. We left CDO around 5AM. After 3 hours, we stopped at our klubmate’s place and went to our side trips – climbed on the white rock walls of Quezon and took a plunge on its cold spring from caves beneath. Then, we head back to the our klubmate’s place and took our lunch then rest for an hour. We left Quezon around 2PM and continued our trip to Davao City.

DAVAO CITY. We arrived in Davao around 5PM. We had our early dinner with these deep-fried fresh tilapias and then checked in a dormitory at Davao City. There we unhook our bikes from our sag vehicles, put on the tires and brakes for tomorrow’s epic ride. That night, we had a couple of beers just to cool down our gears.

My sleep that night restored me up to 100% health power – a good start for the epic cross-country mountain bike ride tomorrow.

Bike Ride in Baungon Bukidnon

Tonight, I will be preparing for our 3-day epic ride from Davao to Cagayan de Oro. Just got the klub decals, bought extra long valve CST interior, and got my salary! Deposited some cash then checking emails, updating some of my online events here in an internet cafe here in Divisoria before getting busy. I will be bringing some shirts, jerseys, bike gears, sleeping bag and keep ‘em all in my awesome black Nike bag bought from divisoria night market a year ago.

Tomorrow, we will be leaving before sunrise to Quezon, Bukidnon where Cocoy Neri, a klub comrade, will be expecting us and show us this place where we could do some wall climbing and swimming in a spring. We will be having lunch there too! Sheep yeah! *hopefully if buhi pa ang karnero or we’ll end up karne sa iro*

By night, we will be arriving Davao and spend our night there.

Friday, our bike journey begins.. Setting up some light reflectors for an early morning take off from Davao then at some point, I am thinking of the ascends before reaching the Overview. It’ll be awesome! We won’t be riding at night so we will have to stop at Cocoy’s place again for an overnight.

Saturday, bike ride to Cagayan de Oro. A route with more descends compare to Davao-Quezon. I’ve been to Malaybalay twice and biking from the city to Kisolon Terminal was actually no-sweat probably because of the cold wind from a 60kph bike speed. Thinking of the ascend in Mangima at noon would be one of the challenges in this epic ride. Traffic, buses, cars, smokes are expected.

Bukidnon as it’s one of my favorite biking/tripping/visiting place in the planet, have been a magical place and even before when I was a kid, I have been visiting these places with my late mom as she enjoys collecting some orchids from Bukidnon.

As a cross-country mountain biker who have been travelling for 9 months now with my Rina the Rincon Giant hard tail bike, this epic ride surely be something that I’ll be proud of. A story that I am gonna share to the whole world. A ride that will unveil paths and crossing different adventures in my life.

God speed!

Canitoan Hills

Last March 7, Saturday ride, the group planned to take the Baikingon short-ride trail, instead, we (Carlo, Demzy, Rusty, R Casino, Joey, Roger, Goma) decided to take the trail that the group already missed and wanted to ride on it again – Lumbia-Canitoan-Pagatpat trail. On that day, Demzy decided to name that trail as Seven(7). It was just a coincident that 7 bikers enjoyed its heaven on the 7th day. ATTACK held its 7th Mountain Biking Challenge in Canitoan Hills a couple of years ago. Starting from Lumbia, then exits to Pagatpat.

Here are some of the reasons why bicycles are better than women:

• Bicycles don’t get pregnant.
• You can ride your bicycle any time of the month.
• Bicycles don’t have parents.
• Bicycles don’t whine unless something is really wrong.
• You can share your bicycles with your friends.
• Bicycles don’t care how many other bicycles you’ve ridden.
• When riding, you and your bicycle can arrive at the same time.
• Bicycles don’t care how many other bicycles you have now.
• Bicycles don’t care if you look at other bicycles.
• Bicycles don’t care if you buy bicycle magazines.
• If your bicycle goes flat, you can fix it.
• If your bicycle is too loose, you can tighten it.
• If your bicycle gets misaligned, you don’t have to discuss politics with it.
• You can have a black bicycle and bring it home to your parents.
• You don’t have to be jealous of the guy who works on your bicycle.
• If you say bad things to your bicycle, you don’t have to apologize before you ride it again.
• You can ride your bicycle as long as you want and it wont get sore.
• You can stop riding your bicycle as soon as you want and it wont get frustrated.
• Your parents wont remain in touch with your old bicycle after you dump it.
• Bicycles don’t get headaches.
• Bicycles don’t insult you if you’re a bad rider.
• Your bicycle never wants a night out with other bicycles.
• Bicycles don’t care if you’re late.
• You don’t have to take a shower before you ride your bicycle.
• If your bicycle doesn’t look good, you can paint it or get better parts.
• You can ride your bicycle the first time you meet it without having to take it to dinner, see a movie, or meet its mother.
• The only protection you need to wear when riding your bicycle is a decent helment.
• When in mixed company, you can talk about what a great ride you had the last time you were on your bicycle.

I don’t hate women. I still love them. Without them, there’ll be nothing to ride on.

source

Matt and Goma at Taguanao Bridge, photo by Ryan Babiera

These past weeks, spending time in front of a desktop computer  developing websites for clients seems to feel like a prisoner in your own space with fast-traveling time and same routines. One thing to do is to stay away from the screen for a while. Relax and unwind. Feel the breeze outside. Talk something not related with work and do something that hasn’t been tried before – mountain biking?With my buddies Matt and Ryan, we decided to go biking at Taguanao. We met in Divisoria Jollibee and had our breakfast there. We are preparing ourselves for the whole morning ride – proper food intake and pretty much excited on how will our bike ride ends today. We grab our bikes and headed on the first route for our first destination – to Aluba, Upper Macasandig to Taguanao.

The first ascend to Aluba seems easy. You can feel the fast loud beating of your heart and cold sweat just when you reached the top. How’s Matt and Ryan? They managed to catch up on me after, but Ryan just broke his pedal. Can’t blame for his heavy weight, his pedal is made out of plastic, a weak material for such activity.

There were bikers passing by and probably greet us then told, “hinay hinay lang bai! (take it easy pal!)” So this is how biking community feels like – a sense of camaraderie, politeness, and let the amateur feel that biking is the best sport/pastime to spend on.

We grabbed on our bars and a full-speed descend ahead, letting us feel and smell the wind on our faces overlooking the view of Cagayan de Oro river, traveling a long distance in just a short period of time.

The 2kms ascend on a hill from the Taguanao bridge up to Rosevale was very punishing! The heat of the 10o’clock sun feels like inside the oven, and decided to take a rest on the mid. I’m already here, there’s no turning back. I have to make it through at the top. Mounted on bike, preparing for the final assault, took a spin and finally reaches the top!

Such experience could actually give you craziness like I should just watch movies than torturing myself under the sun, or sleep and eat rather than straining my muscles and give it just a drink! But it’s not about it. The time that you almost give up on reaching your goal, thinking it’s hopeless could actually give you the best idea on how you’ll be able to achieve it — dismount, take a break, re-gain and challenge yourself. There are still a lot of uphills on the next ride. I’ll win this one and glad I did! We did! It was fun. That experience you’ve shared with your buddies, the laughter, the tease, the breaks – priceless!

I could not forget the experience of my first ever mountain biking. Now, I’m ready for the next mountain biking challenges!