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Have you ever tried riding a bicycle to work? With more and more loonies driving on our highways, it seems even a lot crazier to bike on the way to the office. However, the thrill of trying something new, the opportunity to bike beyond our village and the recent accomplishment of finishing the Tour of the Fireflies prompted me to do it. So last Saturday, technically there was no work, was the D-day — lesser cars and hopefully lesser pollution. As part of my pre-departure checklist, inspected my bike, my white jersey, the tyres, tools, hydration pack (Camelback 2 liters), sunglasses, helmet, sunblock, gloves, heart rate monitor (Polar S720i), anti-pollution mask — whew I was already perspiring just preparing these things.

As I pedaled out of the village, the first challenge was traversing the road full of tricycles. I started really slow pace and second guessing the next moves of the things around me. From our village to C5-Kalayaan intersection I stayed on the right side very close to the curb. The only time I moved to the left side was when there were vehicles blocking my way. Of course, as I move left, I looked behind first to check if there is any car darting. The next challenge was crossing C5 going to Kalayaan Avenue. Crossing a main road was nerve wracking since I was afraid that some crazy driver might just sideswipe me. Immediately upon seeing the green light, I pedaled fast to reach the other end. I learn that a biker must ensure that he must stay visible by staying ahead of the car when crossing a street. It is a mistake to stay side by side with a car or worst a truck since you will be on the blindspot and might be hit specially if the vehicle turns right. From Kalayaan to Fort Bonifacio was a normal ride except at the slight uphill the first 500 meters after the intersection. During this time, the Camelback came in handy. Hydrating myself was necessary for me to reach my destination. From the Fort to McKinley Road was an easy ride considering the canopy of trees lining the path. Then came the Edsa-Ayala intersection. Thanks to the C5 intersection experience so this time doing it was a breeze. Once reaching Ayala, I took the Apartment Ridge road leading to Makati Avenue. I decided to do this, since there were less cars here and therefore less pressure ;). Few more cadence and then I saw my office. Finally, I made it in one piece ;).

To summarize, here are the things I learn from this first ride:

1. Be prepared not only mentally and physically but ensure as well that all your gears are with you.

2. Stay right most of the time. Start slowly and don’t race.

3. Always think ahead of the moves of other vehicles around you.

4. Stay visible. Avoid wearing dark jerseys even during daytime rides.

5. Study your route. If you can take less busy streets, take those.

Again, if you are forty something here are the stats if you are planning to do the same feat.

Start time: 7:10 in the morning

Distance: 9 kilometers

Speed: 9.4 kms/hr (min) / 17.4 kms/hr (max)

Exercise time in sport zones:

Maximum: 9 mins 45 secs - 26% of the ride

Hard: 21 mins 28 secs - 56% of the ride

Moderate: 5 mins 15 secs - 14% of the ride

Light: 50 secs - 2% of the ride

Very light: 45 secs - 2% of the ride

Heart Rate: 86% (min) / 114% (max)

Energy: 540 kcal

By the way, the entire bike ride took 38 minutes and 3.6 seconds a lot faster compared to my usual motor vehicle commute. Truly an eye opener.

Eversince I was young I have a certain fondness for biking/cycling. I believe I had my first bike or I think it was a trike when I was one year old. Then I graduated to the usual two wheel with training wheels. From that time, my liking for cycling has never wavered. I vividly remember cycling with my highschool friends during summer breaks. Even in our province Baler, Quezon (now Aurora), I commute via bike from my lola’s house to her pesticide store. I also recall ages ago, when I was young, the Tour of Luzon or the Tour of the Philippines was something to look forward to. In fact my ninong, Cornelio Padilla, Jr., was the back to back champion of the Tour of Luzon in 1966 and 1967.

Riding a bike gives you a certain feeling of empowerment — imagine reaching point A to point B by your own sheer power. It likewise lets you appreciate your environment more. See things more closely which you hardly notice when riding a motor vehicle. Also, with the inconvenient truth brought by our abuse of our natural resources, the more that we turn into cycling as a viable mode of transport. This is just a few of the advocacies being promoted by the Tour of the Fireflies.

A brainchild of Katty Sta. Ana, the Tour was participated only by a few hundreds on its first year. The firefly monicker was very apt considering that the Tour is also promoting clean air. Insects, particularly fireflies are very sensitive to changes in air quality. Now you no longer wonder why you don’t see any firefly in Metro Manila.

Weeks before April 20, the date of the Tour of the Fireflies, we decided to again pick up cycling as a sport. Me and my family (yes, Leslie and my two boys) have decided to do cycling together. First, it was just around our village then we moved to UP Academic Oval. I guess our love for cycling, even though forgotten for a while, have never diminished and we decided to join the Tour of the Fireflies.

At first, cycling in 7 cities for a total of around 50 kilometers for 5 hours seems to be too daunting. The scorching heat of summer is not helping either. However, such didn’t deter us. We arrived in Tiendesita’s around 6:30 in the morning and the entire place was already teeming with people of all ages and their bikes. Some were even in costumes — we saw a mummy, a firefly, angels, an Igorot. At exactly, 6:56 am the peloton started pedalling. Gio, my eldest son, my wife (Leslie) and sister-in-law (Bennette) were with me. Frankly, the hardest part was trying to maintain your balance during the start of the Tour since there were thousands of bikers weaving out from Tiendesitas to Julia Vargas. Our apprehension of not being able to cope with the Tour was unfounded. The pace was leisurely, averaging 10 to 20 kilometers per hour. Why this slow? Since this is not a competition but a fun ride. Anybody who can ride a bike from 3 to 90 years old can join. The route took us to Pasig, Mandaluyong, Makati, Pasay, Manila, Quezon City and Marikina. There were several stops. The first was in Quirino Grandstand in Luneta, then a momentary stop in Timog and then another 15 minute stop in Quezon City Hall. Along the way, the Firefly Bridgade/Marshalls helped in maintaining the orderly flow of the bikers (around 10 thousand strong). There were several challenges in this Tour — the uphill climb in some major roads, the unrelenting heat and the narrow roads in some areas which necessitated everybody to slowdown or even alight from riding. Fun to see for the first time as well were the helplessness of taxis and jeepneys trying to bully their way in some of the routes. They can’t do anything and just decided to stop afraid of being lynched by the “fireflies” — giving a dose of their own medicine. The Pasig to Manila route was relatively an easy ride — the roads are pretty even. The leg of Manila to Marikina was more challenging due to several uphill routes and the heat of noontime sun. Almost noon, and after almost five hours of pedalling, Tiendesita’s was in sight. A firetruck was stationed under the Ortigas-C5 flyover with its hose trained upwards and sprinkling water. Howls were heard as we pass the “man made” rain. We pedalled a few more and then finish line. The Tour was well worth it — we conquered our initial fear, made a contribution for a greener-Earth and fell back in love with cycling.

Here are a few facts.

Forgive, me but I tend to be too technical with my sport ;). Here are data taken from my Heart Rate Monitor. Note that heart rate is based on my own and might not be reprentative of other riders HR.
Time: 6:55:27 (Six hours 55 minutes and 27 seconds in the morning - Start of Tour)
Duration: 4:56:25.2 (This take into account all the stops from beginning to end)
Distance: 41.7 kilometers (This is the entire distance of the Tour — We followed the marshalls throughout and did not take any shortcuts)
Heart Rate: Average of 75% and maximum of 129% (This is my own heart rate)
Exercise Time in Sport Zones (as percentage of heart rate — this is based on my heart rate)
- Maximum (intense pedalling/uphill) - around 4 minutes (1% of the ride)
- Hard (uphill) - around 1 hour (23% of the ride)
- Moderate (average pace / even roads) - around 2 hours (45% of the ride)
- Light (leisurely pace) - arond 1.5 hours (30% of the ride)
Speed: Low of 6.8 kms/hour and High of 17.6 kms/hour

In recent newspaper articles, there were lots of discussions about the things happening in our environment. Global warming, climate change, fuel crisis, food crisis, etc. Year in and year out these problems have been aired — i guess more loudly during summer because it coincides with Earth Day. Is this really something that we must be concerned about? More seems to be apathetic since if something happens drastically to our environment most likely it will not be during our lifetime — so the usual reaction is… to hell with global warming. But come to think of it, some of the events unthinkable before is happening now. Are we really that apathetic and just shrug our shoulder and not do our own share. Everybody has been given a free will… to decide on their own… good or bad.

I am making a decision now…. I will do my share….

One less car on the road….

I will be passionate with my cycling. Not only to lose my unwanted fat but lessen my carbon footprint on Mother earth.

Again, hello Earth. I will make you greener this time.

Let’s bike.