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Another Critical Mass Ride (CMR) is scheduled this coming Saturday, June 21.  Here are the details.

Date: June 21, 2008 (Saturday)
Assembly: 7:00 AM, UP Diliman, AS Parking Lot (in front of Palma Hall)
Ride Start: 7:30 AM
Ride End: Lunchtime!
Route: UP, Diliman - La Mesa EcoPark - UP, Diliman
Contact: Ricky Pineda - 0907 603 9258 for CMR inquiries

This is organized by the Firefly Brigade.

Ocean’s Month CMR Ride! Date: May 17, 2008 (Saturday)
Assembly: 7:00 AM, UP Diliman, AS Parking Lot (in front of Palma Hall)
Ride Start: 7:30 AM
Ride End: Lunchtime!
Route: UP, Diliman - Pasig River - UP, Diliman
Contact: kRx - 0907 603 9258 for CMR inquiries

Organized by The Firefly Brigade

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