Wednesday Evening Tagpuan’s 20-kilometer loop with slopes training this 10 August 2022
How did the slopes training fare? True to WET’s reputation, what was planned is most likely what will happen, to the letter
Snaking around the side streets of Makati Avenues night district, we were exposed to another short ahon crossing the Estrella-Pantaleon bridge to go back to Mandaluyong. Landing at Barangka Drive, we went straight to DM Guevarra st., then to Calbayog for another short shock ending at Samat st. From Shaw we turned right to EDSA until Producer’s when RL Osang declared time to eat pares for the tomguts na bikers.
River then transformed the cafeteria to a comedy bar getting to know 1st timers Pawi and seasoned biker Jun. While 1st timers to WET, their biking credentials show as drawn out by the host as sakalam. They were welcomed warmly by the WET regulars accepting Pawi and Jun like members of an extended family.
Such is the character of WET of TSP. Under Ritchie Tulipat’s quiet leadership and ma’am Osang nurturing guidance, the culture is homey, warm, welcoming, casual and cordial. But don’t be deceived by the gentleness as WET is acknowledged for loooooooong and exteeeeeeeeeended night rides. Known for kilometric loops, previous rides this July brought a huge number of folding bikers to Tambo Paranaque, an uncharted area in TSP or to Circuit Makati and Tejeros, the domains of TNF and MAD. Despite their advanced preconditioning on the nature and degree of difficulty, folding bikers whether regulars, from other areas or newbies still show up.
Because aside from being at the center of Metro Manila and scheduled in the middle of the week, WET always levels up the nightly rides with interesting routes and sights, distances and gradients. Ma’am Osang known for reliability, dependability and consistency can command a troll of supporters very quickly to marshal and to sweep whether number of participants is few or many and even very many.
Two incidents at the Mandaluyong area are testaments to how WET is like family. A bolt of my headset was slightly loose causing a slight jarring. Ken S. of MAD advised tightening it before the condition worsens. Quickly, Warren the sweeper for the night came to the rescue to my embarrassment. Such a minor adjustment caused the entire entourage to stop. But as Ken said, better early before it causes an accident.
Later on, Don’s long seat post was slowly sinking. Everyone stopped, Gerry took a look and Warren improvised the sheen’s support to keep it stable. Despite the delay, no one complained because sa TSP, walang iwanan.
After the short yet unnoticed delays, to our surprise though, “ilang kembot na lang,” it was dinner time and shortly after, an extended enjoyable social. Like family, we enjoyed eating together, exchanging stories, poking fun at each other and celebrating the success of the night ride planning the next ones.
WET conditioned us to an ahon training. The regulars did not notice. Neither did the newbies nor the oldies. Because after the 20-kilometer loop, it did not feel like it 20 or hours as it seemed just like a stroll at the park. Because we were cared for by a family.
As I asked Jomar, a WET regular how the ride was, he said “convenient.” Taga Mandaluyong lang ako causing Jared to laugh and shout, “wala ka talagang makukuhang interview dyan!” Like family, asaran is in the blood for fun.
WET’s Loop Training went smoothly and safely. But did we notice that it was ma’am Osang calling the shots taking over from Ritchie who was indisposed that evening. It was as if it was not led by a novice as we were confidently managed. But only a few noticed that behind Osang was Ritchie’s visible, invisible and felt guidance. Somewhere at F. Martinez st. under a tree, RL Richie took video of the night ride and was with us physically although invisible but 100% in spirit. Surely he was pleased how it went.
Wow, what a family!
Salamat muli.
Thanks to Efren R. for providing the stills.
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To celebrate the National Heroes Day on the last Mondays of August (29 August), Tuesday Nights at the Fort TNF Ride Leader Pepe Daradal posted a month-long folding bike rides originating at the 7th Ave corner 28thst. at the BGC. It opened with the ride to the Ang Supremo monument at Taguig this 2 August.
National Heroes Day commemorates the Cry of Pugad Lawin, a revolt that kicked off the 1896 Philippine Revolution against the Spanish Empire and the long struggle toward that country’s independence. Andres Bonifacio played a significant role in the revolt against Spain. It was in San Juan where he rallied behind Katipuneros of Kataastaasang, Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan or KKK to take control of El Deposito a water reservoir in San Juan that used to hold the water supply of Manila.
This 9 August, Tuesday TNF enjoined members to honor Andres Bonifacio via a ride to the KKK Shrine at Pinaglabanan and Valenzuela st. in San Juan City crossing over from Taguig to Makati, Mandaluyong and Manila.
That historic night 9 August at the BGC, troops from M.A.D. from Manila, T3 from Marikina, a small delegation of LSD from QC and of course TNF from Taguig (and for a full line up Ma’am Osang of W.E.T. joined us later) congregated to the meet-up place to manifest their support behind Pepe’s call. Coming from a rained out Kartilya sa Katipunan to Old Pasig ride of M.A.D. the night before, Lance greeted the arriving riders with “bitin the night before, kaya nandito tayo lahat!”
What a sight to see at least 36 bikers per RL Bongski’s informal count rallying behind two causes, revolt against the oppressive rule of Spain and the revolution of the mobility of the folding bike. Even the guards at BGC were containing the bikers and those coming from all over Metro Manila to keep the pedestrian lane near ROX Lane O open. We as law abiding citizens cooperated of course.
Led by Jonathan, Warren sweeping and Joseph L. adding marshals to manage the clusters, we went out of BGC via McKinley Road at Forbes Park, entered the Makati Business District at Ayala Avenue to Makati Avenue crossing Sen Gil Puyat Avenue and Kalayaan Ave to get across to Mandaluyong via the old Makati-Mandaluyong bridge. After circling halfway at the Maysilo Circle, we proceeded to F. Martinez Ave to be at Shaw Boulevard. It must be a challenge for marshals Pitz, Nor and C. Gregory to contain the bikers as at F. Martinez Avenue, we shared the dedicated bike lane with pedestrians and parked tricycles. Cut by the traffic lights and crossing 4-wheeled vehicles, the bike train was spliced into several smaller groups but eventually catching up with the lead pack.
From Shaw Boulevard, we passed by Gomezville, Hoover, Blumentritt, F. Manalo. N.Domingo, Pinaglabanan and finally at the corner of Valenzuela st. to reach the marker of the KKK monument and the El Deposito Museum (gate only) for the traditional picture taking.
Due to the size of the delegates, no single food outlet open that night along N. Domingo st. could accommodate all, so it was KKK, kanya kanyang kainan.
What a historic night for TSP this August. Ensuring that this moment is documented well, we would spot RL Pepe in several spots taking shots at the entourage from start to finish. Like the Katipuneros, one of these days, we the folding bikers can look back at these stills, videos and articles and say, “we built it and they came.” We have added a revolutionary viable option to mass transport using our folding bike. That 9 August 2022, we biked together as one.
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(Notable that we crisscrossed on streets we’ve passed before just this July. BGC to Makati was TNF’s business district to Mandaluyong barangay ride this July, Shaw to San Juan was WET’s Ortigas to Circuit Makati and Okada rides. Shaw Boulevard is the access road bikers from the North and East would take to bring us back to QC, Marikina, Pasig.
Learning to navigate through these streets adds to our personal mobility as bikers as it is a proof that the roads we took at the night rides are safe to take when biking on our own. That’s the practical benefit of joining the Monday to Friday night rides for us. As Eli mentioned the night before, the RLs and their teams check the routes for the infrastructure and the peace, order and safety condition of the area in the evening prior to declaring the routes.)
Nanghiram ng larawan kina Efren at sir Bongski
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August 8
Monday After Dark, the opening salvo for the week after the August Tiklop General Assembly presented the ahons and lusongs of Pasig from Kartilya ng Katipunan. Nothing historical nor thematic this time but a smooth ride to an old city Pasig, Rizal.
Monday joiners are always surprised. Prior to the ride out, Efren from Las Pinas shared some durian candies. Some associates gave out TIklop and MAD stickers. Lucky early birds got face masks. A soft drizzle after a large show up gave us a feel of what’s in store for the night.
Ride started out like before. Moving out from Kartilya we would be led out of the city of Manila to the next city.
Somewhere along Valenzuela st. at Bacood Sta. Mesa, there were early signs of a heavy downpour. 19 bikers in their folding bikes took shelter at the Unioil Station canopy to put on raincoats and jackets. All of a sudden, we were trapped as the rains poured harder.
But containing us at the gas station naturally led to an advanced socials. While nothing historical was scheduled for the evening, there were historical revelations in that more than 30-minute stay. Almost all the pumps were surrounded with bikes and bikers. Luckily, there were no spotted gas customers for the duration of our stay.
In one corner were Alfred, Toto, Ray, C. Gregory, Joseph at times Joseph L and Yen. At the other side were Louie, Efren. Ronel, Pitz. Lance was roving.
First, Alfred, a Monday mainstay narrated to us a small group cornered in one pump station his long rides. A seafarer, his accessibility to MAD’s meet up place hooked him to TSP night rides. With knowledge on mechanical parts, it interested Engineer C. Gregory and DIY bike hardware wizard Ray R. Suddenly the pump station turned into an impromptu bike repair station and a lecture forum.
Anticipating the rain would not stop, C. Gregory surprised the small group by pulling out two folding stools from his rear carrier bags for a more comfortable set up to Alfred’s talk. It turned out that Alfred is a colleague of solo long ride marathoner Kris K. thus making the sessions more engaging.
But the highlight of extended talk which defeats all the historical themes of RL Eli was this discovery. Eli dropped by the area and engaged in the conversation making Ray declare with pride, “matagal na po akong sumasama sa Tiklop. Karamihan ng long rides eleven years ago sinasamahan ko gamit ng ibang bisikleta pa. Naalala ko pa Ma'am Eli, sa isang long ride from Caloocan to Clark via MacArthur Highway sa isang madilim na tulay, may sumemplang na babae na ang pangalan ay Winter naka purple bike. Ang tagal ko na po siyang hinahanap at kukumustahin sana.”
Looking at Eli, he asked, “kilala niyo po ba siya?” Eli was shocked! Like the biblical verses, she declared, “ikaw ba ang umalalay sa akin at nagdala sa akin sa hospital?” “Ako yon, binago ko lang ang pangalan ko sa FB.” “Eto pa nga ang sugat ko sa noo!”
Stories like that under the heavy rain give RL Eli, young Ray and us attentive listeners goose bumps. It was like an episode of Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho where suddenly the biological parents of an orphan were found via DNA testing.
The long stay at Unioil, the deafening sound of the rains and the deferred night bike ride to Pasig did not matter anymore hearing these stories. The surprises of possible delay due to the rains were there but calculated. It was expected. But to hear stories of closure were something else enough to make MAD this double eight of August a special and memorable one.
When the rain stopped, we were leisurely diverted to Kalentong for an interesting lugawan meals at the popular Lugawan sa Tejeros. Amazing how lugawan managed to serve the orders not only of the hungry and active bikers but their other guests as well. Orders were placed at a counter, numbers issued out to be called when the food is ready. Hearing your number called was like winning in a raffle.
Salamat Rl Eli, Louie, marshals and sweeper Yen for the well planned Monday nights. Kakaiba pero masaya pa rin.
Such is the magic of TSP’s rides. It is not only the ride, but the people you meet and the stories they share. Biking is healthy to the body, engaging with bikers is adding life to the healthy body.
Pero ang ending, bisikleta at kasamahan pa din. Sa paguwi sa Norte, fellow North East resident Joseph V. could not help but praise fellow QC biker Glenn’s wise decision not to join MAD this Monday. “Ang galing niya, hindi nabasa ang bago niyang bisikleta!”
For me, it was Ray and Eli's night.
Ika nga, nagumpisa sa bisikleta, sa kwentuhan at sa gabayan. At kapag binalikan, natutuklasan mo na, oo nga, ang saya pala! Di pa kasama ang kainan at inuman diyan.
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