Sneaking Marikina by Night in a Folding Bike 22 July 2022
Marikina should honor T3 Ride Leader Bongski Reyes, a homegrown Marikeňo for showcasing the lure, splendor, orderliness of the compact city at night to folding bikers while quietly sneaking around the city.
In the T3 Friday 1 July ride, he toured the group to the Northeast side of Marikina cycling the ups and downs of the well-paved and predominantly lit bike lanes of Concepcion Dos, Marikina Heights, Concepcion Uno. Fresh from a thunderstorm, it was a chill, cool ride giving us a glimpse of what Marikina residential area is like on Christmas.
This T3 22 July, he treated the 15 folding bikers mostly from Marikina with several others from neighboring cities to the other and a flatter side of the city.
The group's composition was predominantly the regulars to T3's night rides. After the general briefing on the route coverage and the destination, RL Bongski gave special attention to the newbies welcoming them and checking on their pace in keeping with the group through marshal and the sweeper. Ride out usually starts with a prayer led by Joseph to give thanks and to ask for protection.
Passing through Cainta via the F. Mariano Avenue backdoor from Q Plaza and Sta. Lucia, we were led to the Northwest side of the city.
Upon crossing the footbridge pushing our bikes at the dedicated railing, we landed at a different city, at Nicanor Reyes st. Marikina at Barangays Calumpang and San Roque. From there we passed at Barangay Santa Elena, site of the freedom park, city hall and public market. Two other joiners hooked up with the group at the freedom park.
Pass the stop light of A. Bonifacio st. the group was now at Barangay Sto. Nino to make a brief courtesy call to the owner of a bike resource Valley V. Bikes, an established supporter of folding bikes. From there, it was a fast trip to Barangay Malanday, Barangay Parang, Barangay Nangka, Barangay Marikina Heights, Barangay Concepcion Uno.
To complete the loop, RL exposed us to a variety of objects and places. We prepared a fruit salad passing through streets at Barangay Nangka named after fruits. At Barangay Parang, we went around the world. (though not directly covered, I remembered making a turn on streets named after local flowers making as biologists as well.) Returning to Barangay Malanday, we proceeded to Malaya st. to connect to a unique concept coffee shop and resto tucked at the side street of Mejia st.
Like the other night rides, given the infrastructure invested by the city on the roads, drainage, street markings, standardized street signs with barangays enjoyed by capable and enlightened bikers and reliable folding bikes (of different brands, models and now tire sizes) it was a brisk, safe comfortable ride. With Joel sweeping the string, everyone reached the destination without a strain.
Tuesday Night at the Fort TNF RL Pepe Daradal supported the ride acting as marshal keeping the herd intact and at the same time documenting the ride. We were glad too that Jaime Tan joined the group and is recovering physically from a previous mishap. His bike has been restored to running condition.
T3 that night not only promoted the city as a residential and business destination but a tourist attraction as well. The venue Birds and Beans is a unique concept food outlet with about thousands of collectibles spread around the space. While waiting for food, beverage, and coffee to be served, your attention is drawn to these objects triggering a conversation. But the novelty objects were no contest to topics more interesting to the group: folding bikes, rides, upgrades, innovations. Newbie for the night, Vince from BGC who came with RL Pepe surely learned a lot about biking technically and a feel of the TSP way.
RL Bongski and this fellow Marikeňo toured us guests to the possibilities of going around the city at night conveniently and safely in a folding bike. As it was generally a "konting pagpapawis" ride, it was a joyride of the various faces of Marikina by night. Upon crossing a footbridge, we were at the commercial area. After a few pedals we were in the public market and the seat of local government. Crossing the main street, we were in another cluster of residential area.
T3 is not only promoting the T3 night rides, but camaraderie tied together by a shared interest, fun in biking. In showing us around his city, sharing with us his biking playground of which he is well familiar with, Bongski and his friends are contributing to the cause of Tiklop, biking as a means of transpo and connecting to places and with people (in the 2 rides this July alone, I passed by 13 of the 16 Barangays of the city).
It is no wonder that even the health officials of Marikina sought his support and his passion for biking to promote good health and well-being to the citizens of the city for a DOH event of 31 July Sunday.
Habang pumapadyak at nakikita ang napakaraming kumukutitap na ilaw sa kayle ng Marikina, ramdam ang kasiyahan ng lahat.
Salamat muli.
--
Riverpark ride out to start ride to other barangays of Marikina last 12 May in a collaboration ride of over 120 bikers. Bonski welcome at 7:21. Documentation courtesy of Kris Kinesis
Shout out to Cofi, Nell, Joel, Toye, Weng, Yvonne, Joseph, Joseph and fellow bikers for encouraging me to write about the night rides and RL for allowing me to do a write up
---
21 July 2022
It has been raining almost the entire Thursday morning 21 July planned schedule ride of TSP LSD. Midafternoon, the dark clouds cleared indicating fair weather late PM until the evening.
Sometime about 4PM, RL posted a message of cancellation of the LSD Batasan ahon due to potentially inclement weather.
Yet as now entrenched in their Thursday routines, at least 7 persons were at the UP Sunken Garden for the regular lingguhan ride. I, Jonest, Gerry, C. Gregory, Glenn, Ray, and Herbert were at the usual meet up place. Celebrity biker Kris, known for his 30,000 kilometer plus solo biking long mileage joined later so did Joseph who followed from Pasig.
With no threats of rain, Herbert certified mahaRoute of Dahon Route Philippines designed a UP Diliman loop that would at least approximate the ups and downs of the declared LSD bike run.
The initial 7 that increased to 9 gamely went through 2 loops of the Diliman route going North, South then crossing to the science complex on the East side. There were even surprise turns at Juan Luna and Palaris sts.
Like the usual TSP rides, the participants came in their folding bikes, all Dahon installed with front and rear LED lights, participants protected by helmets. General directions were provided estimated to cover at least 8 kilometers by Herbert. Jonest, C. Gregory, Glenn and Kris all familiar with the campus provided inputs. The customary picture taking was done in front of the UP Alumni Hall.
Ride was a chill with no drizzle at all, comfortable at cool 26°C temperature and a slight breeze. As in the regular bike runs, there were lead packers and those taking their sweet time to catch up with the pack.
Ride ended at the Sunken Garden leading to a discussion on technicals. As Herbert was an advocate of Dahon Route, features and benefits of the durability, versatility of the model were given airtime.
No ride ends without meals and socials which was done at a food outlet along Maginhawa st. where group of 7 talked endlessly about the WET ride the night before, the prospects of restaging the Batasan Ahon ride and the plan to join the T3 Friday ride.
Before we knew it without noticing it was already past midnight. We thanked Batasan RL Jonest for being around despite the cancellation, Herbert for leading the Diliman run and the original Magnificent 7 who can be counted upon to keep the lingguhan ride a regularity.
Before Kris left those headed for San Mateo, Commonwealth, Novaliches, Pasig and Cubao, this solo biker said, “Ang saya naman ng tropang ito. Ok na ako sa short group rides.”
There must be something about TSP group biking runs. Even the younger ones Ryan and Glenn who left after the loops are looking forward to the next ride. Gerry who has work commitments plans to be at the T3 send off.
Kitakits
---
Last 15 July 2022, a day after the buck full moon showed up at the Quezon Memorial Circle during the Lingguhang Sikad ng Diliman, the Magnificent 7 completed in connecting the dots outlining the Saranggola of QC.
As it was just a small group with different backgrounds with a shared interest on biking, the group then strangers to each other now had something in common to discuss the next time around.
This 20 July Wednesday, at the W.E.T. Wednesday Evening Tagpuan ride of TSP, the 4 met again but this time mingling with about 20 other regulars riding repeatedly assembling at the Ortigas Park of Emerald Avenue of Ortigas Business Center. Glenn, Ray, Kris and I were welcomed warmly by the Ride Leader Ritchie Tulipat to run Metro Manila’s Southwest circuit taking Emerald Avenue, Shaw Boulevard, Gomezville, Arellano st. Marcos st., Mencias st., Zamora st., Ortega st., P. Guevarra st., New Panaderos, M. Roxas st., Lugawan sa Tejeros ending at the final destination Circuit Makati.
The 12-kilometer run drove the herd out of the business center to the well-paved dedicated bike lanes of Mandaluyong and San Juan to the side streets of Manila’s food strip ending at the Circuit Makati, a riverfront redevelopment project by Ayala Land on the site of the former Santa Ana racetrack.
To reach the former racetrack, we were treated to a series of ahons and lusongs of Barangay Addition Hills in Mandaluyong delighting mostly the regulars, challenging the newbies but providing thrill to everyone. As if the adventure was not enough, we backtracked again to double the thrill with Ride Leader Ritchie checking on everyone’s whereabouts acting multiple roles as a ride leader, marshal and at times a sweeper.
After the brief roller coaster ride, 1st timers to W.E.T. were viewing the sights and sounds of Manila like relaxed tourists spotting Manila’s version of food strip along Tejeros then finally awed at the modern structures and wide-open space of the circuit.
Looking for the area to settle and to gather for the group photo, we circled the circuit from the amphitheater to the interactive mural wall until finding the perfect parking for the group, an open parking space fronting the tented area at the corner of Theater and Riverfront Drives. With bikes well-secured in an enclosed area, food stalls open and a corner space exclusively for the bikers in a tented area, socializing was set.
Part of the tradition of TSP WET after meals was a program facilitated by an energetic master of ceremonies highlighted by the introduction of 1st time participants to WET. I, an oldie but a WET newbie, Vince C., a family man with a powerful light, an auto detailing specialist who has been biking with his wife and son, Vance, a bike to work newbie but now hooked to long distance biking and minutes later (after a song performance on stage of a WET regular displayed her singing talent with the live band to the delight of the bikers), Ray, a database architect who in previous LSD run disclosed trading his mountain bike for a folding bike completed the welcoming ceremony.
It was a night of a display of the might of the folding bikers traversing the business center of Pasig, to the main thoroughfare of Mandaluyong now associated as the city of those in power, the heritage residential area of Barangay Addition Hills to portions of the posh residential area of San Juan to the old city of Manila and finally, the commercially developed property in Makati beside the Pasig river.
The evening of 20 July where an army started and completed an organized ride was not only pure fun, a food feast and not only promoting biking but to quote from TSP’s mission, seeded a meaning beyond biking.
As Herbert of Dahon Route Philippines, a certified mahaRoute was leading the group back to North East of Metro Manila, I asked while pedaling and conversing how has this safe and fun ride added meaning to biking. As the group parted ways at the intersection of SM Megamall leaving a smaller of QC residents composed of Glenn, Ray, Greg, Kris and myself, I remembered some stories shared during the LSD socials last week.
We were in a company of a low-profile young biker making a statement on folding bike and over a 100-kilometer run. In the LSD ride and in this successfully completed WET ride, he has been actively documenting, tracking distances, capturing in a map the patterns of the route.
Kris Gozum popularly known in the social media as Kris Kinesis disclosed, he is a late bloomer biker and a late advocate of travelling. To his family, he is a discrete biker not disclosing his interest and passion for the recreation. He went through some lows in life for personal and professional reasons among them the havoc the pandemic Covid-19 caused him professionally and ethically.
During this time, with his folding Dahon bike keeping him company and sane, he opened himself to the possibilities of what lies ahead of him. First, he wanted to prove that folding bike can go beyond urban commuting, transporting, and marketing. Then he wanted to explore other areas of the Philippines which he denied himself since his childhood days.
Thus, began his over a 100-kilometer solo folding bike runs. Living with available resources and his planning skills, he did the Manila-Bicol ride in 8 days in March 2021. Retreating to his home province in Romblon with his mother, using a borrowed mountain bike, he did a Romblon, Romblon Island 100-kilometer loop done last May 4, 2022. That was the only time, his mother realized he was biking and was a disobedient child. Yet she accepted. He biked to coastal area Aurora-Baler in April 2022, looped the North Luzon from Manila to Region 2 (Nueva Vizcaya, Isabel, Cagayan) connecting to Region 1 (Ilocos) and to the highlands of the Cordilleras among others.
In his over 100-kilometer runs, Kris faced challenges he never experienced before, biking in the dark such as the threat of security, chased by dogs and 4 legged animals, technical difficulties, depleting resources, managing physical condition, looking for food and accommodation in an unexplored area.
Slowly after completing several hundreds of biking in a folding bike, it put him back on track but not completely. There are dreams still to be fulfilled, priorities to be placed.
Kris showed us the possibilities of life and the power of the enduring human spirit. His well-documented achievements which happened only in the last few months inspire us what can be done. Casually, during rides, he is paying it forward by documenting, video capturing, data recording TSP rides. Perhaps not consciously realizing it, Kris to me is a folding bike’s, Dahon’s brand ambassador. If the mountain or race bike can, the folding bike can. If I can, surely you can too.
To the bikers, it pushes us to probe, if it can be done, how can Kris help me break my own personal record? To the non-bikers, how can Kris help me push beyond my limits professionally, emotionally, academically? Kris and several other folding bikers are resources available to us within reach.
In QC, I asked how else I can put more meaning to organized biking. In the company of the WET bikers, inspired by fellow bikers’ newbies or seasoned and listening to Kris’ advocacy, I am beginning to see how we are helping make this world a better place.
Each of us has a story of tell regardless of its grandness. But it is our story that makes living exciting.
Sa paghihiwalay sa kanto ng Kamuning at Kamias, tanong ko kay Ray, “Ano kaya ang kwento natin ngayong gabi?” “Tignan natin ang kalalabasan,” sagot niya. Sabi naman ni Glenn, “Aabangan!”
RL Ritchie at sa iyong mga kasamahan, maraming salamat po. Hanggang sa susunod.
---
The Magnificent 7 of the 14 July 2022 Thursday "Lingguhan
Sikad sa Diliman" (LSD)
Matt, Ray, Glenn, Gerry, Chito, Kris K., Jonest.
A
motley group with different backgrounds coming from different places gathered
at the UP Diliman grounds past 6:30 PM in a dark roofed area at the sunken
garden seeking protection from the drizzle.
The participants came in different models, makes of Dahon and
Tern with a commonality, folding bikes. They showed up for various reasons but
what was common was biking a chill ride with a group.
Yet despite a threat of stronger rain and the relatively small
number of participants, ride leader proceeded with "Gawa tayo ng
Saranggola" ride, an estimated 21-kilometer stretch that connects Hilaga
(North), Silangan (East), Timog (South), Kanluran (West), QC’s major
thoroughfare to create a saranggola, a kite.
Jonest, the ride leader fresh from his personal milestone, a long-haul
ride from Baguio to Sagada led guiding the group to the streets to take. With a
limited selection of participants, he appointed Kris as the sweeper. Kris is a
seasoned biker who completed too the Baguio to Sagada bike run years ago.
Starting with only 6, we were guided by imaginary marshals. At 7:25 PM, after
the short drizzle, we rode out.
Pace was relatively relaxed. Ride was comfortable contributed
mainly by the cold winds that usually come after a drizzle. Landscape was dark.
Bikers using the bike lane flowing with our direction was sparse giving the
impression that the dedicated bike lane of the N E S W route was exclusive to
the 7.
Ending North Avenue which we successfully crossed taking a short
narrow gravel trail, we were treated to a dramatic lighting of the Quezon
Memorial Circle monument under a still fully illuminated buck full moon (day
after 13 July) and a play of neon lights from the Suntrust Capitol Plaza
towards the South. "Nasa ilalim ng puting ilaw, sa dilaw na buwan."
After a brief photo opp session, we headed towards Maginhawa st.
reaching a food outlet serving Ilocano delicacies at about 9:20 PM still under
fair weather condition.
At the post bike run dinner, we honored the ride leader by
listening to his Sagada travails, perhaps his way of debriefing himself and
destressing from his coaching profession. We too heard stories from Matt,
Gerry, Ray, Kris, Glen from returning to biking, transitioning from mountain
bike to a folding bike, routes taken, motivation for biking and anecdotes on
LSD’s, T3’s, MAD’s memorable rides not discussed with others before. Even
medical conditions were put on the table.
The benefit of a small group in a socials is a deepening of
appreciation of the persons you are with. It did not matter whether this was
the first or second interaction. What mattered was unique personal stories were
shared.
After getting to know why biker’s join TSP folding bike’s run,
we got to know better technical matters about choice of bicycles and other
specialized stuff the seasoned ones are more than willing to contribute to the
group such as Tern vs. Dahon, SUV, SUV touring bike, carriers, wheel set etc.
When the staff politely collected the plates, tables past 10:45,
we knew we have overstayed. And we, this motley group with different
backgrounds with a shared interest on biking, the magnificent 7 have something
in common to discuss the next time around as we are no longer strangers to each
other.
The kite has not yet flown that high but it has taken off.
"Di pa matayog ang lipad, pero lumipad na!"
Thank you to the ride leader and to LSD for the preparation and
guidance in making this happen.
March 29
The 8.7-kilometer folding bike night run spearheaded by M.A.D
(Manila After Dark, a Manila based group of TSP) started at the Kartilya ng
Katipunan, Bonifacio shrine beside the Manila City Hall ending at UP Diliman Sunken
Garden.
Participated by quite a number (at least 35 at the Kartilya),
route course led by Ride Leader Louie, the train of bikers passed through 3
LGU's main thoroughfares with established and respected bike lanes: Manila, San
Juan and Quezon City.
To see a stretch of bikers on the road on a Monday night
leisurely pedaling with white headlights and blinking red rear lights is quite
an impression to both the riding and the walking public who spotted the run.
There truly is a large base of bikers already sharing the road
with the 4-wheel vehicles and the pedestrians. You would hear shouts, "ang
dami nila!" "ang liliit ng gulong at bisikleta!"
Surely quite a strong force, biking is a viable mode of transport in the city.
The LGUs too should be glad that their well-paved, safely lit
dedicated bike lanes are appreciated by the bikers on a recreational travel.
The bikers pedaling for fun, completing the course is
fulfilling, validating good health, reliable equipment, instilling safety
consciousness, good judgement and respect for each other's pace.
To the marshals who saw to our safety, correctness of turns and
regulated pacing, thank you.
To fellow bikers, hard core, veterans, oldies, novice,
millennials and to those who extended hellos, salamat.
To MAD, RL and organizers, taga pindot, maraming salamat.
24 March 2022
Sunken Garden to Greenfield Mandaluyong 11.5 kms
LSD organizers set the Thursday 24 March 2022 night ride from UP
Sunken Garden Diliman QC to Greenfield Mandaluyong, an 11.5-kilometer stretch.
Route selected as announced by Ride Leader Jonest Obrique to
destination is via Katipunan crossing Aurora Boulevard to White Plains,
Greenmeadows, Ortigas Ave, Meralco Ave, Julia Vargas, San Miguel Ave crossing
Shaw Boulevard to Mayflower st.
Leaving at 7:35 PM after briefing and a short prayer,
destination was reached at 8:51 per Relive capture. Short stops were made at
the corner of Katipunan and Boni Serrano (Petron Station) to meet up other
bikers, Ortigas Avenue before turning left to Meralco Ave. Traffic lights were
respected with some instances the traffic enforcers recognized the train of
bikers.
RL braced the group for some surprises: along Katipunan to the
Quirino Hospital and Meralco Ave which all successfully negotiated.
Weather was fine that evening. Vehicular traffic was relatively
light.
Upon reaching the Greenfield Food Park, participants checked out
the food stalls for meals and drinks milling around for short interactions.
The TSP safely led the group of about 20 to a light and hassle-free
activity.
Salamat po.
July 3
How a 1st Timer Attendee is Appreciating and Making the Most of
a TiGAs July 2022 UP Diliman
With so many attendees, initial behavior was ●Observing both
people and the bikes
After which ●Listening to the highlights of June night rides
from MAD, LSD and T3
●Milling around next for old acquaintances and new ones
Taking the chance to say an extended ●Thanking to those who
welcomed riders like us to the night rides, Bongski of T3 for the Marikina
ikot, Eli of MAD and Jonest of LSD for the Visayas run, Ric the moderator for
posting my articles, Klaid for making us feel at home, Jayson and Gerry for
seeing through our safe rides
In the company of fellow Dahon collector and a metallurgical
masteral graduate of the host university ●Discussing technically the values of
iconic models Boardwalk with JP and the model closest to Brompton standards,
Dahon MU N360 with Joseph inspecting the actual bikes
Seriously ●Asking tips and ●Listening to a Boardwalk user and a
long-distance biker, also a 1st time attendee to TiGAs on how to level up a
current bike for better performance
●Connecting with TSP influencer Pio Fortuno on shared interest
and soliciting ideas how else we can contribute to advance the mission of TSP
Ending the assembly ●Planning for the next ride or the next part
to add for enhancement
Sa pagpadyak paalis, ●Organizing my thoughts on how to write
this
Nabuo naman. Salamat po.
July 2 at 10:59 AM
·
TSP. T3 the East Way under RL Bongski Reyes Friday 1
July 2022
Each TSP geographical unit follows the TSP way in night rides:
helmets, lights, vaccination, lead, sweep, use of folding bike, set route
regular weekly rides led by a ride leader among others. Influenced by a diverse
composition of core and regular members and its location, each unit has its
uniqueness. With a center in the Cainta/Marikina area, Marikina being one of
the pioneering LGUs to set up a dedicated bike lane in the country, T3 Tagpuan
sa Tropical Hut na Taga East weekly night ride sets an expectation unique from
LSD and MAD. T3 is based in a valley with a location equipped with terrain and
infrastructure enjoyable for biking. The valley is a gateway to challenging
long rides popular among biking enthusiasts.
The biking playground of T3 has a well paved national highway
Marilaque with a dedicated bike lane on the outer lane shared not with the
motorists but with the pedestrians. As one enters the city, one bikes at smooth
world class asphalted primary and secondary roads with bike lanes defined by
white lines and cat’s eye making the lanes visible by night.
T3 is playground to its regulars mostly residents of the area
and nearby cities sharing a strong common interest: passion for biking in a
folding bike mostly Dahon and enjoying each other’s company whether in the meet
up place, on the road and after bike socials. T3 puts special attention to
safety citing the importance of quality helmet after a recent accident of a
fellow biker where the helmet absorbed the impact more than the head
With a solid bonding core group, new and returning participants
might feel a little alienated but T3 led by RL Bongski welcomed 1st timers like
me to its core at the start felt until the closing socials.
Rained out by strong downpour about past 7PM, the open-air
roofed facilities of Q Plaza in Cainta served as our temporary shelter until
the weather improved. The rain did not deter the group from continuing the
ride. From then on, it was a comfortable, safe, cool, dark and enjoyable ride
with at 25°C only with passing clouds without the shower.
The Friday night ride technically sounded like a long ride
covering several cities in the East: Pasig, Cainta, Antipolo and Marikina. From
Marilague, we passed by barangays Mayamot and Masinag in Antipolo. Within
Marikina, loop passed through several big barangays, Concepcion Dos, Marikina
Heights until destination at Concepcion Uno. In actuality, It was as Bongski
defined it, “Ikot Marikina lang tapos konti tambay at kwentuhan.” Ride was
about an hour covering at least 22 kilometers mainly on flat terrain with a
little ahon and lusong at General Ordonez Avenue and East Drive in Marikina
Heights.
That Friday night ride showcased a ride that validates one’s
passion for biking; riding in a reliable folding bike and seeing various models
and speeds of folding Dahon bikes, a short, sweet and cool ride in Marikina’s
well paved and lit bike lanes, a manageable company of about 15 bikers in one
herd broken only at the Masinag Marilaque-Sumulong stop light and the fun,
cordial, light company.
Evening was capped with a kwentuhan at Concepcion Uno with a
filing full meal prepared by host Pastor to celebrate the July birthdays of
bikers and friends. Surprise of the evening which I understand a tradition of
T3 was the entertainment provided by of top-rated biker singers facilitated by
Weng who belted songs that ranged from ballads to OPM to hard rock.
After Gerry, a fellow biker at LSD’s Philippine Loop Kyusi
edition just a night ago expressed his thanks singing “Salamat” by the Dawn
dedicated to the organizers, hosts, celebrants and with the threat of another
strong rain, we said our thanks and biked our way out of Marikina to our
respective homes.
I would have sung, “Sana maulit muli” but the threat of the rain
was real.
Salamat TSP Salamat Tropang T3
----
Meet up at Q Plaza in Cainta. Side road access to Marilague
Highway towards Antipolo passing through 2 barangays, Masinag and Mayamot right
to Hon B. Soliven Cainta linking after the bridge to Lilac st. Marikina
Concepcion Dos to Panorama st. Marikina Heights to Concepcion Dos side street
connecting to Lilac st. to General Ordonez Ave. to East Drive passing thru
Liwasang Kalayaan to Katipunan to J. Molina st. to E. Santos st. Concepcion Uno
March 18 2022
Lingguhan Sikad sa Diliman. Thursday 6:30 PM 17 March 2022
organized by the Tiklop Society of the Philippines.
A night ride of folding bike bikers following an estimated 25-kilometer
route starting and ending at the UP Diliman Bahay ng Alumni participated by 27
bikers (unofficial).
Participants rode in Dahon and Brompton bikes among others of
different models and makes with a variety of accessories rode by a diverse age
group mostly perhaps in their 30's and older coming from QC, Manila, Caloocan.
Farthest I recalled was from Montalban, the closest from Katipunan.
Road Leader Shao disclosed the route close to 8 PM which will
take the herd to CP Garcia, Katipunan, Luzon Ave. then sneak into Republic Ave,
Sauyo exiting to Commonwealth Ave via Regalado Highway.
Navigating through Republic Ave at the narrow 2-lane Luzon Ave
brought almost half of the participants to a standstill for about 20 minutes
due to a monstrous traffic bottleneck.
Eventually the entire herd met up snaking its way around
Republic Ave to Sauyo until De Leon st at Barangay Holy Spirit until the way
out to Commonwealth Ave via Holy Spirit Drive.
Taking Quezon Memorial Circle, it was a leisure cool ride back
to Bahay ng Alumni past 10:30 PM.
Heavy snacks (Jollibee Hotdog, ube pie, siopao, Come, Sprite)
surprised the participants care of an organizer celebrating her birthday with
the successful bikers.
The LSD put to test the Dahon Metro, Relive App Huawei phone and
power bank and my stamina and presence of mind to keep with an over 20-kilometer
ride at night in a herd in a new uncharted route. Survived also the hot spots
swerving from the outer lane of Katipunan to the flyover to cross to Luzon Ave
and the second half of the Quezon Memorial Circle crossing the intersections of
North Ave, Quezon Ave, East Ave (Thanks to the marshal who saw that we crossed
safely )
Riding in a folding bike was just sakto, not competitively
speedy nor dragging slow. A 7-speed gear was sufficient to handle the sloping
roads from Sauyo to De Leon streets.
Thank you TSP and for the stolen short talks with some
participants. Especially for making the adventure enjoyable and safe.
#TSP
---
Jonest Rovy Obrique led the LSD (Lingguhang Sikad sa
Diliman) this memorable 30 last day of June 2022, resuming the weekly ride after a
short hiatus.
Tagged as the Philippine Loop Kyusi edition, it brought the
bikers in folding bikes to an estimated short and brief ride from UP Diliman
Sunken Garden at about past 7PM Thursday to Dunkin’ at the Visayas Avenue. As
previously posted and announced prior to the ride, it brought the initial 14
participants riding in different models, brands, genres, editions of folding
bikes to Katipunan, Luzon, Congressional, Mindanao, Road 1 then to the
destination. Leads, sweep and marshals were introduced.
Short and safe, it was a cool, well-paced ride navigating
with minimal risk the Katipunan-Commonwealth swerve to the flyover and the left
turn from Congressional to Mindanao Avenue.
Riding The Tiklop Society Way, the must protocols are
inherent and in the DNA of the participants, whether old-timers, returning
bikers or newbies. Helmets were worn, lights both front and back and even in
the helmet were in place, masks were worn, traffic rules followed, bikers from
the led to the sweep stuck to the dedicated bike lane
As a recognition to the donut outlets’ biker friendly
policy, the lead chose a branch along Visayas as the destination. The group
hung out beside a well-equipped bike repair station. Stories were shared sipping coffee, biting
pastries without holes at the al fresco setting.
True to TSP’s mission, it brought a relatively modest decent
crowd that evening a venue to enjoy their bicycles in a safe route. That
evening, different from the others I witnessed, interesting stories were shared
like Jayson’s enduring biking and the a family of Bacolod Brompton riders
disclosing interesting marketing trivia.
From the start to the end including the ride home, I was
trailing behind Jayson appreciating his pace and hand signals. Only towards the
end did I find out about his long-distance feats (Bicol, Mountain Province
among others). Lodi!
On the way home I again trailed behind him appreciating how
he ensured our ride safety in the tricky QC Elliptical Circle. Jayson reminded
me to post a TD (touch down) which I did not. Perhaps this short article will
do.
Salamat TSP, LSD. Hanggang sa susunod.
While Trekking in the forested trail in Batanes in the early 90’s, green thin long snake landed at the backpack of the lead a few meters in front of me. Fortunately, it drifted away swiftly, and I kept on walking quietly.
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