A Pinoy Biker’s Philippine Rural Adventures

I received a text message from Eric last Thursday, informing me that they were already in Cagayan de Oro and preparing for the trip to Malaybalay, Bukidnon. They were to start pedaling early the next day. It would be a two day ride across the mountain, before they could reach Davao City, their destination, on Sunday, September 30. He was tired, as to be expected but still he is OK and raring to go.

I got this link for a video about this project from the Bike For Life 2007 blogsite.
http://www.probetv.com/view_video.php?viewkey=3432027d48b1a83f5fbd.

This is the Probe Team’s coverage of the launching of the B4L project. It also features one of the child cancer victim and his father who is participating as one of the core riders.This just came in through my email sent by Boy Siojo: (Edited for clarity)

This narrative came from Eric Reyes, a member of the Bike for Life Team.

The B4L team had a frustrating experience with an local bike shop in Cebu. Krx & I brought in 3 of the team’s bikes to the YKK Bike shop in Cebu city for much needed repairs… and we were refused service! Their reason? We didn’t buy the bikes at their shop! We explained that we were just passing through … part of a cycling caravan traveling from Manila to Davao, that we were volunteer riders for the Cancer Warriors, part of an awareness program for indigent children supported by the Cancer Warrior Foundation.

Despite the help of a local SAG (support and gear) who spoke the local dialect, our pleas for help didn’t make much of an impression with the staff and owner. We were even scolded for bringing the 3 bikes into the shop, curtly being told to leave them outside by the staff & shop guard.

We were fortunate to find a nearby store who accomodated our immediate request. The Wellson Bike Shop around the corner readily took on our emergency repairs, to the extent of pending 2 bike assembly orders! Our gratitude to this shop.

To the owner of the YKK Bike Shop in Cebu, we do not hold any grudge against you. But our wish is that The Wellson Bike Shop do better business in the coming days more than you do!