A Pinoy Biker’s Philippine Rural Adventures

The day started as soon as the alarm went off at 6 am. I was thinking of leaving the house at 6:45 just in time to be at the meeting place for the CMR at 7:30 am. So after a light breakfast of 2 peanut butter sandwiches and a cup of cocoa, and after pumping the rear wheel of my bike with a little more air, I left.

I used to go through Katipunan Avenue, passing by the Ateneo on my way to UP as it has a more gentle climb, from Riverbanks Center to the corner of Aurora Blvd. and Katipunan. But this time I thought of going the shorter but steeper climb through Tumana all the way to Balara, and out to UP. I made it halfway through the zigzag road and walked my bike until the top. I could have biked until I reached the top but I didn’t want to overtax my heart so I dismounted and walked instead.

I arrived at the AS Parking lot at 7:20 and as usual for the Fireflies, no one was there and I was actually the first to arrive. Shortly after, Mia Bunao, the designated Ride Leader came. Soon, the others started arriving and we decided that the group will leave at 8 am. Other Fireflies sent messages saying they will meet the group on the way.

We were about 25 in the group, hardly a number to consider it a critical mass, but that’s the way it has been ever since we began. Compared with the Tour of the Fireflies, we were a mere drop in the bucket, so to speak.

So we left at exactly 8 am, after a short briefing by the ride leader. She pointed out the route we were going to take and designated bikers to act as sweepers - those who would make it sure that no biker is left behind.

The Manila North Cemetery:

Our first stop was the Manila North Cemetery. We went inside and it soon became an instant Philippine history lesson as we found out that here are several former Philippine presidents and other political leaders buried there. The most prominent of this lot is Ramon Magsaysay, and then there’s FPJ.

La Loma Lechon Alley:

Next stop was the La Loma Lechon Alley. Fortunately, nobody really wanted to stop by a restaurant there to eat lechon. But we did stop to take some pictures instead, though.

From there we proceeded to Ricky’s house to have a short rest and water stop. Mia announced that we would be going now to the vegetarian restaurant and so those who would not be joining could either go on their way home or go back to UP to finish the ride. I of course was the first one to raise my hand and say I would be going (no surprise there!)

Kong Tek Vegetarian Restaurant:

Finally, we arrived at the restaurant at a little after twelve noon.

It wasn’t a fancy restaurant at all. The facade was as simple as it could be. The tables and chairs were as ordinary as any you could imagine. Yet, starting with a fast service, eating there certainly turned out to be a treat and a feast. We decided that we would order for the group and share the food and expenses. Out of the 25 who started the ride, we were 12 left.

Some of us chose a viand from the menu. I selected steamed bean sausage, which turned out to be a good choice as everyone liked it. All the items we ordered were also good and in the end, after paying 120 pesos each, (about $2.50 at the current exchange) we declared it was a good eat, cheap but filling and delicious. (I can cook but just describing how a dish is, is not my forte so you just have to take my word that it was delicious).

We left at 1 pm and headed back to UP. Some riders went their own way after that and only six of us returned to the starting point. There are only five in the picture; I was the one who took it, of course.

More pictures here.