November 26 - Bulacan, our first stops...

2:45am
We arrived at SM Marilao at around 2:45am... traffic was still zero. But the first 23kms was just a warm-up for everyone to keep on moving. A first taste of rest was what we needed, also a first sip of a refreshing bottle of Vitwater and Pocari kept the smiles from disappearing from our faces with Mang Bay's unending jokes. Grabe kay saya talaga ng samahan.



snapshots that took away the fatigue.


Tony, Danthat, Bunny, Alvin, and Mylene

Papa Rocky, Cesar Medoranda, Ronnie Bustamante, and Mang Bay

And then a group photo to mark 23kms @ SM Marilao:

(L-R) Ching Lota, Cesar Medoranda, Bunny de la Cruz, Alvin Serrano, Mylene Platon, Roy Jalco, Erwin Paala, Roberto Nazareno (Mang Bay), Tony de la Cruz, Gerry Gabriel, Ronnie Bustamante and Jun Roque (Papa Rocky)

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4:00am

@ 4:00am we arrived at Malolos, Bulacan's very own Barasoain Church.
And to mark our arrival... some B-Setting group photos:


Erwin on the other hand...

Took advantage of the flash, and went on a shooting spree that showcased the advantages of reflective sidewall tires.

We stopped by at Mcdonalds along McArthur Hway @ Malolos. By this time we had already covered 47.26kms. already.

It was recharge time for everyone. And recharge meant not only physically, but also mentally... fooood!



But as much as we wanted to splurge on food, we must also be aware that we also need some much needed rest.


And that also meant for the younger boys to get their BPs checked regularly...


Yikes! High BP si Manong Cesar... so he'll have to rest this one out. And take a ride on the SAG.

Mang Bay's Good to go, as he had a normal BP despite the speed and the distance we traveled.

And of course there was the team, that came from two different CFC groups. But are all united just for the sport: Ching, Tony, Gerry and Roy.


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30 minutes later we were on the road again... this time headed for Pampanga!
This time cranking up much speed, we reduced the distance faster than the usual as we went from 23 to 24-28kph average. Excited we all are.




and finally we reached...

__________________

November 26 - Gather & Depart!

Ok lets get it on with this... although I only got to upload 64% of the total of 4000++ pictures from Erwin, Edward (EGG/Hinduja), Tolits (EGG/Hinduja), and two more cameras, plus Decroix/Bunny's camera... and Bunny's GoPro. Although may shots pa si Danthat at si Ching at si Alvin... na hindi ko pa nakukuha... let them have their respective posts

Photo credits go to: Hinduja/EGG Photographers, Erwin (Boggart214), Tony (Decroix) & Bunny

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NOVEMBER 26, 2010
The Clock ticked 12:00am... then everything started...
Sacred Heart Church, Kamuning


This ride won't be also be possible if it weren't for our Ride Partner: Hinduja Global Solutions, Sponsors: Pocari Sweat, Vitwater, Enduro MTB Shorts, Trifemme, Veloce, and Philippine National Red Cross

the team gathered, some were interviewed, and to what this epic ride was for...

Roberto "Mang Bay" Nazareno (Bulacan MTBikers) and Cesar Medoranda (foxbat) being interviewd by TV5 news crew infront of Sacred Heart

Tony's our team leader) turn as he lay before the newcaster the advocacy behind this epic journey with 15 Ageless Warriors.

Little by little, we gathered... until later we were complete.


1:00am


Group prayer, led by Tony dela Cruz (followed by Gerry Gabriel, Roy Jaleco, and Ching Lota) for a successful and safe journey...

1:21am

Group Pic before leaving Sacred Heart...

By this time, it was confirmed that Vinze (baliwag), won't be joining us on this leg, as he caught "the flu". But he told us that he would meet us the next day at Pangasinan. Joyce (RP Team Training Pool Roadie) on the other hand had classes that day, as she would be joining us on the 2nd leg from Carmen.

And so there were 13 on a cold friday morning... set off for Carmen!





 
Just 3kms... later... first casualty.

Cesar gets a flat tire... Good thing Vinthere, Babeboyish, and me were at the tail. Walang iwanan pre!

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2:00am
First Stop Monumento!



And so we left... taking advantage of the traffic-less MacArthur Hway.
We were going from 20 to 26kph as one Peloton, with one van breaking the air, and the other van at the tail which served as the group's SAG carrying our life-support: Red Cross Volunteers.

The Baguio Epic Ride - by team rider: Tony de la Cruz, Jr.

THE BAGUIO EPIC RIDE
NOVEMBER 26, 2010
Tony C. de la Cruz, Jr.

To a lot of young riders, Baguio is an easy ride. But to the relatively older riders like me, going up to Baguio on a mountain bike is a big and daunting challenge.  But seeing a lot of young riders go up to Baguio as if just going to the proverbial nearby sari sari store to buy garlic and vinegar made me think that probably with a lot of preparation I can still bike my way up to this mountain city. I have always dreamt of riding to places where other people my age would not dare go. So one morning in June 2010 while having breakfast at Giant Store (in the mountains of San Mateo Rizal and a familiar destination of many mountain bikers) with my son, I broached the idea of riding with a group to Baguio and lo and behold, suddenly he talked to his friend and then his friend asked me about it and I eventually was forced and ended up organizing this epic ride.

At first I could not imagine that I would be able to make it but with the enthusiasm of riders older than me like Mang Bay (Roberto Nazareno Sr, 68 years old) made me firm in my commitment to finish this epic ride. With a lot of support from my wife and friends including my boss and office mates, I have made a covenant with myself to really do my best to prepare for this seemingly impossible ride.

At 55, I do not feel the pains and go through the sickness that my contemporaries are experiencing. I have proven that with determination as well as constant exercise and the right nutrition we can go against father time and continue to do the things that others might seem too big a task and appear to be impossible.

I always believe in the adage of Benjamin Franklin that “we do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing”. I am inspired as well by Mark Twain when he aptly said “Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter”.  And now that we are in the last quarter of our lives I am dedicated of doing this task that I might regret not doing later in life.

God has given me strength and good health and together with my senior rider friends, the Ageless Warriors, may this Baguio ride serve as an inspiration for the younger generations to develop the habit of indulging into physical exercise and develop the healthy attitude of always saying “It can be done”.

The Team - a write up by team rider: Roy Jaleco

The Team
November 26, 2010

By Roy Jaleco

So there they are.

A retired US Marine, a corporate senior executive, a young graphics illustrator, a travel blogger and photographer, a barangay official and certified bike commuter unbelievably strong at 68 and still another at age 65, a seaman, a lawyer-entrepreneur, a baker-entrepreneur, a socio-entrepreneur and advocate. And then finally, a stay-at-home and homeschooling dad.

 Everyone a breed apart, of different beliefs, different hopes, in different life journeys.

But life, intricately weaved as it is, calls these brave souls together to fulfill one mission, to further a hope through one momentous task. The Almighty now sends them to fulfill a purpose through a passion He has endowed them with: biking.

Everyone believes the mission before them will leave all feeling challenged and exhausted at day’s end. But deep in their hearts is this great sense of excitement that through a particular endeavor they are leaving a legacy.

And the mission? These Ageless Warriors, as what they named themselves, will pedal all of 270 kilometers to the Baguio Cathedral to put focus to an advocacy that is close to every biker’s heart: Bike Lanes Now.

For three days they will leave family and friends to push all they got with hopes of creating a better world, a freer world, a cleaner world, a safer world specially for those who go around on their own power.

All that is going for this team is their love for biking and one that has taken many forms; of daily commute to work, of the weekend health runs, of promoting an advocacy, of venturing to places that often leave one breathless. Now they are taking this affinity to their chosen sport to a higher and nobler level.

Like any effective fighting force, this team is a mix and match of skills.

We have among us those the world will view and label as “ancients”. But truly, they are the ones that inspires the rest of the team. Like King Leonidas of the famous 300, they are the battle hardened ones we look up to, the wise, where we drew strength from, who would, without hesitation, bike with you as you struggle through your aches and pains at the tail end of the peloton. (Mang Bay and Cesar)

There is one who have seen it all and done it all. Without doubt, his indomitable biking prowess is to be admired. Gifted with an adventurous spirit, he leads people in worthy exploits to discover God’s beauty that is often overlooked. Whose forum handle says it all, indeed a biking idol to so many. (Danthat)

There is the unassuming company executive whose looks defies everyone’s idea of a healthy body. This guy is not only healthy but will give anyone half his age, including his graphic illustrator son, a run for their money when it comes to active sport. I envy his endurance more than anything else and regard his leadership qualities with high esteem. A true friend to me and many. (Tony and Bunny)

We have a lone and very brave lady in this group, a warrior in every sense. A young lady but a veteran of many international cycling completions and adventure rides, she is considered as one among the best lady cyclist around. She wears the national color and a member of the Philippine National Cycling Team. For sure, she will be an inspiration. (Joyce)

We also have an icon amongst our midst. The retired US Marine, a tough soldier who we all look up to. No mountain, trail or rides too difficult for this well loved warrior. And so, as a highly motivated troop, the young carry on following his example. Indeed, his nickname describes his spirit. (Papi Rocky)

We have lawyers and entrepreneurs and a seaman who, before this call to arms, are hardly identified with their esteemed professions. They would just ride and ride and candidly share their ride experiences to those who are still learning the ropes. Like the apostles gathered by the Lord himself, their love for their ministry/sport hardly tells whether they were fishermen, doctors or tax collectors. Collectively they are just known as bikers. (Vincent, Ching, Gerry, Ronnie)


Then there is the ever enthusiastic, highly motivated and spark plug of the group. He is the moving force behind this effort, the cog that turns the wheel. There is always the higher purpose in his mind. Ever meticulous but always patient, he will selflessly guide each one to a goal that is worthy, one that glorifies the Almighty. Adventurous and selfless, a great personal friend. (Erwin)

Finally, there is this stay-at-home and homeschooling dad.

At 52, it will be his personal milestone, an achievement that will probably leave his daughters and their daughters and sons after them talking. Yes, perhaps, his legacy. For there are those who like him cannot show the massive edifice he has built, or a company his heirs can inherit, or even a life story worthy of being written on the society pages of the local dailies, much less noted on their tombstones. Like some in this team, all this warrior has is his heart and his sport.

One of the world’s most respected executive coach and bestselling author, Dr. Marshall Goldsmith, once wrote that one of the rules that he lives by is this: “Do whatever you can to help people.” And this team is setting out to do just this; to essentially make something that will make a difference in the world.

Courage has been defined as doing what needs to be done. So for some of these 15 courageous warriors, all roads now lead to Baguio.

Making History, Be Part of History

the clock is ticking... and in just three hours. Our team: Ageless Warriors, which is composed of commuters and recreational cyclists from all walks of life, will be embarking on a two-day 255km. Epic Journey from Manila to Baguio to create noise and catch attention. As we launch our advocacy: "Bike Lanes Now "" 

 

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