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The B4L team met up with
the Bacolod bikers at 6:30 am at Jollibee East. We were again
pleasantly surprised with the turnout of riders. There were
around 50 of us composed of different Bacolod bike groups. I was
again happy to see 3 female riders join the peloton. The MedTrek
riders also gave their donation at the meeting point. After the
briefing led by Dr. Joel Yap of Medtrek, the group pedaled of at
7:30 am towards the city of San Carlos, Negros Oriental.
There are actually 2 routes
going to San Carlos. The first option is a 144-km coastal road
ride. The other one is a 90-km road traversing mountain ranges.
According to local riders, the second option is more picturesque
and would definitely be more exciting compared to the first
option. Second option it is then! We chose the second option
since there was no forum scheduled for this day and we can
easily spend the whole day biking.
We passed through sugar cane fields
with Mt. Kanlaon on our right and the ranges of Mt. Mandalagan
on our left. We also passed through water falls that’s even
bigger and taller than the Ma. Cristina Falls of Iligan. There
was also Negros’ very own version of the chocolate hills. It was
indeed a picturesque route.
However, it was also the most
difficult and the most challenging one since we started this
project. On one of the long and steep downhills, one young rider
went over his bike and off to the gutter while he zigzagged
downhill. He suffered from deep cuts and wounds. He was rushed
immediately to the hospital to be treated right away. We just
hoped and prayed that he didn’t suffer anything serious. On a
lighter note, I suffered a seemingly minor accident as well. I
was talking to and stopped for awhile only to realize that I
haven’t taken off my clipless shoes from the pedals. Looking
back, it was really funny to imagine falling sideways in slow
motion. (Yikes!)
This ride has been the most
gruelling rides since we started. But then again, the views were
breathtaking. We noticed the change in vegetation as we go
through the course. We passed through areas with tropical trees.
And then there were vast sugar cane fields. Later on, we passed
through grasslands. And as we increase elevation, there were a
lot of coniferous plants around. It was simply amazing.
As I write this blog entry, Boy
Siojo and I can’t help but be impressed with how nice and
hospitable the Bacolod riders have been. They have welcomed us
warmly and supported the B4L team’s cause more than we could
ever imagine. The MedTrek riders have been supportive since Day
1 and were the single-point-of-contact of the team to other
local bike groups. Lily Sy brought boxes of asado rolls and
napoleones. Those pastries were such great comfort food to boost
the morale of the riders when tackling the uphills! Junjun Ponce
and Jay Jalondoni sponsored the big group’s yummy meals and
entertained the group untiringly as well!
We will forever be grateful to
the warm people of Bacolod. Maraming maraming salamat po!
People who
made this leg successful...
-
Albert Lozada
-
Jay Jalandoni and family
-
Mayor Lawrence Marxlen J. dela Cruz
-
Dr. Joel Yap and the rest of MedTrek bikers
-
Negros Occidental Cycling Federation
-
Team Papa Bird
-
Archie Tragko
-
BJ Tulod
-
Bacolod Biker Babes or B3
-
Lily Sy
Thank
you! |
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