(Activity) Bacoor to Tagaytay Bike Ride

You don't have to be a cyclist to ride from Bacoor to Tagaytay, Love had proven that it can be done with minimal biking mileage, one way at least. It was such a memorable experience as it was the first time I rode a bike for more than six hours.

Our Fitness Level:

Myself

•  I bike-commute from Bacoor to Makati (around 20 km) once a week, two-way. I started doing this last year.
• My longest ride was a one way bike-commute from Robinsons Galleria to SM Bacoor (around 30+ km).

Our former Boss

• He's been riding for most of his adult life and he's in his 50s. 
• He's already done the trip many times. Mostly, his starting point is in Alabang.
• He bike-commutes from Pasig to Makati daily.

Love

• Prior to the trip, her biking experience was her childhood.

So whose idea was it to ride from Bacoor to Tagaytay? It was hers!

Our Bikes:

We all used folding bikes/minivelo with 20" wheels. 

From left:  Giant Expressway, XDS 420, Love's MTB Folder

The Road to Tagaytay:

We met up at my house near SM Bacoor and left at around 6:30–7:00 a.m. We took the Aguinaldo Highway route and paced slowly since Love was still getting used to navigating in traffic. We stopped at a Jollibee right after Robinsons Imus for a light breakfast. Stop one. Distance travelled: 6 km.

We then proceeded to ride quicker so we can reach Pala-pala before noon. We took a stop at a McDonalds near Robinsons Pala-pala to rest-up and prepare for the continuous uphill. Stop two. Distance travelled: 17 km. Time check: 9:30 a.m.

Mata lang ang exposed

What came after started getting more difficult with continuous uphills and the sun getting hotter. Good thing there's the occasional light rain. We made a lot of quick stops on the road to rest a little (guess who initiates them) then stopped for Buko juice as we passed by Silang. Stop n.  Distance travelled: 25 km. Time check: 11 a.m.

The adventure continues. With each rest stop, our legs get heavier, our butts more painful and our pace gets slower. Puro uphill at ang init! We then rested and ate some dimsum at Hapchan, Robinsons Supermarket in Silang, our supposed last stop. Distance travelled: 28 km.  Time check: 11:30 a.m.

It got brutal after that. Love couldn't ride the uphill anymore and started walking. Our boss, who looks like he's not getting tired at all, tied a rope to her bike and towed her. It looked really funny, too bad we didn't take any pictures.  Distance travelled: 33 km.  Time check: 12:30 p.m.

SA WAKAS! We reached Tagaytay. So proud of her for not giving up. Distance travelled: 38 km.  Time check: 1:30 p.m.

Reflections:

So what did we do wrong?

1. We took too many rest stops.
2. We were not mentally prepared for the uphill and distance.
3. Our pace was slow.
4. Our bikes were tiny.

I don't want to discourage other couples who want to try this activity, but if you're up for the challenge, here are some tips:

1. Psych yourself up before the trip. It will be long and tiring.
2. Some long riding experience would be useful.
3. The uphill after the half-way point will be continuous so a light bike with good gearing could do wonders.
4. Try to finish the ride in 4 hours, if it takes longer than that, your butts will suffer.
5. Organize a group ride where a car follows the riders so that people can cycle from driving/riding in the car and riding in bikes.

Don't forget the essentials:

• Helmet.
• Sunblock and sun protection (arm warmers, face mask).
• Spare bicycle tube, tire levers, hand pump, multi-tool.
• Bicycle locks.
• Change of clothes.
• Water bottles.

So what happened after we reached Tagyatay?

• We ate. A lot.
• Love declared that she can't manage the ride back.
• My rear tire was flat.
• Our boss went back to Bacoor by himself, picked up the SUV at my house and drove back for us. It took him only two hours for the ride back.
• I'm not proud about this, but during the time our boss was pedaling his heart out, Love and I were having a full body massage.
• After we got home, I couldn't ride or even look at my bike for a week.  Love haven't biked since.

Try it out.  It's fun.