Forum member raredog sent us this rider report on their nocturnal journey to Marilaque.
The night we conquered Marilaque (Sierra Madre Mountains)
After being absent in group rides for more than two years. I could say that this is one memorable ride for me. It started only this friday, when my ride buddy Deo (padre damaso) called me and asked if I want to join a group ride, which he said rxbandits organized on a thread in MCP. I was hesistant to say yes kaagad, kase si Geely (my scooter) is not really in good condition for the past few days, namamatayan siya kse naglu-loose sa wiring ng CDI, plus I only have 2 ball guides instead of three (nde ko pa napapalitan yung isang nasira).
So I said, “Kailan at saan ba yung ride?” then I was surprised with his reply. “Ngayong gabi, sa Marilaque (Sierra Madre). Whatttthaa!! “Are you insane?” Tonite at that place? Well, after telling me about the thread and going at my house that night with his friend Norman, I was mega-sure na seryoso na nga ito.
So we went to Tropical Hut and waited for the group of rxbandits (DannyM4, Sting, and Eric). whew…when I saw them arrived with their ride, I whispered to Deo “Sasama pa ba tayo?” Kase naman po, their group compose of big bikes and cruisers…waaaahhhhh. Baka iwanan lang tayo niyan….puro lang tayo naka-scooter. But they told us naman na walang iwanan, slow-paced lang ang takbo. Ok, we said, anjan na eh…hehehe
Now the ride… Why this ride will be memorable for me, because this will be the first time na tatakbo ako ng gabi, ng hindi prepared, at sa isang lugar pa na very remote. Going up there was smooth, there was no traffic at all, because it’s already past 10pm. After We passed Cogeo, the wind got much colder, and street lights are getting rare. Darker and darker as we go uphill, zigzagging on the very nice curvaceous cemented road.
It’s kinda creepy out there, totally NO LIGHTS!!!, sabi ko nga sa sarili ko sa sinehan tumagal ka lang ng mga 5 minutes kita mo na katabi mo eh, pero dito grabe nde talaga kami magkakitaan, silhouettes lang.
All I can see clearly was around 20 feet ahead of me. (para kang naglalaro sa arcade) Speed up at your own risk, kase unlike kung morning ride you get to know malayo pa lang kung kakanan or kakaliwa, but that night is totally different, totally awesome, and totally challenging I should say!!! Most of us that night experienced almost overshooting the curves, kase nga ang sarap talaga ng feeling, natawa nga ako kse twice ni Norman kinain yung kabilang lane sa sobrang hataw, eh siempre sinusundan ko siya so pati ako nao-overshoot. There was a time pa na nagugulat na lang ako dahil napupunta yung marker ng kalye sa right side ko eh…hahaha!!!
So ayun, around midnite, tambay kami infront of Sierra Madre Resort/Motel which looks like an abandoned house that night. Kwento-kwento, stargazing and yosi break. After mga 30 minutes we decided na to go down and hit the road.
One of the highlights pa sa ride na ito is when we meet along the way rxbandits brother (forgot his name) around 3/4 na sa natakbo namin. Sabi ko “Bro ang tindi mo!!! Kinaya mong mag-isang sumunod dito!”. I guess he’s really excited to be with this ride kaya yun ang naging inspirasyon nya that night. I salute you bro!!
Except for a minor electrical problem rxbandits had with his ride, we went down smoothly, the pacing is much more faster and intense, kase nga pababa, grabe, you can feel talaga the arenalin rush pumping thru your veins!!! Whewwww…grabeeeeehhhh….sarapppppp
We arrived at Brickroad, STA. LUCIA at around 2am. I thank God as we congratulates ourselves for a very nice and safe ride we had. And looking forward for another insane ride ahead of us.
Check out more of their stories in this thread.
[...] I really enjoy inventing names. Here’s my story… When I was in my younger years, I enjoy riding BMX bicycle. Not just riding, but extreme riding. Like riding on stairs, jumping on top of my co-riders while they lay on the ground, riding down hills from a nearby dam, hittin’ some ramps, etc… And from there, I formed a group called the “NIGHTRIDERSâ€. [...]
Sir BoyG, thanks a lot. You pick the right name (night riders) for my story.
Making Names, I was also a BMX rider when I was in Highschool days. That was 1983 to 1986. I participated in racing too. I was priviledged to experience racing competition with other BMX riders groups, long riding/trips, bike jumping when I was a teenager. Our BMX riders team was Haro. Now I’m a motorbike rider.:)
I like your group name ‘nightriders’. I am impress because you have the courage to ride even at early in the morning. What a nice and cool rides during evening.:) Congrats!
Nice to meet a fellow BMX’er here at MCP. We started riding BMX almost in the same era. I’ve stopped around 1992. Pls check some of the pics I’ve salvaged from the past. http://www.flickr.com/photos/99821870@N00/sets/72057594126730136/
That ride was surely a spine tingler, especially when you return home and realized what could have happened along the way. Buti walang umangkas sau na malamig ang kamay, hehehe. Peace yo!
haha! Congrats sa pumanik!! Wow, ako nga lang eh bumiyahe lang from Las pinas to QC ng 2 am eh ang hirap na kasi ang ginaw ng simoy ng hangin eh, tas nanginginig na ako eh pati un steering ko hehe yun pa kaya.. paakyat? SALUDO ako sa inyo.. Sana maka try nga ako pumanik mag isa din, gaya nun last brother na sumunod.. hehe, direretso lang walang tingin tingin sa side mirror!! Baka may bumulaga sa dilim eh..