This was going to be my first trip in a long while. My last real trip was back in November during Euroscoot’s Iron Butt Ride. I’ve been on exactly 1 short trip to Batangas since that time, so needless to say my riding skills were not the sharpest of the bunch.

The weather was turning out to be less than optimal. With the rainy season bringing it’s fair share of well, rain, rather regularly, I was starting to shrink away from this ride as well. But seeing the other riders talk about it and plan this trip, I just couldn’t say no.

Sunday morning brought an overcast sky, no surprises. What surprised me more was the number of riders present in the meeting place.

As we took off the weather turned foul, rain started to pour as we entered Antipolo. Needless to say it was a rather slow and very careful trip up and down the mountains. Kudos to our ride captain Pal for maintaining a steady pace as we travelled the very wet and very oily roads of Rizal.

Our first real stop was along this scenic spot along the mountain road. Everyone needed a break by then since we were travelling non stop for more than an hour in the rain with almost a hundred other riders going the same route we were. So nerves had to be calmed down and bodily fluids released.

After some mechanical work on our of our riders (flat tire) we moved on, rather uneventfully to Famy. The official Pit Stop of all riders travelling this route is Petron Gasoline Station in Famy, Laguna. There we regrouped, gassed up, exchanged small talk and met with two other intrepid Storm Riders from Laguna. From this point on it was a straight push to Lucban via Caliraya

By this time the rain had turned into a slight drizzle but still the cold mountain air could have frozen me solid if I hadn’t been wearing my rain gear. As Cliff and I ran up the twisities of Caliraya, fog was rolling in from from the mountain making it a rather unnerving but really beautifull sight.

The pace of the trip down to Luisiana and Lucban was now getting really familiar. As the roads were slowly drying out the pace of the lead bikes quickened, gradually gaining speed as each meter of road turned drier and drier. The last few kilometers down the mountain was pure mayhem as the lead pack, holding back so long because of the conditions, finally let loose and attacked the twisities. This of course came to an end rather quickly as we hit the town proper of Lucban, with traffic, people and, surprise, surprise, sunshine.

We were treated to a sumptous brunch by Dennis (DMF8888) at the always popular Buddy’s. Pancit Habhab and Longganizang Lucban were the order of the day. No stomach was left unfilled.

As the dust settled and the hunger subsided, the group slowly prepared for the ride back home. The guys from Laguna Jojo and Doc Enjo bid us farewell as they had other plans. I’m pretty sure we’ll be riding with them again soon.

The ride home was faster because of the improved weather. The roads all the way were dry and the traffic was light. As the group slowly peeled off on their own ways home, I was glad I joined this ride. It rekindled my love for the open road and reminded me how truly splendid my Vespa is. Friends, both old and new was the icing on the cake for a truly splendid day. I rarely write about the trip home because I always look forward to the next one.

Till the next ride guys!

Thanks to Bob, Yey, Dennis, Jong for the photos!