The wheel is one of the greatest inventions of all time. So owning a bicycle is like owning 2 of the greatest inventions, right? Just kidding. But to be able to travel from point A to point B without using engines/motors and with zero emissions is no joke, and an impressive feat. Add to that the benefits you get, both physically and mentally. Cycling is the answer to many of the world's problems.
Brief Background About My Hobby
Honestly, I never learned how to ride a bike until I was in high school. I bought my first bike in college and it was my main mode of transportation during my years in the university. Bought a motorbike when I had my first job, then slowly forgot about my love for biking. Fast forward to 2020, I bought a new bike and renewed my interest in cycling. Now I can say that cycling is the one skill that cannot be unlearned, and I will always be thankful for that high school friend who let me borrow his bike, and crashed it into the bushes. I learned fast.
Conquering Manipis, Camp 7 Manmade Forest
Feeling the wind on your face as you go downhill from a tough climb is the most rewarding experience that I look forward to every bike ride. Well, aside from the view when you arrive at the peak.
A route that's been frequented by local cyclists here in Cebu is located at the southern part of the island. The Manipis-Toledo road is a beginner friendly route for those who want to enjoy riding to the mountains and be rewarded with a long downhill ride.
My friends and I went there last year. Around November, as quarantine restrictions eased up, we grabbed the opportunity and planned the ride. We met under the Tabunok flyover around 0600. It was a Sunday so we already expected a crowded road.
We took off from Tabunok, then made our first stop at a breakfast place in Camp 4.
My friend posing at the opposite side of the makeshift breakfast place in Camp 4, Talisay City, Cebu
We rested for about 30 minutes before hitting the road again. Just a few kilometers away from the breakfast place, we reached the Manipis bridge.
At the other side of the bridge is the start of the longest uphill ride I ever climbed.
While on our way to the peak, we made a quick stop right here to take a picture of this magnificent view.
We resumed pedaling and spotted other bikers, also on their way to the peak
Picture taken near Manipis Barangay Hall
The uphill battle continued. We reached the peak at 8 but decided to bike further to the Manmade Forest in Camp 7, Minglanilla.
After 2 hours and 15 kilometers, we finally reached our destination.
Awkward solo pose at Clonal Nursery Landmark
It's hard to take a photo without a tripod
We are deciding if we will continue traversing this road and exit at another town or just go back to the peak and exit at the same place we came from
We then decided to come back to the peak, and had a snack at one of the restos there.
Enjoying my fresh coconut juice at the peak while appreciating the view and anticipating the rewarding downhill ride later
We stayed there for almost an hour before deciding to go down and part ways.
It was one (up)hell of a memorable ride, all thanks to the Mesopotamians for inventing the wheel.
That's it for now, and I can't wait to share more of my biking adventures here.
See you on my next post!
Fin