Cycling's sad state

“…we have the technology, we have the capability to make the world’s first bionic man…”

Remember that phrase was from the introduction of the very popular TV flick series called, “The Six Million Dollar Man” in the 1970’s? Well it reminds me of the state of RP Cycling these past few years.

We are obviously a few years behind the technology (the physiologic, not the mechanical) but in terms of capability, I believe we have it in abundance. In spite of the fact that the financial and psychological support from the responsible sectors aren’t always there, our cyclists are still the best in the region when it comes to the sport.

The only problem is the people running the show. I don’t really know our sports officials personally but from the way they are bleeding the sport, its obvious they don’t even know how to apply the tourniquet. Brett Harrington, a good friend who is close to a few former cycling World Champions in Australia said that Down Under, if you don’t have a royal cycling pedigree, no aspiring cyclist would ever listen to you. Meaning, when you are a cycling official, you need to have a cycling background to be respected. Here, you need to know where you plant your orbicularis oris on the behind of the powers that be to get going. It’s the same behind that can’t tell the difference a saddle for a horse or a saddle for a bicycle.

For this reason, executive (non-elite, categorized) cycling events, has taken over events like Padyak Pinoy in terms of prestige and organization. If you happen to visit an executive race site today, you’d probably think that the Tour de France has a stage or two raced here. Top of the line bicycles, sublimated jerseys, dedicated time-trial set-ups, are now almost de rigueur in all events.

Local executive riders like Jerome Rodriguez, Art Lambo, John Gayatin and Leyte riders RexTan, Phillip Sainz, Edwin Mansueto have swear that the events in Manila are a simply on a different level. Next year, the events will be getting bigger with the inaugural Philippine Premier Cycling League, (www.philippinecyclingnews.com) which will consists of series of at least 20 races around the Luzon area.

If I were an aspiring cyclist today, I’d rather go to school, get a degree, get a good job, buy the best bicycle and join the PPCL. We simply love the sport, but not the politics around it.

The South Expressway

There’s nothing “express” about this highway. In fact, this piece or real estate from Pardo to as far as Naga is one big free for all for motorist. Motorist create their own lanes depending on their destination. Traffic lanes be damned! Vehicles meet you from all directions, right, left, side, never minding the traffic and the people. The bigger the vehicle, the more aggressive. And that’s not even the worst of it- there was nary a traffic cop that I saw yesterday when we were riding our bicycles to and from Naga.

ACDC’s “Highway to Hell” would be an appropriate soundtrack when passing by this 40km stretch of road.

Race Results

MANDAUE REKLA CRIT 12.19.09 20 LAPS 44KM

1- TATA CODINA, 2- TYRE LAMBO, 3- DEDENG JALUAG, 4- JV ARANETA, 5- DENNIS CABUSAS, 6- NANIE QUIJANO, 7- HYDE ESMALIN. – THE FREEMAN