Ormoc to Tacloban

I've been to a few places where I took the boat or plane and the next day, rode or raced more than a hundred K's by bicycle. All of it where all out and back, meaning, the ride finished where it started. But I've never been on a 100K point-to-point ride or race where I stopped at a different place from where I started. The difference between an out and back and a point-to-point is that you have to bring a tote bag with you on the latter containing your basic necessities.

Well, I just did that two weekends ago. I had an appointment in Tacloban that weekend and I decided to bring my bicycle to ride the 108km from Ormoc to Tacloban. With me from Cebu was dimsum chef Lito Quebec who was visiting his sick father in Carigara and our very gracious host in Ormoc, Rex Tan. Rex, by the way, broke his clavicle last November, for the second time, but judging from the way he rode, he was still a beast on the bicycle !

The first half of the route was mostly sugarcane and pineapples. While the roads seem to remind me of the ongoing cobbled classics in Europe, the view is simply breathtaking. What I noticed though was a sense of contentment and simplicity in the places and the faces we passed by, although it was in a blur. I don't know if that's good or bad.

Then came the two climbs of Kananga. When you take the bus and go over the climb, it seems as if the climb would take forever. But when you're on your bicycle, you found yourself begging for more! The climb is gentle and there are no surprises towards the top. The construction is clearly very well planned.

We made our first pit stop at Carigara, at the famous New Town Restaurant. The eatery is famous for its crispy pata and the humba which didn't disappoint. After we had settled down, Edwin Mansueto, a native of Cebu and the brother-in-law of Rex, arrived from Tacloban on his very pricey, Campagnolo SR11 equipped PARLEE, where he is managing the family businesses. Edwin, who is currently racing with the executives in Manila, is clearly stronger than the last time I saw him. He will be doing the Tour of Friendship in Thailand next month.

From Carigara to Palo, the traffic was bit easier but the speed of the busses and the V-hires were still as fast. Instead of pineapples and sugarcanes, the smoother roads were sandwiched by rice lands as far as the eyes can see. There were sections of roads that were so straight that I felt like I was riding on the cover of Jackson Browne's album, "Running On Empty", without the drum set.

By the time we reached Palo, I was pretty much wasted and me and Edwin still have 10km to go. I was so tired that I turned down Edwin's dinner invitation later that evening. But Rex and Lito wanted more and decided to go back to Ormoc via the eastern side of the island and exiting via Babay, making their ride a 235km marathon. They got home by 5PM!

If given the same opportunity, I'd do this route again. But I'd be more careful in choosing what I'd put inside my tote bag by making certain that I put not only the basic necessities but stuff that are also lightweight. A 10-lb bag can feel like a bag of cement four hours into a ride!

Classics Week

This week is Classics Week. Yesterday was the Tour of Flanders and next weekend is the Queen of the Classics, Paris-Roubaix. You can find the "live" video streaming links at www.steephill.tv or www.cyclingfans.com.

Finally, I'd like to thank my very gracious hosts in Leyte- Rex and Virna, Edwin and Christine, Nolet Songalia and Engr. and Mrs. Antor……thanks to Mafeth Aquino for taking care of my baggage!......Thanks to Nestle of the Highness Pension House front desk……and thanks to my wife, Tata, for supporting me in the sport I love! – THE FREEMAN