Thanks to the Dr. Jaime Gatchalian and the Ormoc City Medical Society for the fantastic road race they sponsored two Sundays ago. It was a blast!
The race started an hour late but we had to wait for cyclists from Manila, who numbered about thirty, who had stayed overnight in Tacloban after arriving late Saturday. But we didn't care, as one friend would love to say, "What are friends are for?"
It was nice seeing old rivals and at the same time old friends like Raymond See, DondieAzarcon, Benny Caw and friends from Tacloban Edwin ansueto, Jojo Uy and Nolet Songalia. Representing Bohol was Pio Castro II who was attending his first road event in Leyte.
From Hilongos came the group led by Emie Paulo, Boyet Suarez and JovieViterbo. Capt. Frank Kangleon led the Maasin contigent who was missing Gogoy Sy.KeijoKuha, a 66yo Finn living in Palompon was also present.
Cebu Cycling, on the other hand had the numbers, the talkers and the champion. Ias Camilo, Jong Sepulveda, Ome Rodriguez, Miguel Flores, John Gayatin(3rd place, Cat B), Dodong Alonzo, Ben Fabroa (6th place, Cat C),LitoyPetalcorin(6th place Cat B) and the eventual champion of Cat B, Art Lambo.Special mention of course goes to rose among the thorns, Curvinator "Mae" Ojales. To say that she was gutsy to race with us would be an understatement. In fact, Mae gave a few guys a lesson in pace-making!
While the racecourse was advertised as 70km long, my cyclocomputer read 63km but it might as well read a 250km since it was so hard. The first 52km out and back course to the idyllic town of Merida was ok with 4 short and steep climbs but the last 13km was a monster! I had done the climb to Lake Danao 4 years ago but I started from the foot of the climb. But in this race, we were already had a half-century of K's for warm-up!
I know it was a suicide but I took a flyer after 38km, but I couldn't get enough distance the chase. However, I started the climb with about a 30sec advantage but I knew it was nothing especially with my climbing "disability".Climbers passed me by like I was a statue. Then I was by my lonesome.
There were 2-3 riders just a few meters ahead of me and the same number behind me. The strange thing about the climb to Lake Danao was that it was basically straight, no hairpin turns and makes the suffering more monotonous and boring since you already know what's ahead of you. Of course, its boring when you're dropped and suffering by your lonesome.
Also, the climb was misleading since it starts as a false flat with the last 3k as steep as the climb to Château de Busay. I seldom stop during races but tin this race, I stopped thrice. It was that hard.But in the end, it was one of the best out of town sorties I've been to. The fellowship and awarding ceremonies was also well attended and well organized. I can't wait for next year!
Finally, between the three fast crafts, Weesam is the most bike-friendly. Freight is also the cheapest while Supercat has the highest fare. Weesam also allows you to bring your bike personally aboard. With Supercat, the crew is very strict, they wouldn't allow your bike inside the craft (but they do allow surfboards and other sports equipments) same with Ocean Jet that when you get to your destination, your bike is soaking wet with seawater!......Dr. Butch Ydia of Pangasinan, see you soon on the saddle……Belated happy birthday to Rex Tan!!!