LBC Ro-Ronda Na! bikefest open to amateur cyclists

MANILA, Philippines - Cycling buffs will have a chance to showcase their skills and see the 16 teams and riders competing in the LBC Ronda Pilipinas cycling spectacle during the kickoff event dubbed “LBC Ronda Pilipinas: Ro-Ronda Na!” at the Quezon City Hall grounds on Sept. 18.

The event serves as the countdown for the 20-day, 12-stage, 1,650 km LBC Ronda Pilipinas slated Sept. 24-Oct. 9 on a route that covers over 30 cities in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

The individual as well as team champion will get a tax-free prize of P1 million, with prizes also to be won by the top 20 in the individual category and all 16 teams in the team division.

LBC Express, Inc. global corporate communications head Jocel de Guzman, who is also the media director of LBC Ronda Pilipinas, said the first 500 fun ride participants who will register on-site on Sept.18 will get a free LBC Ronda Pilipinas t-shirt and a chance to win a mountain bike in a raffle at the end of the fun ride.

However, he said that to get the free t-shirt and qualify for the bike raffle, the first 500 participants must “like” LBC Ronda Pilipinas Facebook page at www.facebook.com/rondapilipinas.

“LBC Ronda Pilipinas is for every bike enthusiast regardless of age. We are building a biking community and we want them to feel the Ronda Pilipinas fever through this event so please like us on facebook,” De Guzman said.

LBC Ronda Pilipinas, sanctioned by PhilCycling, drew 96 riders grouped into 16 teams – 13 regional and two commercial teams and the under-23 national team.

“We want the public to meet the teams and riders competing for the P7 million in total prize pot and we want everyone with a bicycle to be a part of LBC Ronda Pilipinas through the fun ride of Ro-Ronda Na! a week before the actual race starts in Cagayan De Oro,” De Guzman added.

In partnership with the Quezon City local government, the Ro-Ronda Na! kick off fun ride is open to all ages and types of bicycles. The route will cover the Quezon City Circle, Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon Avenue and will finish at Quezon City Hall grounds. Registration will start as early as 6 a.m.

“If it is a cycling tradition to end a cycling tour at the Kilometer Zero at the city of Manila since time immemorial, we are making a new cycling tradition by holding the kick-off event in Quezon City,” De Guzman said.