First Cycling Experience: From Calapan to White Beach

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By: Maryan
Date: May 2014

     My interest in cyclo-touring started way back (2009-2010) but I feel a little bit intimated because of bike prices, gears and yes the outfit :) The interest came back when I started
Tamaraw Falls
feeling conscious of gaining weight. I thought cycling as a best way to lose some pounds without spending time and money in a gym. It will also a perfect activity to get familiar with Batangas province, the place where I newly assigned to develop the new business of my company. I have a good memories with bicycle as I used to joined my uncle in selling dirty ice cream around our town.

     My first 50km cycling started from Calapan City to Puerto Galera with Yohann, a French guy who cycle around Mindoro Island last summer of April 2014. He helped me look for a shop that will allow us to rent a bike for 2 days. 
Renting is practical than buying a new one if you don’t know yet if you can commit 100% to do this sports regularly. Bike rental is not common in Philippines, I assumed it’s a bit cultural as majority of Filipinos use tricycle and jeepney for our short distance trip.
Stopover in Baco for Halo-halo break.
     I found it uncomfortable cycling within a city, the public vehicles just suddenly stop in front of your lane even if you cycle very slowly in a pedestrian lane (yes I know cyclist should use the common vehicle lane).  This is a moment when I truly appreciated cyclist campaign for bike lanes because personally I won’t recommend this activity to my siblings with this kind of road condition. Yohann advise to stop every 30mins in order to have time to recover and rest as I suffer on the first slope. He reminds me to regularly drink water even if I don’t feel thirsty to avoid feeling weak. It took us 8 hours to reach the town, not feel hungry but lots of pain on my leg and butt that I prefer to go straight on bed after shower rather than joining Yohann for dinner. 
Relaxing in a hummock

    
    I got more connection with locals during cycling as I see their happy faces saying “Hello’s” but since I struggle a lot I didn’t manage to fully enjoy the beautiful view along the road. On the next day, I woke up early to enjoy the calm and peaceful atmosphere of the guesthouse, talked and laughed about each other over breakfast and spend few minutes reading a book in a hummock before we continue cycling to White Beach for snorkel.
Snorkelling at White Beach using our improvised lifebuoy


Cycling serves my travel purpose such as connection with locals, discovering culture, enjoying sceneries but at the same time challenging my physical capability. I know it is not common to us Filipinos especially girls to do this kind of activity but with the growing numbers of RORO service connecting Philippine islands it is more convenient now doing this to reach more number of philippine remote islands. Happy Cycling!

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