Mountain Biking in Pampanga

Mountain Biking and the natural environment in the province of Pampanga are made for each other. We have every conceivable trail in the mountain bike bible such as downhills, single tracks, pure off roads, semi off roads and roads. Then again why will you go into mt biking if you will use it on the road? To compliment the numerous trails that we have in Pampanga, there are at least 20 bike shops selling low end to hi end mt bikes.

Mt Biking is relatively a cheap sport. You can go into the sport for as low as P2,700.00. You can buy a mt bike for P2,000.00, a helmet for P500 , a pair of gloves for P200.00 and you’re off to explore the natural trails in Pampanga. What makes the sport costly is the frequent upgrades on the parts. After a couple of rides, you realize that you will enjoy the ride better if you upgrade to a suspension fork so you spend about P 1,500.00. A couple of rides further and you realize that an 18 speed drivetrain is not enough so you decide to upgrade to a 21 speed drivetrain, thus spending another P 1,000.00. It’s an endless cycle and before you realize it, you’ve completely upgraded your bike and already spent P 15,000.00.

We have a long list of mountain bike trails, thanks in part to Mt Pinatubo for wreaking havoc in 1991 and in the process improving the natural landscape in the province. The Clark area alone has at least 20 discovered trails and a lot more left to be discovered. One of my favorite trails is called Aquino’s Point located in Sacobia. The starting point is usually at Clark main gate. The trail is about 35 kms. long with 40% off road. The off road portion used to be longer but the Clark management introduced improvements in the last 2 years. It is called Aquino’s point in honor of the former President Cory Aquino. The place is a lahar watch tower and it is about 1,800 feet above sea level. Image pedaling your way up to the top of the mountain for 1 hour. The scene is breath taking and the climate is cold especially if you’re there between 5 to 7 in the morning. Going down is the best part, what took you 1 hour to climb will only take than less than 4 minutes to descend.

Munta na kayu Pampanga, mag bike tamu! (Go to Pampanga and let’s ride a bike!)