Last 15th of February Y2004, fifty five mountain bikers from all over Pampanga converged in the parking lot of Clark parade grounds. Riders started building up around 6:00AM and rolled around 7:30AM. An intermediate trail called Manikayo would provide the venue for the event. It was a 25 kilometer trail which is 40% off road. The road part was a slow 15 kph cruise along the backyards of Clark: Centennial park, True North golf course, Expo, Centennial bridge to Sacobia. The off road part was a dusty uphill climb to Manikayo in Sacobia also inside Clark. The peak of the trail will give you a clear 180 degree view of the south side of Clark.
The mountain bikers came from all walks of life - students, medical and sales representatives, expats, businessmen, managers, doctors and retirees. Age range was from a young 11 year old to a still young at heart late 50s. Would you believe my father is even younger than these late 50s mt bikers. The average age was 32 years old. A good 80% of the riders are married (not only to their bikes but also to their spouses). A great majority of the riders are males and these gentlemen took good care of the 2 roses among the thorns. The bikes range from low end department store bikes to average priced GT Aggressor hard tails to high end Giant dual suspension bikes. All of the riders were in full battle gear and wearing the basic safety required helmets and gloves.
Usually, mt bike group rides range only from 5 to 20+ riders but this was a special day because we had a 55 rider strong trail ride. What makes it extra special is that Infomax cable tv from San Fernando Pampanga will feature the trail ride in one of their shows. They are one with us in promoting the sport in Pampanga and tagging it a mountain biker’s haven.
Although the demographics varies, the common denominator among these 55 individuals is the love for the sport of mountain biking and the genuine thought of unifying the mountain bike riders in Pampanga hence the birth of Pampanga Trail Riders.
During these times when politics is a hot topic in our country, coalition does not only happen in the political scene, it also happens in the mountain biking scene in Pampanga.
Ride on!
Postscript: This article was posted in a number of websites and published in Urge sports magazine in Y2004. Three months after writing this article in March 2004, I was a re-assigned in our Makati head office hence the mountain biking had to take a back seat. The plan is to be active in mountain biking again starting April 2007. Tuloy ang ligaya!
The mountain bikers came from all walks of life - students, medical and sales representatives, expats, businessmen, managers, doctors and retirees. Age range was from a young 11 year old to a still young at heart late 50s. Would you believe my father is even younger than these late 50s mt bikers. The average age was 32 years old. A good 80% of the riders are married (not only to their bikes but also to their spouses). A great majority of the riders are males and these gentlemen took good care of the 2 roses among the thorns. The bikes range from low end department store bikes to average priced GT Aggressor hard tails to high end Giant dual suspension bikes. All of the riders were in full battle gear and wearing the basic safety required helmets and gloves.
Usually, mt bike group rides range only from 5 to 20+ riders but this was a special day because we had a 55 rider strong trail ride. What makes it extra special is that Infomax cable tv from San Fernando Pampanga will feature the trail ride in one of their shows. They are one with us in promoting the sport in Pampanga and tagging it a mountain biker’s haven.
Although the demographics varies, the common denominator among these 55 individuals is the love for the sport of mountain biking and the genuine thought of unifying the mountain bike riders in Pampanga hence the birth of Pampanga Trail Riders.
During these times when politics is a hot topic in our country, coalition does not only happen in the political scene, it also happens in the mountain biking scene in Pampanga.
Ride on!
Postscript: This article was posted in a number of websites and published in Urge sports magazine in Y2004. Three months after writing this article in March 2004, I was a re-assigned in our Makati head office hence the mountain biking had to take a back seat. The plan is to be active in mountain biking again starting April 2007. Tuloy ang ligaya!
REFERENCE:
Pls. click here to view the video # 1.
Pls. click here to view the video # 2.
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