Wheels of Happiness
Rizal Philippines
August 28,2017
JB and magnificent Mt Banahaw at the background
JB, Jeff, Alan, Gerry and Cataps. Pres. Luis took the photo
The long ride to Majayjay, Laguna,was completed yesterday staged by again Magnificent Six: Pres Luis, Jeff Arquiza, Allan Astorga, Gerry Cataps, Angel Balubar,and yours truly. This was just 7 days after the Jariel's peak ride Infanta,Quezon. Jess and Peter did not make it this time: Angel and Gerry were the subs.
August 26, 2017
We pushed through with this despite the fact that it was still raining by 4 am; it rained hard from 5 pm until 4 am Sunday. But I bought a rain coat which marked my determination to join rain or no rain.
It was a two days journey, so Jeff advised us to just have just a riding pace. We assembled at 6:00 at Sacred Heart Church in Tayuman. We left at 6:30 and were in Pisong Kape (Tia Carmen's) at 8:00. Next stop was at Pagsanjan at 10:00. I thought I would quit at some 4.5 km from Pagsanjan at the widened portion of the highway. There were no more trees and it was very hot. We rested for some 15 minutes(except Jeff and Alan). But we resumed, tiis and tiyaga were the keywords. We lunched at Luisiana by 12:00 and we were in Majayjay by a little past 3. Prior to that, four of us Angel, Gerry, Pres Luis had bibingka some 3km before Luisiana. Here we met MTB rider Leonard Cequena and company. There were 3 of them. Nag abot din kami sa lunch sa Luisiana. Tiyak gagabihin sila kung balikan sila. They left 6 Pililla and that meant 6 hours na sila sa road (not including from Binangonan to Pililla) So if they leave at Lucban at 2 pm. For a fast rate of 6 hours, they would be home by 8:00 or 9 pm
We passed at the short cut in Luisiana at theY instead of passing at the Lucban 603 highway. It must have saved us about 5 km and 20 minutes of ride. After about 2 km of ascent, it was all going downhill. After buying food and some drinks we proceeded to the house of the parents of Jeff at Barangay Bitaoy. His parents happily welcomed us. And even prepared lunch. But we were still full.
At 4 pm we took a short tricycle ride to Goyamalinao resort. We took some Lambanog shot with cucumber as pulutan. Then some bather watching and 4 of us: Jeff,Alan, Gerry and Angel took a dip. Pres Luis and I did not since di kami sanay maligo after a hard labor. The cold may enter our body, since we all ready rested and no longer perspiring. At about 6:30 we walked back home.
At the corner store, we bought crackers,4 red horse large for the evening fellowship. We had some shakes too and learned of the siling demonyo (reported to be 10x more potent than siling labuyo..Then we had dinner of rice and ampalaya con egg. At about 7, we had the fellowship.
There was a medical emergency in the house. The father of Jeff unexpectedly had hbp and was dizzy and nauseous. A neighbor nurse was called in and after taking the medication, we all settled down.
August 27, 2017
After breakfast, we left at about 6:30 am for Lucban, Kamay ni Hesus religious shrine. We had picture2 with Mt Banahaw as the background Then we stopped by the church of Lucban. But the road from Majayjay to Lucban was peppered by steep ascents. My 32 sprocket was all ready working this time (Yesterday, the roller was rubbing into the spokes) and after adjusting the low and high adjustment screw, the roller worked ok this time. Then we went to the Kamay ni Hesus shrine. That was about 8:00 am We were only allowed to stay stop/park at the Virgin Mary Shrine. So more pictures. We left at about 9:00 for home And the way home we passed by the diversion. We saved some minutes from the traffic and narrow road, but the route seemed longer by about 5 km. This time I kept pace with the group until midway in Lumban. But was still together with Gerry and Angel. We were at Pagsanjan by 10:30. We arrived at Mabitac by 12:00 and had lunch there. I had plapla and rice. With the softdrinks, the lunch set me back by P85.00 The plapla was P50.00 (small)
We were at Pisong Kape by about 1:30. It was struggle to ride up Bugarin because it was high noon and the sun was beating hard on us. Angel and I did 2 stops (keeping in mind that something bad could happen like a sun/heat stroke) At the last stop near the dreaded Balite Tree, at the fruit stands, I bought 2 kgs worth of Marang and guyabano.
Then more rides going home some 30 km to go. This time, there were no untoward incident. Last time, Gerry was bumped by a tricycle and his wheel (rear was wrecked) at Morong. Pres Luis, and Jeff waited for us at URS and were togehter until Pantok where we were separated by traffic. It rained at Tagpos and I had the opportunity to wear the rain coat I bought specially for this ride. I was home by 4:30. Whew, back ached and the butt too for the distance traveled. 200 km back and forth, 100 km one way
Selfie taken at Sacred Heart Parish in Tayuman: Magnificent 6
Going up at Bugarin near the Kawayanan
Angel and I resting at Famy
Pres Luis took this picture of Angel and I going up at Kalayaan
Caliraya power plant hill
Resting 4.5 km from Pagsanjan. It was too hot, and here
I thought I would quit.
Sa bibingkahan, 3 km from Luisiana town proper, with
MTB riders on the way to Lucban, led by Leonard Cequena
JB at Bibingkahan
Resting at Luisiana town plaze, prior to final phase
to Majayjay
Long shot at Plaza in Luisianna
Just arrived at Bo. Bitaoy in Majayjay
Ka arrive lang sa bahay ng parents ni Jeff
Departing from the house of Jeff's parents; salamat po sa
accommodation
JB descending from the Arquiza house
Barangay Bitaoy the barrio of the Arquiza
Jeff took the picture along the Majayjay Lucban road,
resting after a long climb
