My 2nd Sta. Rosa trail ride… and yet another fall!

Angel calls me at 10 in the evening to advise me of the Sta Rosa ride.

Hmmm, why so late? Anyway, despite my excitement of getting the yellow roadie back earlier that evening - I prepared for the trail ride. Was hoping to take out the racer for a spin to flex its old gears, but that will have to wait another day. Perhaps when its not so wet.  

So out with the hydration bag that Raul lent me and put all the remaining bottles of Gatorade in the freezer. Prepared the bike for the ride. (Checked the air and tools etc). Got to Paseo Sta Rosa around 7:30 and started out with sina Boy, Sidney, Udolp and Ricky at 8 am. Having been to the trail a month earlier, I was dreading the thought of hitting 4 hills consecutively. As the photos will show, its now " JUST " one big, kahuna of a hill! Still terrifyingly steep and again - had to walk up most of the way. Surprisingly it wasn't as bad as the first time. I  managed to make it to the Bukuhan without having to get off my saddle. That was the 1st 8 kms done.

Someone suggests that having goto might be a good idea. Where was this nice gotohan, I asked? Oh, just nearby… Tagaytay! Oops - didn't like the sound of that. It was going to be a 40-50km round-trip! Good thing the trail master decided to just hit the "piñahan" and "circus" trails. It started off really picturesque and cool. Then when we hit those "rats" - the single trail ruts that had formed from someone's 4-wheel adventure, it became more difficult and not so kewl. Must have fallen 6 or 7 times. Worst was when you put your foot down thinking there's something to put it on, then realising too late its at the edge of a pilapil like structure. So that foot just keeps sinking, way past the point where one can keep the bike standing.  There were a few times my head was covered by the cogon and I completely disappeared from the trail!  Now that wimpy "upak" trail started to sound good.

Somewhere along the way, Ricky has a problem with his seat and Udolp is called to the rescue. Angel helps out and we're back in business. The ride goes through one of the most scenic routes we've taken so far on bikes. A whole area full of camoteng kahoy, then rice fields. Then a coconut grove. All that fresh air sort of congested my lungs! 

Learned quickly that you can't do two things at the same time. Specially, when one is rushing downhill on a bike where the trail conditions vary every second and attempting to put something in your pocket. uh- uh! Next thing I knew …. new bruises!!!  I think Migs had a good laugh as he saw the whole scenario unfolding in front of him!

By 12 am we were nearing the end of the trail and reached the same bridge Cyril, Joel & I had seen the previous trip. Can't believe that was just 24 kms! On our way back to the van, the rains started and it was just good timing. If we had been caught out in the trail, the tracks would have been more muddy and slippery. But would have been more fun? perhaps?

Being Sid's birthday, he treated us to lunch at Kanin Club and the chef even came out and chatted with us. Turns out Anthony too, is a biker and he shared a few more trail tips for us to use the next time we hit the Sta Rosa trails. 

Looks like I can't wait for the next ride to that part of town…. When will it be guys?