A Day to Ambuklao

It was a Friday and it was Dennis' birthday. I was doing some work in Olongapo, so i decided to call him up. We had a couple of drinks but had to call it off when the bar closed. ;) No, we did not have too many, just lots of conversations from a friend who had to move from Makati for work. I had to be in Baguio tonight but my bike was in Makati.

My other AMCI friends were doing the Baguio-Halcema-Ambuklao-Baguio bike route today. A route i suggested in lieu of the Baguio-Ugo they had planned. The AMCI BMC were on their day two of the TC3 Ugo lead by Fabulous Tonyboy. Everyone was supposed to meet in Baguio Sunday night.

I was in Baguio by 8pm (bike in tow) and met up with Dennis (coming from Olongapo) and Shai. The bikers arrived Baguio an hour earlier from Ambuklao. "Was i doing that tomorrow alone? Lets see" There was a party of sorts in the Ayala Guesthouse and we 'had' to be there. As usual, drinks all over but i had to get up early. Their stories of the ride was fun and the more i wanted to do the ride tomorrow. After a couple more drinks everyone was out by 2 (or 3?).

6am. Everyone was still down and out. The weather was cold, it was freezing. But it looked like a good day for biking. So, i got my camera and bike and started off with my journey. It wasn't anything special or anything like that. I've passed by this route a couple of times on a few occasions before. It was just that, today, no one will be there with me.

Nothing much to talk about actually, maybe just some thoughts crossing my mind during the ride. Shai was kind enough to load my hydration pack before i left. Got to Trinidad valley and had breakfast at my favorite Jollibee store.
For the first twenty kilometers, it was all uphill. Nothing much to notice along the road, or maybe i was too preoccupied beating myself to reach the km18 post. Km 18 is the jump-off and the start of the 30km rocky downhill road. Came across a few locals along the trail. They were kind of nice and smiling. I was confident enough to be alone because i know the local dialect and would not have a hard time communicating.
The downhill ride was exhilerating. If i go too slow, its not going to be any fun. If i hit a big rock, my tire gets a flat. If i dont watch the upcoming traffic, i could go under. If i loose control, i could fall off the bike at 40kph. If i miss the turn, i could fall off the cliff. I did say a long prayer before i started. I prayed for a good day of safe biking. For all the bike experience i have had, i know (by now) how to be on the safe side. And a great day of biking it was. While you guys were having your fun at Mt Ugo, i was taking myself to Ambuklao.

Something so small that would seize my attention. Would you notice a small patch of tiny flowers amongst the vast mountain range? I had to take some photographs... The views of the passing mountains were beautiful. Something to stop and absorb the view and let sink in. The Ambuklao reservoir water level was the highest i have ever seen. Here, the water is being released to control its water level (and i know this because...). These were some of the times when i wish some of my friends would have been there to join in the photos. i brought my tripod this time, and i had to use it.
The whole trail wasn't all fun though. I took it in as part of the ride. Of the 77kms i had logged in, about 30kms was riding the bike uphill. It was more of a mountain actually. And to compile to the agony, it had to start raining. It was the long ascents that was really annoying. Coming to the end of the ride, i was just filled with anticipation and excitement. That just around the corner, would be the last climb.
I was just kidding myself, and i did that for an hour and a half. Something i had learned during my full marathon races, 'take it one portion at a time'.
Eventually, it was a really good day for a bike ride. A sense of fulfillment for me. Of course, there will be more rides to come and more trails to discover with friends. Once in a while, i do long for the solitude. To get focused on the challenge and work things out single-handedly.