My First 50-kilometer Bike Ride Experience

It’s really nice to be back on the road again. The past months, I blame the rainy weather, the increasing number of covid-19 cases, and ahmmm… Ok. Enough of my excuses! It’s really because I don’t want to go out by myself for a bike ride. It feels so sad. It’s like pedaling alone in an “unending journey”. So, I was glad when a close friend of mine invited me for a ride several weeks ago. From then on, it became part of my weekly routine, which led me to break my personal record in terms of distance. Hooray!

Since Clark Development Corporation (CDC) has temporarily suspended recreational activities such as biking for two consecutive weeks last September, we had no choice but to go for a ride elsewhere. We decided to take a loop starting from Angeles City to Mabalacat via McArthur Highway, then passed by Mabalacat-Magalang Road, Magalang-Concepcion Road, Magalang-Arayat Road, San Pablo-Anao Access Road, Mexico-Calulut Road, and all the way to Sindalan in San Fernando to finally reach McArthur Highway and make it back home. That’s 3 cities and 3 (out of the 19) municipalities of Pampanga.

As I have mentioned in my previous blog posts, Clark is my go-to destination for a bike ride. No wonder why I got excited when I was told about this route. It would be a different kind of experience. Actually, I was also a bit worried not just about our safety, but more of if I can finish the whole journey. Of course, I am not as strong as other people. All I know is that I am always game on things such as this (ito lang talaga baon ko).

Angeles City to Magalang, Pampanga

With my “energy meter” full, we started our journey from Angeles City at around 5:45 in the morning. It was quite steady and chill along McArthur Highway. We had a quick stopover in this welcome arc of Mabalacat, which is by the way going to Mabalacat-Magalang Road. I told my friend to go first since I am not familiar with the roads that we will be passing by from here.

Along Mabalacat-Magalang Road, we passed by Trust International Paper Company (TIPCO). It is the only place I know in this road since I heard it from a former classmate who lives nearby. Aside from that, it was also in this road that I felt all of the dust and dirt got into my face especially whenever there are huge vehicles such as trucks that passed by me. I must say, the trucks are somehow scary too. Ano nga naman laban ko sa truck di ba?

We finally reached the plaza in Magalang after an hour since we departed Angeles City. So far, the roads were good to me. We have traveled for about 17 kilometers already. I was still fine and my “energy meter” is still pretty good.

Magalang to Mexico, Pampanga

After a quick water break, we continued our journey along Magalang-Arayat Road. This is also the road we passed by when we went to Bale Batu in Arayat. You might want to check and visit this place as well.

At some point along this road, I somehow got bored because I felt that the road was unending (deretso lang kasi). In my mind, I was like “are we not turning left or right yet?” or at least I was wishing for a stopover just to reset my mind. I was glad we did. We stopped by a sari-sari store somewhere in Brgy. San Antonio, Arayat to buy bottled water (unavailable) and chocolates (sugar for more energy).

Since bottled water is unavailable, we stopped by again somewhere in Brgy. San Jose Malino, Mexico. I also noticed a bakery nearby so we had some pandesal as well. They are quite small, but they were really good (or baka sadyang gutom lang talaga kami dahil sa pagod). At this point, my energy level is really dropping. I think I have already traveled a little more than 30 kilometers. I’m starting to feel tired. Usually, I travel 38 kilometers or less to and from our house. Well, anyway after that stopover, I barely speak. I was trying to conserve my energy since there is still around 20 kilometers ahead of me.

City of San Fernando to Angeles City

“Oh my! False flat!” “McArthur Highway, why oh why?” Upon reaching Sindalan Elementary School in San Fernando, my energy is at its lowest. Imagine your cellphone nearly running out of battery and yet you still have to make an important call, that is how I would describe myself.

Though I was informed about it, the road was not easy given my current state. It was also during this time that my patience and limit was tested. Sobrang exhausted na ako sa totoo lang. My legs are really tired, yet I still have to keep on going. My friend was actually very far away from me, but I didn’t mind anymore. I told myself, I will finish this no matter what even though my pace is very slow.

Surely, this experience is not a chill ride. Though we had few but quick stopovers to drink some water, I can say our journey was kind of continuous. If you noticed, I was not really able to take photos along the way, except for these photos in this blog post. I guess I was also too focused to finish the whole loop right away and get back home in time to prepare for work.

In the end, the whole experience was still fun and fulfilling. Though I struggled on our way home, I think what is important is the attitude. I kept on going and finished what I have started. I never imagined myself traveling more than 50 kilometers using a bicycle. It was already enough for me to go out for a chill bike ride with friends even if it’s just in Clark, Pampanga. So, if you’re going to ask if I am still going out for another exhausting ride after this experience, my answer is yes! Why not? I would still go. Remember, my “baon” earlier? G lang tayo!

“I don’t depend on my own strength to accomplish this; however I do have one compelling focus: I forget all of the past as I fasten my heart to the future instead.“

Philippians 3:13 (TPT)