Been two weeks since my last post. Nope, I did not stop mountain biking, not a chance, just got interrupted by a few lakes and several falls.

We had a 4-day weekend last week. After spending 2 days camping in Mt. Romelo, we received an invite from the some of the boys in PMTB (Pinoy Mountain Bikers) for a Monday ride. With two more days to spare, it sounded like another great adventure. And it turned out to be one.

The day started with a meet up in Petron station in Amparo Village in Fairview. I thought its just going to be a few riders but it turned out to be a great group of 17 bikers.


The planned trail will start in Pangarap, a small village near the walls of La Mesa watershed (the source of water for the whole of Metro Manila).


From Pangarap, it would be a single track tracing the walls of La Mesa, then a great downhill section.


After several moderate rolling hills from Pangarap we reached the barangay of Macabud where we had our lunch. In one of the uphill sections, a biker broke his rather exotic dropout (rear derailluer hanger). We had to wait for it to be repaired before heading out again.

We stayed clear of the main roads and entered the single track leading to Mahogany 1 and 2 trails. Its two of the favorite trails of local mountain bikers for reasons I later found out.


There was an abundance of single tracks and fireroads, mostly downhill. The trails also abound of technical portions - tree roots, mild drops, rocks, etc. The slippery mud made it more challenging.


We rode a muddy single track out of Mahogany 2 into the mango plantation. Although the trail was flat, the mud made it difficult to pedal. My tires were covered, no caked, with mud and I have to push my bike most of the way.

The mango plantation trail lead to Brick town (a small brick village), I soon found out. I had already mentioned Brick town in one of my posts and we usually pass by this village from Licao licao via double track with a hellish downhill section.

From Brick village, its a shaking ride down the Jack hammer trail and a fabulous single track downhill that opens to a double track down Daang Diablo (Devil's Track).


By the time we reached the trail head of the double track going down to Tungko, it was already beginning to get dark. In order to save time, we decided to go via a short cut. Its a downhill single track lined with cogon grass. The single track soon vanished into a trackless route. We had to push our bikes through knee to waist tall grasses and occasionally crossed small brooks. No more pictures this time. All we had in our minds was going home. I tried to tune out the mosquito bites and grass rashes on my legs.

We finally reached a subdivision being constructed - paved roads, finally. But before we even start to head out to the main highway, there was another equipment breakdown. Another broken hanger.

It was real dark when we reached the main highway. After saying our goodbyes, our group of 4 bikers broke from the main group and we started to pedal our way on a 4 lane highway. It felt weird, after a full day of rocks, mud, and river crossings :). By 8:30PM I was home. Another great day of mountain biking :).

More photos here.