Looking for a great weekend getaway doesn’t entail much effort for riders like me but finding a place that will give you peace and solitude is not that easy. Sometimes it’s not just about the food or the scenery but there is this certain kind of serenity and calmness that a certain place could give to a weary soul.
Epic Ride: Queen City of the South
Cebu is like a second home to me, both literally and figuratively. I lived in Cebu for a few months a couple of years ago, and I still go there regularly both for leisure and for business. With that, I consider myself a regular of both Cebu City and Mandaue City so I would love to share to you guys my favorite spots in Cebu. Bear in mind that these places are my own personal picks and the ones I enjoy / enjoyed the most.
Dubbed as the Queen City of the South, it is situated by the center of the island province called Cebu. 1000 kilometers and 2 RoRo trips away from Manila via Bicol, the tedious task of going through #X provinces is well worth the sacrifice.
MacArthur Landing Park – Palo, Leyte
Hands down, this has got to be one of the more physically and mentally demanding rides that I had. The trip took me almost 2000 kilometers and 8 provinces to complete, and it was all worth it.
Over the years, Marilaque has been a favorite weekend destination for some riders. Some even call it their playground. For some, it is a place to unwind, enjoy the scenery that the Sierra Madre has to offer, or simply just ride in a well-paved road with lots of zigzags for everyone’s riding pleasure.
One of only four Baroque churches in the Philippines recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site
The Fortress Church
Commonly known as the Miag-ao Church, the Church of Sto. Tomas de Villanueva was declared in 1993 as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Baroque Churches of the Philippines.”
For me riding is an outlet to feel re-energized, revitalized, and to clear my mind. So during this trip I was looking for a spiritual type of feel while I was in Cebu, with my weary soul seemingly tired from all the traveling and the hustles and bustles of Metro Cebu.
Having lived in Cebu for a brief moment in time, I had the opportunity to visit some of the finest tourist spots in Eastern Visayas. Although not my favorite destination in Cebu like the Simala Shrine in Sibonga or the Yap – San Diego Ancestral House in Parian, the Philippine Taoist Temple should be in my top 10 list, and will be a worthwhile trip for some. Besides, who can refuse a good view of the city while having that calming effect on your body, mind, and spirit?
Epic Ride to Lucban – Tayabas
By The Pinoy Rider
It was a cold uneventful day and I wanted to eat something fresh seafood for a change. I’ve been to Real previously where I immensely enjoyed their fresh catch but I didn’t want to go to the beach again so I researched and ended up choosing this popular yet quiet restaurant in Tayabas – Lucban road in Quezon.
Pagkatapos ng 1286 kilometrong puno ng antok, pagod, malakas na ulan, nakakatakot na kurbada sa madulas na daan sa Nueva Vizcaya, rough roads in Cagayan, road repairs sa La Union, 30 kms of zero visibility fog in Naguilian, gutom, time pressure, 8 hours left at nasa Laoag pa lang, pagdadalawang isip kung tatapusin pa pero napagisipan kong mas magsisisi ako habambuhay kung di ko itutuloy. Preparation can only lead you so far, in the end it’s about pushing yourself.
Finally, 2016 BOSS Ironman sakin ka na! 1/1, 100%.
Para sa lahat ng sumuporta at naniwala!
Wow what a once in a lifetime opportunity I had today. I did a full one on one interview with the 2015 reigning MotoGP Champion Jorge Lorenzo. I must be really blessed to be given a chance to do this.
This is the first time that a current MotoGP champion has visited Philippine shores let alone ride around one of our local race tracks for a good 10 laps!
Jorge Lorenzo is a 5-time world champion with 3 wins in the premiere MotoGP class.
Again, once in a lifetime!
Some of you might be thinking why bring a very small scooter on a long ride but don’t let the small gas tank fool you though. In spite of the small 4.4 liter capacity, the Zoomer X will bring you a long way, as what I experienced during my most recent gastronomic trip to Angeles, Pampanga. Manila to Angeles via Mc Arthur Highway is about 110 kilometers one way, and believe it or not, I only had to gas up once in this long ride. It seemed like the scooter isn’t consuming any gas at all as the fuel gauge appeared to be stuck at times, only it wasn’t.
The handling of the scooter proved to be the best part of my riding experience as in spite of the different road conditions I experienced, the bike never wavered a bit.
I was conscious of not getting carried away after finally changing the stock tire of my 2014 Kawasaki ER-6N with a Nankang Roadiac pair, both carrying an OEM size of 120/60x17F and 160/60x17R.
I will be taking you guys to the coastal town of Brgy. Tignaoan, Real, Quezon. Instead of just riding around on a weekend, I decided to go on a food trip ride. I was already getting tired of eating the usual fastfood meals that I have everyday and I wanted to give my body a break as well so I decided to try something else on a weekend. Previously, If I wanted to just go out on a relaxing ride to a not so far away place from the Metro, my 2-wheeled companion would either take me to Tagaytay or to Marilaque in Rizal. That’s alright with me as I definitely enjoy riding whether it’s near or far however, I would almost always end up eating bulalo at Mang Vic’s in Antipolo or in Mahogany Market in Tagaytay. Although not fastfood, it is still not at all healthy for me, as bulalo would be your best source of cholesterol and fat, with all the sebo you want included hehe.
Rainy trip…but who cares? 4 wheels move the body, 2 wheels move the soul.
Best time to ride here is on a Monday. No Racing kolokoys, only disciplined riders.
Sharing photos from my refreshing trip (both literally and figuratively!). I also had the privilege of testing out the new Honda Click 125i and Kymco Grand Dink 300i
So blessed to experience this everytime I ride. Thank you Jesus.
