There are many reasons why you should
travel and visit the Philippines. This South East Asian country famously known
for its hospitality has a lot to offer, it’s not just the powdery white sand
beaches or the century old Churches in quaint little towns. Start crossing off
things from your bucket list and explore the island, if not the 7107 of it, by
mountain bike. Now that you've decided to travel around the
Philippines by bicycle, you may have a few questions in mind: Do I need to
bring my own bike? Is bike rental available? The answer is no you don’t
have to travel a thousand miles and bring your bike with you. Save yourself the
hassle of paying for excess baggage or worry about losing your precious cargo.
And yes, bike rentals are available in the Philippines. Bike tours can even be
customized according to what you like.
Where do I go?
One of the most popular cycling
destinations in the country as far as mountain biking is concerned is the queen
city of the south, Cebu, a highly urbanized city and a mountain biking haven at
the same time. You can be surrounded with tall buildings, rush hour traffic,
the usual modern day life and be transported to a tropical jungle in less than
thirty minutes. The trail difficulty ranges from the most advanced down to the
most basic. You’re expected to cruise through green vegetation, rock garden,
loose single track, you name it, and Cebu’s mountain bike trail has it. The routes and the view is very scenic and Instagram worthy. You
don't even have to be a pro, there's mountain bike trails for newbie’s ,
seasoned riders, and even kids. Yes, you can bring your entire family and go on
a bike tour together with Bugoy Bikers, a Cebu based bike touring company who
pioneered mountain biking tours and authored the book cycling Philippines. They
even provide customized bike tours across the neighboring island and bike rentals.
What Do I need to Bring?
Every biker should bring their tools when going out for a ride. Puncture
kit, inner tube, Allen wrench, and a chain cutter are the most essential tools
every biker should have. Rocks on the trails may get too sharp and the last
thing you want is to go home with a flat tire and walking the bike home. You
should be riding your way home, not walk your bike home. If you get a puncture
and you forgot to bring any bike tools, do not worry, vulcanizing shops are
aplenty. Except when you're already in a remote jungle. Even so, you won't get
lost at the same time, the locals will always be there to help. You'll even be surprised when locals cheer you on like you're on a race when you're just out riding, kids would even ask for a high five as you see them along the ride. That's really how it is. You not only see the natural beauty of Mother Nature but also the kindness and warmth of the Filipino people.
