Category: Motorcycling

Bohol by Motorcycle Part 1: DIY Countryside road trip

Bohol is an island province in the Central Visayas region in the Philippines. Home to unique natural attractions and wildlife, beautiful diving locations, beaches and resorts, it’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Though direct flights are available from Manila, it’s very easy to get to Bohol by fastcraft from Cebu, which it is separated from by a narrow strait.

After canyoneering and rock climbing in Cebu, my main agenda was to go to Bohol to explore by motorcycle. My last visit was in 2010 for a workshop where I spent most days holed up in a conference room rather than outdoors. Since then, I’ve been wanting to revisit the island and see how they’ve recovered from the earthquake that hit in 2013.

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Stay & Ride in Bohol with Mabuhay Motorcycle Tours

Mabuhay Motorcycle Tours is a company that offers big bikes and scooters for rent and guided motorcycle tours in the Philippines. I previously wrote about their services in Northern Luzon and found out that they had branched out to Manila, Baguio and Bohol from their main branch based in Alaminos, Pangasinan. During my recent trip to Bohol, I got a chance to stay in their guesthouse and use any motorcycle for 2 days.

mabuhay motorcycle tours bohol loboc river

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The Long and Winding Road to Bicol

I’ve gone to Naga City from Manila and back countless times. I lived there growing up and still go back home several times a year. Most times I just hop on an overnight bus without a second thought. I rode the PNR Bicol Express train when it was still running. I’ve gone there by plane. My family and I used to take long car trips there and back several times for holidays.

But last Christmas was different. It was my first time to drive a motorcycle all the way there.

01. motorcycle manila to naga bicol bitukang manok diversion road travelup

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Vintage Garage Bar & Diner in Legazpi City

I’m kind of a sucker for any establishment that uses retro motorcycles and bicycles as its theme. There are a few biker bars in Metro Manila, including The Roadhouse along Mall of Asia, Vintage Cafe Muvela in Marikina and Handlebar & Grill, to name a few. I heard that there was a similar bar in Legazpi City in Bicol, so during a family road trip there, I made it a point to check it out.

vintage garage bar legazpi bicol mopeds
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Rizal Wind Farm Loop Ride

Since I blogged about my previous rides to the Wind Farm in Pililla, Rizal, I’ve been getting inquiries from riders and bikers on the best route to take. Over the past few months, I’ve visited the Rizal Wind Farm a total of five times, usually on solo weekend rides. On previous rides, I was always stopped at either the Pillilla or Sampaloc entrance and told that that I couldn’t go in because of ongoing construction, so I usually ended up taking photos just near the entrance.

01. rizal wind farm philippines travelup motorcycles

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Ride Review: Kymco Agility 125

The Kymco Agility 125 is a utilitarian scooter in the lower displacement market. Just like its name, this scooter is a nimble machine that’s suitable for urban commuting as well as leisure touring.

kymco agility 125 marilaqueI recently got to use and test it out for a review in Motorcycle World Magazine (which came out in the July 2015 issue). I usually write about travel destinations you can reach by motorcycle, rider’s profile interviews and restaurants that bikers might be interested in. This was my first time to do a motorcycle review and I hope it won’t be the last. Here’s a quick look at the scooter’s main features.

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Moto Builds Pilipinas 2015

I’ve been wanting to upgrade my scooter for a while now. It hasn’t been running as smoothly as it used to no matter how many times we’ve taken it to the mechanic. Visiting Moto Builds Pilipinas was like entering a candy store when you’re sugar deprived. There were just so many awesome custom-built bikes under one roof.

01. motobuilds pilipinas 2015 cafe racer yamaha surf bike by kratos

It seems like Cafe Racer and Tracker style bikes are making a comeback in the Philippines and seeing the vintage and classic machines firsthand just reinforced my desire to switch to one. I especially liked this Yamaha Surf Bike by Kratos Customs Cycles.

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Ride to Daraitan River & Tinipak Rocks

Outdoor enthusiasts know Daraitan as a village nestled in the Sierra Madre mountain ranges somewhere between Rizal and Quezon. After visiting the place during a trail run and on a mountain bike ride, Art of Outside Slacker likened it to Rivendell, the Elven realm in Tolkien’s Middle-Earth. After finally seeing the place first-hand, I have to agree. The scenery wouldn’t look out of place in a fantasy film. You get that sense of wonder just walking through the white rock formations and crossing the clear streams snaking through the mountains.

01. tinipak rocks rizal

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Just Ride

There’s always this strange mix of uncertainty and purpose whenever I ride. I may be at the mercy of the elements and of the terrain, but I am still in control of my fate. I come to a fork in the road and it’s always my decision where to go. If a path scares me, I can either turn back or go forward. There are no boundaries except my own limitations.motorcycle marilaque road Continue reading “Just Ride”

Ride to Wind Farm in Pililla, Rizal

The weather in Metro Manila and all through Manila East Road was bright and sunny, but just as we got to the foot of the wind turbines in Pililla, Rizal, the rain started to pour. Howling wind sent small stones and gravel from the rocky terrain flying in the air, showing us just why this elevated spot was chosen to be the site of a wind farm project. But despite the threatening grey skies and rain, the windmills were impressive, towering over the rugged landscape. There were only three turbines standing during our exploratory bike ride last Valentine’s Day 2015.

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