Category: Motorcycling

Engaging Trips

Since it’s Valentine’s Day today, I thought I had to make an attempt to post something romantic. So, instead of listing the most romantic places in the country or date places, I’m featuring a couple of friends who went the extra mile to take the next step in their relationship. Here are a few adventure-filled marriage proposals.

Proposal while Scuba Diving 

Rina and Don got engaged while scuba diving in Arthur’s Rock, a marine sanctuary in Mabini, Batangas last May 2010. To pull this underwater engagement off required careful planning, conspirators (everyone in their group including the driver) and precautionary measures to ensure that the ring would not be carried away by the current, which was really strong that day. Don brought a slate where he had written the proposal down and attached the ring to a carabiner to keep it safe.

(Screenshots grabbed since I can’t post the video  here due to Facebook’s privacy settings.) Continue reading “Engaging Trips”

Achievements Unlocked in 2011

The year 2011 has been a great year for me in terms of travel and work. I have a lot to be thankful for this year and can say that I have successfully “leveled up” a few ranks. Instead of listing all the different trips I’ve taken as a year-end post, I’ve listed below a few of the worthwhile “trophies” and Achievements Unlocked:

  • First Step: Start a Travel Blog
  • Gain 300+ Fan Page Likes
  • Exceed 40,000 page views in less than a year
  • Acquire and learn to ride a motorcycle
  • Travel more than 1,000 km via motorcycle

Continue reading “Achievements Unlocked in 2011”

Long Way Round to Laguna

We often like to spend Saturday or Sunday mornings riding through Marilaque – that scenic stretch of road which starts in Marikina, passes through Laguna and ends in Quezon. On my birthday weekend in October, we again found ourselves riding the route to see just how far we could go. It ended up being the longest motorcycle ride I’ve done – 5 hours straight, with a few stops for gas and to stretch our legs. Final destination: San Pablo, Laguna.

Continue reading “Long Way Round to Laguna”

Extreme Explorer: Riderman Manila

In this new section of Travel Up – Extreme Explorers, I’ll be featuring interviews of people who get to travel the country in a different manner.

I’m currently watching the documentary series “Long Way Round” (starring Ewan McGregor & Charley Boorman) and am getting really getting inspired to ride all over the Philippines by motorcycle. Associate Editor of Motorcycle Magazine Karlo de Guzman, a.k.a Riderman Manila shares in this interview some of the best places to ride around the country and gives great insights about traveling by motorcycle.

Continue reading “Extreme Explorer: Riderman Manila”

Easy Riding to Caliraya

“The best alarm clock is sunshine on chrome.” – Author Unknown

I have always been fascinated with motorcycles, but until recently, I was only a backrider. Continue reading “Easy Riding to Caliraya”

Manila by Motorcycle

Mention Manila and the most common image that comes to mind is heavy traffic, smoke-belching jeepneys, swerving buses and congested streets. Our country’s capital city hardly seems like an ideal place to visit, and even more so by motorcycle.

But if you give Manila a chance, it may just surprise you. On a Sunday morning ride, when the traffic was relatively light, I found it extremely satisfying to be able to zip along Roxas Blvd. and visit various tourist spots and cultural and historic landmarks. Though I wasn’t expecting it to be a great ride, I have to say, Manila does have a unique charm. Here are  just a few scenic spots you can easily ride to and a rough guide of what you can do there. Continue reading “Manila by Motorcycle”

A Swarm of Scooters in Saigon

The buzz of motorcycles on the city streets is one of the first things you notice about Saigon. Here, the nimble motorcycles expertly weave their way between hulking buses and hapless cars stuck in traffic.

From retro vespas in candy shades to rusty skeletons strapped down with market goods, you could say that the motorcycle cuts across all social classes in the country.

Continue reading “A Swarm of Scooters in Saigon”

5 Cool Motorcycle Riders in Video Games

I’ve been wanting to modify my scooter Chocobo to resemble something more video-game like. While doing research on motorcycles in video games, I thought I might as well make a list of video game bikers from the games I have played. I’m not really a fan of driving/racing games and prefer RPG/adventure so I’m sure I missed out on a lot. Be sure to check out the links for videos of the motorcycles in action.

Cloud Strife

  • Game: Final Fantasy VII
  • Occupation: Mercenary and ex-member of SOLDIER (a select, genetically augmented military unit operating under the defacto world government and mega-corporation Shinra Electric Power Company)
It takes extreme skill to ride a bike on a highway while wielding a big-ass sword. Cloud first obtains the cool-looking silver and black Hardy-Daytona bike in the motorcycle minigame in FFVII which is crucial in the escape of Midgar. After stealing the Shinra motorcycle, Cloud has to navigate the highway full of motorcycle guards and highway patrol.

Continue reading “5 Cool Motorcycle Riders in Video Games”

Visita Iglesia via Motorcycle

Holy week in Manila is great. There’s no traffic on the roads, making it an ideal time for road trips. This year, we decided to do a “Visita Iglesia” via motorcycle to several churches, targeting the Rizal/Laguna area.

The tradition of visiting seven churches on Holy Thursday is said to have originated in Rome when early pilgrims visited seven pilgrim churches as penance. The ride itself in the morning was pretty good, but towards noon, the scorching heat going back (especially through Cogeo and Marikina) did feel like penance. Continue reading “Visita Iglesia via Motorcycle”

Motorcycle Diaries: New Year Ride

Traveling by motorcycle is an adventure in itself. In the city, it can be the quickest way to get to a destination (if you can brave the smog, sweltering heat or rain) but long rides out of town are always an unexpected adventure.

We have driven all the way to Rizal, Sierra Madre, Paete, Pagsanjan, Caliraya and even attempted to drive to Infanta at the start of the year.

Unfortunately, the rain and bad roads made us turn back, but it was still quite a ride. Part of the adventure: getting caught in the rain, seeking shelter under the thatched roof of a sari-sari store in the middle of nowhere, having to get down several times and walk through thick mud, washing my shoes in a waterfall by the roadside.

Still, nothing beats the wind in your face and the blur of scenery on the road.

Here’s a rough video diary (taken with just my trusty low-tech mobile phone) chronicling our first motorcycle ride for the year.