Calling for and organizing a
"ride" or a trip out-of-town with our bikes is a role,
which I have gotten accustomed to here at the Motorcycle Asia site.
What started as a "Naked Boys" and "UP Boys"
call to meet up each weekend for some saddle time on our two-wheelers
has now grown to be an open ride for all MotorcycleAsia.Com friends.
Almost every Sunday, a gathering of bikes and riders (in full safety
and riding gear) are seen conglomerating at the rendezvous point
for the personal event which most bikeaholics look forward to the
whole week - the weekend ride with the gang!
August 17 was no different from previous Sundays.
A ride has been organized with Lucban, Quezon as the destination
and 16 riders had signified their intention of joining. All had
been informed (thru the website forums) that everyone was to meet
at Whistle Stop, Libis at 6AM for a departure at 615AM. Fear of
postponement was in the air the day before as it rained hard and
long on Saturday. I on the other hand, was enthusiastic thinking
that "if it rains the night before then the sun will be up
to greet us the next day".
Like most organized rides, a LEAD and SWEEP
rider had to be assigned. I took the liberty of selecting and informing
both PAT (to LEAD) and WAWAY (to SWEEP) of their chores. There were
reasons why these two (2) jolly blokes were specifically chosen.
On a previous ride, PAT was tasked to lead a group only to find
the enjoyment short lived when he lost footing and "low-sided"
his faithful serving CB-1, while WAWAY was a newbie who was still
getting to know his F3 and needed to learn more about ride discipline
and to demonstrate how it is to have a "bigger heart"
for all the riders in the group.
6 AM of August 17 came, and I find myself
at the meeting point. A group of riders are off their bikes talking.
Among them were Ronald (code name BANDIT) with his newly-acquired
Kawasaki ZX-9, Tony (Tony5) a "suit" on weekdays but self-confessed
bike junkie (a Yamaha Phazer1000 and a Honda X11 is part of his
stable), Abet (on a 96 VFR750) who is always just a text message
away to the next ride, Rannie (full tank 1300) who leans his bike
to the limit of the tires on most twisty roads, Frank (a guest rider
from Germany) who is fast learning Filipino riding style on his
02Hornet 900, RENMIN who recently introduced himself to us on the
MCA site and JOHN, an uprising bike magnate (we dare say dealer)
who is fast taking control of the northern Luzon dealership.
Understanding the ride and the distance involved,
we began the ride and took off at 620AM, leaving behind BOBBEYE,
LEVIS, CHI, and RAKERR (who was courteous to tell that he was unsure
to join the ride as he discovered that a nail had been imbedded
on his rear tire). A good train had developed as we climbed the
hills of Antipolo. From there Dennis (BIGFEATHER) with Oly (Harley
Davidson Soft Tail) and Nandy (FZR) joined us to make us a fast
group of 13. Was that number a sign of bad omen?
Superstitious or not, we rode and leaned and
braked and turned our bikes thru Theresa, Pillilia. Siniloan, and
Mabitac towns in Rizal, reaching Petron FAMY at 745AM. Everybody
except WAWAY was delighted to have reached the rest halt at such
short time. When asked WAWAY said he felt tired, but maybe a near
overshoot had something to do with it too. As I was following him
from behind (sweeping the SWEEP), I noticed him get unnerved on
a downhill left turn thru Siniloan, and that made him more cautious
and ride slow... Arg!!! The rest halt was really that, just a rest
halt... without liquid refreshments available as the convenience
store of the gas station was closed. Yes! While numerous weekend
motorcycle riders were parking and re-fueling up, the owner/manager
decides to wake up to a lazy Sunday and miss-out on the many business
opportunities, which came his way.
Instead of the usual left as we exit Petron
FAMY for Infanta, we chose to ride turning right, and headed towards
the near mountains of Caliraya, Cavinti, Pakil, and Pagsanjan in
Laguna. RENMIN (with tremendous MIB ride experience) took the LEAD
from PAT, as he was more familiar with the ride route. Ten minutes
out of Famy, heavy rain was foreboding. Dennis, Oly, and Dandy decided
to turn back at this point. They bolted out of the group as we neared
the Exotic restaurant. Did they get wet? Is Oly still cleaning and
shining his Harley Davidson as of press time? Their stories should
be a different article altogether.
Entering the boundary of Lusiana, Quezon,
the heavens opened up the floodgates! Everyone was treated to his
or her "morning shower"! A decision to "weather"
the rain and carry thru was made not because the rain was light,
but because Abet and Ronald were becoming hungry. It was almost
9AM by this time.
The group skillfully rode and navigated the
twists and turns in Lusiana. Smooth and newly lined asphalt greeted
us. There was very light motor vehicle traffic. Coconut trees lined
the up and down terrain. All were riding at moderate speed with
cognizance that the area is rumored to be NPA infested. But as the
saying goes, they are "nice people around" especially
to bikers! We rode without a hitch and as we turned right into Lucban
town proper, the skies cleared and we became sun-baked. It was a
great feeling to have finally entered town after almost 3 hours
total riding time. The smell of "inihaw na liempo" cooking
by the roadside made us into road hogs looking for the best place
to park. Reaching town, our appetites had to give up on Palaisdaan
in Tayabas! Buddy's Pancit Lucban was to be our sanctuary!
Tony5 and I ordered for the group. Pancit
Lucban and the famed Lucban Longganisa please! For Frank (our German
guest rider), the meal had to be introduced as Filipino sausages
better than Brattwurst! For him, cooked local sausages was far better
than the live chicken which flew right across him, almost hitting
him in the process as he rode above 60kph! The individual bill was
P84 each. That's the best meal we've had so far (best priced too)!
There was so much food that Abet had his peace offering wrapped
and kept inside his Joe Rocket tank bag!
With brunch fulfilled, 1030 struck, and it was time to ride back
to Manila. We divided the group into 2, five riders taking the SLEX,
five heading back to Manila thru Famy and Antipolo, Rizal. We rode
apart as we crossed Pagsanjan, Laguna.
Lucban, Quezon is a simple and beautiful town
to visit. We parked at the town plaza across the municipal hall.
The policemen were friendly, and the women…even friendlier!
Ask Tony5 for the specifics and the interview, but hey, the man
riding the 2002Phazer still has his charm on fully breasted earthlings!
Besides the food and the hospitality, there is more to see in Lucban.
That old town charm, the beautiful roads leading to it, and the
many stories we share and develop as we ride towards our destination.
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