Monday, September 28, 2015

Ending the Season with a Classic Ride


Mangs (and Aling) and their friends getting ready to board the Edmonds ferry for the Kitsap Classic
The last weekend of September heralded the official end of the 2015 cycling season as Team Mang joined several members of the cycling community in Cascade Bicycle Club's annual Kitsap Color Classic - a 56 mile romp around the Kitsap peninsula featuring rolling hills, a couple of climbs and gorgeous scenery.  Kicking off with a ferry ride from Edmonds also added to the experience as the official start of the ride was actually a couple of miles of gentle climbing from the Kingston terminal.
Here's the gang taking a break at the Poulsbo stop
Since the earliest ferry was at 8:50, we didn't really have a choice but to roll out from the start line way past 9AM.  Nevertheless, with temps hovering just around 60, it was a cool ride in spite of the sunny and clear skies.  Those downhill runs in the shade reminded us that summer was over and this was simply a nice sunny Fall day.

We all stayed within a few miles of each other - reaching Hansville and taking pictures of the bay just chillaxing and staying in at least two groups. The stairclimb rollers after that caused us to get fragmented and by the time we reached those long climbs, the orange train had become really long.  Some regrouped to ride together on the way to Port Gamble.  Still, we were well within a half hour of each other by the time we got there.  From that quaint town, the ride to Poulsbo gave us the opportunity to basically take the road as one big group - intimidating, if you didn't know us - all those orange and black shirts riding the road.   Fortunately, we've been around the cycling circuit so much that random folks, even in cars, recognize us, cheer us on and give us compliments about our good riding habits (calling out 'on your left', calling out obstacles, drafting, etc).  It's a good feeling when your team gives out positive vibes to the community.
More clowning around on board the Edmonds-Kingston ferry

After the Poulsbo break, it was all pedal to the metal as everyone pretty much gave it their all through the last remaining hills to get to the terminal quickly.  Thankfully, nobody missed it, and everyone finished the course in a decent amount of time. It was just such a good feeling to see friends who came out and enjoyed the day and the company - some of whom we hadn't seen in a while.  Here's a video summary of how everything went down.

It may have been the official end of the cycling season for the greater community as Fall officially makes itself unmistakable but Team Mang continues to ride on the weekends, sometimes on the road, sometimes on the mountain trails and sometimes on hiking boots.  We've even got riders in the bowling alley (watch for a report on that soon).  Next year will bring a host of new challenges, opportunities for memories and good times with friends.  Some will take a break to focus on other things in life (as they did this year), others will want to become stronger, while others will just continue to enjoy the company.  Regardless of each others' goals, it will be something to look forward to.  Some of us are already planning for summer 2016!

Have a great off season everyone!

Sunday, September 27, 2015

Mangs make an appearance in the Tropics

Mang Amor, Jomarc, Carlo, together with a friend in the middle
of the Honolulu Century bike ride
You read that right! This year, 3 of our friends made their way to sunny, tropical Honolulu on the island of Oahu in Hawaii to participate in the annual Honolulu Century.  Here's how it all went down according to one of the participants, Mang Amor:

"Three Team Mang Cycling members (Jomarc, Carlo, and Amor) just completed the 2015 Honolulu Century Ride on September 27 together with about 15 riders from the Filipino Hawaiian cycling club HIClistas. These guys are as avid and strong riders as you can find anywhere else. We are grateful for this group, especially Jun Sadang, for providing us with authentic Filipino-Hawaiian hospitality both during and after the ride. While most of the group reside in Oahu, we learned during the ride that some of them came from Maui and the Big Island. There were other riders, but among those whose names we can remember are: BeeJay, Jeff, Freddie, Tito, Cecil, Jimmy, and Paul.  Thank you Jun and the other HIClistas!  
The ride started from Kapiolani Park in downtown Honolulu all the way to Kaawa Beach Park, then back. Along the way, riders pass through the Diamond Head Rd, Hawaii Kai, with the blue green waters on the right side and the lush mountains of Diamond Head and Koko Head on the left side.
Our brave mangs proudly displaying their certificate after
having completed a century ride in Honolulu, HI
The ride then goes up a couple of hills, with some head and side winds, but at the top, what do we get? Another amazing view of the water, the famous blowhole, rabbit island, and more of the same, blue green waters on the right side… We went through the towns of Waimanalo, Kailua and Kaneohe riding through a driving rain this time (not Seattle rain, but Philippine type rain), but it’s all good since the rain was WARM! While the wind was whipping us sometimes at 20+mph, both front and sideways, we were always rewarded by the amazing views of the waters and green mountains. We highly recommend that everyone do this ride at least once in their lifetime. Jomarc also showed us another potential ride from downtown Honolulu, which is a short one for training just before the century ride. It’s called the Mt. Tantalus Round Top ride, a bit windy and steep, but if you’ve done Mt. Rainier, it should be easy. (Believe me, you can google it). We also learned that there are many opportunities for riding in Hawaii: go up to Haleakala in Maui (10,000 ft over 37 miles, Kona Coast in the Big Island where they hold the famous Iron Man triathlon for 100 miles, and another century ride on the North Shore of Oahu. Let’s do this ride again next year!"

- Mang Amor

Monday, September 21, 2015

Alings Ride the Wave to support a Good Cause

Alings take every opportunity to have fun among themselves,
just like their Mang conterparts!
Once a year, our female counterparts - we call them Team Aling - take center stage in an all women's ride. Right after the STP, they trained week after week to be able to participate and support the Cycle the Wave movement (Women Against Violence Everywhere).  It's a ride and a fund raising event to promote awareness of domestic violence prevention programs.  They worked as a team to encourage several other women to ride - some for the first time.  More than just a bike ride, the training made for opportunities to bond and support each other and become a bigger family.   Here's what some of them had to say about the whole experience:


Alings pose for fans at the Finish Line Festival
"I always look forward to riding Cycle the Wave because it is such a worthy cause.  But that's not it! It's always a blast on the event day with our Mangs (some Alings, too!) armed with cowbells, cheering, taking lots of photos and videos. I think it's great for other CTW riders to see that there are some good men out there!

My fellow Aling Riders, I am so proud of all of your hard training and fundraising that contributed to the success of this event!  Kudos to Marisa & Arlene for sweeping duties and Veronica for leading!

I am so grateful to be surrounded with people that cares, motivates, encourage and inspire!"
 - Aling Virna


"Doing Cycle the Wave was a huge thing for me. It was the first bike event I participated in after just a couple of months in training. I was nervous and at the same time excited to see how I would fare among other seasoned riders. The event was so fun and festive probably because there were a lot of us participating as a team plus we had our family and friends to support us during ride day.

We did the girly girl route which was just about right for us beginners. For me it was hard but doable. During a rest stop, I was asked by one fellow rider if our team raced or competed. I replied, "no, we just do it for fun". That's how I see it, having fun with a common goal of reaching the finish line together. I never felt any sense of competition among the team. The only competition we have is with ourselves, trying to find how much we can stretch our limits.

I am so proud to be part of team Aling. Everyone looks out for each other and that, I think is teamwork at its best."
- Aling Jojie


Mangs were never far behind, providing
support during training and the actual
event.
"Being one of the newbies in Team Aling, I am in awe how much fun this group has!  The fun doubles when surrounded with Team Mang.  The most fun was had in our interactions with each other during and after trainings.  It was a great privilege to participate in the 2015 Cycle The WAVE (CTW), my first event ride with the Alings (with the utmost support of Team Mang).

On a personal level, the ride with CTW is meaningful to me because this organization acknowledges what I most care about.  I got to participate with magnificent ladies, especially with Team Aling.   On Sept. 20, 2015, I was riding for myself and on behalf of the people I love, who have had gone through tough times.  It’s a wonderful thing to be out there for doing what matters to you."
- Aling Meds

"My experience with CTW was fantastic. Riding with my fellow female teammates, Team Aling, was absolute fun! The camaraderie is heartfelt. "We are family" is definitely the theme of this team. 
CTW was pretty organized and well supported. Speaking of support, Team Aling had their cheering squad, Team Mang! A bunch of funny, witty, selfie taking fellows always there for the gals! Thank you for capturing our CTW event moments with videos and pictures. "
- Aling Patty

This year, our Alings really grew not just in number but in strength and skill. We're so proud of what they've been able to accomplish in such a short time and we're looking forward to having more of them join the Mangs in our training rides and the official rides next year.  Here's a video summary of what went down this at CTW.




Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Mangs Blast into South Central Washington

On the southern side of the state and on the same day as the Whistler Gran Fondo - 5 Mangs also took in a mountain challenge at the Tour de Blast - a ride up from Toutle, Wa to the Johnston Ridge Viewpoint overlooking the Mount St. Helen's blast zone.  It's not a walk in the park - a ride that climbs up a total of 6,200 feet spread over 82 miles.  Mang RichardAllanAldwin,  Jomar and Raf (that's them on the photo from left to right) took on the challenge - here's what a couple of them (Aldwin and Raf) had to say:

"The 3 hr car ride, teriyaki dinner with half-cooked rice,  sharing of hotel room with the guys and all the timangan in between were definitely a blast.  Then the ride happened. It was challenging. A lot of climbing going up to Johnston Ridge, and the hot temps did not help at all. But the long downhill was something else - FAST.  Thanks to Mang Jomar for pulling at the end. Whether Tour de cure, Tour de Blast or Tour de Mercer Island, Team Mang always finds a way to have a BLAST." 
- Mang Aldwin


"The day started with fog blanketing much of the surroundings. It was like wrapping on a present with the awe-inspiring views of Mt St Helens and the Toutle River valley as the gift. Team Mangs Aldwin, Allan, Jomarc, Raf, Richard spent the first few miles of flat terrain warming up. The grade increased gradually even as the gift was slowly getting unwrapped. The team rolled into the first stop at Hoffstadt Bluffs strong and intact. Photos were taken, drinks were replenished. The route inclination thereon increased. Mang Jomarc kept a strong steady pace pulling the team. Eventually, each team member settled into their individual grooves and took on the challenge at their own pace.

The team reunited at the second stop at Elk Rock Viewpoint. The elevation at this stop was high enough to satisfy any sightseer what with Mt St Helens seemingly within arm’s reach and the Toutle River blast zone below. Picture time once more. What followed was bittersweet. The team enjoyed a sweet fast downhill ride for 8 miles crossing over two picturesque bridges that curve to the right revealing its beautiful arch supports. Mangs Jomarc and Raf alternated taking the lead while Mangs Aldwin, Allan, and Richard kept the pressure on. Soon enough the downhill led to the bitter final climb up Johnston Ridge. I must say, though, that the views really made this climb less punishing as the route took on a huge zigzag circuit that we could see below the road that we just rode on evoking both sense of achievement at what we’re doing and marvel at nature’s lithospheric grandeur.

With Mt. St. Helens in the background, Mangs
savor the rewards of their climb
The climb stretched for seven miles. There were other riders who either were curious at what Team Mang meant or recognized us from other rides. Questions were answered, stories were told, smiles were exchanged. On the final turn came Johnston Ridge at last. Finally, the gift was revealed – Mt St Helens at its splendor. The climb was all worth it. Mang Jomarc would be the KOM on this day, followed by Mang Raf, then Mang Aldwin, then Mang Allan and Mang Richard.

The Team enjoyed a fast seven-mile downhill from Johnston Ridge before enduring a slow eight-mile climb back to the Elk Rock Viewpoint stop. It was all downhill from after that. Yesss! Energized by the thought of no more climbing, the Team attacked like jackrabbits with each Mang taking over and overtaking one another for the lead position. Eventually the pace line would settle down with Mang Jomarc pacing the Team to the finish line altogether. Another epic ride on the books! Tour de Blast. Done!"
 - Mang Raf

Monday, September 14, 2015

We Ride in Other Countries, too!

So you think summer's over because school has started? In the middle of September, Mangs set out to take more road, not letting the seasons defeat them and setting their sights on mountains in two countries.
Team Mang and their families at the Whistler Village
at the end of the Whistler Gran Fondo
Six Mangs represented at the annual Canadian Whistler Gran Fondo - a 75 mile ride that starts from Vancouver, BC and ends in Whistler Mountain Resort, with a total of 5,500 feet of elevation gain.  2 of those Mangs, Ferdie and Roland, tackled the optional climb to Cypress mountain for an additional 2,400 feet of climbing over 9 miles.  They started their trek from Stanley Park with 185 other riders early on Saturday the 12th - at 6 AM.  They would soon be joined on the roads by the other Mangs and 4,000 other riders starting out an hour later.
Some of the families stayed an extra day to have
fun at the Village - even ride around 

What makes the WGF different from other rides are two things: first, riders do not go through any stops (except for the rest stops).  Literally, from start to finish, on this day, for about 8 hours, cyclists own the road.  A freeway closed in one direction, plastic cones lining the Sea-to-Sky highway, traffic lights ignored, staffed by traffic cops - giving participants free reign on the road from start to finish.  Not only is this the safest ride ever, but it makes for a very fun and enjoyable ride where all riders think of is riding, pacelining...racing.  If you were a motorist trying to navigate that highway on that day...well, it sucked.  But it only happens once a year, with the full support of the community, the government and the taxpayers.  The second difference is that most riders on this ride are in it to race (at least against the clock) - so even if you're there just to enjoy the ride, the adrenaline is pumping and you hit it!

Our fastest riders, Mang Boni and Alex finished the ride/race in about 5 hours shortly followed by "Fast Freddie", despite having done the additional Cypress climb.  Mang Roland caught up with Jay and Dondi who were taking their time.  All three finished around the same time about an hour after the first Mangs.  They all did pretty well, not as well as the race's official winner, of course (who clocked in less than 3.5 hours).  And on top of the enjoyable ride, everyone stayed the night to enjoy Whistler Villages attractions.  Here's a video summary of the ride...




No doubt September has been busy so far and there are still a couple of weekends left to ride...stay tuned for more reports on Mangs and Alings making the most of the closing weeks of summer!