My 1st Mayon 360 Bike Challenge!

It was my actually my 1st time to wander around the streets of Legazpi City. Ived been to Bicol before way back but I just passed by when I went to Sorsogon. I joined the Mayon 360 Bike Challenge simply because of the idea of riding my bike around Mayon Volcano is one of my bucketlists! 

The majestic view of Mayon volcano is quite satisfying to see. Its breathtaking. By the way, this event is not a race. Its basically for the experience. But I really came here to challenge myself. I was aiming for a personal best and I want to finish the whole 86kms under 4 hours.   

 

And I did it! 3 hours and 50 minutes! I really pushed it. I only stopped once for a water refill and twice just to take a photo of my bike and Mayon. Then I blasted myself all the way to the finish. Thats my goal for the day. I just want to beat the crap out of my old self. 

I cant help to pause right here because the view of Mayon right here is really beautiful. There were no clouds covering the volcano. Its just right there with all its glory. It really does have that perfect cone shape. Amazing.

Of course, a photo at the most famous 7/11 in the country. The one with the view of Mayon at the back. I dont want this moment to pass. I just grabbed my buddy kuya joel to take a photo :P 

Before anything else, this is my first time to ride in a bus with my bike. And I am doing it alone. I removed the front and back wheels so it will be easier to put inside. I covered my carbon fork with bubble wrap as well as the carbon cranks. I secured the dropbars with a velcro strap. Then placed my wheels on an Ikea bag. 

Its a bad decision actually to remove the rear wheel because when I unloaded the bike, this "nut" that holds my rear skewer got lost. Left my skewer dangling for dear life. Good thing the skewer didnt got lost. I really dont know what happened but I was mad looking for that piece of nut around the bus's compartment. No where to be found. When I arrived at Legazpi, thats the 1st thing I did. Look for a bikeshop that sells a thru axle. If im lucky, just the nut. But i think that wont happen coz you have to buy the whole thing. After searching from 3 bikeshops, theres one at Hobbies Cycle Shop in Legazpi that sells thru axles! Mad props to Sir Mark and his crew. Thanks guys. 

So here I am at the Bicol Isarog terminal in Cubao. My bus fare cost around 1,200 pesos. Plus I have to pay the fee for my bike that costs around 700 pesos!!! Aint cheap to bring your bike in a bus! Probably because the bus is loaded with bikes inside and theres no room for other bags to be placed. I got these luggage stickers. Placed the bike inside and went to my seat. 

I just have to accept that Im gonna be sitting here for 14 hours. You might be asking why Im sitting with my wheels like a girlfriend? I dunno to be honest. I just thought It would be better to just bring along the wheels with me because its so cramped out there at the luggage area. So yeah. Im comfy with tires by my side...

I dunno what happened but I slept like a baby. Probably because I was really tired the whole day. Its not that comfy but then again. I closed my eyes and when I opened it , it was morning. I just have to apologize to the people around me coz i tend to snore when Im tired. Thats why every time I go out on a camping, as much as possible I want to sleep alone in a tent coz i think i snore really bad.

  

I was still in Quezon and I still have 4 hours left to Legazpi City. To be honest, riding the bus is not that bad at all. I mean, you have time to pause. You have time to basically not to do anything but look at the rice fields passing by. I dunno is kinda theraputic. I guess living in a concrete jungle is overwhelming. If by any chance Im out to unplug, count me in. 

After my bike problems was settled. I went to SM Legazpi to get my race kit. This is my first time to participate in Mayon 360 Bike Challenge. This is their 4th year. Every year, the number of participants is growing by the number. I heard that there are 900 listed for this event. Thats a huge number. It only says that this event is successful already before it even started. 

The kit has a dry fit shirt (I like it by the way. Nice and soft). The race number, seatpost number, a bottle of ethyl alcohol and a few stickers. It came with a string bag. Which I may use during those quick market rides. 

I prepped my gear. Pinned my bib number at the back of my jersey. I really should buy those bib number holders that runners usually use during fun runs and marathons. I really dont want to stick a safety pin all the time at the back of my jersey coz these jerseys aint cheap. I dont want to mess it up and put holes on it. What do you think is the best option? 

Race day finally came. Again its not a race but a challenge! Race for food actually. There were so many participants. I heard there were 500 came out of the 900 who registered. The atmosphere is electric. I can see so many Colnago road bikes! I really dream of having one someday. There also celebrities and vloggers who joined. I noticed also there were corporate teams. Some senior citizens in their classic bikes. And kids! Also, a lot of the bikers came from afar! Some as far as Europe! Singapore! Fairview Quezon City!   

And the ladies,  oh yeah. They are pretty. Bicolanas are not only fierce but gorgeous as well. Kinda melts my heart before the gunstart! Its one of those premiere attractions from that event. Mayon is not the only thing out there beautiful. :P

So here I am riding my way around Mayon! I just have to say good job to the hard working people for this event. The staff, and the police assistance! For controlling the traffic for this event! Everything was so smooth. Good thing motorists complied and gave way. Except for that one incident a motorcycle who went against traffic almost hit me head on. Good thing my reflexes are still good and bunny-hopped a pot hole for safety! 

 

3 hours after. There it is. I finished it! The fastest that I could. Four Personal Records accdg to my strava! I have to apologize to my friend Chi who called me out while me Im pedalling my way down the straight away. All i did was raise my hand! I didnt had the chance to shout back. I was so tired again i almost cramped out at the last 2 kilometers. For the entire ride, I just drank whats inside my water bottle and ate 2 GU energy gels! When I crossed the finish line, I only thought of one thing - to eat! There were small karinderyas around the area. Oh man. 3 rice is not enough. I had pinangat. 2 pieces of spam. Fried egg and an order of Bicol express. Plus 2 bottles of coke! Grabe. 

  

What a beautiful medal. By far, this is the prettiest medal I ever had. It doesnt look cheap. It looks premium and well designed. Kudos to the organizers of this event. Its well prepped. Well organized. Well thought off. Marshalls are awesome. Lights and sounds are amazing. The video and photographers are incredible (Sad though I dont have a single photo). The food at the stops looks delicious as well but  i didnt had the chance to grab one though. The experience is a blast!

I just have to post this photo of me with my dream bike. Manifesting. Its a Colnago V4RS. Its a funny story though. I cant help to ask I could take a photo with his beautiful bike. We even even had a chat. Unfortunately I didnt take his name. Anyway, they are couples from Singapore. Her wife actually asked for a bag as a gift. When Fathers day came, the dad asked for a new bike. He said it was on sale that time. But she didnt knew it was 5,000 Singaporian Dollars! Her wife bought it anyway since hes a good husband she said. Hopefully someday I can have one of those awesome wife... i mean bike. :)

I will definitely need one of these Bike Cases someday. I have some future plans of travelling with my bike. Probably explore the Philippines first. All those places like Siargao, Marinduque, Romblon... i would love to go riding there someday. It would be safer for my bike to be in a case. And probably someday go international!! I was hoping to join Grinduro in Japan someday. Another bucketlist. :)

So there you go! My Mayon 360 Bike Challenge Experience! Thanks for reading! Heres a short video that I made from that trip. Hope you enjoy it.  Till next time! :)