Max Rides Cycling PH

🚴‍♂️ Cabanatuan → Baler → Cabanatuan: Two Days, Two Roads, One Ride That Refused to Repeat Itself

Some rides are about the numbers. This one was about the road — or rather, two completely different roads, stitched together by one destination.

Two days. Roughly 245 km. Close to 2,600 m of combined climbing. One town in the mountains, one town on the Pacific, and almost 30 riders who turned a there-and-back into something that never once felt like a there-and-back.

This is the story of Cabanatuan to Baler, and Baler back to Cabanatuan — by two entirely different roads.

🌄 Day 1: Into the Sierra Madre

The ride out of Cabanatuan starts deceptively gently. Flat agricultural roads, rice fields, small towns, long straight sections through Nueva Ecija — the kind of terrain where a group settles into a rhythm before anyone's really thought about it.

Then the mountains start closing in.

By the time the route crosses into the Sierra Madre, the whole character of the ride flips. The road narrows. Traffic disappears. The green gets thick and close. Somewhere in there, 116 km and 1,440 m of climbing later, the GPX profile peaks at 681 m — not as one brutal wall, but as a rolling sequence of climb, short recovery, climb again, descend, repeat. It's the kind of profile that rewards patience over panic.

The Sierra Madre is the longest mountain range in the country, and riding through it is a genuinely different Philippines than the one most people picture. No towers, no jeepney horns, no wall of noise — just forest, small communities, and a road that seems to know it's heading somewhere remote.

That remoteness isn't just scenery — it's history. Baler stayed cut off from the rest of Luzon for a very long time precisely because of these mountains, and roads like this one were what finally stitched the coast to the interior.

🌊 Baler: More Than a Surf Town

After close to six hours of climbing and descending, the landscape opens up and the Pacific arrives — always a little sudden, always worth it. Baler is best known now for surfing and adventure tourism, but the history underneath is genuinely wild: this is where a handful of Spanish soldiers held out inside the town church for nearly a year during 1898–99, long after Spain had already lost the Philippines everywhere else — a siege now remembered as the symbolic full stop on more than three centuries of colonial rule. It's also the birthplace of Manuel L. Quezon, the first President of the Philippine Commonwealth.

So you don't just ride into a surf town. You ride into a place that quietly carries a lot more weight than its beach cafés suggest.

The waves, admittedly, didn't show up this time. No surfing. Nobody minded much — after a day like that, a flat, warm ocean to float in is its own kind of reward. You don't need every box ticked. You just need to have earned the one you get.

🌧 Day 2: Same Two Towns, a Completely Different Ride

This is the part that made the whole trip. Day 2 isn't Day 1 in reverse — it's its own route entirely, cutting back through the interior on a different line, with its own rhythm of rolling climbs and descents. The numbers alone tell part of the story: 129 km, 1,270 m of climbing, topping out at 476 m — lower than Day 1, but stretched out over more distance and, as it turned out, considerably more weather.

Day 1 had been close to perfect — comfortable, dry, straightforward cycling weather. Day 2 had other plans. Rain came and went for most of the ride, and the final 20–25 km turned into a proper tropical downpour. At a certain point there's no strategy left for staying dry — you're already soaked, and the only real question is how much fun can be had with that fact.

Turned out: quite a lot.

The route also included a short gravel section that, under dry conditions, would have passed without comment. After hours of rain, it had washed out into something closer to a mudslide — puddles, slipping wheels, a fair amount of laughing, and a road ride that had unofficially been upgraded to an adventure ride. This is exactly the kind of moment where the right bike, and the right attitude, make all the difference.

🚴‍♂️ The Group Makes the Ride

Around 30 riders means 30 different paces, and that's most of the appeal. There's always someone to chase for twenty minutes, and someone to ride quietly next to for the next twenty just talking about bikes, coffee, or nothing at all. A big group ride like this has a completely different texture than a solo effort — it flexes with whoever's around you at any given moment.

And after two days, a mountain range, a downpour, and a mud pit — there was really only one correct way to finish: grilled tuna in Baler, tired legs, wet kit, and the usual post-ride stories that get slightly better with each retelling.

🙌 The Thanks That Actually Matter

None of this happens by accident. Route planning, ride leads, support vehicles, logistics, food, safety — a hundred small decisions that nobody notices when everything goes right. Big thanks to Bikes & Coffee Manila, Rideout Manila for putting the whole weekend together and making it possible to just show up and ride, without thinking about any of the rest.

And to everyone who rode, waited, pushed, shared wheels, and laughed through the mud — thanks. The route is the excuse. The people are the reason it's memorable.

🌏 Two Days, Two Roads

What made this trip work wasn't distance or elevation — it was that it never repeated itself. Agricultural plains into mountain forest, mountain forest down to the Pacific, and then a completely different landscape back. Roughly 245 km across the two routes, well over 1,000 m of climbing on each day, and two rides that had almost nothing in common except where they started and ended.

Climbs, fast sections, quiet backroads, jungle, ocean, rain, mud, grilled tuna, and a group that made every kilometre of it better.

Saturday Solo Ride: Sierra Loop

🚴 New Kit for MaxRidesPH by Tarstone

For me, cycling is more than just riding. It's about exploring new roads, pushing my limits, and building a community around adventure. That's exactly why I wanted the new MaxRidesPH kit, developed together with Tarstone, to represent more than just a logo on a jersey—it needed to reflect the spirit of the project.

Over the past few months, I've been working together with Sophia and the Tarstone team to create a custom cycling kit from scratch. What impressed me wasn't just the final product—but the entire development process.

Throughout the project, the designers were incredibly patient and open to feedback. We went through multiple revisions, refining everything from logo placement and typography to color balance, fabric selection, and overall fit until every detail matched my vision. They didn't simply manufacture a cycling kit—they helped transform an idea into something that feels like a real brand.

For those who aren't familiar with Tarstone, the company has more than 14 years of experience producing technical apparel for cycling, triathlon, and running. As an OEM/ODM manufacturer, they work with cycling brands around the world and use components and materials from well-known suppliers such as YKK, Carvico, MITI, and Cytech.

First impressions
🔥 Bright orange color for maximum visibility on the road.
👌 Lightweight and breathable fabrics that remain comfortable even in tropical weather.
📏 Excellent race fit that feels supportive without being restrictive.
✂️ Clean stitching, premium finishing, and laser-cut aero sleeves.
🧵 Smooth and reliable YKK zipper.
🎒 Three spacious rear pockets with reflective detailing.
🚴 Bib shorts featuring an Italian-technology endurance chamois designed for long hours in the saddle.

One thing that stood out immediately was the fit. The jersey sits close to the body without feeling restrictive, while the bib shorts stay securely in place without excessive compression. Everything feels designed for long-distance riding rather than just looking good in photos.

This kit was created for exactly the type of riding I enjoy most—early morning starts, mountain climbs, long endurance rides, and all-day adventures across the Philippines.

These are only my first impressions. Over the coming weeks, I'll continue putting plenty of kilometers into this kit, and once I've accumulated enough real-world riding time, I'll publish a detailed long-term review covering comfort, durability, fit, and performance.

A huge thank you to Sophia and the entire Tarstone team for supporting the MaxRidesPH project and helping turn an idea into reality. I truly appreciate your professionalism, attention to detail, and willingness to work through every revision until we achieved exactly the result I had envisioned.

🚴‍♂️ ROUTE 111 — One of Laguna's Legendary Cycling Routes

Some rides stay in your memory because of the roads. Others because of the people. Route 111 had both.
This is one of the most iconic cycling routes in Laguna–Tagaytay, and for a long time fellow riders kept telling me: "You have to ride Route 111." and I finally did.

Although the route starts in Laguna, it spends much of the ride climbing into the Tagaytay Ridge, so it's really a perfect combination of both regions.

The RCC group was fantastic as always, but we naturally split into two groups based on pace. I had the pleasure of riding with Karl Jimeno and Joseph Morala—two incredibly strong cyclists. It turned into one of those rides where everyone pushes the pace but it still feels smooth, relaxed and enjoyable. Really happy to have shared the day with them.

A huge thank you to Josh Bana for organizing another excellent RCC ride, and to everyone who joined. These group rides are always something to look forward to.

📍 About Route 111
Route 111 gets its name from its approximate 111 km distance and has become one of the classic rides for cyclists from Manila and South Luzon.

What makes it special is the incredible variety:
✅ volcanic landscapes around Taal
✅ quiet provincial roads through Laguna
✅ panoramic views from the Tagaytay Ridge
✅ three completely different Category 2 climbs
✅ long, flowing descents

Historically, this region was shaped by volcanic activity from Taal Volcano, one of the world's most active volcanoes. The ridge itself offers some of the most famous viewpoints in the Philippines overlooking Taal Lake and Volcano Island.

Today the area has become a cycling hotspot, attracting everyone from recreational riders to national-level racers, thanks to its combination of long climbs, excellent roads and cooler mountain temperatures.

⛰️ Three signature climbs
One thing I absolutely loved about this route:
Before every major climb, you descend it first.

That means when it's finally time to climb, you already know:
how steep it gets,
where the hairpins are,
where you can recover,
and where to save your legs.
It makes pacing much easier and definitely helps you manage your effort.

🚴 CLIMB 1: Sampaloc Climb FULL (Strava segment)
Distance: 12.05 km
Elevation Gain: 599 m
Average Gradient: 5%
Category: 2
Approx. Maximum Gradient: ~11%

This is probably the most famous climb around Tagaytay.
It's long rather than brutally steep, with enough variation to keep things interesting. The elevation profile constantly changes, so pacing is much more important than raw power.
I already made a dedicated post about this climb:
👉 🚴‍♂️ Sampaloc Climb — The Hidden Gem of Tagaytay (Read the full story: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14iB9Wjvzy9/)
If you haven't ridden it yet, it absolutely deserves a place on your bucket list.

🚴 CLIMB 2: Sungay Climb – Full (Strava segment)
Distance: 7.09 km
Elevation Gain: 563 m
Average Gradient: 7.9%
Category: 2
Approx. Maximum Gradient: ~26–28% (depends on your line through the corners)

For me, this was the hardest climb of the entire Route 111.
The average gradient already tells part of the story, but what really makes Sungay difficult are the tight hairpins. Many of them become significantly steeper depending on the line you take.
Because of that, I'd strongly recommend riding this route on a weekday if possible.
Weekend traffic is noticeably heavier, making it difficult to choose the smoothest racing line through the switchbacks. Being forced wide in some corners can easily make an already steep section feel even harder.
Bring your climbing legs for this one.

🚴 CLIMB 3: Reverse Palace (Strava segment)
Distance: 8.86 km
Elevation Gain: 434 m
Average Gradient: 4.8%
Category: 2
Approx. Maximum Gradient: ~11%
A completely different style of climb.

The gradients are generally friendlier, but the climb keeps coming and never really lets you relax.
There's also a short gravel section, but honestly it wasn't an issue at all—even for riders using full road wheelsets.
The road surface was perfectly manageable and everyone got through without any drama.

🚀 The Grand Finale
The reward comes after the final climb.
A long, fast highway descent lets you finish the ride at serious speed.
We saw 62 km/h at the fastest point, while cruising comfortably between 40–50 km/h for much of the descent.
It's one of those finishes where you simply smile all the way back.

Ride Stats
📍 Route: Route 111
📏 Distance: 111 km
⛰ Three Category 2 climbs
🌋 Laguna • Tagaytay • Taal Volcano Region
Another legendary Philippine route checked off the list.
Definitely not my last time here. 🇵🇭🚴

🚩 IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL: A special mention goes to Mang Kalas, who founded the Route 111 Challenge back in 2014. What started as a one-shot 111 km ride with around 2,400 meters of climbing has grown into one of the Philippines' most iconic cycling challenges. Today, cyclists who complete the route can submit their ride to the official Hall of Fame and earn the title of Route 111 Conqueror. If you're planning this ride, the official website is worth checking out: www.route111.cc

Sierra Loop Reverse – A Different Way to Experience One of Metro Manila's Most Iconic Rides 🚴‍♂️⛰️🇵🇭

🚴‍♂️ Route: Sierra Loop Reverse
📍 Region: Rizal Province, Philippines
🚴 Bike: 3T RaceMax (Road Wheelset Setup)
☕ Organized by: Rapha Cycling Club Manila

Another fantastic ride organized by the Rapha Cycling Club Manila (RCC). Huge thanks to everyone who joined and made the day special. Great company, strong legs, and beautiful roads always create the perfect combination.

This time we decided to ride something a little different:
Sierra Loop… in reverse.
And honestly?
It completely changes the character of the route.

Unlike the classic direction that many local cyclists know by heart, Sierra Loop Reverse feels more adventurous, more dynamic, and somehow even more rewarding.

The first 30 kilometers take place along the famous ABC Road.
Perfect terrain to wake up the legs.
Perfect for fast group riding.
Perfect for sprint efforts and interval sessions.

This morning, an excellent pace was set by Jam Santos, keeping the group moving quickly while everyone enjoyed the cool morning air and empty roads. Those opening kilometers almost make you forget that the mountains are patiently waiting ahead.

Riding the 3T RaceMax… in Road Mode
For this ride, I decided to take my 3T RaceMax, but with my road wheelset installed.
And wow… the difference on the flats was immediately noticeable.

The bike felt significantly faster on asphalt, carrying speed effortlessly and making the long sections of ABC Road incredibly enjoyable.
But there was a catch.
My gravel setup uses a 1x drivetrain with a 44T chainring, paired with a 10-34 cassette on the road wheels.
That means my easiest climbing gear becomes:
⚙️ 44/34 = 1.29 ratio
Not exactly what you'd call a mountain goat setup.

Compared with a typical compact road setup, this leaves noticeably less room for easy spinning on steep climbs.
So while the bike was flying on the flats…
the mountains promised a little extra suffering.
And honestly?
That made the day even more fun.

Climb #1 – Sampaloc Rd First Summit
📏 10.47 km
⬆️ 510 m elevation gain
📈 4.1% average grade
🏔 Category 2

This climb is all about rhythm.
The numbers don't look terrifying at first glance, but the road simply keeps going.
Long stretches through lush green hills, small villages, endless bends, and occasional openings revealing beautiful views over Rizal Province.
The Sierra Madre mountains always have something special about them.
They're close enough to Manila to be accessible, yet remote enough to make you feel like you've escaped civilization entirely.

The higher you go, the cooler the air becomes.
Traffic disappears.
The noise disappears.
Only the sound of tires on asphalt and heavy breathing remains.
One of those climbs where you settle into your own pace and simply enjoy the process.

Climb #2 – Tanay Adventure Camp Climb
📏 5.64 km
⬆️ 268 m elevation gain
📈 4.6% average grade
🏔 Category 3
This was probably my favorite section of the day.
The road twists through dense greenery and rolling mountain landscapes, occasionally opening up to spectacular panoramic views.
By this point, the legs were already carrying some fatigue, and my gearing definitely reminded me that I was riding a gravel bike pretending to be a road bike.
Fortunately, I wasn't suffering alone.
We climbed in an excellent pace together with Takayuki Omoto, a very strong rider from Japan and fellow RCC member.
One of the beautiful things about cycling is exactly moments like these.
Different countries.
Different backgrounds.
Same road.
Same suffering.
Same smiles at the top.

The steady pace made the climb incredibly enjoyable, even when the gradients started feeling much steeper than the numbers suggest.

Why Sierra Loop Reverse Feels Different
Reverse Sierra Loop changes the entire flow of the route.
The climbs arrive differently.
The scenery feels new.
Roads that normally serve as descents suddenly become challenges.
And because many riders know Sierra Loop so well, riding it backwards almost feels like discovering a completely new route.

From fast flats to long mountain climbs, from peaceful countryside roads to incredible Sierra Madre scenery, the route offers everything that makes cycling in the Philippines special.

And yes…
Despite the aggressive 44/34 (1.29) climbing ratio…
I survived.
Actually, I enjoyed every minute of it.
Maybe that's exactly why these rides stay in our memories.
A little suffering.
Amazing roads.
And the satisfaction of reaching the summit under your own power.

If you've already ridden the classic Sierra Loop…
do yourself a favor.
Try it in reverse.
You might end up loving it even more.

#

Solo Ride Back from Sagada
Same mountains. Completely different experience.

📍 Sagada • Sabangan • Cervantes • Tagudin
📏 Distance: ~132 km
⛰ Elevation Gain: ~2,300 m

The original plan was simple.
Ride together to Sagada.
Spend the night.
Return to Manila by car.
But sometimes the best adventures begin when you decide to do things differently.

Instead of loading the bike into the support vehicle, I decided to ride back.
Alone.
And that completely changed the entire experience.

🚴 Day 1 vs Day 2
The ride to Sagada was an incredible group adventure.
Twenty-five riders.
Two pace groups.
Several support vehicles.
Cold water.
Food.
Mechanical support.
Pre-planned stops.
You never really think about logistics.
You simply ride.
Enjoy the scenery.
Talk to friends.
Take photos.
Everything is taken care of.

Day two was the exact opposite.
No group.
No support vehicle.
No predefined stops.
No one waiting ahead.
Just me, my bike, and the mountains.
And somehow that made the experience even more memorable.
Because solo rides are different.
You notice more.
You think more.
You become part of the landscape instead of simply moving through it.

🌲 A Magical Morning in Sagada
I started the day with a small loop around Sagada before heading back.
And honestly…
those first 20 kilometers might have been some of the most beautiful roads I've ever ridden in the Philippines.
Cool mountain air.
Pine forests.
Quiet roads.
Morning fog slowly disappearing under the first sunlight.
Almost no traffic.
Completely different from the hot lowlands.
It felt peaceful.
Almost surreal.
One of those rare moments when you stop looking at your power numbers and simply enjoy being there.
This alone made the extra ride back worth it.

⛰️ Main Climb
Tagudin – Cervantes – Sabangan Road Climb (Strava Segment)
📏 Distance: 14.3 km
⬆️ Elevation Gain: 981 m
📈 Average Gradient: 6.9%
🔥 Maximum Gradient: ~15-16%
🏔 Highest Elevation: 1,437 m
On paper, this route looked easier than day one.

The total elevation gain for the entire return ride was approximately 2,000 m, compared to nearly 3,000 m during the ride to Sagada.
Simple, right?
Not exactly.
Because numbers don't tell the whole story.
This climb was shorter than Bessang Pass.
But it felt harder.
The gradients were consistently steeper.
The road rarely allowed proper recovery.
And unlike the previous day, there was nobody around.
No group to share the effort.
No support car nearby.
No riders appearing behind the next corner.
Just endless climbing and silence.
The kind of silence that only exists in the mountains.
And somehow that made the climb even more special.

🚴 Group Ride vs Solo Ride
A group ride gives you energy.
You feed from conversations.
From shared suffering.
From collective excitement.
A solo ride gives you something different.
Perspective.
You begin thinking about why you ride in the first place.
You notice every change in temperature.
Every mountain ridge.
Every village.
Every scent of pine trees.
You become much more present.
And despite being physically alone…
you somehow feel even closer to the places you ride through.

🇵🇭 The Mountains Look Different Alone
During day one, the goal was reaching Sagada.
During day two, the goal became enjoying every kilometer.
I stopped more often.
Took more photos.
Spent more time simply admiring the views.
Because there was no schedule.
No pace group.
Just another beautiful day on the bike.

Why I Love Rides Like This
Because they remind me that cycling isn't only about speed.
Or distance.
Or watts.
Sometimes it's simply about freedom.
The freedom to change plans.
The freedom to keep riding when everyone else loads their bikes into the car.
The freedom to discover something unexpected.
And sometimes those unexpected decisions create the best memories.
Looking back now…

I'm incredibly happy I decided to ride back instead of taking the car.
The group ride to Sagada was unforgettable.
But the solo ride back became something entirely different.
Something quieter.
More personal.
And perhaps even more meaningful.

Day 1: Adventure with friends.
Day 2: Adventure with myself.
Both were unforgettable.

RCC Ride to Sagada
Three climbs. One unforgettable journey.

Some rides are about numbers.
Distance.
Elevation.
Average speed.
But this one was about the journey itself.

Starting from the coastal roads of Tagudin, climbing through the historic slopes of Bessang Pass, enduring the scorching heat of Ilocos Sur, and finally reaching the cool mountain air of Sagada.

Three iconic climbs.
Twenty-five riders.
Two pace groups.
One unforgettable day.

🚴 Ride Stats
📍 Route: Tagudin → Bessang Pass → Cervantes → Sagada Blue Mountain Cabins

📏 Distance: 117 km
⛰ Elevation Gain: ~3,000 m
👥 Riders: 25
🚴‍♂️ Two pace groups

⛰️ Climb #1
Bessang Pass Uphill (Strava Segment))
📏 Distance: 17.7 km
⬆️ Elevation Gain: 1,200 m
📈 Average Gradient: 6.8%
🔥 Maximum Gradient: ~13%
🏔 Highest Elevation: 1,464 m

This was my second time riding Bessang Pass.
I wrote about my first experience here back in March, and that previous ride made a huge difference this time around.

Unlike last year, I already knew what awaited behind every switchback. I knew where the road became steeper, where I could recover, and where I needed to stay patient.

Because of that, I was able to distribute my effort much better and pace myself properly.
The climb remained just as epic and demanding as before, but mentally it felt significantly easier.

Bessang Pass is one of the most iconic climbs in the Philippines—not only because of its length and elevation gain, but also because of its historical significance.
This mountain pass was the site of one of the decisive battles of World War II, where Filipino soldiers played a crucial role in liberating Northern Luzon.
Every switchback here carries both history and beauty.

⛰️ Climb #2
Aluling to Cabunagan Full Climb (Strava Segment)
📏 Distance: 18.23 km
⬆️ Elevation Gain: 808 m
📈 Average Gradient: 4.4%
🔥 Maximum Gradient: ~20%
🏔 Highest Elevation: 1,277 m

On paper, this climb looked significantly easier than Bessang Pass.
In reality…
it felt harder.
By this point the heat had become absolutely brutal.
Long exposed sections with almost no shade turned this climb into a real battle. The sun was relentless, and every kilometer seemed to drain energy faster than expected.
Sometimes numbers don't tell the whole story.
Despite having much friendlier averages, this climb became one of the hardest parts of the day simply because of the weather.

Fortunately, this is where the support vehicle became invaluable.
A huge thanks to Rideout Manila for following us throughout the day.

Having cold water, food, tools, spare parts and assistance always nearby made a tremendous difference. Being able to stop when needed and refill with ice-cold water under the scorching Ilocos heat felt like an absolute lifesaver.

Sometimes the biggest challenge on a ride isn't the gradient.

It's the weather.

⛰️ Climb #3
Sagada After Party (Strava Segment)
📏 Distance: 3.71 km
⬆️ Elevation Gain: 211 m
📈 Average Gradient: 5.7%
🔥 Maximum Gradient: ~18%
🏔 Highest Elevation: 1,200 m

After more than 110 kilometers in the saddle and nearly 3,000 meters of climbing, there was still one final challenge waiting.
Just three kilometers remained.
But these weren't ordinary three kilometers.
This was the final climb.
The final test.
And what a way to finish.

The road immediately kicks up with steep ramps reaching almost 18%, and after an entire day in the mountains every pedal stroke suddenly feels twice as hard.

Instead of simply rolling into Sagada…
we had to earn every final meter.
And honestly, that's exactly what made the finish so memorable.

Those final steep gradients turned the arrival into something truly special and became the perfect final crescendo of an incredible day.
A bright, dramatic and unforgettable ending to the ride.

🏔 First Time in Sagada
This was my first time visiting Sagada, and it completely exceeded my expectations.
Cool mountain air.
Pine forests.
Quiet roads.
Friendly locals.
Beautiful mountain scenery.
A completely different atmosphere compared to the lowlands.

It's easy to understand why Sagada has become one of the most legendary destinations among cyclists and travelers alike.

Sagada is famous not only for its landscapes but also for its rich culture and history, including the famous hanging coffins and centuries-old Igorot traditions.
The place has a unique atmosphere that makes you immediately want to return.
This definitely won't be my last visit.

🛖 Final Destination
Our ride finished at Sagada Blue Mountain Cabins.
After a long day in the mountains, it felt like the perfect place to recover.
Cool temperatures.
Mountain views.
Fresh air.
And an incredibly peaceful atmosphere after an epic day on the bike.
If you're planning a cycling trip to Sagada, this place is definitely worth adding to your list.

🛖 Huge Thanks
A massive thank you to Rapha for organizing another outstanding ride. With 25 riders split into two pace groups, everything ran smoothly from start to finish.
Events like this may look easy from the outside, but an enormous amount of planning and work happens behind the scenes, and it definitely showed.

Special thanks as well to Bikes & Coffee Manila, Rideout Manila for supporting the event and providing vehicle support throughout the entire day.

Having a support vehicle carrying water, food, tools, spare parts, and everything riders might need made the experience significantly more comfortable and allowed everyone to focus on what mattered most:
riding,
enjoying the incredible scenery,
and sharing another unforgettable adventure with fellow cyclists.

Three climbs.
Three completely different stories.
One unforgettable journey to Sagada.

Sierra Loop – The Ultimate Training Ride East of Manila

Today's ride was one of the classic routes that nearly every serious cyclist in Metro Manila knows by name: Sierra Loop.

For many riders, Sierra Loop is the benchmark route. It's where people test fitness, prepare for races, build climbing strength, and spend hours in the saddle away from city traffic.

The beauty of Sierra Loop is its simplicity.

You leave the busy streets behind, head toward the foothills of the Sierra Madre mountain range, tackle several sustained climbs, enjoy incredible views over Rizal Province, and then finish the day with a fast descent and long rolling roads back toward civilization.

It's challenging enough to feel like an achievement, but accessible enough to become a regular training route.

And after riding it again today, it's easy to understand why it remains one of the most popular cycling routes in the Philippines.

Riding Through the Sierra Madre

The route takes riders through the eastern mountains of Rizal, skirting the edge of the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape.

This protected area is one of the last remaining large forest ecosystems close to Metro Manila and serves as an important watershed supplying water to millions of residents.

The roads here wind through rolling hills, forested ridges, small communities, and some of the most scenic mountain roads within riding distance of the capital.

Historically, these mountains have always acted as a natural barrier separating the coastal plains from the interior of Luzon.

Today, they provide something equally valuable for cyclists:
Elevation.
Lots of it.

Climb #1 – Cabading Climb
📏 2.49 km
⬆️ 89 m elevation gain
📈 3.6% average grade
🏔 Category 4

Cabading is the gentle introduction to the day.
Nothing too intimidating.
Just enough climbing to wake up the legs and remind you that the flat roads are over.

The gradients remain friendly throughout, making it the perfect warm-up before the bigger efforts begin.

Many riders make the mistake of pushing too hard here.
The smart move?
Save your legs.
The real work comes later.

Climb #2 – Full Radar Climb
📏 6.18 km
⬆️ 369 m elevation gain
📈 5.1% average grade
🏔 Category 3

This is where Sierra Loop starts getting serious.
The climb steadily gains elevation as the road winds deeper into the mountains.
Unlike short punchy climbs, Full Radar rewards patience.
The gradients aren't extreme, but they're consistent enough to wear riders down if pacing is wrong.

The road snakes through the hills, offering occasional glimpses of the valleys below.

It's a climb that teaches discipline.
Ride within yourself, find a rhythm, and keep turning the pedals.
By the summit, you'll know you've earned it.

Climb #3 – Sta. Ines Road Climb
📏 3.3 km
⬆️ 175 m elevation gain
📈 5.2% average grade
🏔 Category 3

The final major climb of the day.
And arguably the most deceptive.
The numbers don't look intimidating at first glance.
But by the time you reach Sta. Ines, the previous climbs have already taken their toll.
This climb feels steeper than the statistics suggest.

The road twists through the mountains, forcing riders to dig a little deeper for the final effort.

Fortunately, the reward comes quickly.
Because once this climb is done, the hardest work of the day is behind you.

Why Sierra Loop Is Such a Great Training Route
One of the best features of Sierra Loop is its structure.

Almost all of the meaningful climbing happens in the first half of the ride.

That means you can focus on your efforts early, manage your pacing, and then enjoy the second half without worrying about another major mountain waiting around the corner.

After the final climb, the route transforms.
The road opens up.
The views become spectacular.
And the long descent begins.
Fast corners.
Flowing roads.
Mountain scenery.
Cooler air.

Everything a cyclist wants after a morning of climbing.

The final kilometers are much flatter and allow riders to spin the legs, recover, and simply enjoy being on the bike.

More Than Just a Training Route

Sierra Loop has become something of a rite of passage among cyclists in Metro Manila.

Ask local riders about their first big ride, first century ride, or first serious climbing experience, and Sierra Loop often enters the conversation.

It's challenging but not overwhelming.
Scenic but still practical.

A route that can be ridden for fitness, adventure, or simply for the joy of spending a day on two wheels.

That's why thousands of cyclists return here again and again.

And after today's ride, it's easy to understand why.
Great climbs.
Great roads.
Great views.
Exactly what a training ride should be.

🚴‍♂️⛰️🇵🇭