The Round North Practice 2016 by Romeo Delima

Director's Cut

The round north practice

November 5, 2016

The night before, all was probably monitoring the development, or rather the hope of underdevelopment of the typhoon/storm.

I woke 5mins before my alarm rung. I am proud of my body clock that alarm clock is only a safety net.

It rained then drizzled at dawn, then it stopped that gave hope to start our dawn tour. After donning my jersey, the rain literally poured, my wife smiled and was happy for the clear cancellation of the tour.

"Miramos, esperamos, decidamos, atacamos."

"Let's see, let's wait, let's decide, and then let's attack."

I went back to bed still on my cycling form less the shoes.

I texted Bryan Bohol Lastimoso to cancel the invasion.

Shortly after my back hit the cushion, the rain stopped. I waited, then I re-decided to attack. I texted Bryan Lastimoso to cancel the cancellation.

We will attack, disregarding the weather.

At the station, an insane biker, Allan Pujida was already waiting. He was waiting for his baptism of water, the rainy round north.

Six bikers departed the station, 35 minutes late of schedule.

We were joined by Chino Bitamor later somewhere in Mandaue, who dropped his 8 month baby in a cousin's temporary care.

Now we were 7. The seven insane, or for a moment I fondly called us, the Magnificent 7 Insane bikers.

It was expected that visitor bikers will be waiting at Consolacion but they missed the peloton.

Later at Danao, another 3 AMTA bikers joined us, the Canonigo family.

I spearheaded the small pack at a humble 23-26km/hr.

We reached Logo junction at 10am, and another insane biker from Lapulapu (Nestor Sabalan), awaited us for 1-1/2 hrs. already thinking that he was chasing us until he learned that we were late in departure thru the net. Dondon Merto was monitoring the tour.

At Tabuelan, and again for the second time, Chino Bitamor separated himself from us for a reason ( his baby, of course).

BTW, We were already soaked, and Billy was experiencing the ball of fire on his feet. A whole lots of wiggling, and a change of dry socks eased the discomfort. And he was flying again.

The normal pacing with essential short stops like peeing and flat tires made the small pack endured the long stretch without so much agony in preparation to long climb of the killer mountains, the Media Once and Poog.

We arrived in Toledo at 3pm and let Nestor Sabalan to continue for his long journey home. Chino Bitamor who left earlier at Tabuelan was in Landing, more than an hour and a half gap.

Arnie met us at Magdugo who told us about Chino. I was climbing at 6km but wanted to go faster so I hired Arnie a little push to the two climbs. I was doing 11km. Better. Arnie went back for struggling Abski to aid but he was refused. Bravery in the midst of agony.

Billy was waiting at the foot of the great descent for half hour already. And we pedaled our way home ahead of the last four bikers behind in the pouring rain, in the dark.

Night riding was new to Billy. I was very protective, but soon realized that he was enjoying it.

A night riding in the pouring rain with a 200+ kms on his speedometer was more joy to him. He was ecstatic.

Glad I was there, side by side, to experience it, too.

We arrived safe.

We survived, safe.

And so, too, with my small pack.

Another epic ride.