Friday night and Typhoon Pedring is making its presence, and we’re just having the usual gulping of booze at Kabab’s Kalayaan when the idea of having a group ride the next day to Mt. Samat popped-out. Everyone seems not so serious about the ride because of the bad weather.
Then came next day…
3 Mio Amore, 1 Mio 4, 1 Kymco Like, and 1 Honda Dash line-up at the gas station for full-tank. All are good to go despite the not-so-good weather that morning, good thing no one was wearing nursing scrubs that day coz I think everybody we’re dead serious after all haha!
Right after Dinalupihan Bataan we turned left at Bataan Provincial Expressway or Roman Superhighway. The road is wide, straight, well-paved, has ups-and downs and uber long! I was unable to get its exact kilometer reading, but its really lengthy. We were traversing it at high-speed for so long, I was able to test Ozzy its max speed there! It reaches 120kph topspeed! By the way, the Bataan Provincial Expressway leads you to Bataan Economic Zone, Mariveles, Bataan.
We then turn right going for the uphill road to Mount. Samat. Be sure you got a nice pair of road-hugging tires before going up because the zigzagging road has moist all over and its quite slippery (I know! I almost slide haha!), not to mention its a bit creepy because its cold and its foggy! The road is full of tall trees that blocks most of the sunlight. But its such a wonderful feeling when we reached the summit of the mountain! “Whew! Tanggal ang pagod!” The view at the Dambana ng Kagitingan is awesome! and the climate, wow, its chilly! Much more when we tried the view deck at the arm of the cross at around 74 meters from the base! Although a bit scary on the elevator because it’s quite old and crampy (built in the 70′s by former President Ferdinand Marcos). We were so high! Imagine the tall Memorial Cross on top of the mountain that is 555 meters above sea level. We can actually see clouds below us from the view deck!
It’s parting-time. Around 4pm, after we got hold of a few dozen photos on our cameras. We decided to climb down. Going down on the zigzag road is much more scary it gets darker and our wheels is much more prone to slide because of braking. So we go down slowly, avoiding those moist on the road tracks.
Another parting-time at the junction because there will be two ride groups this time. Three of the group will be heading back home, while the other 3 riders (including me) will go straight to Olongapo for an overnight rest.
Now comes the second highlight of this ride. Since this is my first ride in Bataan, I thought that going to Olongapo City would be a breeze. Its a bit late in the afternoon and the atmosphere is kinda gloomy. We traverse the Gov. JJ Linao National Road in Bagac, Bataan going to Morong then entering SBMA and exiting to Olangapo. Its what I called a gruelling and tiring 100 kilometer ride!
This is why. The first hour of trekking this road is fun and exciting! Some nice straight road to heat up our engines and the twisties are amazing! Its also a well-paved road and 99%-free of people or animal crossing the street. Not until we’ve reached the part of Banawang down to Nagbalayong. Sus mio! Twisties after twisties after twisties! “Grabe, napagod ako kaka-banking at kakapiga ng gas trottle!” I think I got my share of twisties for four rides haha! Added to that, the road is again slippery because it starts to drizzle. I even found out that my fuel gauge is nearing empty haha! Good thing there’s one gas station along the road, or else I will be pushing Ozzy all the way to Olangapo City haha! Watta ride!
RIDE SUMMARY
Day 1 Anonas, Quezon City – Mt. Samat – Bagac – Morong – SBMA – Olangapo
Day 2 Olongapo – Baliuag – Bustos – Norzagaray – Fairview, Quezon City
Total Kilometers Traveled - 381 Kms
Total Gas Consumption – 9.2 liters/Unleaded
Average of 41kms/liter
