DECEMBER 24th: This is Part 1 of 6 of my year-end, Christmas bicycle rides for 2021. In Part 1, I am bicycling round-trip, 22 hours from Antipolo, Rizal to Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija. The distance was 243 KMS (151 miles).

Other videos to follow:

DECEMBER 26th Part 2: Antipolo, Rizal to Talavera, Nueva Ecija — 143 KMS (88 miles).
DECEMBER 27th Part 3: Talavera, Nueva Ecija to Dagupan, Pangasinan — 181 KMS (112 miles).
DECEMBER 28th Part 4: Dagupan, Pangasinan to Antipolo, Rizal — 223 KMS (138 miles).
DECEMBER 29th-30th Part 5: Antipolo, Rizal to San Filipe, Zambales — 277 KMS (172 miles).
DECEMBER 31st Part 6: Lubao, Pampanga to Antipolo, Rizal — 93 KMS (58 miles).

Music by Epidemic Sound

DECEMBER 28th: This is Part 4 of 6 of my year-end, Christmas bicycle ride for 2021. In Part 4, I am bicycling one-way from Dagupan, Pangasinan to Antipolo, Rizal The distance for the day was 223 KMS (138 miles).

OTHER VIDEOS TO FOLLOW:

—DECEMBER 29th-30th Part 5: Antipolo, Rizal to San Filipe, Zambales; 277MS (172 miles).

—DECEMBER 31st Part 6: Lubao, Pampanga to Antipolo, Rizal; 93 KMS (58 miles).

Music by:
Epidemic Sound

This production has it all! Fun. Adventure. Shopping. Eating. Disappointment. Economics. Analysis. Quirkiness. Debate. Question Authority. Success. Accomplishment. Cool music. Advice. Tips.

Follow Mitch as he launches out on this 43 Kilometer, multiple bike shop, across-Manila adventure, of looking for a simple bicycle rear derailleur, only to be culminated by a tried and true method for result at the end.

Music by:
Epidemic Sound

EDSA Blvd is the Longest Highway in Metro-Manila surrounding six cities. It is 24 Kilometers one way from MONUMENTO to MALL OF ASIA. If you bicycle the entire route from end to end, round trip, the distance will be a minimum* of 48 Kilometers. My trip ended up 73 Kilometers in 4:22:00 moving time. Whew!

*minimum: You will need to add your distance to and from the starting point along EDSA.

In PASAY CITY: I made a big detour mistake because of confusion at a seemingly dead end, and trusting the wrong directions from some other bikers, so I entitled this feature: Dysfunctional* EDSA LOOP.

Because I lived near EDSA in from 1996 to 2000, I have MANY STORIES to tell. My EDSA LOOP is more like a personal "tour guide style" of many of my memorable stories. There is A LOT of narration, but you will recognize the scenes.

For those who have not been to Metro-Manila in many years, will notice the MASSIVE changes made. Enjoy!

Music by:
Epidemic Sound

Every year, all foreigners in the Philippines, need to file their Annual Report at the nearest Immigration Office.

It's normally a very simple activity taking just a few minutes at your nearest office. THIS year, not only did they move their Taytay, Rizal office, but they require setting up online appointments first. Both of these caught me by surprise. Watch my little adventure!

DECEMBER 29th to 31st: This is Part 5 and 6 of my year-end, Christmas bicycle ride for 2021. In this last video, I am bicycling round-trip from Antipolo, Rizal to San Felipe, Zambales. The distance for the three days was 370 KMS (230 Miles).

Music by:
Epidemic Sound

Bicycling up to Mt Sinai in San Mateo, Rizal is approx 40 Kilometers round-trip from SM Masinag. Although this place is so near my home, it is my first time to visit the place. Enjoy the ride and the views!

Music by:
Epidemic Sound

DECEMBER 27th: This is Part 3 of 6 of my year-end, Christmas bicycle ride for 2021. In Part 3, I am bicycling one-way from Talavera, Nueva Ecija to Dagupan, Pangasinan. The distance for the day was 181 KMS (112 miles).

OTHER VIDEOS TO FOLLOW:

—DECEMBER 28th Part 4: Dagupan, Pangasinan to Antipolo, Rizal; 223 KMS (138 miles).

—DECEMBER 29th-30th Part 5: Antipolo, Rizal to San Filipe, Zambales; 277MS (172 miles).

—DECEMBER 31st Part 6: Lubao, Pampanga to Antipolo, Rizal; 93 KMS (58 miles).

Music by:
Epidemic Sound

DECEMBER 26th: This is Part 2 of 6 of my year-end, Christmas bicycle rides for 2021. In Part 2, I am bicycling one-way from Antipolo, Rizal to Talavera, Nueva Ecija, on my way to Dagupan, Pangasinan. The distance was 143 KMS (88 miles).

OTHER VIDEOS TO FOLLOW:

—DECEMBER 27th Part 3: Talavera, Nueva Ecija to Dagupan, Pangasinan; 181 KMS (112 miles).

—DECEMBER 28th Part 4: Dagupan, Pangasinan to Antipolo, Rizal; 223 KMS (138 miles).

—DECEMBER 29th-30th Part 5: Antipolo, Rizal to San Filipe, Zambales; 277MS (172 miles).

—DECEMBER 31st Part 6: Lubao, Pampanga to Antipolo, Rizal; 93 KMS (58 miles).

Music by:
Epidemic Sound

TALIM ISLAND is located in the middle of Laguna Bay, only 60-90 minute bicycle ride from Metro-Manila. Small boats depart the Binangonan City pier throughout the day for about 85 pesos ($1.50) one-way.

Talim means sharp, because the island is shaped like a knife.

The paved road that stretches to the North and South is [probably] 20 kilometers round-trip, but has some difficult hills. The percent grade is steep but short. It's a good workout, but not for the beginner.

If you catch the 0600 boat, you can finish the entire island, and return on the 1400 boat bringing you back to Binangonan by 1600. I departed SM Masinag at 0400 and returned by 1800.

Friendship Taste Restaurant was my favorite and is open everyday. They are located towards the North.

Music by Epidemic Sound

The first time I did a intentional Metric CENTURY RIDE (100kms) in January, the rain destroyed my plans so I quit early and went home after 53KMS.

This is considered my Metro-Manila Metric CENTURY RIDE TAKE 2!

I started in SM Masinag, through Marikina, to San Mateo's Timberland. From Timberland, I headed to WaWa Dam and back through Montalban and over to Payatas coming out on Commonwealth. I then went to Quezon Circle, UP Diliman, and came out at Katipunan's SM Marikina. I continued to Libis-Eastwood, Ortigas Extension passing Valley Golf all the way up to Antipolo, and returning on Sumulong Highway to Masinag. My Finish Line (100Kms) was in the parking lot of 7/11 beside SM Cherry.

The trip took nearly seven (7) hours riding time.

Music by: Epidemic Sound

The PALO ALTO LOOP is a bicycle trip starting and finishing at SM Masinag.

The journey is 54 kilometers heading up Sumulong Highway to Antipolo, left and around to Zig Zag Teresa and cutting left down and through Teresa, Baras, a "tip of Morong," and coming out at the top of the "mini-wall" at Brgy Pinugay, Palo Alto on to Marcos Highway.

Marcos will bring you all the way back past Boso Boso, Cogeo and Masinag.

Budget five hours for the trip in relaxed pace.

Every Christmas, I like to make a special bicycle trip. This year, I bicycled over 451 Kilometers from Antipolo to Olongapo to Mariveles to Balanga and back to Antipolo in FOUR RIDING DAYS and one "off day" in Olongapo City.

This is Part 3 of 5 of the BATAAN LOOP Christmas Series featuring my 77 Kilometer journey from Olongapo, passing through the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), and continuing through Morong, Bagac, and stopping 25 Kilometers from Mariveles, and setting up a stealth campsite in the trees.

Music by: Epidemic Sound

MARCH 2021—On my 57th Birthday, I decided to break my personal record by bicycling 276 kilometers in 23 hours. I did it! The route took me from Masinag, Antipolo City to Tarlac - roundtrip. My previous record was 225 kilometers in 2019 while bicycling across the USA.

Music by:
Epidemic Sound

If I bicycle to our training center, I will have to end the 4 KMS, 14 minute ride with this 33% uphill. Check this out!

Bicycling from Metro-Manila to Sierra Madre's Highest Point on the National Highway is a MUST DO TRIP if you are a biker from this area. Enjoy my "Tour Guide" style ride in this production.

By default, it is a trip that any bicyclist from NCR Region or Metro-Manila needs to have under their belt. I always start this trip from SM Masinag and turn around at Cafe Katerina, after enjoying the view, eating, and returning.

To make it an Official Sierra Madre LOOP, you need to keep riding down the other side towards Sampaloc and come back through Antipolo - that would be closer to 130 KMS.

Music by:
Epidemic Sound

The INFANTA, REAL, QUEZON PROVINCE LOOP, when started and finished at SM MASINAG is 222 Kilometers long.

I when clockwise via Cogeo, Sierra Madre, Sta Maria Laguna, and Jariel's Peak, followed by turning right at the Infanta Corner. Camping over night in Real, Quezon, I returned back the next day to SM Masinag via Famy, Morong, Teresa, Antipolo, and Sumulong Hwy.

I did it in two days, but it could be done in one mega-day if you are highly motivated, travel light, and have good weather, and recover quickly from the 3,797 Meters of Elevation Gain!

Nearly 75% of my video files were accidently deleted so I had to be super creative and resourceful with only 25% of my footage remaining.

Enjoy!

Music by:
Epidemic Sound

BIKE TO WORK—This is a very simple tutorial on how to bicycle from SM Masinag to Makati. The route takes about 70 minutes and is 18 KMS distance.

Music by:
Epidemic Sound

BICYCLING the National Capital Region LOOP (Entire Circumference of Metro-Manila), is a popular long-day ride for many bicyclists.

The route is 123 Kilometers (76 miles) long. It took me 13 hours with 7 of those being moving time. I departed at 0345 AM and arrived the next day at 4:45 PM — PERFECT!

The video is both entertaining and designed as a tutorial and reference for others that want to complete the NCR Loop. I noted the intersections, right & left turns, and showed maps along the way for your assistance.

You can also refer to my STRAVA account (Mitch Metzger) for further mapping and details.

HIGHWAY DIRECTIONS are found at the bottom of this specific blog:
https://www.mitchtour.com/post/ncr-loop

Music by:
Epidemic Sound

Very simple exercise on how to break-in (bed/bedding) your new bicycle brake rotors and/or brake pads/shoes after changing them.

8-10 @ slow speed - rear, then front
8-10 Faster - rear, then front
1 good downhill - rear, then front

REVPAL—I bicycled from SM Masinag (Antipolo City) to the "Marco's Twin Mansions" and the historic 1980 "People's Park in the Sky" located near TAGAYTAY.

The bikers call it REVPAL, since it takes the "Reverse Palace" back route starting from Canlubang, Laguna to People's Park in Tagaytay.

It was formally called Palace in the Sky, and was initially built as a mansion to host former President Ronald Reagan who cancelled his trip.

It was a 16 hour day with 9 of those hours actually moving.

Music by:
Epidemic Sound

I took two days to bicycle from SM Masinag, Antipolo to Zigzag Highway, Atimonon, Quezon on January 30th, 2021.

The trip is 170 KMS (105 Miles) one way. I slept at a host home for 8 hours before enjoying to ride up and down Old Zigzag Highway near Atimonon Proper.

The route\map can be located at my Stava account:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/26702715

Music by:
Epidemic Sound

LAGUNA LOOP—by BICYCLE in ONE DAY—EPIC DAY! — 185 KMS
Viewing Time: 31 min

Exciting! Fun!
Great scenes!
Great soundtrack!
Great sunrise aerial shots!
"Like watching a movie!"

18 hour day: 1:45AM to 7:17PM

CLOCKWISE ROUTE:

SM Masinag - Sumulong Hwy - Robinsons Antipolo -Teresa - Morong - Pililla - Mabitac - Famy - Paete - Kalayaan - Lumban - Pagsanjan - Santa Cruz - Pila - Victoria - Los Baños - Calamba - Cabuyao - Santa Rosa - Biñan - San Pedro - Muntinlupa - Alabang - Sucat - Bicutan - Service Road to C-5 - Libis/Eastwood - Marcos to SM Masinag.

Music by:
Epidemic Sound

With only a ruler and your finger, there are two easy ways you can get a layman's perspective on whether your chain is getting too loose, stretched, or worn. Watch!

Music by:
Epidemic Sound

Every Christmas, I like to make a special bicycle trip. This year, I bicycled over 451 Kilometers from Antipolo to Olongapo to Mariveles to Balanga and back to Antipolo in FOUR RIDING DAYS and one "off day" in Olongapo City.

This is Part 2 of 5 of the BATAAN LOOP Christmas Series featuring a ride-around tour of many of my old housing locations, famous landmarks, Magsaysay Blvd and Gordon Ave tours, including some famous stories of our missionary work in the 90's.