MitchTour's Bicycling Adventures Pt1 — Philippines

BICYCLING TO TERESA'S WALANG BISYO SARI SARI STORE
by Mitch Metzger

Making and delivering a sign, by bicycle, 50 kilometers, for a small grocery store.
--No VICES. No CIGARETTES and No Alcohol--

Music by Epidemic Sound

Join along as I bicycle from Masinag Intersection to Morong, Rizal and return again the next day. It is only a 54 Kilometer trip, but has a "ton of switchbacks" in the highway coming back through Antipolo.

Music by:
Epidemic Sound

BICYCLING DOWN SUMULONG HIGHWAY in SIX MINUTES!
—another Vlog of Mitch Metzger

The day after 66 days of covid lockdown...

I was going to a meeting which got cancelled, so I decided to make a simple downhill video from BLUE MOUNTAIN to MASINAG for documentation, resource, and promotional purposes for other bikers who would like to avail of this highway.

Music by:
Epidemic Sound

BICYCLING FROM BAGUIO TO MANILA — SUCCESS!
by Mitch Metzger

In preparation for 2019's 7,000 Kilometer Trans America Bicycle Tour, I used my holiday days to test my bike, gear, and equipment, by taking on the 260 Kilometer route between Baguio City and Manila in just two days. Watch my highway adventure!

STATS:
Day 1: 68 miles (110 kilometers)
Day 2: 95 miles (153 kilometers)

Music by:
Epidemic Sound

BICYCLING 55 KILOMETERS ON MY 55TH BIRTHDAY

2019: Follow Missionary Mitch's 55 Kilometer, solo, bicycle ride in celebration of his 55th birthday.

Location: Masinag Intersection-Marikina-San Mateo-Timberland-San Mateo-Marikina Riverbank-Marcos Hwy-Sta Lucia-Ortigas Ext-Antipolo City-Sumulong Hwy-Masinag.

Music:
Epidemic Sound

These are all the items I bring on a four day bicycle trip in the Philippines.

BICYCLING FROM PADRE GARCIA to ANTIPOLO
—CHRISTMAS BICYCLE TOUR 2019-- DAY 4 and 5

Location: Padre Garcia Faith Farm in Batangas to Antipolo, Rizal
another Vlog Adventure of Mitch Metzger

Join Mitch on his last two days as he bicycles 149 Kilometers from Padre Garcia, Batangas to home.

Music by:
Epidemic Sound

After four months and three attempts, I was finally able to reach the top of Timberland Height's The Wall (1,200 feet) on my bicycle without having to stop for a rest break. The first time I tried it, I had to take four breaks. In late April, I needed one rest break but today, I did it!

Music by:
Epidemic Sound

BICYCLING TO TANAY ADVENTURE PARK
-A bicycle vlog in the Philippines with Mitch Metzger

Join Mitch on his 42 kilometer bicycle ride to Tanay, Rizal with included camp set up at Tanay Adventure Camp last March 23-24, 2019.

Music by:
Epidemic Sound

Famous downhill, Sumulong Highway, for bikers, outside Metro Manila

Music by Epidemic Sound

Join Mitch on a road trip, as he bicycles for two days from Manila to Baguio City, last August 23 and 24, 2019, with an unexpected typhoon on Day Two. The trip is 265 kilometers one-way with an elevation increase of 500 to 5,000 feet.

The highway travels through the provinces of: Rizal, Bulacan, Tarlac, Pangasinan, Pampanga, and the Mountain Province.

Music by:
Epidemic Sound

BICYCLING FROM CUENCA CITY to PADRE GARCIA
—CHRISTMAS BICYCLE TOUR 2019-- DAY 3 of 5

Location: Cuenca City to Padre Garcia Faith Farm in Batangas.
another Vlog Adventure of Mitch Metzger

Join Mitch on Day 3 of 5 as he bicycles from Cuenca, City to Padre Garcia, Batangas. A simple 28 kilometers for the day. Two more days to go...

Music by:
Epidemic Sound

BICYCLING FROM NASUGBU TO CUENCA
—2019 -- DAY 2 of 5

CHRISTMAS BICYCLE TOUR 2019 -- DAY 2 of 5
Nasugbu to Cuenca, Batangas
another Vlog Adventure of Mitch Metzger

Join Mitch on Day 2 of 5 as he bicycle tours from Nasugbu, Batangas to Cuenca. A total of 71 kilometers for the day. Three more days to go...

Music by:
Epidemic Sound

BICYCLING FROM ANTIPOLO to NASUGBU
—2019 -- DAY 1 of 5

Location: Antipolo, Rizal to Nasugbu, Batangas
another Vlog Adventure of Mitch Metzger

Join Mitch on Day 1 of 5 as he bicycles from Antipolo, Rizal
to Nasugbu, Batangas. A total of 136 kilometers for the day.

Music by:
Epidemic Sound

2018 TREK 520 TOURING BICYCLE REVIEW after 12,000 KMS

After 12,000 KMS (7,500 Miles) within a 23 month window, I am ready to give a REVIEW of the 2018 TREK 520 Touring Bicycle.

Approx 5,000 of those Kilometers have been in the Philippines and 7,000 have been in crossing the USA via the Trans America Bicycle Trail in 81 days in 2019.

I will give the bike a high 4.5 stars rating.

I deducted .5 points for the "too thin" Bontrager tires and the "too low" 11-32 tooth rear cassette. Both of these are wrong choices for a serious, long distance, heavy loaded touring bicycle.

Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires are the best and the cassette should be 11-36 tooth, like on the 2021 model.

Note: The chain and derailleur at 2:55 is woven incorrectly. The chain should be above the tab, not below. Long story, I flipped it around right away after the video was made.

Music by Epidemic Sound

Join Mitch on a road trip, as he bicycles for two days from Manila to Baguio City, last August 23 and 24, 2019, with an unexpected typhoon on Day Two. The trip is approx 265 kilometers one-way with an elevation increase of 500 to 5,000 feet.

The highway travels through the provinces of: Rizal, Bulacan, Tarlac, Pangasinan, Pampanga, and the Mountain Province.

MARIKINA RIVER BANK BICYCLE LOOP — 24 minute trail

Join me as I show you the bicycle and jogging trailing that surrounds Marikina City's Riverbank, here in Metro-Manila. I made nearly no edits except for some cuts so you can see the trail for your own future purposes.

Music by:
Epidemic Sound

REVIEWING THE TREK 520 TOURING CASSETTE
—AFTER 12,000 KMS

After purchasing the 2018 TREK 520 which had a 11-32 rear cassette by Shimano, I immediately changed the rear cassette to a 11-34 upgrade.

This is what I learned after 12,000 Kms.

Note: The TREK 520 is considered the "Cadillac of Touring Bicycles" with it's heavy steel frame, and long wheel base designed for comfort and heavy loads for thousands of kilometers.

TREK 520 STATS:

2018 Model:
Cassette: Shimano HG50, 11-32, 9 speed
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore
Crank: Shimano Trekking M591 48/36/26 w/chainguard

2021 Model:
Cassette: Shimano HG200, 11-36, 9 speed
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Alivio M4000, long cage, 36T max cog
Crank: Shimano Alivio T4060, 48/36/26, 2-piece w/chain guard, 175mm length

BICYCLING to DIVISORIA MARKET—TO BUY SOMETHING
—another crossing Metro-Manila bicycling adventure by Mitch Metzger

I needed to run some errands by making two purchases in Divisoria last September 15th, 2020, so I used my bicycle to go.
Join the quick adventure!

Music by:
Epidemic Sound

THE VALUE OF AN IDEA
—a quick lesson by Mitch Metzger

Have you ever had an idea that you did not act upon, and later found out that someone else beat you to it?

Listen to Mitch as he tells a quick story of a missed opportunity he had over 20 years ago while driving down C-5 Highway in Metro-Manila.

Music by:
Epidemic Sound

How To Wrap Your Bicycle Handlebars — Road & Touring Bicycles
—by Mitch Metzger

Nearly every bicycle with drop handlebars has handlebar tape that needs to be replaced from time to time. Watch this simple tutorial on how to change and/or replace your tape.

Bike used:
2018 TREK 520 with bar end shifters. No end plugs.

Tape brand:
CULT CTG-110E; 3cm x 190cm; black
Cost $11

Music by:
Epidemic Sound

NEW CYCLIST? WHAT DO I NEED
— 13 Things to start with before tools
by Mitch Metzger

If you are new, and getting started with using your bicycle for more than just circling around the block, there are "13 Things You Will Need" if you plan on getting more serious...

Music by:
Epidemic Sound

HOW TO CHANGE YOUR BICYCLE CHAIN
—a 12 minute tuturial by Mitch Metzger

Bicycle chains need to be replaced when they either get over used, damaged, or other drive components are being replaced. Watch Mitch give a simple demo on how to do this.

Bike:
TREK 520 with 9 Speed Chain

Music by:
Epidemic Sound

HOW TO SETUP YOUR BICYCLE HANDLEBAR BAG

A bicycle handlebar bag is like a woman's purse: EVERYTHING is in it!

With the right handlebar bag, and some creativity, there is no limit to the way you can set yourself up with waterproof riding and still carry your money, some tools, cell phone, camera, small parts, inner tubes, tire pump, batteries, power banks, Wi Fi, notebook, snacks, ATM carts, "nuts and bolts," extra shirt, water bottle, lotion, chap stick, glasses, gloves. etc.

I LOVE ORLIEB HANDLEBAR BAGS and PANNIERS. They are 150% waterproof with ZERO leaks. I have used my handlebar bag (in this video) for over 13,000 KMS, and in massive rain day after day, and it is COMPLETELY waterproof, secure, and trustworthy.

This is not a commercial. I just LOVE and support their products.

Music by:
Epidemic Sound

WHAT IS A VIRTUAL BICYCLE RIDE?— PHILIPPINES
by Mitch Metzger

In 2018, I entered many 10K, 16K, 21K, and a 42K run towards the end of the year. I also discovered a NEW TREND in the Philippines called VIRTUAL RUNS (which I will explain in the video). This was even more exciting.

In 2019, I started bicycling and biked 7,000 KMS across the USA, and by 2020, VIRTUAL RIDES had begun in the Philippines during Covid season. This was awesome! Now I could get credit for my many kilometers of training and be rewarded for it!

I signed up for my first 600 KM VIRTUAL RIDE and completed it in less than 40 days in November 2020. Follow my experience on this video.

Music by:
Epidemic Sound