Touring the Philippines by bike opens up images of open roads, a powerful bike and a beautiful woman on the back.
But for me its a case of dropping all of this simply because I arrived for a 6 week trip on a budget to the Philippines and want to see as much as possible. I have bought a touring mountain bike for P12,000 and invested in some saddlebags locally made for it. May seem a little odd to some people but I find the pace of cycling a much more traveller friendly one than a road bike because you get to see everything without zooming past it. You may be able to get faster to somewhere on a motorbike but I am here to experience the Philippines and to do that I have found the bicycle does it in ways that a motorbike can’t simply because I can interact with more people. Its odd when travelling around how many people will wave and ask you to stop for a beer or food just because your riding through their town. Not sure the same happens on a motorbike because of the speed issue but no doubt if slowed down I am sure the locals are just as welcoming.
So far I have just about rode round Cebu island and about to head off to Negros then Pilar and I have to say how wonderful people are here. The weather has also cleared up now which also makes the ferry crossing less likely to need a song and a prayer to make it and more likely to see my camera taking photos of my travels.
Safety concerns so far I think are extremely over exagurated in the Philippines but this could be more to do with regions such as bad parts of the big cities and warzones being a lot worse than we would find in other parts of the world. But then again I am not here to prove them right or wrong so avoiding any blackspots that may see me having a homemade video of myself being beheaded or my bike stolen. Along the road I have found even with a puncture people are more than willing to take me to the nearest vulcaniser or garage something I would struggle to get back in the UK. So would say I love the Philippines so far and I wish the tourism industry stopped gearing itself for resort sales and started looking at things that are good for trekking,cycling and backpacking as I will be coming back myself in the future.
As you get away from Cebu city as well I found the roads improved considerably which seems the reverse of a normal society but maybe its the mentality of if nobody uses it then it won’t get damaged. Who knows, but just looking forward to tomorrow and my journey onwards!
Biggles.
Maybe i can come ride with you AristotleSparks?? Im looking for partner
wink wink!
Wont be catching me on a pushbike! damn those roads are full of holes and buses doing over 100kph. If your not overtaking them they are running you over!