Post by rfm2md on Jun 8, 2008 10:13:56 GMT 8
I just want to share my experience this morning @ Sabak Track Westgate. My group decided to bike in the area since I haven't ridden there yet. But I've been there a few times to watch the races and weekend bikers. When I got there at 7am there were joggers, the usual bikers who'd always greet you upon seeing you, and several passers-by. I am still new into mountain biking and I'm still working on building my stamina. After one lap I decided to rest for a while and not join my group in their second lap. I let one of my friends use my HT bike and got his while I recuperate from my first lap.
While they were traversing the trail, I got onto my friend's bike which was an old mountain bike with V-brakes and and old slim tires. I wanted to take a photo of my friends as they pass the area near where I was, but suddenly a guard from nowhere in a road bike appeared and told me, without the proper courtesy and an "angry-looking" face, "bawal mag-picture diyan"....I politely answered back, "kukunan ko lang mga kaibigan ko, close-up shot naman at dehins naman makikita yung track". Then he answered back, "bawal, kailangan kumuha ka ng permit sa Sabak". I said back, What? I'm taking the photos of my friends and I have their consent, and I still have to get a permit for that?" He was relentless in telling me that it's prohibited and always mentioned "Sabak". Then my friends passed by, incidentally on decent bikes, one with a FS (Fox suspensions), and the others with decently set-up HT bikes. One of my friends remarked, "bakit doc?". I told them what the guard adamantly told me over and over. I just realized that it was non-sense to go down the guard's level so I just left with my friends. Incidentally again, my friends are all professionals (fellow doctor, engineers, marketing specialist) and biked for the time in the track. They are from as far as Laguna, Pasig, and Pasay. We were all in good-riding mood and wanted to take pictures (momentous occasion) so that we can show our friends and entice more people to bike in the track. I could have taken photos you know and not mind the guard at all. But I just complied because I don't wanna cause trouble. The other bikers who heard me arguing with the guard thought it was about littering, no helmet, no ride policy, or something else major.
I read the track rules before I went home and there was no mention of not allowing "picture-taking". As a matter of fact, in the few times I went there, I always see people taking photographs, and it's all over this forum and multiply sites. But again, I hope that guard is not just "name-dropping" Sabak which is a very "rider-friendly" bike shop. In fact, I rode the DLSU trail in Canlubang several times and the guards there were so polite and allowed my friends and I to bike there and to take photos of ourselves. Thanks to Lani of Sabak for answering my queries on how to bike in DLSU trail and other matters.
If picture-taking isn't really allowed, I apologize to Sabak and to the guard for arguing with him today. He was posted between Promenade and Filinvest Aves. near the bulldozer. I hope he wasn't discriminating for I don't discriminate myself. Sabak, like I said is a very friendly bike shop, even to those who have HTs like myself.
Just sharing my experience today. Thanks...
While they were traversing the trail, I got onto my friend's bike which was an old mountain bike with V-brakes and and old slim tires. I wanted to take a photo of my friends as they pass the area near where I was, but suddenly a guard from nowhere in a road bike appeared and told me, without the proper courtesy and an "angry-looking" face, "bawal mag-picture diyan"....I politely answered back, "kukunan ko lang mga kaibigan ko, close-up shot naman at dehins naman makikita yung track". Then he answered back, "bawal, kailangan kumuha ka ng permit sa Sabak". I said back, What? I'm taking the photos of my friends and I have their consent, and I still have to get a permit for that?" He was relentless in telling me that it's prohibited and always mentioned "Sabak". Then my friends passed by, incidentally on decent bikes, one with a FS (Fox suspensions), and the others with decently set-up HT bikes. One of my friends remarked, "bakit doc?". I told them what the guard adamantly told me over and over. I just realized that it was non-sense to go down the guard's level so I just left with my friends. Incidentally again, my friends are all professionals (fellow doctor, engineers, marketing specialist) and biked for the time in the track. They are from as far as Laguna, Pasig, and Pasay. We were all in good-riding mood and wanted to take pictures (momentous occasion) so that we can show our friends and entice more people to bike in the track. I could have taken photos you know and not mind the guard at all. But I just complied because I don't wanna cause trouble. The other bikers who heard me arguing with the guard thought it was about littering, no helmet, no ride policy, or something else major.
I read the track rules before I went home and there was no mention of not allowing "picture-taking". As a matter of fact, in the few times I went there, I always see people taking photographs, and it's all over this forum and multiply sites. But again, I hope that guard is not just "name-dropping" Sabak which is a very "rider-friendly" bike shop. In fact, I rode the DLSU trail in Canlubang several times and the guards there were so polite and allowed my friends and I to bike there and to take photos of ourselves. Thanks to Lani of Sabak for answering my queries on how to bike in DLSU trail and other matters.
If picture-taking isn't really allowed, I apologize to Sabak and to the guard for arguing with him today. He was posted between Promenade and Filinvest Aves. near the bulldozer. I hope he wasn't discriminating for I don't discriminate myself. Sabak, like I said is a very friendly bike shop, even to those who have HTs like myself.
Just sharing my experience today. Thanks...