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Post by 32by18 on Nov 29, 2007 20:53:00 GMT 8
Last week I was at Batan Island, doing a story for Men's Health March issue. I've used these images with consent from my photographer, Dakila Angeles. Some of the photos and text will be used in the story, so forgive me if I just give curt descriptions DAY 1: North side of Batan Island. After touching down at mid-morning, checking in at Shanedel's Inn and having a quick brunch at the Santo Domingo school canteen, it was off to explore the northern part of the island. Total mileage around 25km, and it started off with a 2km climb up to the old weather/radar station. Kinda like the wall, but with a more gradual incline. The view of the ocean from each switchback takes your breath away (if you're not out of wind by the climb already!) Here I am coming from the weather station, en route to Fundacion Pacita Abad. The Fundacion was set up in honor of national artist Pacita Abad, a local Ivatan who succumbed to cancer last 2004. The foundation helps budding artists, and the views from the house were breathtaking, with the hills on one side, and the Pacific Ocean on the other. From the Fundacion it was a ride through some rolling roads, past a Japanese bunker and down to Valugan beach. Down at the beach there's a doubletrack trail that leads to a quarry. The rocks here are huge and the seabreeze was refreshing. From Valugan it was a short ride thru Basco town proper, and up to the Naidi Hills, where the wind was super strong. Dakila asked me to ride up and down a ridge. I gladly obliged. From the Naidi Hills it was down and up to the Basco lighthouse. We were hoping to catch the sunset but alas, it started to drizzle. Got to ride a bit of the carabao paths too. DAY 2 promises more adventures...
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Post by 32by18 on Nov 29, 2007 21:07:27 GMT 8
DAY 2 The second day was a ride on the national highway, which hugs the coastline of the with the South China Sea on your right. The national highway passes through the towns of Itbayat, Ivana, Mahatao, Sabtang, Uyugan. Lots of history in each of these towns- churches, old stone houses, memorials. There's a marine sanctuary here. Batanes has been poached for fish, coral, rocks, trees by Taiwan. God knows we need more of these protected areas. Lots of excuses to catch your breath here. The scenery is outstanding. Most of the time, you have the road to yourself. In the towns, there are lots of singlespeeders! This is the same shot that Whoopi posted in the Batanes 2006 thread in the trail gallery. I'm the little speck near the left middle portion of the shot. I attacked it with gusto, and as I rounded the hairpin at the top I was met with one of the fiercest headwinds I have ever encountered. It pushed me and my bike towards the far edge of the road. This outcrop is on the background of MrsM's solo shot in the same thread. I decided to try and ride it...as luck would have it, Dakila asked me to do it thrice. Pretty precarious considering the wind and the risk of falling to the rocks and surf below. From there we went up to Marlboro Country. A doubletrack dirtroad that climbs up to the pasturelands and organic recycling center. It was nice to be on the dirt! Up in Marlboro Country the wind was crazy. You could lean into it about 20 degrees from vertical! That's it for now. I can't wait for the article to get published. MrsM was right in that Batanes is perfect for SSing. If you have a chance to go visit, I suggest you take it! I didn't get to explore Sabtang Island (more trails there), due to schedule constraints, but on my next trip back, I'll make sure to go.
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Post by flipnidaho on Nov 29, 2007 21:11:40 GMT 8
Great photos. Looks like a great place to ride A! Send the some of the pics to Voodoo for inclusion in their catalog... Does anyone live there? It looks so quiet and peaceful.
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Post by 32by18 on Nov 29, 2007 21:14:08 GMT 8
Yup! population of around 16,000, with the biggest per capita consumption of Ginebra San Miguel!
The Ivatans are really nice. Soft-spoken, humble and always smiling!
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Post by jr on Nov 30, 2007 0:26:26 GMT 8
Very lovely place. This place I want to spend days or weeks not dealing with fast pace of life.
Thanks for sharing.
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Post by mountguitars on Nov 30, 2007 0:34:08 GMT 8
wow, awesome pics. the ocean and the hills are an awesome combination. tulo laway to the max.
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jarod
All-Mountain Rider
Having fun is all there is!
Posts: 194
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Post by jarod on Nov 30, 2007 3:31:55 GMT 8
sweet sweet SS trail! I'll be waiting for that issue Agu!
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Post by xctofi on Nov 30, 2007 6:45:37 GMT 8
wow!!!! i gots to go there. thanks for sharing Agu!
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k1ntaroâ„¢
All-Mountain Rider
If there's a will, there's a way
Posts: 162
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Post by k1ntaroâ„¢ on Nov 30, 2007 8:46:00 GMT 8
Awesome scenery indeed. Looking forward to get there
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Post by qt_kat on Nov 30, 2007 10:30:31 GMT 8
Oh my!!!! Superb!....Marvelous!....Awesome!!! Thanks for sharing Agu. I think its about time to plan for that Batanes trip.
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schwinng
Free Rider
Save the planet, ride a bicycle!
Posts: 293
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Post by schwinng on Nov 30, 2007 11:24:44 GMT 8
Beautiful pics Agu! I think my singlecross would be perfect for this place! Thanks for sharing.
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Post by maxbuwaya on Nov 30, 2007 12:11:16 GMT 8
This is really nice
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dranrev
XC Rider
God is good
Posts: 147
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Post by dranrev on Nov 30, 2007 12:16:59 GMT 8
Very nice view. How much is the package to go there?
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Post by 32by18 on Nov 30, 2007 13:25:55 GMT 8
Very nice view. How much is the package to go there? Round trip ticket via Asian Spirit: around P11,000 Accomodations: around P400-500 a night Food: quite affordable Air fare is a bit pricey, I know, but to experience a place as beautiful as Batanes, it's worth it! I suggest extending your stay to at least 5 days, so you can visit Sabtang island.
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Post by g.b.b on Dec 1, 2007 1:01:07 GMT 8
manila to batanes all the way...... any takers?
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Post by wcoastbo on Dec 1, 2007 10:09:08 GMT 8
Breathtaking scenery! One of my must visit soon destinations.
Thanks for giving an exclusive preview of the new issue.
Nice setup BTW, very clean lines. I hadn't gotten a good view of your Voodoo. I'm surprised not to see the magura hydro rim brakes. Are they for sale?
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Post by 32by18 on Dec 1, 2007 18:45:28 GMT 8
Hi Bo I sold them na Decided to upgrade my drivetrain and brakes (finally!) I don't regret it though - so far the 08 XT stuff has been bombproof!
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schwinng
Free Rider
Save the planet, ride a bicycle!
Posts: 293
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Post by schwinng on Dec 1, 2007 22:36:15 GMT 8
Breathtaking scenery! One of my must visit soon destinations. Thanks for giving an exclusive preview of the new issue. Nice setup BTW, very clean lines. I hadn't gotten a good view of your Voodoo. I'm surprised not to see the magura hydro rim brakes. Are they for sale? Hey Bo! Where are the La Ruta photos? Let me know when you want to do Batanes, I'm sure Derek would love to join us. We could bring our SSs, maybe I could flip the hub on my fixie and bring the singlecross, it'll be perfect for this ride.
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Post by whoopi on Dec 3, 2007 10:46:26 GMT 8
AGU! Kila is my barkada from college hahaha what a small (but lovely) world! thank you for sharing your Batanes experience, can't get enough of the beauty of the place, it's always like seeing it for the first time. [insert deep sighs here]
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Post by angelobryant on Dec 3, 2007 15:23:31 GMT 8
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Post by MrsM on Dec 3, 2007 20:18:33 GMT 8
Beautiful pictures Agu! Two days is definitely not enough for Batanes. I'm sure you'll be going back there, you've had a helluva sneak preview
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Post by bleachstreak on Dec 3, 2007 20:39:27 GMT 8
great pics ags! cant wait to have a feel of that trail one of these days.. need more gasssss hehehe
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donskido
Bike Commuter
Sweet-Steel-SingleSpeed
Posts: 65
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Post by donskido on Dec 4, 2007 10:20:43 GMT 8
What can I say..... So PISSful place indead WOW!!!
Can't Wait to be on that Island again on two wheels and on SSingle gear.....
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Post by OnebyOne on Dec 5, 2007 8:40:13 GMT 8
Wow! nice ride and place Agu...you guys are so lucky to enjoy the beautiful scenery dyan sa atin...I've been dreaming to visit that place too ever since I saw Michelle pictures last year... Cheers,
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Post by rocky on Dec 5, 2007 9:02:35 GMT 8
I will be watching later first day showing of "Batanes" - the movie.
These pictures of Batanes 2007 aka 2 days, 1 island, 1 gear you generously shared with us are fitting intro (mood enhancer) to my enjoying 'Batanes" - the movie later.
Your Voodoo will be my imagined movie date. I will be holding her SSingle handlebar warmly while we are seated snugly watching awesome scenic shots together. I will be wearing my 1 P1SS cycling jersey of course.
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Post by 32by18 on Dec 5, 2007 11:41:51 GMT 8
yes Batanes is truly amazing, it's like a crown jewel for our country (hope it stays that way)
Rocky, incidentally they planned to have an advanced FREE screening of the movie "Batanes" the weekend I left. They were gonna set up a screen in the Basco town plaza. I hope the weather cooperated!
According to the locals, there's a scene in the movie that was shot in the same place as the second to the last photo I posted...lemme know if it comes out.
Michelle - thanks for giving me tips for the trip! Wished I stayed longer but I did try to ride as much as I could. Suffice to say I slept like a log when I finally got back to Manila hehe
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Post by Alphabolt on Dec 5, 2007 16:41:04 GMT 8
Agu! wow whatta! Im at a loss for words
Those are the best ride pictures of a P M T B biker yet IMHO ..best setting and best light
The pix project the action and the condition of the locations
Kudos to you (pa autograph) and your photographer, Dakila !
Im going there 2008 no matter what!
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Post by sup on Dec 5, 2007 22:25:00 GMT 8
Unahan tayo Arnel! Haay.. I never stopped thinking about going there ever since I saw MrsM's and whoopi's topic on Batanes. Now Agu.. Thanks too for sharing! OT: Rocky, please give us a review of Batanes the movie. I crush Iza Calzado.
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Post by Alphabolt on Dec 6, 2007 20:37:54 GMT 8
Unahan tayo Arnel! Haay.. I never stopped thinking about going there ever since I saw MrsM's and whoopi's topic on Batanes. Now Agu.. Thanks too for sharing! OT: Rocky, please give us a review of Batanes the movie. I crush Iza Calzado. Yeah! lets set it ... doesnt much matter when coz the ticket prices are pretty constant d ba Weather should be cool and breezy though to get that overall highlands feel
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Post by [ eRECTUS ] on Dec 6, 2007 21:03:38 GMT 8
Amazing pix! I bet it was an amazing experience as well! Lucky Agu! ;D
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