Sierra Madre Expedition

Riding the sights

So you have gathered for you a real mountain bike trailworthy. Or you just bought sleekest the, road bike as light as your mid-year bonus can not afford. Not to mention that you have trained your ass out three times a week in Antipolo, San Mateo, and Tagaytay. You're also right foot right eye, and your conduct is in full battle dress.

Now you're ready to hit the road, you know where you are going? What routes are most worthy of all that preparation?

An overview of the 10 most memorable cycling routes for mountain bikers and roadies, as recommended by lawyers and cycling adventures (Cycad).They are in no particular order because at the end, each rider a different experience each route.

1. Caramoan, Camarines Sur. This route offers some of the best mountain-meet-the-sea panoramas. And on a clear day you can see across the bay and the majestic Mayon Volcano Lagonoy witness romp. Caramoan, which is about 450 km south of Manila, is not easily accessible by land, as the road from Lagonoy all the way to Caramoan town 90 kilometers is mostly unpaved and very muddy (read : sky mountain biking) during the wet season.The accommodations are non-existent outside of Caramoan, so you have no choice but to drive at night if you do not get to this place before sunset. There is a shortcut for the less intrepid, though. A tour of Roro Sagnay (about 15 miles south of Lagonoy) takes you to the city itself in Caramoan two hours, and there is an hour or two single bike on the famous beaches of white sand. But where's the fun in all this bike?

Thrill Factor (experience of cycling in total): 3 out of 4; Chill Factor (difficulty): 3 out of 4. Days minimum feasible: 3.

2. Alabat Island, Quezon. Here is a perfect example of "bicycle island."Alabat island, just 15 km off the mainland province of Quezon (half past one from the Roro Port Alabat Atimonan town), has only one main road and it just goes around the island. From the tip of Northern Perez in Quezon City at its southern end, the odometer is barely 50 kms - just for a visit to bike two days. A bike trip here would be ideal for mountain bikers to get away from town for the weekend without necessarily breaking the lungs.

For added thrill, you can include the challenge of 4 km climb to Quezon National Park (popularly called the "EME") and the descent of 10 km from Port Atimonan Eme your first day. On the island itself, you will have the road almost all to yourself, because it is limited motorized transport (tricycles rule!) The road is well paved, but at the southern end, it is mostly the Gravel and dirt. The people are friendly and everyone knows everyone. And if you're lucky, the captain of the barangay in the city Alabat will even invite you to her all night on the street videoke party.

Mountain News: Palanan - Sierra Madre Expedition Honoring Leonard ...

The Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park (NSMNP) is considered one of the most important of the protected areas in the Philippines. It is the largest protected area in the country and the richest in terms of genetic species and habitat diversity. The Rafflesia leonardi , named after Leonard Co was discovered within the forests of the Northern Sierra Madre. It's the 8th species of rafflesia found in the Philippines and 4th in Luzon. This expedition is dedicated to Leonard Co who valued the importance of the Palanan wildlife biodiversity. It is a showcase of true adventure dedicated to Filipino greatness and unity and of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. It is about scientific discovery and outdoor exploration in the last great wilderness of the Philippines, a fitting tribute to the life of Leonard. The expedition team will journey to the coast of Palanan, Isabela, the gateway to the great rainforest, beginning on Saturday, April 16; first, via a 10-hour bus ride from Manila to Casiguran, Aurora, then, via a Navy boat ride to the coast of Palanan in the Pacific Ocean for another 10 hrs. Thereafter, a memorial mass for Leonard will be held on Sunday, April 17 at the town church. On April 18, the expedition team, together with the townsfolk and the family and friends of Leonard, will trek to the 16-hectare forest dynamics plot that Leonard established and worked on, to scatter the last third of his ashes as he had intended. Thereafter, the expedition team will commence their 7-day Sierra Madre Trek on April 19, Tuesday, at the foothills of Palanan, and traverse the peaks of the mountain range across to the western side of the Northern Sierra Madre in San Mariano, Isabela. A team of scientists belonging to the expedition will do rapid transect surveys of flora and fauna along the route, as the opportunity permits. The trekkers will be guided by local friends of Leonard, the Dumagats, who grew up in the forest and coastline of Palanan. Together, they will pass through numerous river crossings and high peaks. The group is expected to arrive at San Mariano town in Isabela on April 25, Monday and in Manila on April 26, Tuesday. Post –climb activities will be announced later.

An Apache campaign in the Sierra Madre, An account of the expedition in pursuit of the hostile Chiricahua Apaches in the spring of 1883

In the Sierra Madre

Mexico handbook

Eyewitnesses to the Indian Wars, 1865-1890

LIFE