The 2007 Journey from Manila to Davao: DAY 10: Bike Ride Around Cebu City

Statistics:

Distance covered: 15 km

Total Time Spent: 1.25 hours

Total Riding Time: 1.25 hours

# of Intentional Rest Stops: 0
# of Unintentional Rest Stops: 0

# of Core Riders: 4

# of Tatay Bikers: 4

Start Time: 7:30 am

End Time: 8:45 am

Highlights:

The B4L team took it easy today. The group was joined by around 30 local riders. We kicked off at around 7:30 am. It was a leisurely ride around the beautiful city of Cebu which ended at the site of the Magellan's Cross. The core team suffered its first casualty today. Boy Siojo was down with a fever and opted to skip the ride. Hmmm... probably because of too much cholesterol from the past few days?

The morning seemed like that of the Tour of the Fireflies in a sense that there were different looking bikes present. There was a makeshift chopper bike with a veeerrrryyyy long fork. There was also a cute tandem bike. There was a bike with a makeshift baby seat at the back. There were also serious riders present who have been actively competing in triathlons and road races. They had the most intimidating bikes I've ever seen.

James and some of his friends joined him for a courtesy call at the Mayor's office at around 10 am. He met up with Mayor Osmeña, who boasted of the city's programs to help Cebuano kids fight cancer via Cebu's own version of Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko.

On a different and sad note, let me share with you an account of what happened when Eric Reyes, Ricky Pineda and Boy Siojo brought the bikes for some minor repairs at a bike shop in Cebu. Almost all the local cyclists we've talked to was raving about this bike shop...

The B4L team had a frustrating experience with a local bike shop in Cebu. Ricky Pineda, Boy Siojo and I brought in 3 of the team's bikes to the YKK Bike Shop for much needed repairs... and we were refused service! Their reason? We didn't buy the bikes at their shop! We explained that we were just passing through... part of a cycling caravan traveling from Manila to Davao, that we were volunteer riders, part of an awareness program for indigent children supported by the Cancer Warriors Foundation.

Despite the help of a local sag who spoke the local dialect, our pleas for help didn't make much of an impression with the staff and owner. We were even scolded for bringing the 3 bikes into the shop, curtly being told to leave them outside by the staff & shop guard.

We were fortunate to find a nearby store who accomodated our immediate request. The Wellson Bike Shop around the corner readily took on our emergency repairs, to the extent of pending 2 bike assembly orders! Our gratitude to this shop.

The People who made this tenth day a Success:

The Cancer Warriors Foundation would like to thank the following people from Cebu: