The road to Bitbit River of Norzagaray in the realms of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range

Early Sunday morning and I was set to pursue with my plan to ride and explore the way going to Bitbit River in Norzagaray. It's only about 16 kilometers away from where I live, just quite a short distance...I thought.

Showing the direction from Google Map

But before I left, I filled my tummy tank with some carbs to initially sustain my energy. I started with "Ibus" (steamed rice cake) and "Balisongsong" (steamed milled glutinous rice with shredded young coconut meat and sugar). 

I devoured one each of those "kakanin" and having felt just enough, I was ready to go! I reminded myself not to ride on full stomach.

This was a bike excursion for me since I haven't gone riding here in the Philippines since I started working abroad. Not during my previous vacations either.

Nearby bridge in one of San Jose River course. See how I made my horse ready for the ride? She was just so fresh like the morning breeze (this is how we make "landi" with our bikes... todo linis just to end up dirty at the end of the day 😍😎😓).

Road traffic along my way wasn't that worse but still I needed to be careful and maintain road courtesy at all times. The Del Monte-Norzagaray Road is a long stretch that is always a busy traffic but as I go farther from Bigte wet and dry market, the road is getting quiet. Not as much motorist can now be seen except for some vehicles and motorbikes once in a while. I didn't even noticed that I was continuously climbing uphill until I felt much pressure on my knees. The elevation was just getting higher as I hardly pushed but I just couldn't resist to break off and stop. I was enchanted with the beautiful nature side by side and due to my enthusiasm and confident perception of greater extent of fascinations ahead,  I made myself set to move on.

Natural rock formation along the road of Minuyan, Norzagaray. So downhearted to see a quarry works in progression below this unrefined natural wonder.

Up ahead I came across the gateway to the Pinagrealan cave. The signboard can be spotted easily from the main road with the arrow pointing the direction. The road towards the cave is unsurfaced, it's a rough and unpaved track.

Not in my itinerary though, but I was curious to check and just have a look. And besides, I needed something to eat...oh yeah, wait a minute...there's another arrow pointing to a restaurant in just 300 meters!

Off-road but seemed to be accessible by cars and even tricycles.

I didn't go nearer to the entrance of the cave since I had no intention of going inside, anyway. However, I consider it in my bucket list already...next vacation perhaps.

For as much as I have no story yet to tell about this cave, you may read this blog by San sa Pinas? to learn more.

Translation for non-Tagalog readers:

The Pinagrealan cave  which was first called Cave of Minuyan located at the foot of the mountains of the Sierra Madre part of Norzagaray. This was made a camp by the revolutionary Filipinos led by General Sinforoso Dela Cruz. It was the main hideout and fortress of the revolutionaries from 1896-1897.

In this cave lived the revolutionary army of General Emilio Aguinaldo and General Pio Del Pilar. There were diverse battles outside and around the cave. Inside the cave lies the house of General Aguinaldo built at the back of many standing door-shaped real marbles. Built in front of the cave were the barracks and nursing homes where wounded soldiers are treated.

This sign is made and subject to the resolution of Norzagaray's culture, history, arts and tourism council and the town's head of Norzagaray, Kgg. Feliciano P. Legaspi M.D. in the year 2012

Just a bit ahead of me, I spotted a single track. I was tempted to pedal through but reluctant to proceed farther. The place was not familiar to me at all, I had no idea where it will lead me so I decided to turn back and ride my way out to the main road.

Possibilities of ride exploration is one thing that I thought to consider for this place in the future. When that time comes, I will persuade some riding buddies to come along. Hopefully with those who are more familiar with the site's whereabouts. The scenery was just amazing and I was so optimistic, there's a great promise of adventures that may lay ahead.

Single Track!

There I went to proceed pedaling again in the main road. I was only about few kilometers away from the Bitbit river bridge according to my navigation tool. The elevation still kept on going up but the shade of the trees both sides along the road was a reward of comfort.

Relief has taken place before me when I felt there was a change as I went on, the clear roadway was slanting down...the best part of riding a bicycle where your pedaling is at rest. Holding control on my handlebars and brakes, I positioned my upper body aerodynamically and glided down the road.

I was mesmerized once again by the nature around so I decided to stop and cool down. The spell of the wind and the captivating beauty of the hills were just irresistible.

One spot that overlooks the mountains. The Bitbit river is lying down the fold.

Extensive cordon of  hills and mountains.

Downward-sloping road that narrows down to the Bitbit River Bridge.

Here is one worth to read blog about the Bitbit River in Norzagaray, Bulacan.

As I've thought, it was just quite a short distance but at no time anticipated the challenging climbs, nevertheless, nature has rewarded my ride with unfathomable admiration and lot of surprises!

A journey with my GT, my first MTB build

...let these old photos do the impressions.

My customized GT Zaskar. 
In 1998, I bought the raw frame at Roosevelt Cycle Center after receiving my 13th month pay. My DIY process of painting took me several attempts to achieve this result. The sunrise yellow color of the forks (i think it was a 1998 Marzoochi Z2) was the base color which took me several hoops on hardware stores in search of aerosol paints that would match. After completing all the components, i attempted to put them all in place (on a trial and error way. Trying hard? Oh yes, I was! Really hard, considering myself one without much knowledge on components and their compatibilities). You're right of just what you think, i had no options but brought it to the mechanic! And after that, my first mountain bike was born! ...Then this yellow horse took me places where my story of mountain biking begun.

 I could still remember my first cracking climb at Mt. Maarat (not sure but I think the trail is now prominently called Timberland which is within the Maarat mountain, haven't gone there for a ride yet since then)...that was a tough climb! But still everybody got the chance for a photo shoot...what a relief!

Somewhere along the road in Tungko.

                                      

Old school cycling buddies. This was inside the UP Diliman campus having fun and kulitan before the ride. This was an annual event called "Bike for Rights".

Still dark at 4am near Marikina River waiting for the take off shout from the organizers (CYCAD Pilipinas).  A century ride event that would head us up all to Malolos, Bulacan.  A 100-km journey that took us on saddle all day long. That was an epic fun ride. I still have the guts of wearing the "bakat" that time.

Somewhere in the mountains of Rodriguez Rizal.

Me and my GT has gone to a lot of less traveled places...places that were once full of greens and breathtaking landscapes...the hills behind us are now laid with road pavements and the trees transformed into residential houses.

..these old photos had spoken of the past and frozen moments that will never be the same again.