Bike Nirvana
Yet another cycling blog
Gran Fondo Lobo 2018
May 19, 2018
Gran Fondo Lobo is an annual cycling event organized by Fondo Manila where cyclists are taken around Batangas with stops at Monte Maria and Lobo. The route is almost 100 km with more than 1,000 meters of elevation gain which is something I have not done before.
Although I have been to the Jala-jala - Mabitac route three times, the elevation gain of the route is just half of Gran Fondo Lobo which questions my ability if I'll be able to climb past 600 meters of elevation gain. Nevertheless, there's no harm in trying so I signed up.
I really like my new 2018 Giant TCR Advanced Pro disc and it is the bike of choice for this course mix of flat, climbs, and downhills. The disc brakes is one reason why I chose this bike as they give me confidence.
I drove straight to SM City Batangas at 3 am so I arrived early at the venue and by 4:30 am I have registered and got my ride kit.
Carlo and Eric booked a hotel near the area and they arrived with 3-in-1 coffee while I was half awake inside the car. As the sun rises, we were caught on camera. Elbert isn't in the photo as he was still on the road.
My setup for this event includes the Garmin Edge 25 which is dedicated for navigation. I am certain I will be left behind and I don't want to get lost. I made the course using Garmin Connect and loaded it on both the IGS618 and Edge 25. Here's how it looks like on the IGP618.
Starting line
At the arc, I made sure both devices are on and ready to fullfil their designated tasks.
And off we go! I was able to keep up with the pace of some riders which is a good indication for me. Our first stop is the Monte Maria Shrine which is still a few kilometers away when I took this photo.
First official stop, Monte Maria Shrine
I'm so glad I got to the first official stop and I'm feeling good!
Riders flock around the pickup truck (part of the SAG) for refreshment and snacks. I have to grab some for myself as the next leg is farther than this segment.
From the shrine to the lighthouse
The second segment of the course is some 30 km ride to the lighthouse at Lobo and it was a lonely ride for me. At first I was able to keep pace with a pack doing about 25 kph that allowed me to appreciate the view. I wasn't able to take photos for fear of being left behind and I did get left behind as they accelerated to more than 30 kph and I don't want to keep up with them as I'm saving my energy for the worst climb that is yet to come.
Before reaching the town, I was able to catch up with a male and female riders and I just tailed them as long as I can. Along the road, I see some riders resting at the side or at Sari-sari store and I thought of doing the same but then again I'm worried about falling behind my new found companions.
I was afraid that by the time I get to the lighthouse the lead group is gone or about to leave. At the Lobo climb I glanced at my cycle computer and I saw I'm doing 7-8 kph, such is my lack of pace and I just want to reach the top and rest.
Second official stop, Lobo lighthouse
Well, I made it! I immediately went to the snack tent and munched an unknown number (perhaps a dozen?) of cookies. I was murmuring "Ang sarap naman nito" when one female rider replied with "kahit ano masarap pag pagod na!" with a smile.
I found Eric, Carlo, and Elbert resting so I joined them for a short while because they're leaving already in a few minutes. Before I left, I snapped this photo and I ingested the GU.
The agony
So here's the fact- in order to get back to SM City Batangas I need to pedal for some 40 km more. In addition to that, this segment is where the tough climbs are.
The task of riding 10 km from the lighthouse to the fork leaving the town and leading to the mountain via Taysan road begins now. Another 10 km ride to reach the peak of the mountain and yet another 10 km to the last climb before descending from the mountain. I told myself, this is worse than Mabitac so I thought of doing a really controlled pace but as I barely got to the top of Malabrigo, painful cramps attacked.
A fellow rider saw me standing like a tree and asked me if I'm ok so I replied cramps got into me. He gave me this sachet and some of his water to fill up my half full bottle. He then instructed my to mix them said it will help arrest the cramps before leaving. I am so thankful I didn't even get his name.
I've had like half a dozen more cramps and I see fellow riders pass me by. The ambulance also came to me and was asking if I'm alright to which I replied with a thumbs up sign. In reality, I was contemplating on giving up and take a ride back. The following are more cramps scene as I navigate the winding road the locals call "bitukang manok."
Pedalling alone, I saw the pickup at the side of the road so I decided to take this opportunity to stop. He gave me water and banana (this is my 6th banana intake) and we had a short chit chat. After a few minutes I decided to continue as the heat is really getting into me.
After another climb, I saw the snack and refreshment tent so I stopped again to fill up my bottles with water. While I was there, they were asking me if I'm the last cyclist. I told them I don't know as I just passed by the pickup. They were talking among themselves and I think I heard something like "kung nandun pa yung pickup, may iba pa."
I continued pedalling and after a short distance I had cramps again. This time I told myself that should the pickup comes by, I'm giving up. I glanced at the IGS618 and saw this...
That got me thinking that based on the plotted course, I am nearing the maximum elevation gain. That gave me a little motivation to not give up because I'm almost past the worst part of the route. Once the cramp subsided, I moved forward and after another small climb I felt I gained my second wind. My Edge 25 died, but I'm confident the road will just lead me to the city...
Finish
I missed the left turn to SM City Batangas, thankfully the organizers have people in the spot who called me out. What a big sigh of relief as I get the food pack and finisher medal.
Thank you Fondo Manila!
Here's the ride data as presented by Strava.