Misty Mountain

CEBU, Philippines - Raymond See, the Philippines preeminent cycling blogger, mistakenly called the Trans-Central Highway as the Transcendental Highway. In a way, I guess he was right because there is no climb like the Trans-central Highway climb that has been used in a categorized bicycle road race that I know of.

The 2nd stage of the 10th Tour ni Frank, for the third time in as many years, had made the Toledo-Cebu via the Trans-central Highway as the, “reina etapa” or the Queen Stage of the race. The length if the race is just over 50km yet it is hell on earth if you do not have the form and the respect for it.

Usually, the degree of difficulty of a race would depend on the cyclists. If they race hard right from the gun, then it would become a difficult race eve if the route is all downhill. If they race softly on a hilly race, then it would a fairly easy race. but in this race though, either you are suffering or you are super suffering!

The Trans-central Highway is not only the baddest climb but also the nastiest! Last weekend’s race reinforced that observation. On what promised to be a cloudless day just before that race, the heavens opened up and the heavy downpour made the roads tricky and slippery on the descent. If you think the gradients alone made the race challenging, the mist and the fog that reduced visibility of no more than a few meters in some areas made the degree of difficulty go up a few notches! You can hear the low-geared vehicles coming at you but you can’t see it. Then just like a ghost movie, a hazy, red light forms that turn into a headlight just as it passes you by.

In the end, even though a bicycle race is really between the riders, this classic has become a competition against your own self. There were several riders who got off their bicycles and took to the sag vehicle, as their tired bodies could not take it anymore. Quitting wasn’t an option, even if I had to claw and crawl to the finish, I would. If there was one race I wanted to conquer so bad every time I’m racing on it, it’s this mountain.

If you have a bicycle, you have to ride over the Trans-central Highway once in your lifetime even if its not a race. But be forewarned, this mountain doesn’t take any prisoners, so get the necessary form before you go on this date.

I hate this mountain. But I can’t wait to do it again next year. That’s the Theo de Rooy in me.

Finally, in behalf of the Cebu Cycling community, I’d like to thank the following sponsors who made the Tour ni Frank such a huge success: OZRacing, KIA Motors, POCARI Sweat, Signa Modena, TIGER Energy Biscuits, 

YKK/Cyclelogic, Timex, CamelbakUSA, T.W.O. sandals, HABAGAT, Creative Sounds, LUZVIMIN Racing Team, Vellum Cycles, Nagashima, RIPSTUFF OUTDOOR, 1020 Avenue Catering Services, Frank Gatdula, Alpine Electrical Supply, Jong Sepulveda……thanks also to Raymond See and rest of Team Franzia, Dondie Azarcon of Team PLDT, Michel Velasco, and Team Mossimo, team Seven Lakes, Team Maasin Cycling……thanks also to the marshalling crew of Mark Ylanan and ReCycle- great job, again, boys! (FREEMAN)