Speed kings (and queens)

For many professionals, the atmosphere at work can be stifling. Long hours at the office, overtime, and a daily routine can oftentimes be tedious and exhausting. Balancing time between work, family, and other obligations is a constant juggling act for many men and women. And as hard as it is to make time for personal interests, it is always healthy to leave some time on the side for such occasions. Being able to do so signals the beginning of a healthy kind of rhythm. Work and play can definitely happen regardless of time constraints.

And if play involves a bicycle race on the weekend, then who wouldn’t be motivated to get out and let the open road exercise its de-stressing techniques?

One such race culminated last Sunday as the last leg of the Executive Road Cycling 2007 (XRC) competition was held at Subic Bay. The XRC was composed of four challenging bicycle races over the course of the entire year, starting at Subic, then moving to Rizal Province, followed by Batangas, and finally back at Subic. The former naval base was the toughest of all the XRC racecourses with its tough climbs, fast descents, and highways with direct headwinds.

This year’s XRC, presented by Spyder and Men’s Health Magazine, came together under the guidance of Edmund Mangaser, managing director of Elite Multi-Sport Resources and the owner of his own bike shop, All Terra. Responsible for general logistics such as choosing all the race locations and making sure that the year long event was well organized, Ed provided an alternate venue for professionals to have new experiences outside the office environment.

An enthusiastic biker and a working man with a family himself, Ed’s passion for cycling is what made him open his own bike shop and move towards creating events that allow people to experience the outdoors. He chooses biking over many other sports because it is not held within the confines of a rectangular court or pitch and allows the individual to explore more of his or her surroundings, offering a welcome change from being cooped up in an office all day.

A requirement of the XRC is that competitors must be employed, so this can be anyone holding a job, a professional in a certain field, or an entrepreneur. As part of the working world the challenge begins here since managing time under such tight schedules is a task in itself. Able to prepare for the entire race series, the contestants are prime examples of how balancing time between work and personal interests is an important factor in living a healthy and well-rounded life. Although not everyone came in first place, all the participants of the XRC are winners by being able to make time to participate in this event.

Ed put the race together especially for working individuals because aside from the fact that there are many people in the professional world interested in cycling, this puts everyone on equal footing. It would be unfair, for example, to have riders that train everyday joining the event. Naturally they would be stronger bikers, giving them an unfair advantage to those who need to make space in their daily schedules to train and be in top condition.

The XRC is also ideal for people in the working environment because upon entering the race, teams are formed within the companies that have joined. Not only does this promote a team building attitude among the racers, but it also brings one closer to his or her fellow workmate. It isn’t uncommon to note that the lessons and values adopted when racing are the same ones working individuals apply in their everyday office settings. Perseverance in finishing a race, for example, is the same perseverance used to climb up the corporate ladder. Discipline in training for a race is essentially the same as taking time and effort to perfect a certain craft, regardless of what this may be. Racing and going to the office are obviously two completely different things. However, the same mindset can be applied in both settings where the individual seeks to be the achiever.

Climbing mountains can be interpreted as taking on new and different challenges, whether these ventures are within the office environment or outside of it. All Terra’s slogan, “All Terrain, All Mountain,” is not only a testament to the shop’s outdoor orientation, but is also a practical motto for everyone who feels the need for constant self-improvement, both professionals and non-professionals alike. After all, there are always going to be rougher roads and steeper climbs ahead. Facing these obstacles with purity and the proper knowledge brings individuals a step closer to personal as well as communal enlightenment.

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Congratulations to Eric Carandang of Team Fitness First and Kaye Lopez of Team David’s Salon for finishing first place in the Men’s Category A and Women’s Elite Category, respectively, of this year’s XRC.

All Terra is located at the ground floor, Club 650 Sports Complex, E. Rodriguez Avenue, Libis, Quezon City. Call 638-2075 for inquiries.

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E-mail the author at enricomiguelsubido@yahoo.com.