Mitch's Philippine Loop Adventure Tour ✝️🚴🇵🇭
Bicycle Riding Day 3️⃣6️⃣
March 01, 2024
From: Digos
Destination: Kidapawan
Distance traveled today: 64.39kms
Total KM Traveled: 3,820.28
Route:
Digos through Matanao, Bansalan, to Kidapawan. ⛰️🚴♂️🇵🇭
Notes:
Today, I felt a little bit tired, probably because the late arrival last night. It rained on and off, the mountain climbing was not intense, but long and steady. I hit the 1,600 KM yellow marker (Gen San was 1,650) so is going up again.
I had the longest of the trip 8km downhill today, another rear tire blowout near Kidapawan. Need another replacement tomorrow. I am expecting bigger mountains soon. ✝️🚴♂️🇵🇭
P.S. Can I finish Mindanao in five days? 🏁 🚴🔥🇵🇭
End of Day 3️⃣6️⃣
Mitch's Philippine Loop Adventure Tour ✝️🚴🇵🇭
Bicycle Riding Day 3️⃣7️⃣
March 02, 2024
From: Kidapawan, Cotabato.
Destination: Damulog, Bukid.
Distance traveled today: 111.80kms
Total KM Traveled: 3,932.08
Route:
Kidapawan through Kabacan, turn right towards Carmen and Bukidnon, to Damulog, Bukidnon. ⛰️🚴♂️🇵🇭
Notes:
After replacing my rear tire at bike shop and buying extra one, I enjoyed over 22KMS of basically flat or downward highway. In Carmen is where the climbing started, but not intense. So far, Ifugao and Benguet, Northern Luzon is record holder for hardest climbs.
I found another great bike shop in Kabacan, found another spare tire. I am very equipped now. I had hard time finding housing in Damulog. Through 3rd person, and two guys with motorcycle, I found a private residence of owner of a boarding house. Perfect.
Tomorrow, I hope to push past Malaybalay. ✝️🚴♂️🇵🇭
End of Day 3️⃣7️⃣
Mitch's Philippine Loop Adventure Tour ✝️🚴🇵🇭
Bicycle Riding Day 3️⃣8️⃣
March 03, 2024
From: Damulog, Bukidnon.
Destination: Malaybalay.
Distance traveled today: 86.68kms
Total KM Traveled: 4,018.70
Route:
Damulog, Bukidnon through Dangcagan, Don Carlos, Maramag, Valencia to Malaybalay. ⛰️🚴♂️🇵🇭
Notes:
Both, the gas station where I started and the gas station where I finished were playing Christian music. Nice. Despite having two flat tires in the heat of the day, I reached Malaybalay. The climbs are long, steady, and continuous. Again, still not intense like Northern Luzon.
I felt the heat later. My tiredness is from heat, not the mountains. Many trucks with sugar cane, and firewood. I get many people asking, "Where you from? Where you going?" Many selfies from random people. Motors riding beside me. Many thumbs up, cheers, and recognition. I feel like celebrity in Mindanao. I said it before. I'm sure I gave over 50 stickers today!
7/11 stores are my oasis and office.
Tomorrow, we aim for Carmen, CDO is 101KMS. I must get there. I ate dinner at Minute Burger. I joked and told them it should be called "20 Minute Burger." ✝️🚴♂️🇵🇭
End of Day 3️⃣8️⃣
Mitch's Philippine Loop Adventure Tour ✝️🚴🇵🇭
Bicycle Riding Day 3️⃣9️⃣
March 04, 2024
From: Malaybalay, Bukidnon.
Destination: Carmen, CDO.
Distance traveled today: 116.61kms
Total KM Traveled: 4,135.37
Route:
Malaybalay through Sumilao and Monolo Fortich, then downhill to Cagayan de Oro. ⛰️🚴♂️🇵🇭
Notes:
Started at 7/11, met owner of farm in which I visited 25kms up the highway. I got haircut before leaving town. Had some climbing today, but majority was long downhills. I will give Bukidnon 1st place, so far, for longest downhills. 🥇
I stopped at the formally tallest bridge, before Agas- Agas in Leyte was built. I stopped for excellent fruit salad drink and later at 1:30 found some amazing mango shake at Jessa's Eatery. Hot day today.
Got flat tire again near Gaisano Puerto at bottom of highway. My valve hole has rough edge I need to sand down and cover with
padding.
I ate BBQ at a favorite place across from Gaisano City Carmen, CDO and stayed with co-workers tonight.
Tomorrow, we will point to Iligan. ✝️🚴♂️🇵🇭
End of Day 3️⃣9️⃣
Mitch's Philippine Loop Adventure Tour ✝️🚴🇵🇭
Bicycle Riding Day 4️⃣0️⃣
March 05, 2024
From: Carmen, CDO.
Destination: Ozamiz.
Distance traveled today: 152.37kms
Total KM Traveled: 4,287.74
Route:
Carmen, Cagayan de Oro through El Salvador City, Laguindingan, Gitagum, Libertad, Initao, Lugait, Iligan City, Kulasihan, Mukas Port crossing to Ozamiz. 🚴♂️🇵🇭
Notes:
Today was a long day for me, but strong. My last 50kms was strong. I even surprised myself smashing the hills. I had friend follow me on motorcycle at the beginning for few kms. Had a break in Iligan with Visayas and Mindanao Loop Administrator.
I had 14 yr old biker give me 30 peso gift to buy water for myself. That was at my 104th km point. I gave many stickers today. Many people talking to me including a car with family getting off the ferry going to Ozamiz.
Got great deal at GV Hotel in Ozamiz. Very near pier. Hot day, no rain. Perfect. I have no problem with heat. No flat tires today! Miracle. I pulled up to weighing station. Hoped to get weighed. Request rejected. Lots of police checkpoints.
Fast, speeding drivers between CDO and Iligan. I will add this highway to my list of "dangerous roads." Iligan has so many powerful industries: power, flour, cooking oil, livestock feed, and cement products. No more National Steel Company. Bummer. Glory days gone. 💯🇵🇭
Tomorrow, we will point longshot to Dapitan (a mandatory Loop Checkpoint) and Dumaguete, Negros Island. ✝️🚴♂️🇵🇭
End of Day 4️⃣0️⃣