To the ends of the Earth

Did you know that there are a lot of unseen wonders in this world? The end of every street, the next block, behind the big tree in the forest. You can never know unless you go there. Maybe there's a chance you'll find a piece of treasure, a hidden cave with a treasure chest, an undiscovered water falls that looks like paradise, or just a new place but it can create a lot of memories. I guess we'll find out when we get there.

My life as a student cyclist, well, I can't say that it's been fun cause it really is not. Cyclists live hand in hand with pain. But because of cycling, i've been to places I did not even imagine going to, especially, in a bike. 

One pedal at a time, that's what I tell myself when i'm nearing my limit. But because of those times that I'm enduring those pain and with God providing me strength all throughout the ride, I manage to arrive save and sound.

As the song goes, "Send me, I will Go", I always pray before riding. Cause nothing is more fulfilling than knowing that God is with you wherever you go. Let's look at the places that God has allowed me to see and be amazed by the beauty of His Creation.

Baguio City: The summer capital of the Philippines

It's been one of my dreams to go to this city (not on a bike though) and explore the wonders that God has set here. And as I'm on my 4th month on the Central Luzon State University Cycling Team, the Lord has given me an opportunity to go to Baguio City, on a bike.

Entrance of Rosario, La Union

As you can see, the travel is not as easy as it sounds. we have to ride 130+ kilometers from the campus going to the city itself and those 130 kilometers have not been good to us. we experienced tiredness, dehydration, muscle fatigue, cramps, and other obstacles as we made our way to the top.

In those times, It's been hard for me to climbs hills, most especially mountains. But I thank God for supplying me strength as I pedal towards our goal. The road going to the entrance of the dreaded Kennon Road has been the greatest flat roads I've ever encountered so far.
While we're pedaling, we talk about strategies on how we can climb that mountain and eventually after 3 1/2 hours, we found ourselves at the entrance of the Kennon Road, in front of the last 30 kilometer road going to our destination.

Entrance of the Kennon Road, The Real Challenge begins

After taking pictures in the entrance, we continued to ride along the Kennon Road, not knowing what will happen on the next corner or next climb, but we have faith that God will help us reach our destination even with our weakness.

A view of a waterfall on the road

Picture Stop

We pedaled and stopped, then pedaled again. With the muscles of our body screaming and aching, we continued to press on to our goal. No obstacle can ever hinder or stop a heart full of determination. There are times that we even feel like giving up and just go home. "Bro, anu nakain natin at ginawa natin to? Hahahaha,"my training asked while we were taking a break. But those feelings can never extinguish our desire to reach our goal. we even had to see the wonderful creation of God just around of every corner of the road. It has been always there, just waiting for us to see it.

Lord, Andito nako! Glory to you.

I feel it! We're nearing our destination. After how many hours of travelling and pedaling, we are already here. One of our goals and eventually we had a picture there. The legendary Lion's Head of the Kennon Road. It was not easy getting there, we have to battle with the hear of the sun, the energy expenditure of our body, and the ascending gradient of the road, but because of God's grace, we overcome those obstacles and climbed our way to our goal. Can you imagine our faces when we arrived? "Brad, kala ko di na tayo makakarating, pero tignan mo, andito na tayo.", I told my training buddy as we made our way to the side of the statue. We took our pictures and take our break before we moved on and rode again. Why? Our journey is not over yet! 7 more kilometers to go. 7 high gradient climbs and turns going to the top.

7 kilometer ride to the top, and we've arrived. At last. The long journey has reached its end. Because of God's faithfulness, our faith, and our determination to arrive and push through to our goal. My dream has been carried out into completion. We've arrived at the Summer Capital of the Philippines. Baguio City. And as a sign of God's faithfulness, I've dedicated this last picture for Him. 

A ride that I will not forget. A memory for keeps. A promise that has been kept.

Dalton Pass: A New Beginning

When I was just entering college, this has been one of my goals. To go to the top of this mountain, the boundary of Region II and Region III of the Philippines. Actually going to this place is quite a challenge due to the number of trucks and vehicles that goes around and passes through this place. But that didn't stop us in conquering this high place and shout, I've conquered and overcame this mountain.

Just as every hill and mountain, climbing is a challenge for me as I start my climb as the team's newest all rounder (a cyclist whose expertise are both flats and mountainous roads). Long slopes and zigzag roads are quite difficult for every cyclists but for me, as I see the zigzag roads and the slopes of the mountains, I become excited.

A sign of victory as I conquered this mountain

Reaching the peak is my goal. No more, no less. But God has been good to me. I've reached the peak first and completed a challenge called the King Of the Mountain challenge. I've climbed the peak faster than I've ever imagined. Now, I'm at the top and just admiring the wonderful creation of the Lord.

I can't get enough of this view. I'm so amazed Lord

Being at the peak gives me peace and contentment. It shows me that in every mountain of problems we face in our lives, once we overcame it and endured till the end, at the peak of the mountain, we will experience peace and joy. For those who endured till the end will be rewarded.

Sharing the view with my new training buddy and a brother in Christ

Aurora: Surprise Visit

My friends and I just visited this place with an unplanned ride. Before we go, of course I prayed that this journey may end well for all of us. No punctured tires or any of the obstacles that supposed to keep us from moving forward and closer to our goal.

The steepest slope of the road from Aurora

We made it!

After climbing steep slopes and winding curves. We've arrived at our goal. No special tricks. Just pure faith and trust :)