Bikers retrace the road to freedom for National Heroes Day.

Bikers from Bataan, Pampanga, Tarlac and nearby provinces pedaled along the route traversed by the country’s heroes in a fun ride for a cause dubbed as the “Ride for Valor.”

The “Ride for Valor”, a non-competitive 160 kilometers long bike ride, raised funds to save our heroes’ historical markers so that we may remember their sacrifice. The funds will be turned over to the Filipino-American Memorial Endowment (FAME) a non-government organization that maintains the kilometer markers of the Bataan Death March from Mariveles, Bataan to Capas, Tarlac.

In the past, Bataan Death March markers had been destroyed, uprooted, and neglected due to drainage and other road projects. Ten (10) Death March historical markers in Mariveles, and four (4) in Limay, Bataan have to be relocated soon due to road widening and other repairs.

The Death March markers serve as a reminder of the route taken by Filipino soldiers who defended the country against Japanese forces during World War II some 80 years ago. About 10,000 brave soldiers died along the route; many of the bodies were never identified or recovered.

The ride is part of the 30th anniversary of the Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB). PVB is a commercial bank owned by World War II veterans and their families. As part of its charter, PVB allocates 20% of its annual net income for the benefit of its shareholders.

Around 80,000 Filipino and American soldiers and prisoners of war were forced by the Japanese military to march 69 miles from Bataan to Tarlac during World War II. Only some 54,000 persons reached the camp, and around 20,000 died due to starvation, dehydration, diseases, and the brutality of Japanese captors.

For more information, visit www.veteransbank.com.ph

Top 5 Mountain Biking Destinations in Colorado.

When you think of the top destinations for mountain bikers, Colorado is commonly included since it features numerous mountain bike trails. Whether you’re looking for sky-scraping mountains, thousand-mile singletrack, or challenging bike trails such as the ones in Breckenridge, Aspen, or Vail, you’ll definitely include Colorado in your bucket list.

Here are five of the best mountain bike destinations in Colorado that will surely take your breath away.

Photo credit: Pexels.

Breckenridge or Summit County
Summit County is popular for being one of the best skiing sites in the U.S. It features the spectacular, high alpine single bike track. From Breckenridge or Summit County via a single track, you can also ride across nearby towns such as Copper, Leadville, Keystone, Silverthorne, Dillon, and Breckenridge. Summit County features over 250 miles of singletrack within its borders. Nevertheless, the general count is at least 812 miles of mountain bike trails within a 25-mile radius in Breckenridge.

It’s quite challenging though to deal with the mountain-scaling black diamond single tracks and low-lying starter trails in Summit County. You can also observe lift-serviced DH trails, dirt jump parks, pumptracks, and bike parks.

Crested Butte.

Crested Butte
Crested Butte is most popular as being one of the pioneers of mountain biking as a sport. The bike trail at Crested Butte though is incomparable to any bike trail outside Colorado. This mountain biking destination takes pride in its magnificent high-alpine bike trails that go for hundreds of miles.

Most of the bike tracks at Crested Butte though are old-school 750-mile singletracks. Nevertheless, modern flow trails and DH are being adopted because of the continuous expansion of Evolution Bike Park at the Crested Butte Mountain Resort. Crested Butte also features two unique in-town parks and progression bike parks that continue to blossom every night.

Grand Valley.

Grand Valley
The Grand Valley is considered a geographic area in the Western Slope of Colorado which also includes the towns of Palisade, Loma, Fruita, and Grand Junction. The bike trail in this area is mostly desert singletrack, which is ideal for a spring, winter, or autumn riding trip. Grand Valley though does not have high-elevation singletrack, and this accounts for Colorado’s diversity in terms of its bike tracks.

Trails are constantly being built in the Grand Valley. Tourism has also been improved through certain establishments like micro-breweries and restaurants. Grand Valley also features Powderhorn, a ski resort situated on the Grand Mesa. A new bike park was also opened in Powderhorn to draw more riders from other regions in Colorado.

Durango
Durango is considered one of the first mountain bike towns that have hosted the first UCI mountain bike world championships. This town also features the oldest mountain bike shops in the country, the Mountain Bike Specialists. There are about 300 miles of bike trails that can be accessed within 30 minutes in Durango. These bike trails are basically high alpine singletracks above treelines and dry, desert in-town trails.

Fort Lewis College in Durango is regarded as one of the most legitimate mountain bike race programs in Colorado. It has constantly produced world-class athletes as well. Durango also features about 20 trailheads, shuttles, five local breweries, six bike shops, bike paths, a new bike park, a skate park, and a BMX track.

Salida.

Salida
The Arkansas Valley located in Salida is known for its diverse climate zones. You can go cycling above the treeline in Salida’s high-alpine singletracks down to the desert area on the valley floor. Because of its unique ecosystem, Salida is an ideal mountain bike destination during winter or hot summers.

In just 45 minutes of driving to Salida, you will see about 500 miles of superb bike-legal singletracks and miles of doubletracks and jeep roads. There are also three main long-distance trails that intersect Salida and a range of bike-packing routes.

Colorado has a lot to offer when it comes to adventure through its spectacular mountain bike destinations. It is just a matter of discovering the various singletracks, trails, and routes that are quite hidden in the state’s alpine mountains and valleys. However, mountain bikers should take the necessary precautionary measures, especially if it’s their first time. But if you do get involved in a bicycle accident, know that you can recover from your injuries and get compensation for it through the help of legal experts such as a personal injury attorney. So remember, be safe and have fun throughout your journey!

Get your bikes ready for the Globe Cordillera Challenge 5!

The race is on!

On Saturday, May 10, 800 biking enthusiasts will gear up for the Globe Cordillera Challenge, which promises to be the biggest off-road charity mountain bike ride in Northern Luzon to date. This event aims to promote the need to rebuild the forests of the Cordilleras, which have suffered from prolonged environmental destruction. Reforestation of the Cordilleras currently faces several challenges such as the lack of water efficient trees and the huge cost of buying and hauling saplings to remote areas.

Photo credit: Cordillera Conservation Trust.

In addition, the event aims to raise at least P1.8 million to complete the needed establishment of 100 seedling nurseries in the Cordillera mountain range by yearend under the Roots & Shoots program of the Cordillera Conservation Trust (CCT), event partner and beneficiary.

Charmaine Pamintuan, Globe VP for Enterprise Marketing talks about this year’s
Cordillera Challenge 5 during the weekly PIA-CAR Kapihan sa Baguio.
Together with her are Fernando Esguerra, OIC, Globe Corporate Social Responsibility (right)
and JP Alipio, Executive Director, Cordillera Conservation Trust (left)

Globe continues to call for donation for the activity either through Globe G-Cash (text DONATE AMOUNTMPINCORDI and send to 2882) or via direct deposit to the BDO Account of the Cordillera Conservation Trust, partner-beneficiary of the event (Account Name: Tignayan Para Iti Konserbasyon Ti Kordilyera; Account Number: 5180031673). A copy of the deposit slip with the name of the donor may be sent to bridgecom@globe.com.ph.

Fashion Pulse | Complete the Motorcyle Look.

There is nothing better than riding on a motorcycle on the open road. Whether you have been riding for your entire life or bought your first motorcycle as a retirement gift for yourself, you want to create the right look for yourself whenever you are on your bike.

While it is assumed that all bikers like to wear leather and cowboy boots, that isn't the case for all riders. For many riders, they like to wear something comfortable and warm while they are on the open road. Regardless of how warm it is when you get on the bike, the breeze that you will experience while riding may cause the air to feel much colder on your skin.

Photo credit: Harley Davidson.

In most states, it is illegal to ride a bike without a helmet. Even if it is legal to do so, you should still wear a helmet as a safety measure. By wearing a helmet, you can avoid being one of the many stories of people dying or suffering severe head injuries because they were not wearing protection.

To finish the look, you should consider a cool belt buckle that tells the world that you love to ride. The next time that you are online, you can shop for motorcycle belt buckles here from the comfort of your own home.

Brave the Trails with the Globe Cordillera Challenge 5.

Heads up, biking enthusiasts! Globe has something for you! In partnership with the Cordillera Conservation Trust, Globe Telecom brings you the Globe Cordillera Challenge 5 - a biking event that promises its participants a scenic but grueling 90-kilometer ride from Tublay to Kapangan in Benguet and back.

While the most picturesque among the routes prepared for the challenge since its launch in 2010, this year's trail also involves more technical climbs with total ascent of 3,390 meters and total descent of 3,404 meters. Maximum slope going up and down is 30 percent grade with about 20-25 kms of dirt road going down continuously. Lowest elevation is 522 meters above sea level while the highest elevation is 1,780 meters. 

"Bikers would be able to see some very nice rice terraces. Most people equate the rice terraces to Ifugao but we have it in Benguet as well. There's also a shallow river where they can stop and take a dip. But since it is the Cordillera Challenge, there's an extra element. It will be a bit tricky. There are also more rough roads instead of highways. We want everyone to explore and experience the Cordillera province. It's all about seeing what we have, and seeing why we have to protect all these areas," said JP Alipio, Executive Director of Cordillera Conservation Trust, partner-beneficiary of the event.

As part of Globe Telecom's journey to create a wonderful world, it is also the first time for Globe Business group to take the lead in the Cordillera Challenge 5.

Globe Corporate Social Responsibility OIC Fernando Esguerra (left) and Cordillera Conservation Trust Executive Director JP Alipio (right) encourage bikers to join the Globe Cordillera Challenge 5.

"We believe that it is high time for our corporate clients to join us in our advocacy for environmental sustainability. We want to engage them in addressing their social and environmental impact. What better way to do it than by encouraging them to be part of the Globe Cordillera Challenge which has always enjoyed enormous success in creating environmental awareness among the public," said Nikko Acosta, Head of Globe Enterprise Group.

Scheduled to take place on May 10, 2014, the event will have its first turnaround point at 20 kms from the starting line; this will be composed of purely paved roads. There will be sweeper trucks assigned in specific areas to bring bikers back to the finish line. The bike ride will start at exactly 5:00am at Tublay Municipal Hall and is expected to end there at 4:00pm.

Braving the trails.

The Globe Cordillera Challenge is not a race but a timed event designed for recreational bikers to be able to measure their performance and explore the local environment. It also showcases the ecosystem and culture of the Cordillera region and raises awareness on the need to protect and rebuild the mountains' forest areas.

Interested bikers can register at http://www.globe.i-volunteer.ph/register.
It entails a donation of P1,000 to the Cordillera Conservation Trust. The amount shall be deposited directly to the ff:
BDO Account
Account Name: Tignayan Para Iti Konserbasyon Ti Kordilyera
Account Number: 5180031673

Upon deposit, scanned copy of the deposit slip with the name of the participant shall be emailed to bridgecom@globe.com.ph. An email confirmation will be sent by Globe within 24 hours.