My first AMTA Fool on the Hill Experience (February 26, 2017)

Fool on the hill is an annual event of the Alliance of Mountain Trekkers and Adventurers (AMTA) which falls every last sunday of February. It is an AMTA holiday and a normal Sunday ride with a sum of approximately 155kms. 

It is set to start and finish at the AMTA station in Abuno Minglanilla at 5:00 AM. 

Route: Minglanilla - Carcar - Mantalungon - Aloguinsan - Pinamungajan - Toledo - Balamban - Transcentral Highway - JY, Lahug Cebu City - Minglanilla.

Decent time of completion is 12 hours or less. This event is considered to be an internal race among fellow AMTA bikers. Guests are also welcome to participate in this traditional event.

It was a good day to ride. 

Around 50 bikers including guests, gathered together at the AMTA station. 

The fool on the hill 2017 Officially started at 5:10am to give way to some bikers coming from farther towns.

I rode with the 2nd pack of bikers ; a few kilometers from the starting line. I wasn't able to maintain my speed and slowly fell behind by the time we reached San Fernando. Some bikers maintained a normal pace while some accelerated so fast. My bike buddy, Dennis continue to pedal with the peloton.

A few meters later, I caught up to a solo biker, Spike. I decided to ride with him until Jimwell, Allan and Sir Dondon came along. We rode together for a while until Carcar but I decided to increase my pace since my legs are already warmed up. I urged Jimwell to ride with me and go ahead, he agreed.

Far ahead was Tour Director Romy Delima, I knew it was him since he sported an orange pair of shoes. Me and Jimwell greeted the tour director as we went along. 

I maintained my speed as I enter the uphills of Guadalupe, Jimwell didn't came, I can't see him from behind. 

As I continue to battle the hills, ahead was a flashy red jersey that caught my eye. I was triggered to pedal harder. I caught up. Two bikers chit-chatting while climbing. I greeted them and so did they. I opted to stay behind them and gained company until Mantalungon. I could hear their discussion from behind - the techniques to survive this long ride. 

I passed the two bikers upon entering the climb going to Aloguinsan. I was alone again. I'm out of water and starving since I already pedaled 60 kilometers. 

I arrived in Pinamungajan at 7:45am and had a 15-minute breakfast. The tour director was just a few minutes behind that he caught up to me right after my meal. We rode along for a few meters then off I go alone again. 

I heard a biker in a loud voice inviting me for breakfast, it was Noy Joel. I smiled, waved  and moved ahead.

A biker was at rest along Gaisano Toledo, It was Noy Echam . I said my hello and pursued my solo pedaling. 

I already felt exhausted a few kilometers before the Transcentral Highway access road. Later on, Kervin Cañete and Dexter Catubay rode with me side by side and we shared each other's agony. They moved ahead in a while since I started dropping my speed. I arrived in Gaisano Balamban at 9:30am while Dennis arrived 30 minutes ahead.

I met Pio, Sandy, Deniel, Sam, Kervin and Dexter who gathered for a quick break. We then refilled each other's water bottle. In a few glimpse, came the tour director again. He ordered us to go and off we did.

I pedaled with the teenage bikers but I didn't keep up.

I was about to enter the foot of Cansomoroy when I started to suffer the extreme heat of the sun burning my nape. I took a quick stop to gasp some air. Noy Joel caught up to me and joined my rest. His rest was a bit shorter than mine. 

It came to my surprise that two bikers were walking, pushing their bikes and carrying their shoes.

It was Kervin and a certain Nadz - a road biker from Urgello. I decided to join them and walked for a few meters before starting to pedal again.

We hurried ourselves to DPWH remote office since a support vehicle was waiting to feed and hydrate the bikers. I lay myself down for a while after grabbing some refreshments; then the tour director came again.

Off I go again but this time is much slower - 4kph.

I took another rest a few meters away from my last stop. A lot of vehicles passed by and most of them smiled. A motorcycle was coming with a back-rider and carrying his bike on his lap - It was Jimwell. I understand the pain he felt that time through his actions and the look in his face.

I'm out of water again that it leave me no choice but to buy myself a two 500ml bottled water at 15 pesos each. 

It came to certain place where me, Kervin and two road-biker guests gathered together for a quick rest on a store situated along the road. Kervin and the other roadie biker has recovered so I persuaded them to move ahead. Me and Nadz were almost at the same level of exhaustion so we joined forces in our struggle.

It was 12:50pm when we arrived at the famous Felixberto's burgers and hotdogs. Nadz grabbed some cold soda and so did I. I remembered that I haven't had lunch yet so I make used of the time and stuffed my self with a hamburger (with egg and cheese). The tour director came right before I finished my meal. I hurried myself and motivated Nadz to pursue the ride but he opted to stay. 

I attacked and chased the tour director on the descends but to no avail. It's not too late to chase, I say to my self. My speed has recovered as well as my body, that burger might have given me strength. I caught up on the next hill and again maintained my slowly but surely uphill pacing.

Nadz (the road biker) passed by and waved goodbye; he took a motorcycle ride too.

Without knowing, I reached Ayala heights and it gave me an extreme excitement to finish the race in less than 12 hours. The succeeding uphills and downhills was full of energy and excitement.

Brgy. Malubog at last - the final climb. I stopped on a roadside store and grab some drinks.

This final climb from Malubog to Buak was the best part of the entire course. Due to my extreme excitement, I pedaled hard to reach the top and cramped my legs. I smiled in joy and pain.

I arrived in JY Square mall Lahug at exactly 3:00PM. It came to my surprise seeing the teenage bikers again. Sam broke down his chain and none of us was able to fix it. Sam decided to wait for his father - Noy Reynaldo who is on a motorcycle who supported and took pictures on the entire ride.

Of I go with Pio, Sandy, Deniel and Dexter. We maintained a speed and reached the finish line at 3:54PM.