Wednesday, January 06, 2010

Camp Aguinaldo Mountain Bike Trail, 06 January 2010

I FINALLY got to try this trail this afternoon, after finding out it's closed on holidays (was there on 30Dec09).
Being my first time to go there (actually, the 2nd), I decided to bring the car. It took me 40 freakin' minutes from the West Avenue area and got there just past 5PM. I made it just in time, and was able to catch the guard, Sarge Rudy, just as he was closing the gate with the locking chain over his shoulder. The trail's supposed to be open 'til 6, but after seeing no riders around, his superior told him to close up. Sarge was kind enough to accommodate my request for a couple of laps.

My non-expert verdict? Three words: EFF, YUU, ENN

The long version:
I thoroughly enjoyed the pathetically short 2 laps (I should go earlier next time). Overall, it was well laid out, and the officers responsible for it should really be commended. They made good use of the land that is available. Riding a singlespeed, I got a pretty good workout, albeit a short one.
I liked the pump sections near the beginning. I never BMX'd as a kid, but I bet those who did would find it a hoot.
Other portions that stood out were the tight thread through the trees, and the "mini-DH" run in the middle portion of Area 3 (and I'm riding a full rigid! )
I did find the twisty sections a little too twisty Being the chicken that I am, I found myself slowing down too many times to get past the bends that came one after another. I didn't want to crash, being the only rider left out on the trail (on the other hand, that could be a good thing ).

I enjoyed the trail enough to want to make it a regular (at least once a week) part of my schedule. I won't be taking the car anymore though, and just bike the whole way.

Drive time by car (back and forth): 100 minutes
Two laps around the trail: 22 minutes
Entry fee: P50
FUN: priceless

Pardon the crappy cellphone pics. I don't have a P&S, and bringing my dSLR could've got me arrested for espionage or something. Plus, the light was fading, and I didn't go there to take photos anyway (excuses, excuses...)

BB Ruth on top of the container van
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The requisite "through the tunnel/container van" shot (I know, terrible photo)
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More crappy photos:

In through one end...
trail,mtb,bike,camp aguinaldo

Out through the other (BB Ruth was on top of this in the first photo)
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PS
My cyclocomputer read 2.7km for one lap. Having only "700c" and "26" wheel sizes options on it, this distance is likely an under estimate. I have the cyclocomp set for 26" wheels, but I'm running 650Bs.
Then again, the same cyclocomp on the same bike read 2.23km for one lap around the UP Oval -- a fairly accurate measurement

(This was originally posted HERE)

1 comment:

Zumi said...

I've been in camp Aguinaldo yet I haven't experience
mountain bike trail . Hope to try soon. Big thanks for sharing your blog with us.