I sent out an e-mail invitation to my office mates, and only Butch and Alfred responded.
It was to be a quick ride for me since Cindy needed the car back before 10 AM. So I scheduled to be at the trail between 7 and 9 AM. I got there around 7:20 AM and none of my ride mates were around. I eventually texted Al at 7:35 saying I was hitting the trail.
The weather was good. Thankfully the track was slightly damp (morning dew maybe). I missed this trail and quickly got up to speed. Coming out of my first lap, Elvin calls out to me at the parking lot. He had his two younger sons with him, Gavin (10) and Ethan (7). After a brief chat, off goes Gavin with me trailing after. This lap confirmed Elvin's boast that Gavin was the athletic one among his 3 boys. He was a pretty strong rider for his age. I eventually had to pass him since I really wanted to get my heart rate up, but he was actually faster than a lot of the grownups there who were gradually filling up the trail.
That second lap was the start of my disappointment as I caught up with the "grownups" and had to slow down often. I've nothing against slow riders, especially those new to the sport. But I would expect some courtesy, at the very least, for them to pull aside and let faster riders through. One guy, who seemed like he was introducing a friend to riding, was kind enough to do this. But another completely ignored me, riding at his own slow pace, not letting me pass 
A brief stop at the parking lot again, and I see another familiar face: Agu, another college "classmate" in CMT (Citizen's Military Training; Elvin and I were platoon leaders). Agu's also the official importer/distributor of a few bike brands like Voodoo, Lenz Sport, ESI, among others. He commented that it was like we were having a reunion of sorts.
During the break, I was introduced to Carlo Clemente, owner of Glorious Ride bike shop. I'd been wanting to meet him, but the single time I visited the shop when they were still in Sikatuna Village, he wasn't around (or I didn't know if he was). He seemed like a nice guy. I promptly asked him about a KHS frame that I'd been eyeing, and he readily told me he'd let me know as soon as it's in stock again, and will gladly give me a discount 
Al texted around 9 AM saying he wasn't able to get up early since he came home late the night before (flew in from Bangkok).
I never saw Butch either, finding out afterwards that he did show up but we didn't see each other.
Back to the ride. The next two laps were still frustratingly slow. Nevertheless, I was still happy I got to ride dirt again.
Surprisingly, without even trying, and going at that ridiculously slow pace, I actually made it to this trail's leader board 
(was 11th last Saturday; way to go Agu!)
(was 11th last Saturday; way to go Agu!)
'hoping to hit this trail again next Saturday. Hopefully I'd get there early enough to get in some fast laps
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