When PAG-ASA officially announced that the forecast for Typhoon Juan is described as the strongest weather disturbance to visit the Philippine, I understood that the participants of Unilab ActiveHealth Bike United will be a little half-hearted to ride on 16 October 2010.

14 October, 2010
Two days prior the said event, my eyes were stuck on Tweeter for updates from Unilab ActiveHealth and PAGASA. I even texted Athena Beltran-Mendoza, organizer of the Sunset Ride and Dual Stunt about their contingency plan when rain falls on Saturday even if PAGASA is known for its inaccurate forecast Athena replied, “Neng, sa Monday pa ang downfall sabi ng PAGASA, sige update kita.” As for me, I can bike whether rainfalls or not, but as one of the volunteer Firefly Brigade marshals I was worried because aside from adults, kids were joining too.

16 October, 2010
Volunteered marshals and bike buddies from Philmofo Marlon Ricafort and Carol Tiamzon set our meet ups at Petron – M. Biernes St. formerly Tejeron St. corner Pedro Gil St. at exactly 12:15pm. We padyak all the way to Venice Piazza, Taguig City and arrived on the expected time of the marshal briefing.

After the briefing, Maricar Estacio, one of the promising Downhillers of the Philippines approached me together with her son Aily Drey Estacio who is 9 year old asking if her son can join the Sunset Ride without her. I humbly answered that there’s nothing to worry because one of the marshal duties is to stay behind the kids. Maricar explained why she can’t join the Sunset Ride as she told me she is in-charge for the Bike Clinics for ActiveKids. I told Aily to stay with me always and gave him my card so that whatever happens he knew how to find me.

Aily Estacio, biloggirl, Tina from I love to Ride my Bicycle

Around 230pm. At the parking lot of Venice Piazza, Mia Bunao and Ricky Pineda of Firefly Brigade called the attention of all riders to discuss the Sunset Ride formation.

Mia and Eric from Firefly Brigade

Lady pacers and Army marshals were stationed in front of the peloton, next lane were the kids, behind them were their parents and marshals, and finally, the adult bikers followed by the sweeper marshals. There was a total of 12 kids ahead of me.

The sky started to get darker as lady pacers led the pedaling followed by the kids. Rain fell during our uphill climb from Venice Piazza to McKinley Road.

I saw Aily pedaling using his Single-Speed BMX bike, saw two girls beside me, pedaling their best too. No bikers withdrew from the peloton.

A small band at the Philippine Army Quadrangle expressed their greetings by playing their instruments. I can still hear their music when we pedaled back to Venice Piazza.

At the Finish area, I heard the crowd shouting “more, more” because the ride lasted for less than an hour. I went to see the lead marshal and he told me that Unilab ActiveHealth had to postponed the Sunset Ride due to the weather. Unilab ActiveHealth will announce the new schedule date of Sunset Ride soon.

After the short but fun ride, we strolled around and checked the track for the Dual Stunt designed by Bans Mendoza and Road Criterium. Bikers were overwhelmed on what Unilab ActiveHealth prepared for the everybody. ActiveHealth called these zones, the ActiveKids and ActiveAdults. From ActiveKids zone, I saw a big playpen, the Bike Clinic where I saw my friend Maricar Estacio guiding the kids and kiddie booths. For ActiveAdult, there were free consultation, Unilab products booths, short games with freebies. I got two bags full of freebies. Sorry I don’t have pictures of them. Our camera ran out of battery right after the Sunset Ride.

I was happy to bike under the rain and being part of this event. I would say that this was the first sports event I attended with lots of freebies, games, fun ride. It was a perfect event for the whole family. Please share your Bike United.

Congrats Unilab Active Health!

Photos by: boxph