MY MAIDEN METRIC CENTURY RIDE

Ultimately, I recorded the longest ride of my life—129.48 kilometers across Nueva Ecija, Philippines.

It was truly a milestone and a personal accomplishment—completing a metric century ride (around 100 kilometers). It all began with a spontaneous decision to plan a solo night ride on the same day.

I departed at 4 p.m. on June 10, 2022, shortly after a sudden 45-minute downpour. At first, I was unsure about going beyond my usual low-impact regimen. I knew I would be arriving late at night, especially with the twisting and steep final 18 kilometers. I was also concerned for my safety, as I was traveling alone through remote areas of Nueva Ecija.

The long evening ride started in Quezon, Nueva Ecija, passed through Pinagpanaan, Llanera, and Rizal, and ended in Pantabangan—covering approximately 64 kilometers one way.

The towns of Llanera and Rizal are about 12 kilometers apart, but strong headwinds made it difficult to maintain speed in that stretch.

After covering 46.81 kilometers at an average speed of 26.3 kph, I made a stop at Dunkin’ to recharge with some carbs and sugary drinks—fuel for the challenging night ride and the punishing uphill climb ahead.

The final 18 kilometers were both grueling and rewarding. At one point, I nearly turned back, fearing for my safety as I rode alone through the dark, silent zigzags leading to Pantabangan. But I pushed on—driven by sheer determination.

After 64.27 kilometers, averaging 24.1 kph, I finally arrived in the historic town of Pantabangan. I continued toward Highland Bali Villas Resort and Spa, tackling the last winding 18-kilometer ascent. I conquered a total of 359 elevation gains and clocked in at 2 hours and 39 minutes of moving time—all on my own.

After recharging at Highland Bali Villas Resort and Spa, I quickly descended back to Rizal town and bought another bottle of water.

But the return trip wasn’t without danger. In Llanera, a man suddenly appeared at the roadside wielding a steel bar and attempted to strike me. I shouted instinctively and swerved away just in time to avoid him. As if that wasn’t enough, stray dogs—common along these roads—chased me at several points.

I finally arrived home at 12:30 a.m., completing the full 129.48-kilometer metric century ride. I averaged 25.3 kph, reached a top speed of 50 kph, and recorded my best pace at 1:12 per kilometer. The total ascent was 528 meters. All these stats were tracked and certified by my Garmin device.