10/05/2025
A Ride to Remember: Trail Adventures on Mt. Makiling (2021)
Let me take you back to a sunny, beautiful morning in 2021 a day that still brings a smile to my face. This was no ordinary day. It was the day my son and I were going on a trail ride together his first major ride and we were both buzzing with excitement.
We consider it a major trail because the route takes almost the entire day to complete. After a hearty breakfast, we geared up and prepped our motorcycles my son on his Kawasaki KMX and me on my Kawasaki KX. The morning air was cool and fresh, the perfect start for what was going to be a long, challenging ride.
Our first stop was the gas station, where we waited for our friends. The rest of the group, our fellow trail riders, were gathered at Didoy’s house in Los Baños. Once we were all assembled, we headed straight to the trail site.
You could feel the energy among us as our tires hit the rough terrain. The trail was no joke, mud, dust, rocks, steep climbs, and sharp descents greeted us almost immediately. But that’s what we came for. That’s the thrill of it.
Thankfully, we came prepared: water bladders, itlog na nilaga (boiled eggs), and saging (bananas) kept us going. There were moments when you’d feel your energy dip, but a quick stop to eat and hydrate gave us the boost we needed to keep pushing forward.
The photo I’m sharing was taken at the top of Balete Hill Climb. It captures not just the view, but the feeling of accomplishment and camaraderie among us.
What I love most about trail riding is the people you meet. On that trail, we were a mix of everything, doctors, businessmen, students, mechanics, young riders, older guys, different walks of life, united by one passion. But on the trail, titles don’t matter. Everyone looks out for each other. We ride together, and we finish together.
That day on Mt. Makiling wasn’t just a ride it was a memory I’ll always treasure, especially sharing it with my son and friends. Until the next adventure!
