World Around

09/05/2026

I was surprised at Powder Canyon Trail, an exciting trail between OC and LA County. Watch it guys!

Thinking about riding Powder Canyon as a beginner? You might be in ...

08/29/2026

Chino Hills State Park is one of the most popular MTB spots in Southern California, but this 15-mile loop pushed us to the limit!

In this video, we start at Carbon Canyon and hit the main artery of the park: Telegraph Canyon Trail. After a solid climb up Diemer Trail, we soak in the silence and epic views of South Ridge. To avoid the legendary "punishment" climb of the full ridge, we bailed down Easy Street Trail... which turned out to be anything but easy (and honestly, a little dangerous!). Throw in a rattlesnake encounter on Sycamore Trail and a brutal push up North Ridge, and you get one wild 3-hour adventure.

If you enjoyed the ride, hit that SUBSCRIBE button and let me know your favorite trails in Chino Hills down in the comments!

📍 Trails Ridden in this Video:

Carbon Canyon / Telegraph Canyon Trail
Diemer Trail
South Ridge Trail
Easy St. Trail
Sycamore Trail
North Ridge Trail

Chino Hills State Park is one of the most popular MTB spots in Sout...

08/07/2026

Do we really just have to accept endless flooding as a reality for Filipinos?

This is Part 2 of video series, taking you to California's Santa Ana River Mainstem Project.

Ano nga ba ang Santa Ana River Mainstem Project?

Imagine a massive flood defense system stretching 75 miles—roughly the distance from Manila to Pampanga—running all the way from the mountains down to the ocean. That is the Santa Ana River Project, designed to protect over 3.35 million people across three different counties.

Instead of relying on band-aid solutions, they built a complete masterplan that blends heavy engineering with nature:

Upstream Mega-Dams: They built the new Seven Oaks Dam and drastically expanded the Prado Dam. By catching and holding massive amounts of rainwater up in the mountains, they stop floodwaters before they can rush into lowland communities.

A "Highway" to the Ocean: They upgraded 30 miles of the river channel so excess storm runoff has a clear, unobstructed path straight out to the sea—preventing water from clogging and spilling into neighborhoods.
Using Nature as a Sponge: They realized concrete walls aren't enough. By preserving 1,100 acres of floodplains and restoring 92 acres of wetlands, they created "natural sponges" that absorb excess water naturally during heavy rains.

Flood Defense turned Community Space: Under a 1990 U.S. law, they integrated the Santa Ana River Trail directly into the flood project. Instead of living next to ugly concrete walls, locals got 32 miles of public trails, parks, and green spaces right along the river where families can walk, bike, and relax safely.

Do you think a mega-project like this could work across our country? What steps should our government take first to modernize our flood control? Let’s discuss in the comments below! 👇

About the Song 🎵
Composed by Mr. Christian Cardona, this track won 2nd prize at the 1st SCAP Songwriting Competition in 2007 and was officially launched in San Jose, Antique. Written when Christian was a student leader with the Student Catholic Action of the Philippines (SCAP) at the University of Bohol, the song carries a powerful message calling all humanity to help protect mother nature to facilitate genuine community development.

New to the channel? 🇵🇭

I’m a Pinoy immigrant exploring California on two wheels. I view life as an adventure! My mission is to show you a glimpse of the world through the lens of biking and cycling.

The channel is about our daily connection to nature and the vibrant cultures we interact with every day. If you love fresh air, local exploration, and the simple joy of cycling, subscribe to join the adventure!

Let’s ride, explore, and stay connected to the World Around us.

Do we really just have to accept endless flooding as a reality for ...

08/05/2026

Part 1: How California Fixed Flooding (And What the Philippines MUST learn)

Every time the habagat kicks in or a typhoon hits, it’s the same exhausting story: knee-deep water, hours stuck in traffic, stranded commuters, and flooded homes. We’ve almost normalized wading through floodwaters as part of daily life, but rapid urbanization and concrete developments paving over our natural catchments have made the baha worse than ever.

But do we really just have to accept endless flooding as our reality?

In this video series, we take a look at California's Santa Ana River Mainstem Project. Just like Metro Manila and neighboring provinces, Southern California was expanding fast and paving over the natural lands that used to absorb rainwater. To prevent a catastrophic $40 billion flood disaster, they took massive, unified action across multiple cities.

What makes this project so inspiring isn't just the heavy concrete dams—it’s how they turned flood defenses into community spaces. As part of a 1990 environmental law, they integrated the 32-mile Santa Ana River Trail directly into the project. Instead of just building giant drainage canals, they created multi-use public trails, parks, and green spaces along the river for families to enjoy.

Watch this video series to see how the Philippines can learn from this approach—and how we can transform our riverways from constant flood hazards into safer, greener spaces for everyone!

About the Song 🎵

Composed by Engr. Hildardo Madijanon Jr., this track won 1st prize at the 1st SCAP Songwriting Competition in 2007 and was officially launched during its Leadership Conference in San Jose, Antique. Written when Dards was a student leader with the Student Catholic Action of the Philippines (SCAP) representing University of Bohol, the song carries a powerful message: humanity must live in harmony with nature and protect our environment for generations to come.

New to the channel? 🇵🇭

I’m a Pinoy immigrant exploring California on two wheels. I view life as an adventure! My mission is to show you a glimpse of the world through the lens of biking and cycling.

The channel is about our daily connection to nature and the vibrant cultures we interact with every day. If you love fresh air, local exploration, and the simple joy of cycling, subscribe to join the adventure!

Let’s ride, explore, and stay connected to the World Around us.

YouTube link: https://youtu.be/A0gu25juLhQ
TikTok: doncirilocinco

07/14/2026

Redwood forest in SoCal

07/12/2026

Summer in Balboa Island, Newport Beach, California

06/07/2026

Get ready for an adrenaline rush as I ride the legendary Whiting Ranch Loop in Orange County, California. Just when I thought it was all about the bike, I got a mountain lion warning, but the real surprise was yet to come - a rattlesnake right in front of me on the trail 🐍!

Join me as I navigate treacherous terrain, steep climbs, and a wildlife encounter that left me breathless. This ride was a true test of my skills, from the punishing ascent up Mustard Road to the stunning views.

If you're passionate about biking, you need to see this. It's about more than just the ride; it's about facing your fears and handling risk. Share your recent wild adventures with me in the comments below.

Don't forget to like and subscribe for more thrilling biking videos.

https://youtube.com/?si=-Na00_7fTqPysk9L

05/24/2026

I'm taking you on another epic ride at Powder Canyon Loop, where we tackle the 10-mile loop that spans across Black Walnut, Purple Sage, and Schabarum Skyline trails. This loop, which straddles OC and LA counties, is a local favorite, but be warned - it's not for beginners. I'll break down the dramatic shift from lush canyon floor to exposed ridge climbs and share tips on navigating the heavily trafficked trails and finding hidden gems.

If you're looking for a quick-hit 8-mile workout right in our backy...

05/15/2026

Cactus Hill Trail is short, flowy, with turns and downhill bumps, which is part of the 8-mile Whiting Ranch Loop in Lake Forest, Orange County, California. At times, they close this trail during the rainy season because it gets slippery for bikers. Also, it's normal for this trail to be closed at times due to mountain lion sightings. The recent one was in November 2025. A tragedy happened in 2004 when a biker was attacked by a mountain lion, which killed him. I got a rattlesnake encounter. Check it out, guys, for the entire video.

In today’s ride, I’m tackling one of the most iconic sections of the Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park loop in Orange County, California. Known for its smooth, f...

05/07/2026

I risked biking Whiting Ranch Loop here in Orange County, California. And guess what I found?

I didn't see any big cats, but I did have a heart-stopping encounter with a rattlesnake right in the middle of the trail! 🐍 Join me as I navigate steep climbs, loose dirt, and my first real wildlife standoff.

From the punishing ascent up Mustard Road to the stunning views of the mountains and encounters with wild animals, this ride threw everything at me.

If you love exploring the world through the lens of a bike, you won't want to miss this one. This isn’t just about dodging snakes and surviving the OC wild. It’s about learning to handle risk—both on two wheels and in everyday life.

Watch the video: https://youtu.be/e01RF_A9OT4?si=cvGIC9JuCUCddwAD

👇 What was your recent wild adventures as a beginner or in your life? Let me know in the comments! 🔥 Hit that LIKE button if you survived the video, and SUBSCRIBE for more epic biking adventures across the US and right here in Orange County!

📱 CONNECT WITH ME:

Alltrails: Don Cirilo
Strava: Don Cirilo
TikTok: tiktok.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/w.rldaround
YouTube: youtube.com/

Is Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park too intense for a beginner mountain biker? Today, I’m risking Whiting Ranch Loop! I took on the legendary (and sometimes not...