Ride Report: The 2015 KRCP 24 Hour 1000-Kilometer Road Rally Challenge

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The first Endurance Run I participated in was the Petron Endurance and Economy Run back in 2009 riding a Kawasaki CT 1oo. My partner during the event was Marvin “Cocoy” Tuliao, the founder of the Kawasaki Riders Club of the Philippines who rode his scooter and we had a blast riding the whole 1200-kilometer route in 24 hours. Fast forward to 2015, Cocoy and the best of KRCP created the “KRCP 24 Hour 1000-Kilometer Road Rally Challenge” in preparation for a bigger event for the club’s 10^th anniversary in 2016 and for the first time in endurance rally history, it tackled the lesser known route – the Southern Tagalog Loop. Riders from as far as the Ilocos and Bicol regions travelled for days to be part of this event and of the 268 riders that took off from the starting line, 216 individuals took the title “Conqueror” as they finished the event within 24 hours.

At the starting line, everyone was so pumped up as if war is raging

With the “Godfather” himself, Marvin “Cocoy” Tuliao and the Pinoy Rider Erik Gatmaitan

With the head honchos: Roscoe Odulio of Wheeltek and Henson Hu of MTRT

THE RIDE

A week before the event, I was invited to Granstar Motors and Industrial Corp. through Bimbo Isidro, the owner and administrator of www.motorcyclephilippines.com whom I’ll represent during the event as one of the media participants. Boss Lester Tiu, GM of Granstar handed me a brand-spankin’ new TVS Apache RTR 180 and with its 16-liter fuel tank, it is the perfect bike for this endurance run complemented by its super comfortable seat. In fact, even after a week of commuting to and from Taguig as “getting to know each other” phase before the event there is still a lot of fuel remaining inside the tank. Now that’s efficient! I also added 2 auxiliary LED spotlights to help in night time riding and a USB outlet for my mobile phone also used as GPS unit. Now we’re ready!

The long distance bike at the finish line: TVS Apache RTR 180

14 hours 39 minutes

At the Wheeltek Buendia showroom, close to 300 riders lined up at the starting line, and looking at their eyes is like seeing soldiers getting pumped-up for battle. As soon as the riders went out of the grid I began to realize that this will be a very long day of riding and it won’t be an easy one. I was second to the last that took off as I had to document the flag off. The other rider, Rayford Anca had a little trouble with his scooter (but was able to ride and finish the event) went out past 11pm. I took it easy, realizing that the 10pm traffic at Baclaran and Domestic Rd will be a nightmare and it was. Trucks, jeepneys, FX, people and us, it was a circus! The slow pace improved as we reached Bacoor and beyond. Local rider clubs along the way were a big help managing the intersections, and after an hour or so I reached the first checkpoint at the Kaybiang Tunnel in Nasugbu Batangas. Resembling other endurance events, the first checkpoint usually encounters chaos as a big chunk of partakers arrive almost at the same time. After a few minutes I was off. The road to Rosario Batangas should be straight forward: pass the town of Tuy, Taal and Batangas City and be on the next checkpoint in no time. But reality bites, if not for the road marshals pointing the right directions me and a good portion of participants could’ve lost precious time because of poor navigating skills (I for one almost got lost in the town of Bauan). Upon reaching the 2^nd checkpoint, one of the marshals came running at me to get my passport and was kind enough to have it stamped and I didn’t have to disembark from the bike. The next check point was a good 130 kilometers away to Petron gas station in the sleepy town of Pitogo Quezon. It was the longest 2 or so hours of my life. I was, most of the time riding alone particularly in the dark thoroughfares of Bondoc Peninsula. Adding auxiliary lights really paid off. When I passed a lot of riders lining up at gas stations along the way, in Candelaria and Lucena, I started to thank the mammoth 16-liter tank advantage of the RTR 180. While other riders gassed up, I continued to rock! Upon reaching Pitogo, I was informed that I am the 28^th to arrive. A big wow! I can’t imagine being the second to the last to take off and now I’m with in the top 30. I grabbed the power bar in my pocket and cranked the engine and off I trot to San Andres port. As the locals said, the road to the Port is always to the left. Me and another rider got lost in the town of San Narciso losing time. Going back on track is when the fun began, as the roads are, not only dark but also unpaved. Riding off roads on some weekends also paid off as me and the RTR 180 glided through the rough terrain. When I reached the Tagkawayan checkpoint it was already time for breakfast. Well, for me I just pushed on. Gassed up at a Shell station in Pagbilao Quezon and a bite at another power bar, I dashed to the Infanta marker through Lucban and Pagsanjan – a good 250 kilometers which is farther than Manila to Baguio one way. Upon reaching the Infanta marker, Sir Tsukasa Shiihara and his wife managing the final checkpoint greeted us and handed us some water to cool down. I thought it was already noontime, but Sir Tsukasa muttered “it is only 10am and you’re rider number 18 to check in…”. Not only it is still early, we have a good chance to finish with in the top 20. My butt doesn’t hurt and is only 130 kilometers of final stretch. I met a couple of riders along the way, riding a CBR 150 was Christian Pablo and on the Ninja 250 was Conan Cuyag. Come to think of it, we were riding together since Calauag in Quezon. With the final push and a couple of overshoots, I decided to just take it easy going down Sierra Madre. And at last, after 14 hours and 39 minutes of continuous riding, we’re finally back where we’ve started at the Wheeltek showroom in Makati City. Finishing 13^th overall was just a bonus, completing it and arriving safely is what really counts. The combination of on and off road challenge was breathtaking! The conquerors who took the podium were: Eljun Victor on his Ducati Multi Strada 1200 @ 11 hours 26 minutes, Cloyde Pilapil on his Yamaha Sniper 135 @ 12 hours 9 minutes and Bryan Balasuela on his Honda CBR 150 @ 12 hours 11 minutes. The first scooter to arrive was Trench Quilantang on his Yamaha Mio 125. The first to arrive in the Group Category was Team Bonete, who dedicated the ride in memory of their beloved groupmate. Buzzer beaters were 3 riders from the group CBR Gents with a time of 23 hours 59 minutes and 45 seconds – just 15 seconds shy of being DNF.

The only action shot I have. Photo taken at the Lucena City junction.

It is good to be number 1. Eljun Victor shortly after arriving at the finish line at 11 hours 26 minutes

A reason to celebrate. Going there is a tough one.

It is also worth mentioning our iron lady riders Marj Jabson on her Kymco Super 8, Judith Babaran on her Honda XRM 110 and Mac Dela Cruz onboard her Kawasaki Z1000 for finishing this grueling rally, the father and son tandem Mark and Enzo Chuidian who truly made this bonding experience extra ordinary and the most “Senior” among the participants: Charles Wheeler aged 79. 2-strokes never die as demonstrated by rider Noel Tungol on his Kawasaki KR 150 and Wilson Lomboy, despite injuring his left hand still managed to finish the event by tying a piece of cloth on to his jacket and the clutch lever – now that’s fighting spirit!

The Iron Ladies

Father and son tandem Mark and Enzo Chuidian

The top 10 Conquerors

Thank you!

I wish to thank our Creator for giving us all a safe adventure and we’re all back home in one piece, my partners for this event Lester Tiu of Granstar Motors and Industrial Corp. for letting me test the TVS Apache RTR 180 for an endurance run – awesome bike; Bimbo Isidro of www.motorcyclephilippines.com who sent me to cover this remarkable event; Telly Buhay of Spyder Philippines for my lid and touring jacket never ride without them; Mike Bondoc and Rica Tesoro of BikerBox, Inc. for my ICON premium reflective vest so that I’d be seen – in style; Randy Silva-Netto of JZone for the LED auxiliary lamps that made the evening bright as day and the waterproof USB outlet for my smartphone so it won’t run out of juice; Roscoe Odulio, Mark Chuidian and Bobby Orbe of Wheeltek for helping KRCP make this event a reality; to all the volunteers and marshals that woke up early or in some cases didn’t sleep at all just to help riders find the right direction and assisted those who needed help – a truly wonderful job; to my KRCP family Marvin Tuliao, his wife Jane, Lishie, Tsukasa, Moonshine and the best of KRCP we salute you for a job well done! Can’t say all your names here but you guys know who you are. They are the people behind the scenes who even with a day job and families to take care of were able to pull this event off! Again a big thank you!

Let me also thank all the participants, who had their own stories to tell, finishers or not, the best thing we’ve won from this event are our newly made friends.