Summer time is cycling time

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

WE are already feeling March’s hot climate, an imminent sign that summer time is now around the corner. Last February 2 during the Binmaley bikefest we, race officials, and especially the participating cyclists still felt the cool atmosphere throughout the race. Today the heat from the scorching March sun is beginning to be felt. That’s what we encountered last March 2 and 4 during the Mangaldan and Laoac cycling tilts. Most of the contestants and even my race officials complained about the sweltering heat.

I have three more races to direct this month, the Alaminos City tiff this coming March 14 and the two Bayambang races slated on March 16 and 29 and we’re anticipating a much higher temperature. Next month I have one in Sual on the 26th and maybe April 13 in Mapandan which I’m still working out. The three-day Vuelta de Dagupan (I’ll not be involved in it) organized by Dr. Demosthenes Ydia will be conducted on April 4-6. So, in short, as many say, ‘summer time is cycling time’. The Tour of Luzon, Tour of PICCA, Marlboro Tour, Tour Pilipinas, Padyak Pinoy and now the UCI-sanctioned “Le Tour de Filipinas” were all held during summer. Only the Ronda Pilipinas was held early this year (February 1-16) precisely to stay away from the expected scorching heat. Yes, it was a wise decision and the benefactors and the participants themselves, especially the foreigners who are not used to hot weather, appreciated it.

After summer, cycling will be suspended for obvious reasons. One of the major enemies of cyclists during competitions is wet road along the course. Wet roads always cause lot of spills that result in injuries among many contestants and damage the pricey race bikes “Hindi lang sakit ng katawan ang iyong matatamasa kapag ikaw ay natumba sa karera kundi gastos pa,” said Mangaldan election officer and avid cycling follower Johnny Valencia. I agree.

*          *          *          *

I doff my hat to Atty. Gonzalo T. Duque for proposing to include mountain bike racing in the UCAAP (Universities Athletic Association of Pangasinan) Games that will be participated in by high school and college students studying in institutions affiliated with UCAAP. Yes, the proposal is a ‘long shot’ for it to be realized and I believe the only way it can happen is when heads of majority of UCAAP member schools can be like Gonz, an avid cycling fan. Mabuhay ka, Gonz.

*          *          *          *

My big congrats to Supt. Matthew Casupang for staging another successful shootfest held at Jharrsel Firing Range in barangay Bari in my town Mangaldan during our town fiesta celebration. Casupang is the president of the Mangaldan Practical Shooters Association, Inc. (MAPSAI) and the tournament, originally called Mayor Romero’s Cup, is now on its fourth year. Casupang, is a native of Mangaldan and served as police chief of our town for more than two years. Mabuhay ka rin, Mat and keep up always the good work.

*          *          *          *

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “If you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday. The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail. ISAIAH 58: 10-11

Back to Homepage

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments