Manila Coffee Cycling Club 12/2019: Turning two!

Two years ago, the Manila Coffee Cycling Club convened for its very first regular Sunday social coffee ride, with the theme of riding your city and discovering and appreciating its sights. On its second anniversary, things were no different, as the main focus was the newly restored Jones Bridge, connecting Taft Avenue into the Chinatown of Binondo.

Photo credit: Lito Vicencio.

On the morning of December 8, 2019, the group convened at Toby’s Estate in Bonifacio Global City, as a nod to its very first ride. While most riders were on road bikes, JP Carino and Gavin Ng showed up astride pedal-assisted Bromptons, which were a good fit to the more relaxed nature of the ride.

Elbert Cuenca and JP Carino leading the pack along Ayala Avenue.
Photo credit: Patrick Olympia.

Quite a big group today.
Photo credit: Patrick Olympia.

April Manaloto flying through Makati CBD on her Cannondale CAAD12.
Photo credit: Patrick Olympia.

After Brian Sy and I tended to a crashed fellow cyclist along McKinley Road, we rode through Ayala Avenue, Gil Puyat Avenue, and Roxas Boulevard. I ended up becoming tail-end Charlie with four or five other riders, and we got separated from the group, so we turned into Intramuros in the general direction of Jones Bridge.

Tailing Geo Galisim and CA Pagal through Soriano Avenue enroute to Jones Bridge.

Eventually, with good riding and a bit of cyclocross wannabe hike-a-bike, we ended up meeting the others at our destination. The beautification and restoration of Jones Bridge and its fixtures is still ongoing, but it’s remarkable how it’s become a minor tourist attraction in itself almost overnight – mainly due to the row of intricately etched wooden street lights painted in an old-world bronze finish.

Photo credit: Lito Vicencio.

Photo credit: Lito Vicencio.

Photo credit: Lito Vicencio.

A Coast Guard patrol boat had just passed when I took this photo, hence the ripples from its wake.

Jo Garde leaning on one of the etched wooden light posts.
Photo credit: Lito Vicencio.

Patrick Olympia, Geo Galisim, and Andrew Favis at the Jones Bridge.
Photo credit: Patrick Olympia.

Photo credit: Patrick Olympia.

A bit more hike-a-bike was required, as we went downstairs from the bridge at Escolta ferry station to ride alongside the Pasig River.

Photo credit: Patrick Olympia

Photo credit: Lito Vicencio.

As the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games were going on, we decided to take a visit to the renovated Rizal Memorial Stadium along Pablo Ocampo Sr. St. Soldiering on, we pedaled through quite a bit of Manila on our way there.

Photo credit: Patrick Olympia.

Lito Vicencio taking a selfie with the group.
Photo credit: Lito Vicencio.

Gavin Ng showing us how to ride a Brompton tastefully.
Photo credit: Patrick Olympia.

JP Carino playing around with the Brompton’s fidgety steering.
Photo credit: Lito Vicencio.

Albert Katigbak, April Manaloto, and Mark Marquez riding along.
Photo credit: Patrick Olympia.

Photo credit: Patrick Olympia.

Roy Alfafara going strong on his bike.
Photo credit: Patrick Olympia.

In between Quirino Avenue and Pablo Ocampo Sr. St., we ran across multiple road closures due to the SEA Games…which led to the group taking a detour through a pretty narrow alleyway that was an actual barangay.

Geo Galisim riding through some of the tightest alleyways I’ve seen.
Photo credit: Patrick Olympia.

In the end we came out right by Agno Street, which is a familiar street food haunt for De La Salle University students and alums.

Brian Sy and JP Carino riding along Agno St. past De La Salle University’s Sports Center.
Photo credit: Patrick Olympia.

Yours truly.
Photo credit: Lito Vicencio.

Brian Sy on his Officine Battaglin Power+ Disc.
Photo credit: Lito Vicencio.

We landed at the newly renovated Rizal Memorial Coliseum, stopping for just a while before moving on to our cafe stop – Elbert’s Pizzeria.

JP Carino at Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Photo credit: Lito Vicencio.

Lito Vicencio pedaling past Manila City Hall.
Photo credit: Patrick Olympia.

Photo credit: Patrick Olympia.

Carlo Peralta speeding by an ominous veterinary clinic. He ended up having to abort the ride early due to an emergency operation he had to perform.
Photo credit: Patrick Olympia

By 9:00 am we packed ourselves into Elbert’s Pizzeria along L.P. Leviste Street in Makati. Proprietor and friend of the club Elbert Cuenca had fresh coffee and warm pizza on the house for all, and we had our fill.

Patrick Olympia indulging his Premium Rush stylings.
Photo credit: Patrick Olympia.

I had a cappuccino.

Elbert’s pizza margherita with sausage.

Yours truly with Geo Galisim and Andrew Favis.

Photo credit: Lito Vicencio.

A toast with pizza!
Photo credit: Lito Vicencio.

“All who want more pizza, raise your hands!”
Photo credit: Lito Vicencio

It was a nice way of capping off two years of these social rides. Many thanks to JP Carino and Carlo Peralta for organizing these rides; Elbert Cuenca and the crew of Elbert’s Pizzeria for the wonderful coffee and pizza; and Lito Vicencio and Patrick Olympia for the great snaps.

Patrick Olympia’s Sava road bike with aero bars leaning on Jones Bridge.
Photo credit: Patrick Olympia.

William A. Jones Memorial Bridge. Quintin Paredes Road, Binondo, Manila.

Rizal Memorial Coliseum. Pablo Ocampo Sr. St. corner Taft Avenue, Malate, Manila. +63 2 85250808.

Elbert’s Pizzeria. V Corporate Centre, 125 L.P. Leviste Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City. +63 2 79788325.