Devoid of any experience between the wheels of these big two-wheeled road monsters we refer to as “big bikes”, I still view the film Easy Rider with fascination and the source of my desire to someday acquaint myself with these types of motorcycles. My previous conception about the men who ride these powerful machines of motorbikes is synonymous with the wild and colorful characters the late Hunter S. Thompson rode for a year with and wrote about in his career-defining book Hell’s Angels: A Strange and Terrible Saga.
The Motorbike Road Rush to the City of Pines
Shattering the Outlaw Myth
“Outlaw motorcyclists wearing chains, shades and greasy Levis roll out from damp garages, all-night diners and cast-off one-night pads in Frisco, Hollywood, Berdoo and East Oakland, heading for the Monterey peninsula, north of Big Sur…. The Menace is loose again,” Thompson wrote in the opening pages of his monumental book.
A few minutes before meeting the riders of Travel Concierge’s Ride Along Motorcycle Tours, I was half expecting the same brawny, intimidating, gum-chewing, poker-faced characters complete with dagger stares to drag us violently onto their big bikes. That moment of apprehension instantly disappeared as the riders came barging in with warm smiles at our meeting place somewhere along the stretch of the North Luzon Expressway in Bulacan.
The outlaw motorcyclist stereotype quickly evaporated from my imagination and was replaced by good-humored individuals who simply happen to have a shared, profound passion for riding motorcycles.
Ride Along Motorcycle Tours
Pat Favoreal, the road captain of NOS Motorcycle Club and owner of Travel Concierge’s Ride Along Motorcycle Tours, quickly shook our hands, beaming with a wide smile, and excitedly told us the story behind his concept of taking clients on guided travels aboard 400cc and up motorcycles.
A hotel management chief executive, Favoreal first fell in love with motorcycles back in his college days, but endured a long separation as he jettisoned the hobby for the more conventional use of cars.
“I rekindled my love for motorcycles when my wife allowed me to ride again a few years ago. Since then, I had collected a number of bikes, such as a Harley Davidson Softail Heritage 1640cc, a Yamaha Dragstar XVS400cc and a Royal Enfield Bullet Classic 500cc, just to name a few. I ride an average of 1,000 kilometers per month, and sometimes more if we set out on longer road trips,” Favoreal shared with us over breakfast.
As his passion for motorcycle riding grew, he encountered a light-bulb moment. “I asked myself, why not turn it into a business so others could also enjoy the kind of fulfillment I experience while riding a bike along the expressways,” he said, his eyes beaming as he pointed to the four big bikes parked outside. “In a few minutes, you will know exactly what I am talking about.”
Outside, I met the designated rider I would ride shotgun with. His name is Borgs Campit, an affable guy who is almost the human version of his Kawasaki Vaquero 1,700cc motorcycle. Big-bodied but with a sparkling attitude that made me feel safe pronto—despite the many kilometers of expressways and zig-zag roads that lay ahead of us. He pointed out the sections of his motorcycle as I nodded my head, pretending to understand everything he was telling me. At that moment, all I cared about was where to safely plant my butt and my feet.
Experiencing the Road Rush
He patted me on the back and assured me of a safe ride. After putting on our safety gear, including padded jackets and helmets, we hopped onto the back of our respective motorcycle riders.
A thunderous thud and the roaring of engines invited quite a series of stares from people inside passing cars, signaling the start of our journey. A mix of exhilaration and concern for my safety clouded my mind. But as soon as we gathered and maintained our speed, my elation grew while my fear evaporated. I marveled at how smooth our ride was going as I sat at the back of Campit, blazing down the smooth asphalt of NLEX at speeds of up to 140 kph.
“Safety is also important for us! All rides are planned and pre-ride briefings are mandatory. Ride Along Motorcycle Tours’ designated spearheads lead and supervise the routes, choose the stops carefully, and retain strict riding formation and discipline all throughout the ride itinerary. Participants are provided with helmets and riding safety gear. A special backup sweeper vehicle with a trailer is also available on long rides. All runs are insured—the kind that covers adventure activities and hobbies that are usually excluded in other PA coverage in the market,” Favoreal explained to us.
The onslaught of the rushing wind penetrating my helmet’s visor and into my face certainly brought a new sensation. I curled my gaze left and right to appreciate the expansive green fields of Pampanga and Tarlac as we transitioned to the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway and Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway. Unable to open my mouth to speak because of the strong gusts, I yelled inside my mind: “This is what freedom of the road is all about, Yohooo!”
That freedom of the road evolved onto another level as the picturesque sights of the surrounding mountains greeted us along the snaking roads leading up to the City of Pines. The visual banquet, as seen from the back of a motorcycle, definitely dishes a unique experience compared to eyeing Baguio’s natural splendor from the inside of a car or a bus.
“Ride Along is not available for everyone. It is rare to get people to ride on a bike on the expressways, especially if the engine is a minimum of 400cc,” Favoreal admitted. Seeing the amount of delight on our faces, he quickly recalled his statement. “But, it seems perfect for people like you.”
I replied, “It was more than perfect. I really dig that rush and that thrill going up here aboard a big motorcycle.”
Ratsky Ortiz, who drove a Kawasaki Vulcan 800cc Classic and is one of Travel Concierge’s riders, told us, “These big bikes are the best choice for road trips. Because you don’t have to go loose on the road as you would on super bikes. With big bikes, you just ride fast enough to enjoy the ride and the scenery—which you experienced with this road trip of ours.”
An Easy Rider Dream
Hands down, the trip going up to Baguio quickly notched itself as one of my most memorable travels. As awesome as our motorcycle experience was, the best part was bonding with the riders themselves. Over bottles of beer that night, they generously shared their passion with us. It was like they opened up and introduced an ingredient to a new dish that makes one’s life more exhilarating—to reign in the sovereignty of the open road as only a big bike motorcycle can bring.
As we capped the night and prepared for the next day’s ride back to Manila, I already envisioned myself as a younger Dennis Hopper, hoping to someday ride my own Easy Rider big bike. Having a girlfriend riding shotgun on the back and making long road trips around the Philippines appeared as a wonderful idea. A dream for now, but thanks to Travel Concierge’s Ride Along Motorcycle Tours, I experienced a completely unique road rush.
This motorcycle tour has been paused indefinitely.
* This article originally appeared on the Lifestyle pages of the November 27, 2016 print issue of BusinessMirror. *
