PERSON OF INTEREST SERIES: PAUL JEROME DELA PENA
A term "person of interest" is usually associated with someone who the police considers as involved in a crime, but there aren't enough facts to engender a belief that he is a suspect in its commission. In the biking community, such a person would be one who has done something to merit attention and even praise.
Paul Jerome dela Pena is a 21-year old graphic designer who works at home. He comes from a simple family -- his father is a farmer-businessman, while his mother is a school teacher. He got into biking at a young age, but like most kids, he chose to get a mountain bike. A little less than a year ago, he decided to swap his mountain bike for a road bike.
He chose a generic Cervelo frame for his road bike. Not having deep pockets, he has only one original jersey (although he has a number of jerseys and shorts that he bought at Quiapo for Php200 each). Even his gears -- helmet, gloves and sunglasses -- are all replicas. Despite his limited means, his dreams were big. He wanted to prove to his non-cyclist friends that he can embark on a long road trip with just his road bike. His friends discouraged him to no end, but their taunts only made his resolve to do the heretofore unthinkable stronger. For he had this motto in life: "Don't be afraid of being outnumbered; Eagles fly alone, pigeons flock together."
At 11pm of Saturday, 1st April 2017, Paul left his house in Monumento and headed north. After a grueling 412 kilometers and 22 hours of pedaling, he arrived in Vigan. He didn't tell his parents about his long ride -- he was afraid that they would object to it. The only person who knew beforehand was his girlfriend, who was so furious at him that they did not speak for several days (N.B. they only got back to talking to each other just prior to his trip, and to wish him luck). There have been other bikers who have done this long ride at a faster pace. But what made Paul's ride an epic one was the fact that this was his FIRST long ride of more than 100km, and that he has no prior experience in road races. How was he able to do it? This is his story:
1. When did you decide to go on a solo ride?
I decided to do this almost a month ago. I wanted to find out if I can do it, to challenge my limits, and to prove to my friends that it can be done.
2. What training regimen did you make before embarking on the trip?
I did a series of long rides every weekend composed of uphill and heat training (10am to 3pm) totaling 250-300km. I also did 2 short bike rides on weekdays, a minimum of 50km to Timberland/Shotgun routes.
3. How much money did you bring, and what did you have in your backpack?
I brought Php2,500 in cash, bike lights, interiors, a patch kit, a multi-tool, a power bank and a portable air pump. I also brought along 2 extra pairs of shirts, an extra phone, spare batteries for my bike headlights and a battery charger.
4. Were you taking Saltsticks or other supplements?
I tried to buy a powergel, but my seller did not have any. I relied on what food was available along the way, yung high on sugar and sodium/salt.
5. How many times did you stop for food? What was your food intake?
I stopped every 50km, but on the last 100km, I stopped every 25km. I took high sugar and sodium foods and a lot of water.
6. With regard to your water, how much did you bring along? Did you have a "rule" on how much water to intake?
I have a bottle water container. Every 50km, i would intake about 2 liters of water (not counting my soft drinks and Pocari Sweat intakes). But between 10am and 4pm, I increased my water intake to at least 3 liters. I would replenish my water needs along the way by buying from sari-sari stores.
7. How was the weather? What effect did it have on your ride?
I was fortunate to have had clear skies and sunshine during my trip. Dehydration was a concern, so I made sure to always keep drinking every few kilometers. I was also met by very strong headwinds that made forward movement difficult, especially near the coastline from Bangar to Narvacan in Ilocos Sur.
8. Can you share any unusual scene that you encountered along the way?
I can't think of anything unusual, except to mention the many undisciplined drivers we have in the Philippines. I was also fortunate to have met a number of fellow bikers who accompanied me during several lonely stretches.
9. What did you learn from your journey, did it make you a better person?
I learned that I need to train harder and push myself, because nobody will do it for me. Sabi nila, nakaka-boring daw ang mag-isa sa ride pero para sa akin, kung hindi mo sayang making masala nang mag-isa, di ka din magiging masaya kahit meron ka nang kasama. I'm an introverted person sometimes. Pag mag-isa ka, sarili mo ang oras at wala kang iniintindi maliban sa sarili mo.
10. If there is something that you wish to share to other RBP members about your trip, what would that be?
Mag-ride ka para sa sarili mo, hindi para sa iba. Kalimitan kasi, yung iba, kapag hindi pwede yung kasama nila ay hindi na din sila tutuloy sa padyak nila. Masarap maging solo ride para sakin kasi marami kang naiisip sa sarili mo, nakakapag-muni muni kung baga. Hehe at feel na feel mo yung journey. You and your bike only.
Paul Jerome dela Pena is a 21-year old graphic designer who works at home. He comes from a simple family -- his father is a farmer-businessman, while his mother is a school teacher. He got into biking at a young age, but like most kids, he chose to get a mountain bike. A little less than a year ago, he decided to swap his mountain bike for a road bike.
1. When did you decide to go on a solo ride?
I decided to do this almost a month ago. I wanted to find out if I can do it, to challenge my limits, and to prove to my friends that it can be done.
2. What training regimen did you make before embarking on the trip?
I did a series of long rides every weekend composed of uphill and heat training (10am to 3pm) totaling 250-300km. I also did 2 short bike rides on weekdays, a minimum of 50km to Timberland/Shotgun routes.
3. How much money did you bring, and what did you have in your backpack?
I brought Php2,500 in cash, bike lights, interiors, a patch kit, a multi-tool, a power bank and a portable air pump. I also brought along 2 extra pairs of shirts, an extra phone, spare batteries for my bike headlights and a battery charger.
4. Were you taking Saltsticks or other supplements?
I tried to buy a powergel, but my seller did not have any. I relied on what food was available along the way, yung high on sugar and sodium/salt.
I stopped every 50km, but on the last 100km, I stopped every 25km. I took high sugar and sodium foods and a lot of water.
6. With regard to your water, how much did you bring along? Did you have a "rule" on how much water to intake?
I have a bottle water container. Every 50km, i would intake about 2 liters of water (not counting my soft drinks and Pocari Sweat intakes). But between 10am and 4pm, I increased my water intake to at least 3 liters. I would replenish my water needs along the way by buying from sari-sari stores.
7. How was the weather? What effect did it have on your ride?
I was fortunate to have had clear skies and sunshine during my trip. Dehydration was a concern, so I made sure to always keep drinking every few kilometers. I was also met by very strong headwinds that made forward movement difficult, especially near the coastline from Bangar to Narvacan in Ilocos Sur.
8. Can you share any unusual scene that you encountered along the way?
I can't think of anything unusual, except to mention the many undisciplined drivers we have in the Philippines. I was also fortunate to have met a number of fellow bikers who accompanied me during several lonely stretches.
9. What did you learn from your journey, did it make you a better person?
I learned that I need to train harder and push myself, because nobody will do it for me. Sabi nila, nakaka-boring daw ang mag-isa sa ride pero para sa akin, kung hindi mo sayang making masala nang mag-isa, di ka din magiging masaya kahit meron ka nang kasama. I'm an introverted person sometimes. Pag mag-isa ka, sarili mo ang oras at wala kang iniintindi maliban sa sarili mo.
10. If there is something that you wish to share to other RBP members about your trip, what would that be?
Mag-ride ka para sa sarili mo, hindi para sa iba. Kalimitan kasi, yung iba, kapag hindi pwede yung kasama nila ay hindi na din sila tutuloy sa padyak nila. Masarap maging solo ride para sakin kasi marami kang naiisip sa sarili mo, nakakapag-muni muni kung baga. Hehe at feel na feel mo yung journey. You and your bike only.
Good God sir thanks for the informative blog.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, if salt stick & power gel are scarce sometime our best option is to visit pharmacy or grocery mart & look for dehydrated-grape-fruit & oral-rehydration-salts as our supplements.