Trails Start Here

We’re excited for you! Mountain biking is such an amazing sport to get into, most especially during these weird, locked down times. It’s a (relatively) safe and fun way to see friends outdoors, exercise together with the family, and stay in shape while boosting your immune system.

But like with every sport, preparation is key and knowing what to expect is an important part in making sure that you enjoy yourselves, minus any unwanted happenings. Check! Check! And then you can go.

• YOUR BIKE
  Check your tire pressure, all of the screws, nuts, and bolts too. Make sure your brakes are working well and that your drivetrain is dialed and shifts smoothly.
• YOUR GEAR
  There’s a saying — “you can never be too safe.” A helmet is non-negotiable and if you have pads, a multi-tool, or even extra tubes, bring ’em with you.
• YOURSELF
  You are the engine that’ll power your bike, so fuel up. Make sure you stay hydrated all throughout and trust us, it’s smarter to eat beforehand than not at all.

LA MESA WATERSHED

One of the more popular and “instagrammable” bike (and hiking) trails IN the city, La Mesa lives up to its reputation and more. If you’re looking for a leisurely ride in and around nature, yes you’ll get that here…but be ready to test your endurance and fitness levels. The park is a loop and most of it starts downhill, you’ll soon be met with a healthy amount of climbing too. You’ll have to book in advance, pay the park fee, and ride with a guide, but the view and the entire experience is worth it.

There is a minimum fee of 200PHP/head for groups 5 and above and a minimum fee of 1000PHP if you’re below that number, and each group gets up to 3 hours in the park. Which, from experience, is more than enough. La Mesa is a pretty easy ride overall, and is good for groups that want to enjoy the outdoors on a bike, in a trail.

FILINVEST MTB TRAILS

Nestled perfectly in the middle of the busy Alabang-Westgate neighborhood (parking is at Westgate Center), the Filinvest Trails is definitely the best place for people who want to try trail-riding for the first time. There’s something for everybody, from your XC tracks that leave you gasping for air to more techie areas, if you know where to go, to test out your growing skillset.

What’s great about these trails is that it’s mostly friendly to the average rider, even for the beginner who’s eager to get onto some dirt– and as mentioned, you’re surrounded by the comforts of cafes and restos. The best thing to do, like with every other place you’d ride in, is to go with a group, preferably with someone who’s been there before.

CAMP N

If you’re up for the drive, Camp N in Nuvali is worth the long trip from the city, especially if you plan to stay the day, with friends or family, and just really take in the entire experience. There are multiple stages that vary, difficulty-wise, and each stage is as fun and challenging as the next. Stage 2 is by far the longest, and just like in La Mesa, your fitness will be tested. So will your will to go on pedaling.

But if that’s your thing, you’ll love it here. The trails are well-maintained and they keep on adding features to the stages — wooden ones too. There’s also a great café that serves delicious local food, drinks, and superb coffee. They also have regular time trials and friendly races.