RACER SPOTLIGHT: Ran-ran

^{All photos by ECR Fotograpika}

^{Brought to you by the Harvey’s National Downhill Series 2024}

In the immortal words of an ex-showbiz queen bee: ‘Well, well, well…look what do we have here, it’s racing season.’ OK, maybe she didn’t say half of that (especially the bit about racing) but we ARE here, it’s racing season 2024. And with racing season comes new bikes, new gear, and sometimes even new tracks. The killer constant is and always will be the rider. The racer that goes through this grueling season with wild abandon from start to finish. We’re talking about the ones that go death grip into the steepest, gnarliest lines just to make up for 0.005 seconds. We’re talking about that special kind of human that feels the fear but does it anyway, and does it well.

We’re talking about Ran-ran Celeste, and this is Racer Spotlight.

RUNNING WITH IT

‘I’m definitely racing everything this year,’ Ran-ran tells us with a smile, ‘anything I can join, sign me up, I’m racing that.’ Ran-ran is of course, no stranger to races; he’s been a regular fixture at these events as soon as he was old enough to race in his age category (which he’s definitely fast for). Race spectators always look forward to his runs, knowing that they’ll probably see something wild or special, or a little bit of both; he’s sort of gained the well-deserved reputation of being the ‘wild child’ of local MTB, pushing himself and his bike to the limit more often than not. Ran-ran says that he’s ‘excited for this year’s race season. I’m excited for the Harvey’s race series, especially the Dumaguete leg. All the jumps, the features, that’s what I like– the rowdy stuff.’

‘When I start the race,’ he continues, ‘I always breathe and try to relax. I’m a bit nervous, of course — we can’t avoid that, but I just remind myself of what my coach says: not to think about what can happen, but what I can make happen.’

RACE MODE: ON

‘The first thing I do with my team, with my friends, when we get to a track is prepare. Preparation is everything.’ Ran-ran can’t even recall a race he wasn’t prepared for, making sure that he’s walked most of the track, read and sessioned each feature big and small, and learned the lines: which ones get you going fast or slow you down. ‘We repeat everything. Over and over, we walk it then ride it, learn it, memorize it, and then repeat.’ That’s a lot of preparation, something he recommends other riders do more.

‘I’m also excited for the Alliance race because it’s near where I live, and I always enjoy riding fast down that track,’ he laughs, ‘that track is fast and steep, sometimes I can’t avoid dabbing; something my coach tells us not to do!’ Ran-ran shares with us what he loves about that downhill course and then also shares that the Teban leg is also something he’s looking forward to. ‘It’s always fun there in Bulacan, Teban is really, really fun.’

THE FINISH LINE

When we asked him about his goals for this year’s race season, Ran-ran became serious. ‘This year, I’m going to be riding a Dartmoor Thunderbird, with a dual-crown fork,’ he then smiles, ‘I’m aiming for the podium. I want to place in every race and, of course, make it down the hill safely.’

Ran-ran shares that his dream is to become a professional mountain bike racer and build a career out of it, but he wisely emphasizes the importance of his studies, saying, ‘School is what will make our dreams more attainable. Completing my education, that’s what will make it all happen for me.’ This perspective is not only refreshing but also inspiring to hear. ‘I want mountain biking in the Philippines to gain more recognition, with riders receiving more support and races drawing larger crowds. Filipinos, we have no fear; that’s why mountain biking is perfect for us.’

Enough said.

Ran-ran rides for:
Team Harvey’s Resto Sports Bar
Seyptipers
Wheelmer Bike Shop
GNV Bike Shop
JFSM Outdoor
Pinoy Pride Mtb