3 Famous Bike Trails Near Manila

Mountain biking Philippines is common nowadays especially during weekends. Unsurprisingly, bike trails within the metro started to sprout. Within the metro, La Mesa Nature Reserve and UP Diliman are among the bikers’ favorites. However, if you been riding for a while and looking for more challenging trails and yet you don’t want to go far, then biking near Manila is the next best thing. Here are some of the famous bike trails just a few pedals away from the metropolis.

1) Timberland in San Mateo, Rizal

Timberland has SWIMBA-type bike trails. Some bikers call it the Maarat trail which was categorized into Timberland Basic, Timberland Blue, Timberland Green and Pestano. Of the four, Blue is the most famous. Timberland Blue is not the easiest trail to ride because of its flows, techs and bamboo bridges. For more experienced bikers, you can try the Wall, Antenna and Patiis trails. Biking up the Wall is a brutally fun ride, climbing up about 2 kilometers until you reach Timberland Clubhouse. 

Going there is easy. Turn to Commonwealth Avenue. Along the avenue are signs instructing you on how to go to Timberland Heights. Upon reaching the Sandiganbayan building, turn right. Turn right once more upon reaching Batasan. Go straight ahead to Timberland Heights.

2) Marilaque

Marilaque stands for Manila, Rizal, Laguna and Quezon. This expansive track is for those bikers who are itching to put on the miles. The best part is, after passing through Cogeo in lower Antipolo, you will enjoy the scenery especially from Boso-Boso to Tanay to Laguna.

There are many trails along the way a biker may get confused as to which one to take. Nonetheless, the best one is Sta. Ines. Part of Sta. Ines is in Antipolo, and another part is in Tanay. If you are riding from Antipolo, you need to ride along Marcos Highway and then, turn left at Sta. Ines Road. If you are coming from Tanay, you may bike along Boso-Boso Road and just turn right at Sta. Ines Road.

The trail ends at a waterfall. It will take about 20 kilometers from the main road to the falls. Along the way, you will need to cross shallow watercourses at least twelve times before you get there. Don’t ride if heavy rains are expected as flashfloods may occur.

3) Nuvali in Sta. Rosa, Laguna

Nuvali is a mixed-used development just 1 to 1.5 hours away from Metro Manila. Nuvali offers off-road and leisure biking. The first one is a 50-kilometer course intended for the pro. Nonetheless, for the beginners who enjoy the scenic view while biking, the second one is more appropriate. The leisure bike trail is only 30 kilometers in length.

Nuvali encourages bikers to bring their own bike especially for off-road biking. However, gears and bikes are available for rent (Php60/hour) within the premises. Leisure bikers will pass along the other attractions at Nuvali such as a man-made lake where you can feed kois and the sanctuary where you can do bird watching. You will also see lush greeneries and feel the cool air on your face while biking.

The environment is biker-friendly, and the trails are 100% newbie-friendly. You can go solo although bike tours can be arranged at the Fields Clubhouse. Registration is required at the Clubhouse.  

If you are seriously into mountain biking, why don’t you join local bikers’ groups. These groups organize both formal and informal rides. Some groups require a small membership fee, but that’s all worth it because you get to ride in different places within and outside Metro Manila. Anyhow, if you frequent Heroes Trail (Taguig), La Mesa, UP Diliman and Camp Aguinaldo trails, the three trails mentioned above will surely give you a boost to ride outside the metro.

Image credit: MTBR.com | BeyondOutdoorAdventures.com

Why You Should Live Near Green Spaces

The medical community is looking into the greater advantages of eco-therapy. Eco-therapy is the process of improving one’s physical and mental health by doing outdoor activities such as bird watching in the Philippines or elsewhere, gardening, biking, food growing and other such activities that involves nature.

A new study conducted by the University of Exeter Medial School reveals that living within or near eco-friendly areas is a good idea health-wise. Green areas influence not only the physical wellbeing of a person, but also his mental and emotional conditions.

In yet another study published in Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, living within 1 to 3 kilometers near green spaces reduces the rate of mental and physical illnesses. While the effects can be felt after 12 months of living in that environment, some of the diseases that mostly benefit from these spaces are:

·        Heart and pulmonary diseases,

·        Body pains,

·        Depression, anxiety and stress,

·        Diabetes,

·        Asthma and other respiratory infections,

·        Headache, vertigo and migraine, and

·        Digestive infections.

Why green

You might be wondering why green. Here is the explanation.

Aside from being the color of life and nature, green also symbolizes balance, harmony and growth. Green also has a very strong emotional association with safety. Finally, green is the most relaxing color. Egyptians wear green eyeliners because it is healing for our eyes. The greener the surroundings, the happier and more satisfied the people are.

Further, putting green into your life is a must if you desire balance, growth and change. Green can provide freedom in pursuing new ideas and protecting from anxiety and fear. Green spaces evoke inspiration as well.

As such, living near green spaces endows dwellers with much, much more activities that people who live in less green areas will never experience. According to Operation Groundwork Organisation, the health benefits are as follows:

1.     Increased physical activities for all regardless of age,
2.     Improved mental conditions for all regardless of age,
3.     Reduced anti-social behaviors such as aggression and violence and bullying among children and young people,
4.     Reduced crime incidences, and
5.     Reduced health inequalities.

The Organisation also noted some social benefits of choosing to live where green spaces abound. Well-maintained parks, where people can meet other people, can lead to the development of a sense of belongingness and attachment.

We might as well mention the cultivation of the sense of community among the people. These people will feel responsible in protecting the areas somehow. They think that those areas should be preserved not only because of the benefits that they get from it, but also for posterity’s sake – the children of our children.

Great benefits for our children

People who live nearby parks, for instance, are more physically active. They also feel less stressed and depressed compared to those living in asphalted, concrete areas. This holds true among the children who get to play on environments where kids can be kids. For the parents, on the other hand, this gives them peace of mind, knowing that their children are safe, sound and secure. Not to mention, play is one aspect of our childhood where foundations are built, and that impacts the future.

When playing also, friendships are formed especially among children who get to socialize with other children from different backgrounds thereby bridging socio-economic and cultural divides.

On the contrary, some parents tend to become wary of letting their children play because of the existence of neglected spaces especially those that have dilapidated facilities. These places are perceived as risky. The severe these overgrown spaces look, the riskier they are perceived by the adults.

Nature heals, period. And the more we embark on these kinds of ‘green’ activities, the more we can improve our overall wellbeing. Evidently, the health benefits of living near the trees and bushes and everything else aren’t immediate. While the benefits may be gradual, these are sustainable, so you can expect health improvements in the long run.