Bike to Work for Fitness

I am retyping  and posting an article written by Fara Manuel of The Firefly Brigade for the 10th Tour of Fireflies Newsletter where yours truly was featured for an interview about Biking to Work.

"They are ordinary people with extraordinary abilities. They are everywhere among us. They are bike
commuters! In the streets at sundown, it has become a pseudo-bike parade for menial workers who bike commute. Their bikes become make-shift carriages & extensions to shovels, construction materials and what-have-you's. But this street parade is not at all exclusive. More and more "weekend" or recreational cyclists are joining the trend!

*Urban Assault : going down the stairs of Luneta
(Photo courtesy of Karen Menez)

Mountainbiker, Rissa Falvo is a 38 year old, Control Systems Design Engineer for a multi-national company and a mother of four. Her commute? a 20km or 50 minute bike ride from Makati to Alabang.

FM: SINCE WHEN & HOW OFTEN DO YOU BIKE COMMUTE?

RF: It all started three years ago. Since the route is from Makati - C5 - Taguig - Bicutan - Service Road - Alabang, it is not a feat one that one can do daily. I remember though, there was this instance that I tried to do it for 2 consecuttive weeks - daily. Realistically, with the distance to my office, once or twice a week is doable.

FM: WHAT MADE YOU CONSIDER CYCLING AS A MEANS OF TRANSPORT FROM YOUR HOME TO YOUR OFFICE?

RF: At first, it was a thing I did just because I can. Eventually, it gave me a sense of empowerment riding my bike - a Zen like experience pedaling throught the streets at dawn. It gave me a different feeling of strength that I could tackle the daily grind in the office considering I made it in one piece - amidst the speeding vehicles, big trucks along servie rode and reckless jeepney drivers.

 
READ MORE HERE.....  10th Tour of the Fireflies Newsletter (Page 8)

FM: WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU GIVE TO BIKERS WHO WANT TO START BIKE COMMUTING TO WORK?
RF: Take it slow- try it out during a weekend, in a comfortable paced enjoyable ride. Plan your route - if you could fine a route that would be an alternative to the busy main road, go for it - better use side streets. Do your research and be knowledgeable in safety practices while biking in a public road - try http://bicyclesafe.com/ - it has an informative article on "How to Not Get Hit by Cars' Be predictable. Be confident and illuminate yourself like a firefly. :)"

*XC Splash MTB Race

I hope in doing so, some would consider biking as a form of exercise in their quest for fitness.