Gameplan: Mountain trail biking in Negros

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines – Salvador Benedicto is known as the summer capital of Negros Occidental because of its cool temperature and elevated location. And what better way to explore this mountainous terrain than going on a trail bike trip?

Gameplan host Ton Vergel de Dios is an avid bike commuter. He rides his road bike to work almost everyday and sometimes goes up to Antipolo on weekends. But there’s one thing he has always wanted to try ever since he was young – ride a mountain bike.

“It was a little bit of fear of the unknown, but I was just so excited and my heart started beating when I saw the mountain bikes,” he said.

Salvador Benedicto in Negros Occidental is a favorite spot for mountain bikers because of the variety of trails – uphill, downhill, and  hairpin turns, plus a beautiful view of Mt. Kanlaon.

Ton also got to ride with experienced mountain bikers who helped him through the trail. “Riding with a bunch of experienced mountain bikers made me feel safer in a way. And they all had different kinds of bikes so it was cool to see all those different bikes on the same trail,” he mused. – Rappler.com