Crash at first site

Jhoanna Paola Ballaran

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Rex and Beth Manuel travel together on their bikes, discovering places, appreciating the splendor of nature, and strengthening their bond as a couple

GOOD FOR THE HEART. Biking for Beth and Rex does not only make their bodies healthy but even their 18-year-old marriage. Photo courtesy of Rex Manuel

MANILA, Philippines – It was, indeed, crash at first site. 

The very first time Beth Manuel tried biking in 2008, she crashed her new bicycle and ended up with a hurt leg. Unsurprisingly, she almost quit. But with the gentle prodding of her husband Rex, however, Beth grew to love biking. 

“He’s my bike mechanic, my photographer, and my assistant,” Beth said of her husband.

A month after her first biking mishap, Beth found herself once again riding a bike — and she’d continue to do so for the next 4 years. Rex and Beth Manuel have been married for 18 years.

Biking bug

The passion for this started in 2007 when Rex’s family and friends infected him with the biking bug. A year later, Rex would encourage Beth to start biking as well.

They’ve since established a routine: along with their friends, they would usually set biking plans before the weekend to cycle around Antipolo and other parts of Rizal. They would go out at 6 in the morning from their house in Pasig, bike for 40 to 50 kilometers and go home at 10 a.m. to become parents to their 4 kids.

“What he did was to upgrade my bike. Since women are practical, I need to use it so it wouldn’t go to waste. I bike with them every weekends even though I [almost] died,” said Beth. 

Although biking has its own dangers, the couple still traverse different trails in the country together because of the fun and action the sport brings.

“[Biking] is always an adventure, [it leads us] to places we normally won’t go and see. We take pictures of the trails we go to and people who see it will be inspired,” said the couple.

What is enjoyable is not only biking itself, but also the chance to socialize with others and of course, the food after a long and tiring ride. They’ve already tried a lot of restaurants and even a simple eatery, which serves more delightful meals. 

SHARING THE LOVE FOR BIKING. Beth and Rex have been exploring new places together on their two wheels for the past four years. Photo courtesy of Beth Manuel.

Healthy hearts

For Rex and Beth, biking does not only make their bodies healthy but even their hearts as well. For 4 years, they have been discovering places, meeting new friends and trying new things together. It also serves as their quality time as it is a shared interest.

“It does help a lot in most good ways. So if there is tension, we’ll just bike and it’s gone! Plus, since we’ve been married for 18 years already, this is something fresh to discuss and share between us,” added Rex.

Countless trails have been pedaled by Rex and Beth—including parts of the Sierra Madre in Rizal, Tagaytay plus Laguna—and now the “Cordillera Challenge,” a biking adventure of 28 kilometers with 2200-meters high altitude.

“We expect it to be fun, challenging and a backbreaking ride. We’re both excited,” said Rex.

“Cordillera Challenge” is a biking event that will happen on Saturday, May 5, as a part of a continuing advocacy to build forests. It will commence at Burnham Park and stretch all the way to the steep mountains of Cordillera. Nearly 280 pro and amateur bikers who share the same cause will take the challenge. The event is now on its third year. – Rappler.com

(Rappler is a media partner of the “Globe Cordillera Challenge 3,” an uphill adventure that spans 27 kilometers. First launched in 2010 by the Cordillera Conservation Trust and Globe Telecom, the Challenge will involve 280 bikers nationwide who will race for a cause: awareness about reforestation. Click on the interactive map, follow the trail, and discover more about Cordillera’s forests, watersheds and environs.)

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