Ducati Monster Day 2012

Ducati Monster Day, October 13, 2012, Burgos Circle, Bonifacio Global City.

2012 is the 20th Anniversary of the Ducati Monster-the best of all naked bikes. Miguel Angel Galluzzi, designer of the Ducati Monster said: “All you need is a saddle, tank, engine, two wheels and a handlebar. His minimalist design is both aesthetically appealing and structurally efficient.  (Ducati Website)

It was my first time to attend a Ducati Philippines event. I am definitely looking forward to future Ducati gigs! I left Quezon City at around 3PM and arrived at BGC around 3:30PM. Traffic along EDSA was moving almost at a glacial pace in Cubao. Splitting lanes was almost made impossible with all the cashew nut and cigarette vendors! 

It was so nice to see so many Ducati and Ducatisti in one place!

The group rode around BGC after a short assembly. I mounted my GoPro camera on my helmet and recorded the motorcade. The sound of screeching tires, roaring engines and clacking of the Ducati dry clutch all together was like a symphony orchestra playing a motorcycle rhapsody.

Here’s a a short video clip of the assembly.

http://youtu.be/lW2AoVdgusA

After short ride around BGC it was time for drinks and fellowship.

All lined up after the motorcade.

Awards for the day.

There was also a post-ride raffle but too bad I could not hang out for long. I saw Alpine Stars gloves and a Suomy helmet up for grabs.

Bugsy’s packed with bikers.

Met new friends who were very passionate about bikes. I hope I could get to go ride with them on the track or even on a breakfast trip, schedule permitting.

Cruisin’ in Coron

Here’s another late entry from a recent trip to Coron, Palawan.

I was scheduled to have a hearing last month but because of the rains causing flight cancellations, I had to fly in a day before and fly out a day after to make sure I’d be present.

What made this trip more interesting this time is because I took notice of the volume of motorcycles in town. In my previous trips there I explored walking or running. I actually climbed the Mt. Tapyas view deck twice in a visit – running. There are no public utility jeepneys or taxi cabs in Coron but there’s a horde of tricycles.

This time, I went to court riding pillion on a friend’s bike wearing my crisp-white barong with my case files!

The court hearing was done in a few minutes before anybody could say “objection”. I had a day left in my itinerary but   renting a boat for myself and going island hopping never crossed my mind. So instead, I rented an underbone bike rode off to the Maquinit Saltwater Hot Spring.

The road was muddy, slippery and rough but it was very scenic also. Good thing was that the bike had off road tires.  Believe it or not, I have never tried riding a small bike. I even have the impression that they are a nuisance to the metro streets. But, my view of things changed during the trip. I learned that for the locals motorbikes were an affordable mode of transportation and cultural icon. I am amused of the import the people put on their modern day horses. I only hope that the people also learn to ride safely by using crash helmets and other safety gear. I heard that so many have suffered fatal accidents on their roads.

It took about 15 minutes to get to the place from the town center. The reward for a day’s work was a relaxing warm saltwater dip. That night was capped with a few drinks in a Kawayanan, a local restaurant/bar. Who says you can’t mix business with pleasure?

Going HD

It’s been a while since my last entry.

Just sharing a recent acquisition – the Go Pro Hero 2 HD camera! I used a Flip mini video camera before during runs and travels but the resolution was only good for internet videos. Plus the Flip was limited in the sense that I had to hold it in my hand.

After much thought I decided to get the Go Pro from R.O.X. in BHS. I plan to use it for motorcycle rides, running races, and general video documentation. Heck, I’m even thinking of how to mount it on my guitar so I can get POV shots.

Today, I tried the camera when I rode the Ducati to a meeting and the office. I attached the curved mounting sticker on top of my Shoei modular helmet. That instantly limited the movement of the face protector because the camera hits the visor when I pull it up. That means I need to get a small angled extension mount.

I got the Outdoor Edition so I only had a couple of sticker mounts, a head strap and a vented helmet strap. I’m beginning to regret not getting the Motorsports Edition because I’m missing the suction cup mount assembly. I used the vented helmet strap and lashed it on to the Monster’s trellis frame. This wasn’t such a good idea as the engine vibration and road conditions affected video recording. Video ended up a little shaky aside from the fact that it was tilted sideways. I have extension arms for the mount but I figured that these would add more camera shake and vibration because the camera would be far front the bike body.

There are a lot of options for the camera. I like the fact that there are alternatives to mounting it on a bike, a car, a baby stroller or any part of the body for those creative shots.

Here’s a link of the video I took today:

The Rainman Rides

I started writing here after I got into running and organizing the Corregidor International Half-Marathon. I don’t really think of this blog as a “running” blog because occasionally, I share travels, adventure and even law. Now I have another reason to write about and share. Just recently, I got myself a motorcycle. Yes, a big bike. It’s like living a childhood dream!

Since I have not been running much the writing also stopped. My last running event was the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon which was a disaster. I blame myself for not preparing for the event. I was too busy with work that training was at a bare minimum.

Another reason for the limited road mileage is the fact that my right foot developed a heel spur. (Read about it in a previous post Spur of the Moment ).

I have never ridden a motorcycle in my life and now I have an 800 cc Ducati Monster. Hence, for two weeks, the bike was cooped up in the garage. For another week, I was just starting the engine and twisting the throttle. Then I got the the necessary riding equipment: helmet, jacket, gloves, boots and knee pads. I began riding the rocket in circles around the garage. The rest is now history.

The day she arrived.

Sunday morning breakfast ride in Burgos Circle with (From L to R) Jay, Nestor, Kara, Tom, JM, Jody and Toto.

I have only started riding the bike to nearby coffee shops in my area or for meeting with clients. On weekends, I meet fellow rider friends for breakfast. Who knows, soon  I’d be doing long distance rides to interesting places in the Philippines like what Ernesto “Che” Guevarra did in South America.

This is the first of my “Motorcycle Diaries”. The Rainman Rides.

*Special thanks to Rene Sangco of lensmates Photography