The rider that I am
Posted on 11. Mar, 2007 by dimaks in Life
There is also this common saying that circles around motorcycle riders – “tingle in the spine”. But unlike other popular uses of this expression, “tingle in the spine” in the view of motorcycle riders is the tingling urge to ride their iron horses (and we got the iron butts ..hehe) and enjoy the winds slapping their cheeks behind their protective helmets ..the tingling urge to lean down their bikes and drag their knees beneath their knee pads on the road curves, like a coin freely rolling to its freedom ..the tingling urge to feel the spirit of brotherhood and camaraderie when riding in groups.
Being a motorcycling enthusiast myself, I have grown this passion for at least 6 years, from the year 2000 when I bought my first ever scooter. From then on, I joined a riders group (UP Scooters Club Inc.) that is non-stock, non-profit and civic works oriented, aside from of course, serving our common passion for riding. This group taught me the essence of group work, camaraderie, respect and giving and sharing. We have organized rides to several natural and man-made calamities afflicted communities in and outside Metro Manila – donated used clothings and foods, as well as cash.
Anyway, maybe I was just missing the company but given that quiet a philanthropic plight, riders also do those night outs and enjoy chit-chats across the night.
1. Quenching the thirst for riding, I am posting this photo taken during one tambay (hang out) night at the Boardwalk, Manila Bay. No special agenda and topic, just pure riding and talk the night away.
2. We also ride to the resorts during weekends as one way of temporarily escaping the woes of weekday works. This one at the Caylabne Resort in Cavite. Right down is the Puerto Azul.
3. And how about a plunge into the exquisite beach of Pagbilao, Quezon?
4. A gas up somewhere in Tanay Rizal, on the way to Caliraya Quezon. A riders break and re-orientation of disoriented things. Sometimes, erring riders like those who did wrong overtakes and not following the prescribed riding formation need a spanking 
This time, the spearhead or ride director takes the privilege to remind the “pasaways” (needs reprimanding).
5. We also invaded (for how many times) Tagaytay. This one was taken at the Palace in the sky. Behind us is the Taal Volcano, though not visible so just use your imagination. And I could not help but feel sad on the recent sudden demise of our ride buddy architect, who’s been like a father to many young members of Paranaque Riders Club, and dear friends to most, known in the MotorcyclePhilippines community forum as MGee, the one on the right most. Salutes to you ride buddy.
6. And who would forget the sumptuous bulalo at LZM, Cavite, along Aguinaldo highway? Some label it as one of the riders delight but I call it yum yum 
(purposely retained the image’s color to show its yummy look).
7. And on the way home, negotiating MIA road.
So much of the riding adventures, being in a riders club or group will make you realize and learn many things.
First, you observe teamwork. Because if you ride in a group, you have to follow the ride director’s instructions or directives, as well as emergency decisions in times of certain need. If not, the whole group will suffer. You also have to follow the riding pace of your spear head rider – the one who takes the lead of the pack. The spear head, signals to the following riders if it is safe to overtake a vehicle or not, or if it safe to negotiate a blind road curve or not at a given instance.
Second, you learn to suppress your ego and maintain your humble aura. This can be experienced in times of heavy traffic jams where you have to wait in line to pass through. This can also be felt when you get overtaken by another vehicle or motorcycle. If you are the type of person who easily burst into pride, you tend to chase and initiate a road race, which is dangerous in the first place and would also endanger the lives of the other riders in your group. Thus, you are also expected to be patient. You learn to wait and let the urge of ego pass for your own good and the benefit of all.
Third, you learn the habit of checking out with what’s happening to your environment. In a group ride, there is what we call a sweeper. A sweeper takes the task of staying behind the line of the riders and see to it that nobody is left behind. If there is, or perhaps there are incidents at the end of the riders line, the sweeper takes the act of informing the rest of the group.
Fourth, you get to practice to look in between the lines of things. I mean, in a group ride, we assign a marshal. The marshal checks from the riding group’s spear head down to the sweeper and vice-versa, to take a look at what’s happening along the lines of the riders. Any untoward occurrences, the marshal informs the group about it. The marshal serves as the communication link among the riders.
Fifth, you learn the art of putting things in order. In a group ride, sometimes we do the buddy system. It means, usually, riders are grouped into members according to riding pace and motorcycle size and speed. Those who prefer to ride the fast pace will be grouped with the same riders and so as to with the cruising type riders. In some case, each pack of riding buddies also assigns a spear head.
Sixth, you promote camaraderie among riders. We see to it that we render necessary courtesy to other riders we encounter along the way. They be in an engine trouble or accident, we are much obliged to see if there is anything we can do to help a co-rider in need. Or if passing by a co-rider, a honk, a wave of the hand, a nod, or a flash of headlight do the howdy greetings.
Seventh, but not the least, you learn to have presence of mind at all times. As a rider, you have to be conscious of your surroundings and be alert at all times, use the correct reflexes towards sudden instances and use the best vision you can have. If you feel sleepy, don’t push it, take a rest or suggest a coffee stop
That’s the rider that I was, back in the Philippines.
Ahh, thirst a little bit quenched I guess I miss the vrooom! vrooom!.
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Part-time blogger dimaks is involved in transport planning and research and is into Internet technology, PC games, digital photography, motorcycling and martial arts.. 
Richmond
Mar 11th, 2007
Naalala ko tuloy yung book ni paolo coelho na The Valkyries.
Jaypee
Mar 11th, 2007
Masarap talaga ang pagkain dyan sa LZM. Madalas din kami kumain or mag take out kasi malapit lang bahay namin dyan. Hehe
sasha
Mar 11th, 2007
Pareho kami ni Richmond. Naalala ko rin yung book ni Paolo Coelho.
Anyway, just be safe, Dimaks!
Have a great week ahead! Take care.
cai
Mar 11th, 2007
vroom…. vroom…. joy ride na, food trip pa!
someday i’ll be a rider and i’ll eat at that LZM.. hehe
annamanila
Mar 12th, 2007
Sarap nga magride with the wind on ur face, and the adrenaline on your guts. Very instructive yung rules for group riding … siempre as in any group work … subsumed yung selfish agenda, yung ego tripping.
I can see how multi-faceted your interests are, Dimaks. Attaboy!
verns
Mar 12th, 2007
takot ako sa scooter! hehe
Take care my friend. Baka mag vroom vroom ka rin jan…so ingat na lang…
dimaks
Mar 12th, 2007
Richmond, sasha,
Thanks for pointing out about Paolo Coelho’s “The Valkyries”. As I have read reviews about the author’s “The Alchemist”, I think I am also bound to grab a copy of both. Sounds interesting reads to me.
dimaks
Mar 12th, 2007
Jaypee,
Nice.. much to the big bangus (milk fish) there, they are also yummy! There is also one at IMUS, but they specialize on tapsilog. Sad I forgot the store’s name.
dimaks
Mar 12th, 2007
cai,
You are right! I think it can be called, joy trip or food ride, lol.
dimaks
Mar 12th, 2007
annamanila,
Those are the ideals we (as much as our group is concerned) are trying to adhere to. But sadly, newbie and pasaway riders sprout like mushrooms within the metro area and they make fun of motorcycling by doing illegal road drag races. They are the new kids on the block, na natuto lang magpa-andar ng motor, akala rider na.
Multi-faceted interests! I also love singing in the karaoke, though almost always, songs do not like me hehe.
dimaks
Mar 12th, 2007
verns,
ty
I’m doing the vroom vroom here too.. bisikleta nga lang
Richmond
Mar 12th, 2007
hehe
kathy
Mar 12th, 2007
Rider ka pala! Naku, iwas ka sa mga bosozoku dito ha, heheh. Seriously, thanks for sharing that facet of your life. I can tell from your words how much passion you have for it, and how much you miss it.
I don’t know if it’s the same restaurant, but at Tagaytay we make it a point to eat Bulalo at Leslie’s.
Your picture reminded me of the times we ate there.
tina
Mar 12th, 2007
wow.. motorcyclists… napaka dangerous naman…. but thats your bliss eh.. hehe.. and besides ang dami mong na learn.. so its a great experience…
cai
Mar 12th, 2007
adik kay tux? or sa cute na penguin? click na
dimaks
Mar 13th, 2007
kathy,
Thanks! ano yung ぼそぞく? di abot ng nihonggo vocabulary ko lol. We most probably be referring to different restaurant because LZM is way far before Tagaytay proper
tina,
Well, across the types of vehicles, there are inherent dangers. Drivers are another factor though. Anyway, you’re right, the grand side is, I treasure the lessons I learned from motorcycling and its doing a very good influence in my life.
cai,
I got different source but thanks for the addition.
Both
Elaine
Mar 13th, 2007
Y’ know, the feeling when you’re riding a motorcycle (kahit nasa likod lang ako palagi) always seemed to mean like freedom and independence to me. Especially if it’s fast… I just want to shout. Probably because I’m an introvert and it’s a whole new thing for me to be outside and riding in open-air. But I like it immensely.
And I want to do it na ako naman ang nagmamaneho, someday. 
dimaks
Mar 14th, 2007
Elaine,
..so back rider ka pala lagi. Just make sure to wear helmet. And good luck on your wish of becoming a lady rider.
Yes, the feeling to me is indescribable