Vic Lactaoen

Since I've ben to Boracay countless of times. I wanted to try out something different bybiking in the island which I have not tried. Cycling around Boracay is easy to organize yourself and one of the best ways to see the island, whether you prefer the unspoiled inland or the scenic shoreline.

There is a saying among serious cyclists that the bicycle is a ‘transport of delight’. In Boracay, whether you’re easing from one resort to another or across the island, through Puka shell beach in the north all the way to Manoc-Manoc in the south, there is no better way to travel.

 

In all the countries where I’ve ridden a bike, I’ve been amazed at the level of trust placed in me by local people I’ve met from cities, towns and villages, simply because I’ve been on two, pedal-powered wheels. Maybe it’s a vulnerability thing, but trust leads to hospitality and is key to kinship and understanding. In these modern times, when we can be familiar with so much of the area from the comfort of our armchairs, thanks to tv google, facebook and wi-fi technology, experiencing this kinship is one of the greatest goals of travel.

 

Boracay’s shoreline cycle path draws hordes of two-wheeled-tourists every year, during the summer and even in between the dry spells of the rainy season. There is something powerfully therapeutic about pedaling alongside this great shoreline: the section from Punta Bunga to Tambisaan beach is a strong contender for the most beautiful stretch of Boracay, and it’s so enticingly popular that the shoreline is peppered with all sorts of establishments: sand castles sit side-by-side with installation art. For most of its length, the ride follows the sea and is kept in good road condition. It passes plenty of sights worth stopping for. In between points of interest, distances are short and allow plenty of time to explore whatever catches your interest along the shores.

 

The northeast side of the island off Puka Shell beach from Punta Bunga towards Ilig-Iligan beach has coves and caves where bats take full flight at dusk. The road here is less traveled and has turns that can be steep and narrow although enjoyable and still not too rigorous.

 

I decided to explore the full spectrum of sights along main road route. Seeing the island on a mountain bike is not only good exercise, but the best way to find those out-of-the way, unspoiled parts of Boracay as paths crisscross most of the island.

 

I started my biking journey with a night at Escondido Resort Hotel(tel: 036 288 4777) along Boat Station 1. It is not your typical beachfront accommodation, but its modern yet Filipino design and friendly staff make your stay here unique.

 

On the first morning I rented a bike from Boracay Fun & Sports Shop (tel: 036 288 5941) conveniently located at D’Mall. Choose from renting by the hour (PHP150) or for a whole six-hour day (PHP850). If you really get bitten by the biking bug, you can join the Cyclone MTB (Mountain Bikers Boracay) Club for their Sunday bike tours of Panay Island, or for one of the races they occasionally organize.

 

Setting off mid-morning I headed straight to Mount Luho, 100 meters above the sea. For leisure bikers like me, the ascent is easy, winding with some manageably rough roads. The best route is the steep road, going north from Bulabog. This is on the eastern side of the island so you get away from White Beach and suddenly notice a quieter world, with only the sounds of birds and the sight of occasional distant bancas. At the summit, leave your bike, pay the entrance fee of PHP50 and begin the final part of your climb on foot. The bird’s eye views are stunning from its improvised wooden view deck, over Boracay and the neighboring island of Romblon.

 

In the afternoon we head to Yapak, more popularly known as Puka Shell beach. Be sure to take in the huge variety of scenery along the steep road. There are exotic animals, trees and flowers, small harvested cornfields and the last area of virgin forest. Old timers in the area say that this is where you can see Boracay as it was many year ago – lonely huts, fields of wild grass, rare flowers and dense groves. There’s a very keen awareness of preserving the habitat and peace of the bats, so we didn’t disturb the day-time sleep of these nocturnal animals. If you take the secondary roads that connect to the main roadthere are jungly areas, only accessible by bike, where you can still see monkeys and even waran: large monitor lizards.

 

This denser part of Boracay leads to a tree-lined path along nipa huts and a public school all the way to Puka Shell beach, where you can succumb to great souvenir finds. A make shift row of huts sells shells, pearls, beads, hats, batik, shirts and island bags for reasonable prices, if you don’t want the shopaholic scene at D’Mall or D’ Talipapa.

 

Traveling by bicycle is the best way to view Boracay’s landscape, engage with the locals, acquire an appetite and feel a sense of achievement. Not to mention getting a bit more fit!