The Ride That Nearly Broke Me

Everyone remembers their first long ride. Mine? A punishing 19-hour journey from Mabolo, Cebu to Moalboal and back on a cheap, heavy mountain bike. Looking back, I have no idea what I was thinking.

The Plan (If You Can Call It That)

I left at 5 AM with a simple goal: ride to Moalboal. I took the route through Carcar, heading south on Cebu South Road before turning west onto the mountain road that cuts across the island. The plan was straightforward enough - or so I thought.

The reality? Approximately 90-106 kilometers one way through some serious terrain. The route crosses over the mountainous center of Cebu, climbs through winding roads with limited lighting, descends through Barili, then follows the coastline to Moalboal.

The Wrong Bike for the Job

Here's where my inexperience really showed: I did this entire ride on a cheap mountain bike. And when I say cheap, I mean CHEAP. The bike was so heavy, I felt like I was dragging an anchor up every incline.

Mountain bikes are great for trails, but for a long road ride? The thick tires, the weight, the upright position - everything was working against me. Every pedal stroke on those mountain passes felt like punishment.

The "Destination"

After hours of grinding up mountain roads and fighting against the weight of my bike, I finally saw it: a sign that read "Welcome to Moalboal."

I stopped. I looked at the sign. And then... I turned around.

Yes, I came all that way just to see a sign and head back. By that point, it was getting late, and the thought of trying to find accommodations seemed more complicated than just riding home. In hindsight, absolutely ridiculous.

The Long Road Home

The return journey was even worse. Exhausted, my legs screaming, sitting on a saddle that had turned into an instrument of torture, I pushed on through the night.

Those mountain roads that were challenging in daylight? In the dark, they were something else entirely. Every climb felt endless. Every descent was a relief that ended too quickly.

I finally rolled back into Mabolo somewhere between midnight and 1 AM the next day. Total time: approximately 19-20 hours of riding.

What I Learned

1. The Right Bike Matters A heavy mountain bike on a 180+ km road ride is self-inflicted torture. A road bike or at least a lighter hybrid would have made this ride significantly more bearable.

2. Planning Is Important Just... turning around at a sign? What was I thinking? If I'd planned better, I could have explored Moalboal, rested, and made the return trip the next day.

3. Night Riding on Mountain Roads Is Serious Those curves through Barili and the mountain sections are challenging enough in daylight. At night, with limited lighting? I got lucky that nothing went wrong.

4. Distance + Heavy Bike + No Experience = Pain I learned my limits the hard way. Starting with a 180+ km ride as your first long ride is... ambitious. Some might say stupid.

Would I Do It Again?

With the right bike? Absolutely. The route from Cebu to Moalboal is actually beautiful. The coastal sections are stunning, and even the mountain crossings have incredible views.

But would I do it again on a cheap, heavy mountain bike, with no real plan, just to turn around at a welcome sign and ride through the night?

No. Never again.

That ride taught me more about what NOT to do than any amount of advice ever could. But hey, at least I can say I survived my first long ride. Barely.

Have you ever attempted a ride that was way beyond your experience level? Share your story in the comments - misery loves company!