I got a hold of C5 about a couple of months ago after weeks and even months of careful evaluations. At first, my budget was just under 15K (just the bike). I thought it was going to be enough even if my uncle’s cheapest bike (he has three) is already two times the amount. And then came, Cannondale Trail 5, my C5. Looks; I was stunned! I still am. After seeing the bike, I had to check the specifics. I thought upgrades will make the bike from good to great. But considering the cost and the already quite okay parts, it will have to do for now.
We’ve been through a lot, me and C5. The farthest we’ve been was Tagaytay. That was after only a month of riding of getting here, there and, pretty much, everywhere. Going back, our route was from Cubao – Burger King Marcos Highway – Tikling – C6 – Daang-Hari – Aguinaldo – Silang - Tagaytay. It was a very long ride. C6 and Daang-Hari are long and winding roads. Those two were part of a boring and torturous ride. After, well, Silang “Makunat” up ride. The Silang ride was a hell. Mirage due to heat, farting due gas and hunger, leg fatigue due to lactic acid and wanting to disassemble my bike due wanting to take a jeep ride to Tagaytay. The road never seemed to end. It would have been nice to have listened to The Beatles’ “The Long and Winding Road”.
I have never imagined, in my entire life, that “Bulalo” was going to be the only thing in my mind. When my group got to Mahogany, no other thing in mind; parked our bike, sat on a chair in front of a table with “Bulalo” and “Unlimted ‘Saging’” and ate like there’s no tomorrow. Lucky for our group, the advanced party already prepared the table for us. The thing with this ride was; traditionally, the breakaway group is usually smaller and the group behind has the most number of riders. In our case, it was the other way around.
After an hour or so lunch break, we headed back home with very little number pictures for keepsake. Well, we were really wasted. Anyway, the route was much easier as it was mostly going down and flat. Our route was from Tagaytay - Silang – Aguinaldo – Bacoor – Dasmariñas – Las Piñas – NLEX – Sta. Mesa – Cubao. All was well until we got to Sta. Mesa (This part, there were only three of us left as we parted ways gradually) when I thought everything was going to be a tiring but good experience, damn, weather turned against us. Rain started to pour really hard. From soaking wet with sweat to soaking wet with acid rain. I expected to be sick yet surprisingly enough, I was spared. Anyway, at home, I didn’t know what to do whether to sleep or to take a shower or wash C5 first. I ate.
Although it was a painstakingly taken ride, I am still satisfied as now I could say I have Tagaytay under my belt. I would say for a newbie this is not a simple and bad ride. I’ve met people that I wouldn’t normally meet somewhere. Oh! And yeah, forgot to tell you about one fellow we were with on a BMX bike (Single Speed) with only one arm. He was my buddy up in some parts of ride. Considering his situation; single speed, one arm and lit a cigar every stop. He didn’t seem to tire.
Next stop, somewhere!!!
