Chasing Bicyles In Paradise

Just 20 minutes from Iloilo harbor via ferry, the island of Guimaras is famous for the orchards that produce, supposedly, the sweetest mangoes in the world. With clear blue waters, splendid white sand beaches, unspoiled coral reefs and island coves, it is considered among the most pristine island destinations in the Philippines. This rugged coral rock formation is also popular among off-road cyclists for the network of world-class trails that traverse through the island. Last March 27-30, riders and enthusiasts from the Philippines and around the world gathered here for the 3rd Guimaras International Mountain Bike Festival.



Cyclists riding through the 70 km cross-country trail

The organizers invited me to cover the event, and it turned out be one of my most enjoyable gigs. A sports photography novice, I don't have a decent telephoto lens in my kit, save for a 24-200 mm 4 -5.6 that I take along when I need to pack light. Fortunately, one of the event marshals offered to take me on his motorcycle so I could tail the cyclists up close as they rode through the cross-country the trail. He's one crazy fellow who believes that the best way to take photos of fast moving subjects is to go faster.





The view from our fast moving court side seat.

It was a rough and wild ride that gave my equipment, and myself, quite a beating. My camera bodies are not the top-end models from Nikon (D40 and D70), and neither am I a high-performance action figure, but we all got through it in one piece.


Race marshal Pater Eday and myself.

More photos on Flickr.


Info:

For guided bike tours of Guimaras Island contact Daisy Yanson: d_yanson@yahoo.com