The Road to the Finish Line

Corinne Burgos is one of the very few local female Vespa riders. Just last weekend, she participated in the 1st Petron Econo-Endurance Run — a motorcycling event mounted to determine two things; [1] the most economical 4-stoke motorcycles available in the Philippines and, [2] the best endurance riders in the country.

The event, which is in line with the governments Department of Energy move to conserve energy and promote the clean air act, had its participants ride the distance of 1,000 kms. The route will start in Manila and end in Baguio City via Nueva Vizcaya, Cagayan, Ilocos, & La Union province.  A fellow Vespa Club member — Joseph Santos — also joined the run but as an unofficial participant since he rode his 2-stroke Piaggio Skipper.

Support from the local Vespa community were felt by the two participating Piaggio riders; from the send-off in Manila, to the mandatory stop in Ilocos, upto the finish line in Baguio. Truly, the Vespistis showed up in vital points during the run for practically a Meet & Greet and photo ops with Team Vespa.

Below is Corinne’s re-telling of her most tiring and rewarding motorcycling experience as of yet.

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Corinne says…

I joined The Petron Economy Enduro Race, sponsored by Petron and organized by AMDG Motorcycle Club because I believe that I could satisfy the endurance requirement and my Vespa GTSie was the most economical scooter in its class, bar none. It was not a simple race against time, because a rider was to complete the course in a given time with fuel consumption requirements. My Vespa GTS was in class 4, and had a 26 km/ liter consumption requirement and completion time of 17.5 hours. It sounded simple enough, to complete a 1000 plus km course at an average of 56kmh.

After registering, I went over to 2211 Works to consult the doctor, Nani Juarez. He was also excited, especially when I told him that the GTS averages 32km/liter on long rides and it takes about 230kms before the fuel light goes on. We looked at the rules and point system of the race (the organizers later modified the point system on time…if they did not, it was mathematically impossible to beat this rider in terms of points) and devised a plan. We talked about what speeds to maintain at the long stretches and where to gas up. It was amazing because the GTS only needed 4 fill-ups to complete the course!

The GTS needed the least amount of preparation for the race, why it’s practically new! I went to 2211 for an oil change, and also asked Romy to install my new vanity grips. I figured, if I were going to ride my Vespa for 24 hours straight then it should feel comfortable and nice where I touch it. The vanity grips were not cheap, but they were worth it. I had two practice rides before the event: the Newbie Ride to Lucban where my fuel consumption was 33 km/ liter. A week before I had a practice ride with one of my two buddies to Angeles.

I did not know how to prepare my body for the long ride. I did not think working out or running would make a difference but I dropped 10 pounds in December, and it made my riding gear fit better. I bought some snickers and cereal bars to take on the trip. I bought a Camelbak but ditched it the morning of the race. I made sure that I had good sleep for the week before the race.

The take off was Saturday morning, 3AM of January 3. On January 2, I woke up at my usual time, cleaned the bike, attached the Petron stickers, watched some DVD’s, had a steak dinner at 5PM and slept at 8PM. I woke up at 1230AM, had breakfast and went to Petron C-5 to register and to take off at 3AM.

We took off at the designated time, by the time I crossed Bulacan into Nueva Ecija I was alone. One of my ride buddies sped off and the slower one lagged behind. It was cold and I was glad that I wore surgical gloves with my riding gloves, I wore a medium thick long sleeve shirt I used to wear in the US under my mesh riding jacket. It was cold but I was used to it. I did not think the other riders had my spring, fall and winter riding experience. I had to make an unplanned stop to Sta. Fe, Nueva Ecija to use the restroom. I saw the other bikes in my class gas-up.

I went up to Dalton Pass a little after dawn. It was beautiful and cold, as I read 15 degrees Celsius on the digital display of the GTS. My slower riding buddy caught up with me and together we arrived at my first gas stop in Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya. Our faster riding buddy was there waiting for us. Both were disappointed that their fuel consumption of their SYM scooters were below the prescribed 26kms/liter. I was beaming as I computed mine at 34 kms/liter! I was leading our group of three when I arrived at the turn off to Isabela. I waited for them because they might go to Banaue. I waited for 1 minute and went back. The two scooters were parked at the side road and my friends were ordering two buco pies to eat. Realizing their intention, I honked my horn, gave them the sign that I was not stopping to eat the best buco pie on earth.

I sped off into Isabela, not at all uneasy that I was to traverse these roads for the very first time. The ride was enjoyable because of the cool weather. I looked forward to the next stop: check-in at Ilagan, Isabela. Gas-up is not required, and it was not in my ride plan. When I reached Ilagan, after a difficult detour caused by a broken bridge on the way to Echauge, I decided to fill up anyway. I used the rest room, ate a snickers bar and hydrated. I saw Joseph on his 2-stroker Piaggio Skipper. He wanted to do the loop but couldn’t qualify because of the 4-stroke requirement of the race. He asked me join them but I said I wanted to stay longer in Ilagan to rest. He was with two SYM scooter riders who were leading Class 4. I reviewed my plan, and readjusted my next gas stop to Ballesteros, Cagayan.

The roads in Isabela and Cagayan had very few vehicles and to improve my mileage, I would set my speed at 90-100, taking my left hand off the handlebar and cruise for very long stretches. I passed Gattaran, Cagayan and started seeing signs that announced Jollibee Aparri. I knew that a turn off leading to Ilocos Norte should be soon in sight. Of course I made the wrong choice at the fork and drove further into Aparri. I got off the bike and asked the very enthusiastic locals and they told me to go back where I came from. I stopped at the fork where I made a mistake and asked again, confirming the wrong decision I made earlier. I thought, locals in the provinces are always sitting by the roadsides just waiting to be asked. They are so cute!!

I saw a sign that pointed to Laoag, and felt that I was on the right road. I checked my gauge and I knew that the fuel light was going to go on soon, so I slowed down to 80kph. Daytime, my speed was almost always 90-100kph. I go 120-135kph in my carefree moments. I was a woman on a Vespa, in a hurry. I reached Ballesteros and gladly gassed up, my fuel light was on for 15 minutes already. I checked with the attendants and saw that a few bikes gassed up ahead of me. I lost a chunk of time driving in the wrong direction, and I was mentally kicking myself for the mistake. With this is mind, and knowing that I had a full tank I charged in the direction of Laoag, passing a group of Petron riders by the roadside smoking and chatting. I found out later that this was the leading scooter group that was with Joseph.

I approached the mountains in Claveria and Sta. Praxedes in Cagayan feeling like Frodo going to Mordor in Lord of the Rings. The mountains were covered with dark clouds. I would have to ride in the rain. I decided not to stop to put on rain gear. The mesh pants and jacket would soak water but will also dry up just as quickly. I carefully maneuvered the mountain roads, with scattered gasoline and oil spots, and dug up concrete blocks and screamed into my helmet as I entered Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. I knew that I was going to look for the tiny Patron service station in Bangui to gas up. Failing to gas up there will lead to an empty tank in the long Ilocos Norte stretch were there were no participating Petron stations. I was the first to gas up there, and I was the first scooter and small displacement motorcycle to arrive at the 3rd mandatory stop, a beach resort in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte.

An Ilocos Norte-based Vespa rider, Glynson Cua was there to meet me. He was glad but also sort of pissed that I was an hour late from my estimate of 3PM. I arrived sometime before 4PM. I screamed, don’t you see, I’m the first one here who’s actually ‘small’?? Before I left Pasuquin, I saw Joseph and leading SYM scooters arrive. With my buddies experience with their SYM scooters earlier in the day, I knew my GTS can’t be beat on fuel consumption by other scooters. I knew that I had an overwhelming time advantage against the geared motorcycles in my class. I slowed down when it got dark and the roads became busier. I made my last fuel stop, as planned in Candon, Ilocos Sur.

I rode into the night, sometimes having nobody to follow and nobody following me. If I could turn off my headlights and it would be completely dark! I proceeded carefully and climbed to Baguio via the unlit Naguillan Road. When I arrived in Baguio City, I was cold, tired and hungry and could not figure out how to get to Kisad Road. I pulled up next to an FX taxi and ask him how to get to the roundabout. He gave me directions and I entered Kisad Road, seeing the huge Petron lighted sign.  As I pulled into the station, it took two seconds before ride officials realized that I had arrived. But when they did, they were all so excited and led me towards the pumps. I felt my knees weaken and almost give way. I had my helmet on and many came to shake my hand and congratulate me. I felt like I was a watching a silent movie inside my helmet. The lighting in Petron seemed so bright, because I came from a dark road, it felt surreal. At the corner of my eye, I saw my significant other, digicam in hand taking pictures of my arrival.

As I took off my helmet, I talked to the ride officials. They were beaming at this huge feat I pulled off. I signed my passport after the fill up, parked my bike and ate the siopao asado my partner had for me. It was cold, as she was waiting for more than an hour for my arrival, but it was the best tasting siopao I’ve had in my life.

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Technical details how Corrine managed her is posted in the Vespinoy blog.

[above pics nicked from Mon S. (Manila), Cuakks (Ilocos)  & Vesvicoy (Baguio)]

IDOL!

-o-
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J0HNRANA

john[dot]rana[at]gmail[dot]com