With 270 participants who set ablaze the roads from Manila to Matnog, overwhelming success is even an understatement. The one-track-minded riders, who got nothing else in focus but to reach the endpoint of Luzon and back, have waited too long preparing their machines and themselves for an endurance event they will never forget. For most, the Manila-Matnog-Manila is the adventure of a lifetime.
November 22, the riders started trickling in at 2pm, and poured in at twilight. Though their mindset is the 600-kilometer first half of the ride, the riders found themselves socializing with fellow adventurers and wellwishers alike, hours before the flag-off.
The Suzuki arc has been the favorite photo backdrop of the rider, which served as the takeoff pointer as well as the beacon calling the riders home. Also, kind-hearted Suzuki dedicated one vehicle to help pick up downed riders, brand irregardless.
Yamaha made it all worthwhile for the participants and guests by showing off their touring bikes, the SZ-16 and the FZ-16, as well as the race-ready Sniper 135, and by gifting the riders items that they will be needing in their long journey such as a shirt, a water bottle, water-proof cellphone holder, and some even get to take home a Yamaha legbag. Beam catering provided the riders, marshals and organizers the grub such us rice meals, pizza rolls, hotdog sandwich and of course some powerful potions such as sodas and coffees. Ahavia Spa and Lounge gave away shirts and mugs and of course a good massage by certified therapists. JM Mirasol Advertising provided the motorcycle and helmet stickers, which doesn’t easily disintegrate when peeled, but can even be restickered to another surface. The night was also braced by the presence of YKL Fujifilm, who will give away cameras in the awarding ceremony.
Overdose Motoproducts were to provide riders with motorcycle bags such as tankbags, leg bags and slingbags. Cycleseal Tire Sealant, which must be must for all long-distance rider, were given away to some lucky participants.
The event venue is wonderfully located near C5 where the riders would take on as he/she exits. Starmall Prima Taguig’s huge parking lot and RDU served as the launch pad of all 267 riders. It is also here where riders, 24 hours about, will be embraced by loved ones and given high fives by friends and clubmates.
JAC Motors , 14-footer dropside truck was the official backup truck of the event, and with the adrenalized throttle hands of the riders, many found their machines can handle only so much, with some having a burst tire, some getting a lowside and even some just plain quitting, the JAC truck soon found itself full to the brim of motorcycles needing a little repair. MTRT, creator of performance parts for motorcycles, not only helped riders do some roadside repairs, but also picked up riders and machines who couldn’t continue on.
Although the Manila-Matnog-Manila Challenge has been in existence for 7 years now, it was the first time that Spyder partnered up with the organizers and co-organized the event. And with this partnership, the outcome was M3’s most successful yet. In the motorcycling community, in physical and in the social media, the buzzword until now is the Manila-Matnog-Manila. Everybody is talking about it, how they enjoyed every minute and every kilometers of roads traveled, or how those who missed the opportunity expressed regret. Of how those who didn’t finish because of whatever reasons expressed exacting vengeance and reckoning on next year’s 8th M3 in 2015.
The 7th Manila-Matnog-Manila was an epic story of adventure which the participants will be telling friends and loved ones for a long time.
Words and images by Telly Buhay
To see the epicness of this event, you can check out the following for photos, videos and comments:
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