It was fast, furious and (from the look on the faces of the racers) extremely fun. Downhill racers maneuvered their heavy full-suspension rigs down a steep hill (45+ degree slopes?) at full speed, not minding the two to four foot drops on a narrow dirt track with trees and boulders thrown in.
As each biker flung himself down the track, the crowd hooted, cheered and some even clapped while contestants put all their skills on display. Such was the atmosphere at the Spyder Downhill Cup, held last February 24th at the “Antenna” in Binangonan, Rizal.
For a lot of mountain bikers in Metro Manila and Rizal, Antenna needs no introduction. For nearly two decades now, the high hill topped with a radio tower in San Carlos Heights in
Barangay Tayuman has been drawing bikers like ants to a sugary treat. Weekend warriors who like a bit of challenge have been trooping to this hill to test their lungs and legs. And when they get to the top of the hill, there’s a great scenic route that leads downhill to the Thunder trail nearby.
Cross country bikers rave about this place, but last Sunday it was the Downhill tribe that it played host to. More than 180 downhill racers took part in the race organized by Team Haooh (don’t ask me to pronounce that).
For those new to the sport, downhill biking demands a more dedicated skill set than cross country, which is why I am not a downhiller. For cross country or XC, endurance is what counts. You need lung and leg power to go the distance.
For downhill or DH races, what counts is bike handling skills, and a whole lotta cojones to rush down a route where the slightest mistake could mean debilitating injury or even an untimely demise. Along with Freeride (another MTB discipline) downhilling is at the extreme of the mountain biking sport.
As someone who was raised in the town of Binangonan, I can’t help but feel proud that the place was chosen as the site for the Spyder Downhill Cup. Me and my fellow bikers in BOMBA (Binangonan Outdoor and Mountain Biking Association) know that our town and its adjacent areas have a lot of great trails to offer MTBers who wouldn’t mind a bit of exploring.
So congratulations to all the winners, and kudos to Team Spyder and Haooh Racing for organizing this event. Hopefully, there will be more races held in Binangonan. Anyway, here are some pics from the race. Btw, who knew that it was possible to go paragliding over the hills of Binangonan? Wow!
J
February 27, 2013 at 3:51 amnice article sir!
outsideslacker
February 27, 2013 at 5:38 amthanks 🙂
HABU
February 28, 2013 at 5:07 pmWhen I’m in Japan, to discover this place on Google Maps, I have come to flying.
I want to make a flying club here.
Once back in Japan, I also come back here in May.
outsideslacker
February 28, 2013 at 5:26 pmYes! Please set up a flying club here! I know lots of people who would join, including me 🙂 It was great to see you fly
outsideslacker
February 28, 2013 at 5:36 pmhi again mr. skyhabu, just saw more your paragliding pics on http://www.panoramio.com/photo/86282494
HABU
February 28, 2013 at 5:57 pmI fly at any time. If the wind is 3 ~ 5m / s,
Because I live in the hills near the antenna.
outsideslacker
March 1, 2013 at 4:17 pmwow! hope to see you again in binangonan one of these days. please tell me when you plan to go flying again. i would like to take photos
HABU
March 1, 2013 at 4:42 pmSaturdays, Sundays and holidays will always go to the mountains. I pray that the fly.
richard madrid
March 26, 2013 at 6:17 pmsir outsideslacker,
i bumped into your blog and really find it interesting and informative at the same time.
im also a mtbiker and also really interested on base jumping, but as for the needed budget to do so, you know the next story.
then i saw this blog, and the paraglider, it would be nice to meet you and the paragliding guy.
as for the idea of the flying club, and whoever interested and willing to do this activity, count me in! and my girlfriend 🙂
looking forward on riding the antenna hill.
outsideslacker
March 26, 2013 at 8:37 pmhi richard,
thanks. i hope to bump into mr. skyhabu (the paraglider) soon too! he seems like a really nice and cool dude. i don’t know when i’ll be returning to antenna, but i’ll keep you posted. that mtb destination deserves a whole article in itself, with great photos.
thanks for dropping by!
richard madrid
March 28, 2013 at 1:10 pmpls inform me when youll be riding the antenna. if ever where will you be coming from? im from bataan and currently on a DIY bike rack project so i can bring my bike. been riding for about 6mo now and would be really thankful if i could ride along.
outsideslacker
March 28, 2013 at 8:19 pmwow, bataan is kinda far from binangonan, rizal 🙂 for you to make that trip, the ride has to be really epic! antenna is ok for a weekend half day ride, but if you’re from bataan, maybe you should try out the province’s legendary “killer loop.” on the other hand, if mr. habu allows us to try paragliding, than i’m sure your trip all the way from bataan will be worth it 🙂
richard madrid
March 28, 2013 at 8:32 pmive ridden parts of the killer, wasnt able to complete the loop yet, i just got back riding after 16 weeks off the saddle from a crash when i was stupid enough not to bring my helmet.
yeah mr glider should let us try! thats still in may. i might try the antenna this summer. thatd be great.
outsideslacker
March 28, 2013 at 9:51 pmOuch. Been in a couple of accidents myself :-p let’s set a ride sometime next month. Got to fix my sched
HABU
March 26, 2013 at 8:54 pmI am the first time in a while.
I’m in Japan now.
I’m go back to May twenty days.
I teach paragliding for two months afterwards.
outsideslacker
March 26, 2013 at 11:05 pmSee you in May Mr. Habu 🙂 I’ll sign up for your class sensei
richard madrid
March 28, 2013 at 1:11 pmcount me in! 🙂
HABU
March 26, 2013 at 8:59 pm私のブログです。
http://blog.livedoor.jp/habuex/
HABU
March 26, 2013 at 8:59 pmIt is my blog.
http://blog.livedoor.jp/habuex/
richard madrid
March 28, 2013 at 1:14 pmmr habu.
im looking forward to meet you and call you sensei ! please do come back! your always welcome here in the Philippines!
HABU
March 28, 2013 at 8:20 pmHey richard madrid
I returned to the Philippines in May.
Let’s live in Japan and the Philippines every two months.
I stay in the Philippines and from December to March.
richard madrid
March 28, 2013 at 8:48 pmwow, mr habu, i will take note of your return. please do let us know when youre coming. where do you stay when youre here? do you have relatives here?
HABU
March 28, 2013 at 9:08 pmI scrap yard to rent an apartment that Angono Hiwey
I have two beginner paraglider.
skyhabu@gmail.com
outsideslacker
March 28, 2013 at 9:45 pmSee you in may mr. Habu 🙂
HABU
March 28, 2013 at 10:04 pmOK!\(^O^)/
outsideslacker
May 9, 2013 at 4:23 pmHi Mr. Habu, are you in the Philippines now? Would you like to teach us how to fly? 🙂
HABU
May 10, 2013 at 2:53 pmHI !
I teach paragliding in 23 to 26 of May.
Morning, please come at nine.
It is a Seven-Eleven shops of Angono Highway.
richard madrid
May 22, 2013 at 7:41 pmmr. habu, would there be any requirement when you teach us paragliding? i mean fees, clearances, gadgets, equipments, other important skills and knowledge necessary? and if you have a phone number so we could call you for easier communication, thank you.
sir outsideslacker sorry if this post would seem too personal. thank you also!
outsideslacker
May 23, 2013 at 6:51 amno problem richard. i was going to ask mr. habu the same questions 🙂
HABU
May 23, 2013 at 2:36 pmSaturday and Sunday,
I am waiting to AM 9:00 to Seven-Eleven.By ANGONO HI WAY
tel 094 2472 9518
HABU
May 24, 2013 at 9:38 amIn order to establish a paragliding club, you want to hear the opinions of everyone.
Thanks in advance.
E mail skyhabu@gmail.com
outsideslacker
May 24, 2013 at 9:49 amHi mr. Habu, me and my wife will meet you in angono on sunday 🙂 please reserve a slot for us
HABU
May 24, 2013 at 10:05 amOK ! I’m drinking juice in AM 9:00 in the Seven-Eleven. G(^o^)v
outsideslacker
May 26, 2013 at 3:57 pmthanks for teaching us how to paraglide mr. habu! i’ll call your number later so we can schedule another lesson! 🙂
HABU
May 26, 2013 at 7:13 pmOK ! I can teach every day.
I can not go to not have to think the transport of paragliding.
outsideslacker
June 1, 2013 at 9:14 ami will be riding my bicycle in antenna later. hope to see you paragliding there again mr habu 🙂
HABU
June 4, 2013 at 9:38 pmYou guys could not be flight without time Hi last time, two people now, I will present a tandem paragliding.
I will be back on June 28.
outsideslacker
June 4, 2013 at 10:13 pmhi mr. habu, i went biking in antenna last sunday. i saw your flags there, but did not see you. have a safe trip! i am a bit busy now, but i will come back there again this june. i really want to learn how to fly 🙂
outsideslacker
June 11, 2013 at 11:57 pmkara’s article on paragliding
http://www.traveling-up.com/paragliding-lessons-in-rizal/
HABU
June 26, 2013 at 8:32 amHi hello !
Do you want a tandem flight this Sunday?
I am preparing a paraglider.
outsideslacker
June 26, 2013 at 12:18 pmsounds great mr. habu 🙂
richard madrid
June 26, 2013 at 9:02 pmyes sir! sunday are you available?
HABU
June 26, 2013 at 9:37 pmHi Richard
AM 10:00 Seven-Eleven is set.
I do not have a car
———————————————
Hi Richard
10:00 AM Pitong-Eleven ay nakatakda.
Hindi ko magkaroon ng isang kotse
outsideslacker
June 28, 2013 at 10:27 pmhi mr. habu. can i reschedule for monday? i will be working in the office this sunday
HABU
June 29, 2013 at 3:09 pmSunday, Monday, both OK!
I pray that the weather is good.
Where I could not stolen mobile phone.
I wait in the Seven-Eleven at 10:00 morning.
outsideslacker
June 30, 2013 at 4:41 pmhi mr. habu. we’re you able to go flying today? weather forecast says it may still be windy and rainy tomorrow monday. please advise. do you have a new celphone number?
richard madrid
July 13, 2013 at 9:29 pmmr habu! tomorrow me and my girlfriend will be there in seven – eleven! i cant reach you through your mobile phone. we will be there at 10 am!
outsideslacker
July 13, 2013 at 11:20 pmHi richard. Habu has a new number. It’s 09432336092
HABU
July 13, 2013 at 11:42 pmGood evening everyone, I’m looking forward to tomorrow.
richard madrid
November 9, 2013 at 9:22 pmsir, any news from mr Habu? we really like to try out paragliding, also if you have his number? thank you sir!
outsideslacker
November 11, 2013 at 5:00 pmhi richard, no word yet from habu. but he’s supposed to return to the philippines this month
HABU
November 11, 2013 at 9:04 pmI am staying in an apartment in the Philippines until January 24 from December 10.
It is good to be able to fly.
richard madrid
November 15, 2013 at 10:42 pmmr habu! we`ll wait you here, please let us know your local number so we can call you when you get here.
outsideslacker
December 29, 2013 at 4:58 pmHi Habu, are you still in the Philippines?
HABU
December 30, 2013 at 12:41 pmUp to 1/3 to 1/7, to stay in Angono, up to 1/8 to 1/10 day, staying in Kota Kinabalu.
Phone in the Philippines is 093 3547 7469.
By HABU
flightline
August 1, 2015 at 1:29 pmsir, saan po ba makakabili ng atomic brand frames and parts/components/accessories?
outsideslacker
August 3, 2015 at 3:52 pmbro, widely available na ang atomic frames and parts. i just went to glorious ride bikeshop last week. marami sila dun atomic bikes
arnold
March 8, 2016 at 2:57 amHi,
Does Mr. Habu still offer paragliding lessons up to now? Very keen in learning this activity.
Thanks!
outsideslacker
March 8, 2016 at 6:41 pmi haven’t been in touch with habu for 2 years now. nagpalit kasi yata sya ng number. am not sure if he still offers paragliding lessons in binangonan 🙁