Country > Philippines > Bohol > Loboc
Date > 2017 > Dec
Activity > Mountain Biking

Series: Fox & Firefly

Fox & Firefly

Yoga
Fox & Firefly

Plus-sized
Yoga

Loboc
Bohol
04/20/2024

SUP Yoga with Lalah de Dios at Fox and the Firefly

SUP Yoga
Lalah

5 Weeks
@ FOX

In-House
Yoga Teacher

Dec 18, 2017

Playing Mountain Bike Tour Optimizer

Location : Fox & The Firefly Cottages, Loboc, Bohol, Philippines

Looking for Blind Spots
Life continued at Fox and the Firefly Cottages with my single-minded focus on optimization. The resort already operates at a high standard with everything they do. I had to use a finer-tooth comb to uncover whatever blind spots there are. One such area is where my heart is - mountain biking

The Observer
Since I've already spent a full month in Loboc doing all kinds of mountain bike rides with Jeffrey and Juan, I was only keen on doing the same rides again but from an observer - in short, I'm not participating for the fun of it. I'd be vigilant at seeing how things work and fix what's broken and optimize the weak links.

Tool Kit
Before even getting on the bike, I inspected the portable tool pouch of the guide - it was almost complete except for a spare tube, air pump and adhesive for the patches. If there was a flat tire, they would have to call the resort for back-up. Given my background where I ride deep into the forest in the dead of winter where I can be 5 kms away from the nearest road, this practice was not acceptable. I prepared a list of 'to buy' parts which the owner quickly addressed.

The Bikes
The resort has a stable of six 29" hard tails (front suspension with 29-inch diameter wheels). For a public tour bike, I would say that these bikes are just about the best you could get. Usually, the bikes offered by an outfitter would be shitty. But these bikes are clean, lubed, tuned and fully functional. Even the Danish guests were pleasantly surprised. The owner is smart in not having the bikes rented out. The bikes can only be used for guided tours. This way, they don't get trashed.

Presta vs Schraeder
We would have left at 9am but had to wait for the earlier tour to arrive to use one of their bikes. Apparently one bike for our tour didn't have enough air. It had a presta valve and the only pump was a schraeder. It was that one inner tube out of 6 bikes that delayed Tour B. Instead of accommodating the presta (buying a separate presta pump), it made more sense to make this one tube, a schraeder. I requested the owner to add another schraeder tube making all the bikes schraeders.

sun came out after days of rain

Mountain Biking Tour B
2 travelers from Denmark, Mads and Emma, who were strong riders signed up for Tour B - a 20-km intermediate level ride that includes moderate climbs and downhills. Teroy, the tour guide, led the way while I played sweeper (guy at the back making sure the group is intact). As sweeper, I can ward off any aggressive dogs that might spook the riders (but we didn't encounter such), see how the riders are holding up, observe the bikes' trail manners and see if anything falls off the trail.

We rode mostly on the backroads with a mix of dirt and paved trails cutting through several villages. Our mid-point rest stop was Limpia Beach in Loay. Heading back, we took a different back road where we ended up doing a canopy ride along the river bank - that was nice. We arrived at the resort hungry for lunch!

Mountain Bike Maintenance and Troubleshooting Workshop
I saw the need to conduct a maintenance / trouble shooting workshop for the 3 resort tour guides - they should be self-sufficient while out there without being reliant on resort back-up. It has already been scheduled end of week where we will do:

patching a flat tire
changing inner tubes
connecting a broken chain using a chain tool with my own trench-proven technique
cleaning, lubing, wiping a chain using race-established practices
tuning derailleurs

Tour Suggestions
The ride went well with no mishaps but I noticed that there was nothing memorable to it - nothing that was fun to talk about after. I would suggest a few things into the tour:

include a tour highlight - a good highlight would be the Virgin of Guadalupe or Cruz Daku on the hill, but it might be too steep a climb even for intermediate riders. Maybe a stop by the Spanish Tower in Loay where you walk a bamboo stilt bridge.
make it a talking tour as well - since the tour is not a race and the pace isn't too frenetic, the tour guide could talk about the things passed by - talk about the river, it's legends, fables, trivia info. The talk simply adds dimension to the experience when you know the story behind it.
take action shots - after a rest stop, the tour guide could go ahead to a photo-opt vantage point where he can take action shots of the riders. Maybe a little panning with slow shutter to give it that blur for break-neck speed mirage. The guests would love this - specially because they can't take selfies while riding a mountain bike.

Ending Thoughts
While being observer and noticing so many things that could further enhance rider experience, I was amazed at how much I've cummulatively picked-up over the years from club races in Toronto, cycle mag subscription, Youtube tutorials and bike-outs with my mountaineer friends that were just coming out on-demand.

Additionally, by being an observer, I saw a different facet of the tour that neither the riders nor the tour guide were probably aware of. And that's cool. I'd like to think somebody was cleaning the ashtrays while they were partying.

--- Gigit (TheLoneRider)
YOGA by Gigit | Learn English | Travel like a Nomad | Donation Bank

bikes are washed and lubed after the ride

Firefly Tour on a Stand-Up Paddle (SUP)

(Dec 19, 2017) I've done a few firefly tours on a pumpboat, but doing it on a paddle board at night along a river where our light source only comes from houses along the river bank? It was something I had to try!....more »»

Next Mountain Biking:

Mountain Bike Ride from Tagbilaran to Loboc

(Jan 18, 2018) The 28km mountain bike ride from Tagbilaran to Loboc would have been a good workout until it got dark and then it rained....more »»

Loboc, Bohol, Philippines

tourist attractions

Cruz Daku - 80-foot white cross erected in 1986 on top of Loboc's highest mountain
Virgen de Guadalupe - giant statue of the Black Madonna perched on a Loboc summit
River Cruise - river cruise on a floating restaurant serving lunch with cultural presentation
Busay Falls - accessible only through the river cruise
Loktob Spring - cold water spring, free admission, huts for rent
Zipline and Cable Car Ride - at the Eco-Tourism Adventure Park

hotel

Fox & The Firefly Cottages - SUP paddle boarding, luxury riverside native cottages, mountain bike tours, SUP yoga
Lyn's Backpackers Inn - family-run guesthouse in the heart of Loboc

Loboc Local Info

Tourist Attraction

Cruz Daku - 80-foot white cross erected in 1986 on top of Loboc's highest mountain
Virgen de Guadalupe - giant statue of the Black Madonna perched on a Loboc summit
River Cruise - river cruise on a floating restaurant serving lunch with cultural presentation
Busay Falls - accessible only through the river cruise
Loktob Spring - cold water spring, free admission, huts for rent
Zipline and Cable Car Ride - at the Eco-Tourism Adventure Park

*** entries below were submitted by Dodette Bernaldez

Chilling at the Hanging Garden
Watch the Loboc Children's Choir practice at Loboc Central Elementary School, 5pm daily
Watch the music classes of the Loboc Youth Ambassador Band on Saturdays
Attend Masses at St. Peter Parish and Quinoguitan Parish. We have a very rich culture here
Swim in the river at the same time talk to the ladies doing their laundry
Spend at least 2 hours (suggested time: 11:30-1:30pm) observing how Loboc Tourism Complex is operated and hopefully give your feedback to the Chief Tourism Operations Officer with the help of Jeffrey
Go to Loboc River Resort and Basak View in Camayaan
Visit the blacksmiths in Agape
Go to the hills and mountains of Gon-ob, Calunasan and Cambance areas. In Calunasan, visit Balai Silangan
Visit the caves of Guimba, Buenavista and Tigbao but don't expect too much, the caves are not that marvellous but the journey in going there are awesome, that if u like to be with nature
Visit the woodcarvers of Alegria and Tigbao
Visit the home-based weavers of Tigbao, Oy and Calunasan
Visit the rice fields of Basak Daku, Jimilian ...almost all barangays have patches of rice fields
Boating at Loboc River downstream on a late afternoon
Firefly tour
Salabat Centre in Candabong
Taste our delicacy at Tres Hermanas

Loboc Blogs

Loboc

LOBOC

Beginner Yoga at Fox and Firefly December 13, 2024

Yoga for Plus-sized Women May 24, 2024

Bohol Yoga Festival April 20/21, 2024

Goodbye Loboc, Goodbye Philippines Mar 15, 2018

The CubbyHole: Envisioning a Utopian Shangrila Mar 10, 2018

Fat Shredder with the Russian Twist Mar 2, 2018

No-Dismount Climb to Cruz Daku Mar 1, 2018

Jeffrey's Cardio Program Feb 26, 2018

SUP Yoga with Lalah de Dios at Fox and the Firefly Feb 25, 2018

Bike Ride with Juan Huerte: Loboc, Sikatuna, Corella and Baclayon Feb 25, 2018

CT Scan Result Feb 23, 2018

The Silent Killer has Arrived Feb 19-22, 2018

24+ Days at Lyn's Backpackers Inn Jan 23 - Feb 16, 2018

All Day Fun with the Loboc Crew Feb 11, 2018

20-Minute Rope Skipping w/ Pranayama and Meditation Feb 9, 2018

Calisthenics with Jeffrey Feb 7, 2018

Abs-Core Workout with Jeffrey Feb 5, 2018

High Intensity Cardio Workout Feb 2, 2018

Ride to the Landslide with Jeffrey Jan 31, 2018

Farm Tour with Mr. Raymond Cal Jan 29, 2018

Cacao Drum Roasting Jan 27, 2018

Making Sikwate: from cacao fruit to a hot dark chocolate drink Jan 25, 2018

5 Weeks at the Fox and Firefly Cottages Dec 13, 2017 - Jan 23, 2018

In-House Yoga Teacher at the Fox and Firefly Cottages Jan 22-Mar 14, 2018

Mountain Bike Rides from Tagbilaran to Loboc Jan 18, 2018

Firefly Tour on a Stand-Up Paddle (SUP) Dec 19, 2017

Playing Mountain Bike Tour Optimizer Dec 18, 2017

Back to Loboc Dec 13-17, 2017

37 Days in Loboc - Thank You and Goodbye Oct 8-Nov 14, 2017

Exploring Busay Falls, Loktob Spring And Jimili-An Spring Nov 11, 2017

Stand-Up Paddle Yoga with Joan Christine Nov 3, 2017

SUP (Stand Up Paddle) Bohol Oct 29, 2017

Exploring Guimba and Sog-ong Caves of Loboc Oct 22, 2017

Ziplining and Cable Car Ride at Eco-Tourism Adventure Park Oct 22, 2017

Savouring Villagio Pizza Oct 19, 2017

Wet and Wild Bonbon-Alegria Downhill Ride Oct 18, 2017

River Cruise on Loboc River Oct 17, 2017

Back Road Ride To Loay Oct 17, 2017

Leisurely Ride to Loktob Spring Oct 14, 2017

Sweet Ride to Busay Falls Oct 13, 2017

Bike Climb to the Virgen de Guadalupe Oct 12, 2017

The Ride to Cruz Daku (Big Cross) Oct 11, 2017

Exploring Loboc, Bohol Oct 8, 2017

Bohol, Philippines

tourist attractions

Danao Adventure Park - zip lining, cable car ride, caving, river rides/trekking, off-road buggy ride, root climbing, rappelling and ultra-glide rides
Alona Beach - hub for tourists with hotels, resorts, restos, bars and dive shops
Chocolate Hills - hills side-by-side shaped like giant Kisses chocolate
Tarsier - pocket-sized marsupia looking like a monkey
Balicasag Island - one of the best dive spots in the Philippines
Loboc River - river cruise on a boat
Anda Beach - fine white sand beach with resorts, restos and cottages, 3 hours by bus from Tagbilaran
Cabagnow Cave Pool - brackish water pool about 5ft deep inside a limestone opening on the ground, 8 feet deep, P50
Lamanok Island - walk on a 100m bamboo bridge on stilts to a resto area to take a boat tour to caves and nearly attractions, P300
Combento Cave Pool - cave pool with underwater cave system, P20
Can-umantad Falls - long narrow drop until it hits a bulbous mound spreading it into a a curtain-like water canopy and down into a splash pool
Canawa Cold Spring - deep refreshing cold spring with developed pool area
Firefly Tour - evening boat ride into the river to watch fireflies

hotel

Fox & The Firefly Cottages - SUP paddle boarding, luxury riverside native cottages, mountain bike tours, SUP yoga
Baranggay Valladolid, Loboc, Bohol
Bohol Tropics Resort - seafront location, manicured surroundings, swimming pool, resto/bar
0133 Graham Avenue, Brgy. Cogon, Tagbilaran, Bohol 6300
Oasis Resort - Alona Beach location, dive center, resto / bar
Alona Beach, Panglao, Bohol

yoga

Jing Yoga - health & well being through yoga
The Courtyard - Airport Road fronting the church
Bohol Meditation and Yoga Center - 2nd Floor Lim Magtajas Bldg. CPG Avenue

Bohol Travel Info/Tips

Bohol FYI / Tips

the tourist area where most of the hotels, restaurants, ticket offices, tour operators are, is located within the Alona Beach area
the tourist attractions in Bohol are far apart and spread-out. It would be difficult to visit them all using public mass transit. Better hire a van (P3500/day) if in a big group, or rent a motorcycle (P400/day + gas)
Bohol relies on its tourism for revenue. As expected, everything they can capitalize on from tourism is extensively used and developed

Tagbilaran Port to Panglao

You can charter any tricycle from the port all the way to Panglao (~P300), but if you want to do it on the cheap,

don't take the tricycles lined-up inside the port. Walk past the port gate and immediately outside, you'll see many tricycles. Take one to the bus terminal in Dao (~P15)
in Dao, take the jeep that plies the Panglao route (~P20)

Tagbilaran (Bohol) to Cebu City by boat

** schedules and rates keep changing, call for latest schedule

Weesam Express - departs 6:15 AM, 11:30 AM, 4:00 PM
one way: Economy (aircon) P500.00, Economy (non-aircon) P400.00, First Class P600.00
round trip promo (at least 2 days advance booking): Economy (aircon) P600, Economy(non-aircon) P500, First Class P1200
round trip promo (1 day or on the day booking): Economy (aircon) P800, Economy (non-aircon) P700, First Class P1200
Ocean Jet - departs 6-7:05-8:20-9:20-10:40-11:40AM, 1-2-3:30-4:20-5:30-6:30PM, 2 hours, arrives Pier 1 in Cebu
Open Air / Tourist Class P800, Business Class P1000
+63(32)255 7560 / +63 (32) 255 0115 / 0917 638 0000
SuperCat (2GO) - departs 5:50-11AM, 3:45-5:25-8:15PM, arrives Pier 1 in Cebu
P 500.00
+63 32 233 7000

Things to do, Places to go in Bohol

Chocolate Hills - this is a clustering of more than 1200 hills within a 50km² area. They range in height from 30-50 meters. What's unusual is their near-perfect conical shape resembling an individual chocolate chip. No one knows how they were formed. Entrance is P50/pax.
Tarsier Conservation Area - located Upper Bonbon, Loboc. The tarsiers are no longer being played at by tourists as circus props, but instead, visitors now view them in cordoned-off areas in their natural 6ha habitat. As they are territorial and nocturnal, they are predictable on where they can be viewed. P50/pax.
Alona Beach (Panglao) - Alona Beach is the tourist hub of Bohol. It has 1.5 kms of white sand beach lined-up by bars, hotels and restos. Alona is also the jump-off point for Balicasag Island, a world class dive destination.
Danao Adventure Park - located in Barangay Magtangtang, 72 kms (2 hours ride) from Tagbilaran. Adventure activities include river trekking, tyrolean traverse, rappelling, bouldering, rock climbing and ziplining.

Blogs

Bohol

Anda

ANDA

Exploring Combento Cave Pool Jun 29, 2017

Visiting Cabagnow Cave Pool Of Anda Jun 28, 2017

Exploring Anda, Bohol Jun 25-30, 2017

Candijay

CANDIJAY

Roadtrip from Candijay to Ubay Jul 1, 2017

Firefly Tour In Candijay, Bohol Jun 30, 2017

Freediving Canawa Cold Spring Of Candijay, Bohol Jun 30, 2017