Mar 1, 2018

No-Dismount Climb to Cruz Daku

Location: Loboc (municipality), Bohol (province), Philippines
YOGA by Gigit | Learn English | Travel like a Nomad | Donation Bank

Litmus Test
Curious if I have completely regained my strength back after the failed cliff dive, the one litmus test to find out was to climb the steepest incline in Loboc towards the colossal cross on the horizon, Cruz Daku. The question was, can I climb it on my bike without dismounting?

Cruz Daku Deja Vu
I've climbed Cruz Daku once while riding with Juan, but we had a few stops as I was pacing with him. I never really knew if I could climb it non-stop. It has the toughest climb in Loboc, tougher than the Virgen of Guadalupe. Now would be a good time to test my strength and stamina.

The Climb
The climb was steep and unrelenting with only a few reprieves. On some brutal sections, I would do the zigzag approach just to lessen the steepness. Dismounting was not an option! I kept the course doing smooth circular pedal strokes until I reached the top. The tail-end of the climb was particularly steep. Ironic, but the only way I could manage it was to sprint! Only by sprinting on the lowest gear can I build momentum to give me an added push. But lo and behold, I reached the top without dismounting!

the climb was long and brutal

Exploring the Top
Alone, I had all the time I wanted to explore. I noticed a flight of steps going down behind the cross. I thought it would lead to a clearing where the view might be magnificent. It took me to another smaller cross. There was a trail leading up to it from below. Again, I followed the trail on foot and led me to another structure. And then it hit me...it was the Station of the Cross! Pilgrims take this dirt road during Holy Week for their pilgrimage.

Downhill
Of course, I get to savour the reward - sweet downhill bombing. I had no helmet and I respect how fragile life is, so I didn't really throw caution to the wind. I feathered my brakes and didn't take any risk. I went as fast as I could where I am still in full control of my bike. In no time, I was back on the flats. Whoa!

Ending Thoughts
The no-dismount climb to Cruz Daku confirmed my good health - that was the validation I was looking for. But modesty aside, even though doing the brutal climb was a killer, by the time I reached the top, I noticed I wasn't even tired! My recovery was quick and my strength bounced back quickly. I started my day feeling good about this.

My strength and stamina are back. But am I 100%? No, not really. My body really took a beating from that fall. There are still brief and mild episodes of vertigo but at a manageable level. I'm just thankful that the major fears (cranial fracture, brain hemorrhage) did not happen. Thank you life and thank you again to all those who gave me encouragement and healing words.

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

some sections were brutal, steering was a problem

Reader Comments:

Kenjie

(Mar 3, 2018) Looking Great mate 🙂

Jojo Balbuena
(Mar 3, 2018) Nice to hear that your okay now pinsan

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Loboc Map

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

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 6-7:05-8:20-9:20-11:40AM, 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.