By Mortz C. Ortigoza
DAGUPAN CITY – The stamina powered 81 kilometers bike race Buelta
Dagupan that started here to Baguio City showed its two facets: A septuagenarian
and a teenage pedal aficionados.
Veteran racer Alex Jugo is 71 years old while minor Efren Reyes is 16
years old.
The long distance race from San Marino Place here to Benguet Province
included the strenuous ascent to the snake- like cloud kissed Province’s highway
before they reach Tuba town - one of the
two legs of the race before they sped off to Baguio City via the strenuous uphill highway of Naguilian, La Union.
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TWO FACETS of long distance low level handle bar road racing bikers.
From left: The 71
years old veteran cyclist Alex Jugo and the promising 16
years old Efren Reyes.
MORTZ C. ORTIGOZA
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The race show cases the mettle of the cyclists who used expensive low
level handle bar road racing bikes and contraptions.
According to the septuagenarian Jugo, a retired seaman, he used to join
cycling legend Jess Garcia, a Filipino-Mexican who is a Pangasinense, during contests in the 1970s and joined prestigious race Philippine International Council Cycling Commission (PICCA) under a certain Tony Kairuz in 1971 to 1973.
Three-time national cycling marathon champion Garcia told this paper that the PICCA races ensued in the middle of 1970s.
Three-time national cycling marathon champion Garcia told this paper that the PICCA races ensued in the middle of 1970s.
Jugo was absent in the race for two years but did not see his age as an
obstacle to conquer an uphill trek with fellow racers who were younger than
him.
“Sa batch
ko baka ako lang ang nagbibiseklita pa. Mga
edad 70 talaga o kahit na 60 medyo delikado kung hinde ka nag e-exercise
(Probably I am the only septuagenarian who still race. 70 or 60 years old biker
could be dangerous especially if he does not exercise),” he cited.
