After the slight fiasco of the bike run, the Sunday was a fairly muted affair. We all gathered for a few speeches, said farewells to bikers departing for other islands, had a couple of beers and chilled out on the Boulevard. I was told by members of several clubs that I would be welcome to hang out with them on other islands if I was moving around. I really can't stress these guys hospitality enough. Did I mention it was a really hard life here?
I was glad to see Bjorn and Petter both up and about, although both obviously in some discomfort. Bjorn had a real problem. With 59 stitches in his leg and obviously pumped up on painkillers, he had to leave that day for Europe. In his "day job" he is a senior officer on a very technical ship which, I believe, does either surveying or cable laying. His mission, if you can believe this, is to keep a ship within one metre of a defined course no matter what the swell, current or wind is doing at the time and he does this in the Atlantic, North Sea or wherever. Rather him than me. He had something like a 20 hour journey to Belgium to pick up his ship and I really didn't envy him that in the condition he was in. He did make it, although the story doesn't end there but that is for another post. All in good time, dear reader.
The days rolled on and I was settling into a little routine round and about Dumaguete so I'll just show you a few little bits and pieces here.
Well, you could describe Edsal as a bit or even a piece but I include this photo for the bike. Honestly!
There has been nothing short of a revolution bikewise in Negros since I have been here. Basically, you have two generic types of bikes here, scooters (fully auto and semi-auto) and dirtbikes or quasi dirtbikes, rarely more than 200cc. I would have to be different naturally and am riding a 125 roadbike as described before. The Honda 200 is very popular amongst expats. There is a company here called RUSI, which is a Chinese / Philippino outfit who import bikes manufactured in China and they have just come out with a new model, the 150cc machine you see so delightfully modelled here. They have caused an absolute storm. The initial consignment of 200 was sold out before the ship had even docked and apparently there were near riots in the local dealerships to buy them. An expat friend of mine has five of them (more of which later) and the reason for the popularity is simple. They are cheap, and I mean ridiculously cheap. They are marked at 49,000 pesos but you can deal cash for 47 with a few bits and pieces thrown in. To make it easy for you that equates to £685.339 or $1,103.97US for other readers. It is completely nuts and is going to kill the second hand market in Hondas etc. You can buy three of these for the price of a new XR200, so flog two of them into the ground and keep the third for cannibalising. Absolutely everyone here wants one.
Like most things in life, you get what you pay for, and friends have told me (I have not ridden one yet although I have been offered a run on one) that they are geared wrong and rattle like anything over about 60kph. My mate John had one and the back brake seized after three days, they are basically "cheap and cheerful". Just a piece of technical advice here from those who know. If you do buy one, change the rear wheel from the 14" supplied to a 17" and change the sprocket, it is like adding another gear. Just thought you'd like to know.
This next little piece is about bikes as well. This blog is in danger of becoming Motorcycle News soon. I appreciate this is not a great photo but the text, taken from my Virtual Tourist page explains why.
"I shall write at greater length about the simply abysmal driving conditions in the Philippines in a general Philippines tip at a later date, assuming I survive the roads that long, but this is a tip specific to Bacong / Dauin and the National Highway there.
The local youth have a practice of racing small but very souped-up motorbikes along a particular stretch of this road. They race from Dauin towards Bacong and the finish line is the tree at the disused filling station opposite La Fiesta (Baboy's Place). You would think that two small bikes would not present much of a hazard but some of these things are capable of 140kph. There is some serious betting involved and preofessional riders, extremely light guys drive these things like complete maniacs. I have seen it myself and it is frightening, they will happily take both sides of the road approaching the finish. Remember this is a very busy Highway with trucks, buses and all sorts on it. there is considerable anecdotal evidence that most of the riders are on shebu (methamphetimine, a powerful and illegal drug) which gives them the courage to drive in such a fashion.
Everything appears to be organised on mobile (cell) phones and lookouts are posted against the occasional visit of the local police when they scatter in every direction, it is something to watch. Sunday afternoon is the normal time for this madness and crowds of literally hundreds turn up to line the "track", although I have seen occasional night races which are doubly dangerous. They are not common, thankfully.
Apologies for the photo which was taken surreptitiously and at a distance. An American guy I know was physically threatened by a group of Philippinos for taking photos. As it happens, he is just a bike buff and wanted some action shots but the locals didn't seem to appreciate that.
I am told there is another stretch of road near Siaton that is similarly used but I have not seen that myself.
Drivng this road at any time in any conditions is dangerous enough but when these drug-addled idiots are flying at such speeds it is a potential deathtrap. Be warned."
I was glad to see Bjorn and Petter both up and about, although both obviously in some discomfort. Bjorn had a real problem. With 59 stitches in his leg and obviously pumped up on painkillers, he had to leave that day for Europe. In his "day job" he is a senior officer on a very technical ship which, I believe, does either surveying or cable laying. His mission, if you can believe this, is to keep a ship within one metre of a defined course no matter what the swell, current or wind is doing at the time and he does this in the Atlantic, North Sea or wherever. Rather him than me. He had something like a 20 hour journey to Belgium to pick up his ship and I really didn't envy him that in the condition he was in. He did make it, although the story doesn't end there but that is for another post. All in good time, dear reader.
The days rolled on and I was settling into a little routine round and about Dumaguete so I'll just show you a few little bits and pieces here.
 |
| Concentrate on the bike! |
There has been nothing short of a revolution bikewise in Negros since I have been here. Basically, you have two generic types of bikes here, scooters (fully auto and semi-auto) and dirtbikes or quasi dirtbikes, rarely more than 200cc. I would have to be different naturally and am riding a 125 roadbike as described before. The Honda 200 is very popular amongst expats. There is a company here called RUSI, which is a Chinese / Philippino outfit who import bikes manufactured in China and they have just come out with a new model, the 150cc machine you see so delightfully modelled here. They have caused an absolute storm. The initial consignment of 200 was sold out before the ship had even docked and apparently there were near riots in the local dealerships to buy them. An expat friend of mine has five of them (more of which later) and the reason for the popularity is simple. They are cheap, and I mean ridiculously cheap. They are marked at 49,000 pesos but you can deal cash for 47 with a few bits and pieces thrown in. To make it easy for you that equates to £685.339 or $1,103.97US for other readers. It is completely nuts and is going to kill the second hand market in Hondas etc. You can buy three of these for the price of a new XR200, so flog two of them into the ground and keep the third for cannibalising. Absolutely everyone here wants one.
Like most things in life, you get what you pay for, and friends have told me (I have not ridden one yet although I have been offered a run on one) that they are geared wrong and rattle like anything over about 60kph. My mate John had one and the back brake seized after three days, they are basically "cheap and cheerful". Just a piece of technical advice here from those who know. If you do buy one, change the rear wheel from the 14" supplied to a 17" and change the sprocket, it is like adding another gear. Just thought you'd like to know.
 |
| Race day, Bacong. |
"I shall write at greater length about the simply abysmal driving conditions in the Philippines in a general Philippines tip at a later date, assuming I survive the roads that long, but this is a tip specific to Bacong / Dauin and the National Highway there.
The local youth have a practice of racing small but very souped-up motorbikes along a particular stretch of this road. They race from Dauin towards Bacong and the finish line is the tree at the disused filling station opposite La Fiesta (Baboy's Place). You would think that two small bikes would not present much of a hazard but some of these things are capable of 140kph. There is some serious betting involved and preofessional riders, extremely light guys drive these things like complete maniacs. I have seen it myself and it is frightening, they will happily take both sides of the road approaching the finish. Remember this is a very busy Highway with trucks, buses and all sorts on it. there is considerable anecdotal evidence that most of the riders are on shebu (methamphetimine, a powerful and illegal drug) which gives them the courage to drive in such a fashion.
Everything appears to be organised on mobile (cell) phones and lookouts are posted against the occasional visit of the local police when they scatter in every direction, it is something to watch. Sunday afternoon is the normal time for this madness and crowds of literally hundreds turn up to line the "track", although I have seen occasional night races which are doubly dangerous. They are not common, thankfully.
Apologies for the photo which was taken surreptitiously and at a distance. An American guy I know was physically threatened by a group of Philippinos for taking photos. As it happens, he is just a bike buff and wanted some action shots but the locals didn't seem to appreciate that.
I am told there is another stretch of road near Siaton that is similarly used but I have not seen that myself.
Drivng this road at any time in any conditions is dangerous enough but when these drug-addled idiots are flying at such speeds it is a potential deathtrap. Be warned."
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| Awwwwwwwwwwwww. |
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| Not a good look. |
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