THEY heeded the call, and come they did.
On a sleepy early Sunday morning, hordes of bikers descended on the provincial capitol of Camiguin in Mambajao to take part in the Department of Tourism – Northern Mindanao Office (DOT-10) activity dubbed ‘Camiguin Isle Bike Tour’ on May 28.
At least 146 bikers from Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon, and Camiguin Island took part in the 64-kilometer bike tour of the scenic island province, traversing five municipalities along the coastal highway.
The bikers from Cagayan de Oro arrived on Saturday, May 27, and together with the Camiguin participants were invited to the provincial capitol for an orientation and route briefing. They also participated in games to win assorted bike accessory prizes, and to partake in a dinner served by the organizers.
There were five stations along the route where the participants stopped for stickers to be put on their race bibs, as well as refreshments:
1st station- Tongatoc (Selfie station). Situated on a bluff overlooking the sea, and with very strong winds blowing, the bikers got their first sticker and took the opportunity to take selfies with the breathtaking vista behind them.
2nd station- Looc, Catarman (Water station). The bikers got to take a brief respite from their pedaling and were given water bottles to slake their thirst.
3rd station- Sagay Overpass. A much-needed pitstop for some, as the bridge after this station, marks the halfway (32km) point of the route.
4th station- Guinsiliban Municipal Hall. The organizers distributed bananas, a potassium-loaded fruit that helps relieve cramps and muscle soreness in bikers.
5th station- San Roque Multipurpose Hall, Mahinog. Last stop for the bikers, and the fifth and final sticker for the bikers’ race bib.
At the finish line, which was back at the starting point at the provincial capitol, the organizers gave away prizes of bike accessories for the youngest participant, the oldest male and female participant, and the longest bike wheelie.
“We’re very happy that our first bike event for bike tourism, the Camiguin Isle Bike Tour in support of the provincial government’s branding ‘Camiguin Isle be there’ is a success,” said Marie Elaine Unchuan, DOT-10 regional director.
”We’re very happy the local government, especially the provincial government, under Governor XJ Romualdo, has extended his full support with the agencies, especially the PNP, Coast Guard, the Bureau for Fire (Protection), they made sure everybody was safe, and we had fun. The (local government units) were very helpful with the staff, to assist our bikers, and of course, the people of Camiguin were very welcoming,” Unchuan added.
Unchuan said the success of the activity proves that Camiguin is a “bike-able” province.
The DOT-10 launched the Bike Normin on May 13 at the activity center of the Ayala Centrio Mall.
The program aims to make bike tourism popular in the region and unlock its full potential in the tourism industry.
This is also aimed at encouraging the local government units in the region as well as the private sector to invest, promote, and develop bike tourism.
