CANNONDALE SIX13: SHARING THE STAGE WITH MY WINNING BIKE

A day before the formal awarding of the 2007 Padyak Pinoy, I was asked to prepare the winning bike. I don’t have any idea why. Pero as requested, pinapogi ko ng husto si Sixto, ang tawag ko sa bagong paborito ko. Todo linis at pagpapakintab. Showbiz na pati bike! hehehe.

 June 20, Wednesday. At the multi purpose hall in amoranto, Sixto, Cannondale Six13, was on the center stage with another champion bike, the bike legnano of 1979 Champ Paquito Rivas.  There was even a label ”The FAST” on Sixto. Haneps! I remember the days when I’m still taming him. Yung getting-to-know-you stage pa lamang naming dalawa. Yung 5 months na adjustment period namin, and the times I almost want to give him up, buti na lang hindi ko ginawa. Magaang kasi ang loob ko sa kanya. The first time I saw him, I know his special. Iba. At heto na nga. Sino ang magaakala. Sa unang post ko about this bike, A New Bike in my Stable,  alam ko may potential. Just a few months after, there were overwhelming results.

I don’t know with the other cyclists, but I am the type who treasures and take care of my bikes like they have a life of their own. Hindi lang dahil para mas tumagal ko pa sila magamit, mas yung happy memories that they bring. Because they are and will always will be my most trusted and dependable teammate. Yung makita ko lang naalala ko na kung paano yung hirap na binuno ko on that bike and the winning moments that followed. It is not important for me kung lumang model na ba or kahit obsolete na yung equipment ko. Ako na yata sa team ang may mga pinakalumang equipment hehehe. My mavic helium wheelset ay almost a decade na, but I’m still using it in races (pero hindi ko na ginamit nung tour kasi baka hindi na kayanin hehehe). It does not matter. Basta pwede pa at kasundo ko. Even my group set, medyo luma na at puro repair na, pero ok lang basta alaga sa linis, proper maintenance at overhaul. At syempre ingat. Ganun talaga. Tiis-tiis lang, kung ano lang ang kaya ng budget. May Buk na ang Thorvic eh. Ang importante matulin pa naman at marami pa silang pinakalas na mas advanced hehehe. Pero syempre nakakatulong din talaga, even psychologically kung ang ginagamit mo ay ang pinakamagagandang equipment. Kaya lang bihira talagang mangyari yun sa mga pro sa bansa natin. Kaya dapat ingatan at pahalagahan kung anong meron. Wala namang best bike award sa tour de france eh. hehehe. Ehem ehem ehem. Nasamid ako dun!  

Now, I am a proud rider of Sixto, the Cannondale Six13 bike, that had its own moments on center stage for everyone to admire. The youngest and most scientifically advanced frame among my steed. An excellent bike that etched its name on the history of cycling in the Philippines.  One of my favorites that will bring back bitter sweet memories of the most difficult “tour” in my life.

*Credits: Photo taken by Mr. Ric Rodriguez*