YOU don?t have to travel far to savor the sweet rush of trail biking. A bike trail in the heart of the metropolis has been mapped out by the Philippine Army. The commanding officer of the Security and Escort Battalion at Fort Andres Bonifacio, McKinley Hills, Taguig City, is a mountain bike enthusiast.

Already a hot topic in many mountain bike (MTB) forums and blogs, the MTB circuit at the Fort Headquarters is the brainchild of Col. Antonio G. Parlade Jr., who initially wanted to clean up the neglected side of army property when he assumed the post last May.

He introduced proper waste disposal, sold recyclable ?garbage? and reused many of the scattered trunks and wood to build gazebos and cooperative canteens.

?I wanted to improve the landscape. The grass alone grew all the way up to a man?s chest, and no one dared walk across it for fear of snakes and other animals lurking there,? Parlade said.

More challenges

Since he needed a trail to be able to quickly inspect the back section of the army property, he and his men created a bike trail. Soon enough the trail became the training ground for the Philippine Army cycling team. When other MTB enthusiasts got to test the trail, they requested the army to create more challenging drops and ascents.

Today, although not quite finished, the MTB circuit on McKinley Hills is considered by many hard-core MTB buffs as one of the excellent trails where one could hone one?s technical skills.

?Although the trail is short, it covers almost all the technical skills you must learn or master in MTB. What would have normally taken anyone six months to hone in a regular trail outside Metro Manila, one can achieve here in about a month and a half,? said Bong Arroyo, member of the Bataan Trail Riders, who comes to McKinley Hills twice a week in the morning to train.

Another Bataan Trail Riders member, Eboy Roselada, said the 6-km trail?which will become 9 km by April and will include a creek to cross?improves one?s agility and art of body balance and skills. MTB is more demanding than road cycling, for it deals with a variety of terrain and surface during a single ride.

Has it all

The McKinley MTB circuit offers tight turns, rude descents and even one slow turn to a sudden ascent. McKinley MTB circuit has it all: single tracks, shifting gears, shifting the body, learning when and how to use the brakes, keeping the body mounted on the bike, maximizing energy when pedaling up a steep ascent, riding on pump trails, single tracks on the edge of a ravine and dealing with pebbles, dirt, loose sand and grass.

?The MTB circuit here perfectly mimics the natural terrain of the mountain. What?s even better, it?s accessible to urban dwellers. You can come here to practice your skills as much as you want. You can?t beat that,? Roselada said.

The trail is built around the tree sanctuary of the army premises. Soon, said Parlade, signages will be put up beside each tree with a brief information on the species. Parlade hopes that through this new MTB circuit, young people will come to appreciate and respect nature.

Leisure and sports

There are two circuits to choose from: Leisure (beginners) and Sports (advanced). Anyone with basic MTB skills can ride the Leisure trail.

The more adventurous can do the Sports trail.

Turn signs are coded blue (Leisure) and red (Sports).

Now accepting families as guests, the circuit will soon open a Kiddie trail. There is also a shower area where one can freshen up, for a minimal fee.

?If you choose to bike here you are assured of yours and your bike?s safety. No one will block your path and kick you just so they can steal your P100,000 bike,? Parlade said.

Rules must be followed by civilian and military personnel: Come in proper MTB getup; no helmet, no ride; no racing; only low-impact riding is allowed to avoid creating ruts.

Since many of the trails are single tracks, one must make one?s approach known.

Other rules: Avoid rolling over grass and plants; anticipate other riders, especially when hitting in blind spots, and avoid blocking and overtaking.

In summer, the Philippine Army will host its first MTB competition, a five-hour race called ?112 Years Old.? Teams must be composed of three people, their ages adding up to 112 years old.

With a P50 entrance fee, the MTB circuit is open to civilians, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6-9 a.m. and 3-6 p.m., and Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 6 a.m.-6 p.m.