THIS just keeps getting bigger and better every year.
More and more bicycle riders continued to join the ever growing Alaska Cycle Asia Philippines with over a thousand cyclists of all ages participating in its 2016 edition held last weekend at the sprawling grounds of SM By The Bay within the SM Mall of Asia Complex.
Riders included cyclists as young as two years old riding bicycles with training wheels; to adults on folding bicycles hoping to sneak in a few minutes of exercise on a leisurely ride; to the more serious cyclists looking to test their stamina and their physical limits on longer distances including a 40-kilometer Challenge Ride.
Alaska Milk President and CEO Fred Uytengsu said Alaska Cycle Asia Philippines hopes to attract people to try bicycle riding, an enjoyable yet healthy activity which gets them to go out in the sun for a brisk morning exercise.
Bicycle riders have very limited opportunities to enjoy a long pleasurable ride especially if they live in the crowded, traffic grid-locked streets of Metro Manila. Alaska Cycle Asia Philippines was established in 2013 and affords participants of all ages and abilities the chance to ride safely on closed public roads.
“This is really about creating a healthy lifestyle. We want to encourage people to get on bicycles and ride. Every year this event continues to grow as more and more participants join,” said Uytengsu, who finished second to national champion triathlete August Benedicto in the 40-kilometer Challenge Ride for the more experienced and athletic riders.
Cycle Asia is part of Alaska’s “Nutrition. Action. Champion.” program of promoting a healthy and active lifestyle through participation in sports.
It allows Filipinos to be part of a community activity that will help them become physically fit and healthy, enabling them to become winners in life. Alaska Cycle Asia Philippines is organized by Cycle Asia in collaboration with Alaska Milk Corporation and Sunrise Events Incorporated.
Princess Galura, Managing Director of Sunrise Events said they organized the ride for the growing community of bicycle riders in the country.
“Participants may enjoy the closed roads. They can meet new riders because they won’t be just with their barkada but other riders of differing skills. Others may be better than them. Others may be less skilled. And most important, they will be riding in complete safety, in a big group within the closed roads. Participants won’t have any worries and can just enjoy the ride,” said Galura.
Alaska Cycle Asia Philippines is not about competition. It is not a race. It is a ride which welcomes everyone to participate.
Bicycle riders of all ages – resplendent in bicycle regalia both for safety and style – came atop all kinds of bicycles. They came in racers, mountain bikes and all sorts of colorful bicycles of different sizes and makes. Casual riders, employees and executives alike came atop folding bicycles which they probably ride to their offices every day.
Children came riding brightly colored bicycles. Many were just learning to ride and came with rides still fitted with training wheels.
Everyone came to have a fun, safe and enjoyable ride at the SM By the Bay within the SM Mall of Asia Complex.
For general information about Alaska Milk Corporation visit www.alaskamilk.com. For more information about Alaska Milk Corporation sports programs visit www.playph.com, Facebook: www.facebook.com/PlayPH; Twitter: @playph; Instagram: @alaskaplayph.