Hulyen, the artist behind the comic book “UGH,” bought a bicycle even though she didn’t know how to ride one.
Last August 2020, comic book artist Hulyen bought a bicycle over marketplace app Carousel. It’s a cheap second-hand Japanese bicycle. She thought that it would be wonderful to get a bike since she’s been stuck inside the house during the community quarantine for months and this would be her vehicle to go outdoors during the pandemic safely.
“Hindi ako marunong mag-bike at all. Lahat ng kapatid ko marunong, ako lang ang hindi,” she said. “Wala lang, nag-order ako online ng Japanese bike. As in trip-trip lang. Nakikita ko lang sa internet na ang dami nagba-bike. Gumaya lang, ganoon.”
The artist added, “Triny ko lang mag-aral mag-isa. ‘Yung bahay namin kasi pataas ‘yung kalsada so kailangan ko pa pumunta sa street na medyo patag para matuto ako mag-bike.”
In two days, she managed to learn how to balance and in no time, she was able to confidently bike around her village. The Japanese bicycle was too heavy though, she recalled, saying she couldn’t even pedal to her house because of the uphill street — Hulyen had to always walk her bike home.
At the beginning of 2021, she bought a mountain bike, a vehicle that’s somehow lighter and has better mechanism for longer trips. It could easily climb slopes too. There was another problem though: the bicycle was too big that it gave an uncomfortable sensation on her wrist. This made the artist stop biking for months.
“Medyo natakot ako kasi ‘di ba nagdo-drawing ako? So parang ayaw ko ma-injure. Tumigil muna ako mag-bike,” she said.
However, during her cycling hiatus, she still continued to obsess over bicycles. She remembered watching a lot of bike content over Youtube, joined cycling Facebook groups, followed retro mountain bike Instagram accounts and even watched anime Yowamushi Pedal.
According to Hulyen, she got so interested in watching people repair and build bikes. There were times when she played videos until she fell asleep.
It was in July last year that she got back cycling after purchasing a pre-loved Specialized Rockhopper mountain bike. It was old but still in a very good condition, she told us. The only thing she replaced was the tires, the color of the cables and the grip.
“Tapos noong nabili ko na ito, naisip ko na dapat makalabas ako ng subdivision. Gusto ko rin naman na lumayo-layo. Hindi naman ako bibili ng bike para umikot-ikot lang sa may chapel na malapit sa amin,” she said.
Her first bike ride out of the comforts of her village is a trip to Marikina-Yeongdo Friendship Park. It’s a six-kilometer trip but she had to cycle along Sumulong Highway and cross the big intersection of Masinag. This cyclist was able to reach her destination and she did it alone.
Now, Hulyen bikes around lower Antipolo, Marikina. She even made it to Quezon City, Taguig and Makati.
“Masaya mag-bike. Kasi parang one year tayo na nasa bahay lang na hindi lumalabas. Parang may point na nabo-bore na ako sa bahay,” she said. “Inisip ko na ganito ba talaga buhay ko? Ilang years ba akong nandito na walang nilu-look forward? Tapos noong natuto ako mag-bike, na-open up na pwede pala akong lumabas. Na relatively safe pa,” she said.
Hulyen, who started drawing comics in 2012, admits that she’s not the outdoor type of person — even though she likes to run. Before the community quarantine, Hulyen only went out during weekdays because she had to go to the office. On weekends, the artist stays at home to rest.
But despite enjoying the indoor life, she still likes going out, especially when commuting.
“Dati kasi kapag nagco-comics ako, gusto ko nagco-commute. So parang feeling ko ‘yung commute ‘yung time ko mag-isip, nag-oobserve ako ng mga tao. Medyo ganoon kasi ako magsulat. Tapos noong pandemic, nasa bahay lang ako tapos wala akong makuhaan na whatever,” she said.
“Noong natuto akong mag-bike, nagkaroon ako ng chance na makalabas. Though hindi ako nag-iisip ng susulatin kapag nagba-bike kasi naka-focus ako sa daan. Pero okay siya na change of scenery,” she added. “Siguro after ko mag-bike, may maiisip na ako. Mga palusot ko lang ito kapag ayaw ko magtrabaho.”
Biking, for Hulyen, is her mode of transport and a weekend vehicle for fitness and recreation.
What’s her most memorable ride? She told us that it’s the first time she crossed the bridge that connects Kapitolyo and BGC and the first time she successfully climbed Sumulong Highway during her birthday.
We asked her about her cycling goals and she told us that she just wants to get better and have enjoyable rides.
“Ayoko rin naman na nilalagyan ng pressure yung sarili ko. Gusto ko lang din mag-improve lang in general na hindi ako mahihirapan lumayo-layo and to be better din in navigating in traffic,” she said.
