This biker from Paete levels up from BMX user to MTB rider

Level up from BMX to mountain bike: thanks to his father, this guy from Paete can now ride comfortably when he needs to go to far places.

Since he was a kid, Guillermo Aquino already loves bicycle rides. He first owned a BMX which was given to him when he was way younger. Now in his 20s, it’s interesting that he managed to use it up until last November .

“Sa daddy ko talaga itong mountain bike. Bumili siya pero bigla siyang umayaw dito. Kaniya talaga ito dapat so ngayon, sa akin na lang,” Guillermo said. “Since bata ako, BMX na ‘yung gamit ko. Ginagamit ko ito pangkuha ng benta.”

Guillermo helps in their small woodcraft shop located in the busy Quesada Street of Paete in Laguna. They make wooden signages, religious figures and other carvings.

Paete is known as the wood carving capital of the Philippines. Its name is derived from the word “paet” which means wood chisel.

This biker tried learning wood carving back in his teens but he told us that he got interested in other things so he was not able to pursue this craft.

“Dati nag-carve ako kaso hindi na ngayon kasi nahilig ako sa ibang hobbies kagaya ng bike and billiards,” he said.

He uses his bicycle mostly for leisure and whenever he needs to pick up supplies from the wood carvers in different parts of Laguna.

The mountain bike is a big help because he recalled that riding a BMX for errands can be tiring. It’s possible for him to travel with that small bicycle but he prefers the ones with bigger wheels.

“Hinahapo na ako kung maliit ang gamit,” he said. “May motor kami pero na-trauma ako sa motor kasi sumemplang ako dati.”

When First Bike Ride visited Paete, many people were on their bicycles. Guillermo noted that even his neighbors have bicycles and they often do long rides during weekends.

“Ang malayo ko pa lang ay Sta. Cruz dito sa Laguna. Practice-practice lang muna ako,” he said. “Ang target place ko ay Quezon Province.”

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