Sumulong Highway runs from Marikina up to Antipolo, in Rizal. It is the standard training climb for riders in Metro Manila. It is short enough to fit into a morning, and steady enough to teach you how to pace a climb.
The ride
The highway is 12.668 km long, according to Wikipedia, and it is paved. We have no reliable figure for the height gained, so we give none. We rate it moderate: a short, sustained climb that a rider with some fitness can finish at his or her own pace.
Use your easier gears from the start, and keep to a rhythm at which you could still hold a conversation. There is no shame in stopping to rest. The way home is downhill, so check your brakes before you set out.
Nearby: Timberland and Shotgun
In San Mateo, also in Rizal, Timberland covers 677 hectares and has mountain bike trails. It hosts the 7-Eleven Trail, a mountain bike race held there since 2014.
San Mateo also has the climb that riders call Shotgun. It has a reputation for being hard. We found no measured distance or gradient for it, so ask riders who know it, and build up on Sumulong first.
Good to know
- Sumulong is a busy commuter highway. Ride early, keep to the right and stay in single file.
- December to May are the drier months, following the national weather pattern.
- Use front and rear lights if you start before sunrise.
- Carry water even though the ride is short. Climbing in warm, humid air is thirsty work.
- On the way down, keep your speed in check and leave room for vehicles that stop without warning.
When Sumulong feels comfortable, Marilaque is the longer mountain road nearby.