Last month, my husband and I were supposed to have a bike ride at La Mesa Eco Park’s mini bike trail. This bike trail is different from the one at La Mesa Nature Reserve frequented by professional mountain bikers.

La Mesa Eco Park Short Bike Ride

It was hubby who suggested I go out for a breather after experiencing severe migraine for 3 consecutive days accompanied by severe allergic rhinitis attacks. If you’re like me who experience this on a constant (sometimes daily) basis, it will automatically put you at high risk of acquiring the virus. The solution? I stay at home most of the time.

But is it the best solution? Not really. Being at home always also has its downside especially if you live in a condo. Condominiums have very high humidity, and being stuck indoors every day lowers your immune system, too, because of poor ventilation.

Will using an aircon daily help solve the problem? The answer is no, either. Cold temperatures can increase stuffiness and clog your nose, which will make it difficult for you to breathe.

How about taking an antihistamine to suppress the allergens that can trigger allergy attacks? This will depend upon the dosage, how often you take it, and the medicine’s brand. Taking antihistamines daily for a long period isn’t advisable either.

Biking: A Remedy For Allergic Rhinitis?

I guess, we can say that it’s a “lose-lose” situation for me. 😀 But there’s always a way to get around it. As they say, “If there’s a will, there’s a way.” I can still go out, but only in less crowded places. The only place we could think of is the park.

Parks are surrounded by nature. If we want fresh air, they’ve got plenty of it. There’s also enough space to roam around while maintaining social distancing to lessen the chances of acquiring the virus.

The pro biker.

It’s a good thing my husband has an active lifestyle. He bikes going to work even before the pandemic started. It only takes him 20 minutes if he rides his bike going to the office. Whereas if he takes the car, it will take him at least 2 hours because of heavy traffic.

Exploring The Mini Trail Inside La Mesa Eco Park

We decided to go to La Mesa Ecopark on a Sunday. Unfortunately, the mini trail was closed. It was 2 days after Typhoon Ulysses hit the province of Quezon affecting nearby provinces and regions including Metro Manila. The park management told us they weren’t able to clear the mini trail of fallen trees and other debris.

We also got there around 11 am assuming that the park is open until 5 pm. Unfortunately, we were informed that they’re open from 8 am-12 noon only. So what’s the best way to enjoy your one hour at the park with your bikes? Well, just bike around. Leisurely. 😀

And that was what I thought. I was surprised that the common paths inside the park have their own set of uphills and downhills too. They’re not too steep though, but can be a bit challenging for newbie bikers. I’m no longer a newbie in trail biking. My first time to try it was back in 2015 with none other than my then-fiance husband. You may read more about it here: “Fearless Fun in Trail Biking.”

Gotta Stretch, Gotta Stay Fit, Gotta Stay Healthy

I don’t know why I was using the “shaka” sign for most of my pics here. lol

I wasn’t able to do a pre-ride conditioning workout before this recent biking activity so I knew I was in for a rough and tough ride. It’s a good thing I used hubby’s old folding bike because it’s easier to handle. He upgraded the tires and adjusted them so they can hold out against minor bumps and potholes.

Well, as you all know, I started too tense so hubby was instructing me how to adjust the pedal’s mechanism when I go uphill and when going down. Because we were required to wear masks inside the park, he had to raise his voice because it’s all muffled. I had to remind him now and then with, “Hon, stop shouting. The entire park can hear you so well and knows when I’m about to fall or I’m doing it the wrong way.” 😀

Doing Sports Amid COVID-19

And there went his grin a.k.a. “the guilty look.” lol Actually this is the challenge here if you will bike around small parks because they still require you to wear a mask. It’s difficult to breathe if you wear one, let alone if you’re doing a strenuous activity like cycling. I would take off mine every time I need to catch my breath.

If you’re a more experienced biker or if you prefer more open and wider spaces, I suggest going to La Mesa Nature Reserve. It has a long bike trail, although a bit more difficult, but lesser restrictions.

The entrance fee at La Mesa Eco Park is Php60.00 per person. There are food stalls inside the park but because of the pandemic, they were all closed. So I suggest bringing your own bottled water and some energy bars if you’ll be spending half of the day biking or just roaming around the park.

There are plenty of Instagrammable spots inside the park.

All in all, it was still an awesome experience and I was able to breathe some fresh air albeit short. I prefer to stay longer though next time as soon as they start operating for the entire day. 

Do you know of other places (preferably surrounded by nature) in Metro Manila where we can bike around? Please do share your comments below.

Praying for everyone’s good health,

“Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit.” – 3 John 1:2