Cycling to Bohol: A Day of Hills, Heavy Bikes, and Hunger

December 19, 2025

Some rides you plan meticulously. Others just happen. Our cycling trip to Bohol was somewhere in between—an adventure that tested our legs, our bikes, and our stomachs.

The Journey Begins: Crossing the Ocean

My coworker and I set out with our bikes, taking the ferry across the ocean to Bohol. The boat ride itself took about 1-2 hours, giving us time to chat, enjoy the sea breeze, and mentally prepare for what lay ahead. Little did we know just how much preparation we'd actually need.

40km from the Port: The Elevation Challenge

Once we docked at the port, the real adventure began. Our destination was about 40 kilometers away—not too daunting on paper. But Bohol had other plans for us. The elevation game was brutal.

Hills. Endless hills. Up and down, back and forth. Each climb seemed steeper than the last, and just when we thought we'd conquered the worst of it, another ascent appeared on the horizon.

The Bikes That Carried Us

I was riding my Merida alloy—a solid bike, but heavy. Every extra gram felt multiplied on those climbs. But here's the thing: my coworker was on a mountain bike. A MOUNTAIN BIKE on a road trip with relentless elevation. Mad respect to him for powering through on those knobby tires and that weight.

We pushed ourselves, our bikes creaking under the strain, our legs burning with each pedal stroke. The scenery was beautiful, sure, but when you're grinding up yet another hill, you're not exactly stopping to admire the view.

Almost a Full Day, Completely Starving

What we thought would be a reasonable ride turned into an almost full-day affair. Between the distance, the elevation, and our less-than-ideal bike setups, the kilometers added up slowly.

And then there was the hunger. That deep, gnawing, "I-could-eat-an-entire-restaurant" kind of hunger that only comes from hours of continuous physical exertion. By the time we finally reached our destination, we were absolutely starving.

The Lessons

Looking back, this ride taught us a few things:

• Respect the elevation profile - Those squiggly lines on the map matter more than you think
• Bike choice matters - Road bikes are called road bikes for a reason
• Pack snacks - Always pack more food than you think you'll need
• Sometimes suffering makes the best stories - We laugh about it now

Would I do it again? Absolutely. But maybe with a lighter bike, better planning, and definitely more snacks.

The Shadow of Perseverance

That's me in the photo—my shadow stretching out on the road ahead, handlebars gripped tight, pushing forward. It's a simple image, but it captures the essence of that day: just keep pedaling, no matter what.

To anyone planning a cycling trip to Bohol: do it. The island is beautiful, the roads are challenging in the best way, and you'll come away with stories and stronger legs. Just maybe don't bring a mountain bike for the road sections. 😄

Keep pedaling, keep exploring.