Ride and Camp Lobo with Kawasaki Versys Pilipinas/Pinoy Ninja (289km route)

River crossing en route to Laiya from the backroads of Lobo. Fused 7 pictures for the final image

Was fortunate to have been able to join the Ride and Camp Lobo Adventure with Kawasaki Versys Pilipinas through Albert Mungcal who I rode with on and off for about two years now (ever since I was learning how to really ride a motorbike.) 

was an awesome experience

Being a Versys owner, I was delighted to have joined the dream ride and it was a totally awesome experience riding with the Kawasaki Versys Pilipinas/Pinoy Ninja team

coastal views and challenging roads await riders to Lobo

As an outsider prior joining the ride, I saw the KVP/Pinoy Ninja group of something like a pseudo secret society (unlike other motor groups, their group page was closed to the public). I could share though after spending a night and a ride with them, everyone is actually super down to earth, a bit crazy and collectively was a fun accommodating bunch of gentlemen. 

(babala: highly skilled and fast riders)

Was solo from Manila to Anilao, then another solo ride to the campsite of KVP (Kawasaki Versys Pilipinas)

I wasn't able to join their initial morning run to Lobo as I was in Anilao covering the 2018 International Coastal cleanup event of Pier Uno Anilao... headed my way to Ride camp only by 5pm.

My route:, had a Coastal clean up in Anilao Mabini Saturday and followed to the KVP Lobo Campsite at 8pm

en route to the Balibago camp rolling solo, to a quick snap of the Lighthouse in Malabrigo

Arriving at 1930, after bearing some silly traffic in Batangas City en route to Lobo, Albert showed me around camp and there was loads of food, chocolates and other treats, and was introduced to the group. Had a video interview by the group founder Tony which was tradition to the group, actually me including two other members where Sir Lance happened to be the guy I bought my Versys from (he upgraded to a V-Liter)

The Campsite, 12 midnight and still standing

Ride camp was much fun, the usual drink till you can session and a of course chit chat of previous and soon to be ride and camp sessions from Sir Tony and the guys

0530 Sunrise at KVP Camp

While a few ended the drinking spree by 0200, everyone was awake by 0530 and yummy breakfast was served by Sir Tony's wife (the food was great, overflowing and the snacks too). Half of the campers left after breakfast, joined the second wave which packed up and left at 0930.

With Jojit, Raymund and Albert

Heading back to Manila, we took the backroads of Lobo, where the very scenic route was a long stretch of unpaved road alongside a seemingly never ending coastal scenery.  For photographers like me, it was a visual fiesta.

the boss Tony river crossing

The route was full of picturesque areas, I personally would have made a few longer stopovers but I didn't want to miss riding with the KVP guys.

Luigi goes full throttle

Beyond river crossings, expect semi challenging ascents and descents where mid way into the ride, three riders including me got caught up sliding from an ascent, falling down is always a fun experience, you actually gain more confidence from it because it eliminates the "what if I fall from my bike" thing on your mind, when knowing what happens, you become a much more confident rider. (p.s. I probably fell off my Versys four times already lol, you get used to it, and just goes to show how tough the bike is)

three down as seen in Luigi's selfie, was in the mushy middle lol

With all three fallen bikes (first of the three was a z1000) now back up for some more action, we continued traversing the lovely trail for around 15 more minutes till we got back to the paved roads of Laiya Batangas heading back to Manila.

selfie with Sir Raymund crossing the bridge connecting Lobo and Laiya

The ride ended at around 1300, where the two teams actually met up at Total in Slex, had our late lunch, said our goodbyes, am actually looking forward to the next KVP Ride and Camp adventure in October. 

Final goodbyes at Total Slex

Getting to Lobo from Manila via Motorbike (Three Ways)

1. Most Scenic: From Star Toll, exit at Ibaan and just follow the road till you hit the Lobo- Malabrigo-Laiya road

2. Shortest route: Star Toll exit till the end, head out to Lobo- Malabrigo-Laiya road after SM Batangas City

3. Farthest route: Same as route 2 but take the Ilijan route, where you will be passing by Monte Maria shrine (larget Virgin Mary Statue in Asia) and be blessed with paved twisties amidst unli coastal views

Toll Fees (one way)
1. SLEX till end P214
2. Another silly P25 prior Star Toll
3. P95 end of Star Toll

Total one way- P334+/-

3b. P65* if exiting Ibaan (rate to be updated)

there are actually so many ways getting to Lobo, taking Star Toll exiting Ibaan will yield a bit more scenic twisties.