Category: Motorcycling

5 Cool Motorcycle Riders in Video Games

I’ve been wanting to modify my scooter Chocobo to resemble something more video-game like. While doing research on motorcycles in video games, I thought I might as well make a list of video game bikers from the games I have played. I’m not really a fan of driving/racing games and prefer RPG/adventure so I’m sure I missed out on a lot. Be sure to check out the links for videos of the motorcycles in action.

Cloud Strife

  • Game: Final Fantasy VII
  • Occupation: Mercenary and ex-member of SOLDIER (a select, genetically augmented military unit operating under the defacto world government and mega-corporation Shinra Electric Power Company)
It takes extreme skill to ride a bike on a highway while wielding a big-ass sword. Cloud first obtains the cool-looking silver and black Hardy-Daytona bike in the motorcycle minigame in FFVII which is crucial in the escape of Midgar. After stealing the Shinra motorcycle, Cloud has to navigate the highway full of motorcycle guards and highway patrol.

Continue reading “5 Cool Motorcycle Riders in Video Games”

Visita Iglesia via Motorcycle

Holy week in Manila is great. There’s no traffic on the roads, making it an ideal time for road trips. This year, we decided to do a “Visita Iglesia” via motorcycle to several churches, targeting the Rizal/Laguna area.

The tradition of visiting seven churches on Holy Thursday is said to have originated in Rome when early pilgrims visited seven pilgrim churches as penance. The ride itself in the morning was pretty good, but towards noon, the scorching heat going back (especially through Cogeo and Marikina) did feel like penance. Continue reading “Visita Iglesia via Motorcycle”

Motorcycle Diaries: New Year Ride

Traveling by motorcycle is an adventure in itself. In the city, it can be the quickest way to get to a destination (if you can brave the smog, sweltering heat or rain) but long rides out of town are always an unexpected adventure.

We have driven all the way to Rizal, Sierra Madre, Paete, Pagsanjan, Caliraya and even attempted to drive to Infanta at the start of the year.

Unfortunately, the rain and bad roads made us turn back, but it was still quite a ride. Part of the adventure: getting caught in the rain, seeking shelter under the thatched roof of a sari-sari store in the middle of nowhere, having to get down several times and walk through thick mud, washing my shoes in a waterfall by the roadside.

Still, nothing beats the wind in your face and the blur of scenery on the road.

Here’s a rough video diary (taken with just my trusty low-tech mobile phone) chronicling our first motorcycle ride for the year.

 

Mission log #1: Start a blog

After a very worthwhile trip on the road for six days in two provinces in the North, I’ve decided to start a blog.

I’m currently a news correspondent for an international wire agency and contributor of travel and lifestyle features and photos to several magazines. However, not all of my work fits into this mold of writing (or are fit to publish in print). 🙂

So hence, this blog, Travel Up – an exploration of landscapes, people and good eats. The name of my blog is inspired by the video game concept of leveling up, exploring new places, meeting new people and gaining higher levels by completing tasks. When I’m not traveling, I spend a lot of time glued to my PlayStation playing role-playing games or RPGs (my favorites are Legend of Legaia, Final Fantasy VIII, StarOcean 2 and Okami).

After being enlightened by more more experienced bloggers, I hope this can be an outlet for more creative writing in the future. 🙂

Kara Santos/Travel Up