Do you think you’re ready to go the distance? Here are some routes we recommend for your first Gran Fondo you can do from Metro Manila! Gran Fondo is Italian for "Big Ride" whose general benchmark is about 100 kilometers. For most people, it's unthinkable to ride such a distance from the metropolis but our route guide can show you some routes you can take.

Cycling Matters Jerseys from Ciclo Custom

Here are some routes we have for starting from Luneta Park’s Kilometer Zero, Manila going North, South, East and around Metro Manila. Please note that some of these roads are in poor condition, such as MacArthur Highway in Bulacan and some roads in Antipolo City, Rizal. Bring a patch kit and hand pumps just in case you get a flat tire.

1. North Metro Manila Bike Route

Team Loyola wearing kits from Ciclo Custom

This route takes you out from Metro Manila and into Bulacan through Manila North Road or MacArthur Highway. It then loops around Angat and San Jose Del Monte towns in Bulacan where you’ll encounter some rolling hills before entering Metro Manila through Fairview, Quezon City. After that you can just follow Commonwealth Ave. and Quezon Ave. on the way back to Luneta Park.

2. East Metro Manila Bike Route

Ciclo Cyclists wearing the Pro Light Jerseys and Endurance II Bib Shorts at Boso-Boso, Rizal. Photos by Mark Lacsamana and King Filart.

From Luneta you head out towards the mountains of Antipolo City, Rizal. This route follows Aurora Blvd. from Manila and out to Marilaque Highway starting in Marikina City. Continue until Boso-boso, Antipolo City and turn right into Sitio Pinugay to make a loop coming out to Teresa, Rizal.

At Ahon Cafe, Antipolo City in the Mens Medley Pro Light Jersey and Endurance II Bib Shorts

From there you climb up to Antipolo City Proper and then descend to Taytay, Rizal via Tikling Road. Follow Manila East Road towards Taytay City Proper and come out to Highway 2000. This road will eventually lead you to C-6 which is on the Laguna Lake coast. 

Exit C6 through MRT Ave. in Taguig City and head towards Bonifacio Global City (BGC) via Bayani road. You can now have a choice for a quick snack in BGC or at the nearby Makati Central Business District (CBD) before heading back to Luneta Park to end your Gran Fondo.

3. South Metro Manila Bike Route

Ciclo Cyclists in the Pro Light Jerseys and Endurance II Bib Shorts overlooking Taal Lake in Tagaytay City

This route is basically an out-and-back route from Manila to Tagaytay City. Follow Roxas Blvd. in Manila until its intersection with the NAIA Expressway exits. You cannot go straight at this point because Roxas Blvd. turns into the CAVITEx highway where bikes aren’t allowed. Turn left then right into the parallel Quirino Ave. and continue heading south. This road eventually becomes Radial Road 2 (R-2) and leads into Aguinaldo Highway in Bacoor, Cavite. 

Follow Aguinaldo Highway through Bacoor, Imus, Dasmarinas and Silang towns until you reach the Tagaytay City Rotonda. There is an abandoned commercial complex by the rotonda which has an amazing view of Taal Lake and Taa Volcano. Should you want to put in some extra mileage and elevation, you can go down the Tagaytay-Sampaloc Road for an amazing cruise through the jungle.

Riding through Tagaytay-Sampaloc Road in the Mens Candy Warp Pro Light Jersey and Endurance II Bib Shorts

And to get home, all you need to do is follow the same route back.

4. Metro Manila Loop

Riding your bike through Metro Manila

If you want a true Metro Manila Loop, here’s the route for you! This route goes counter-clockwise, heading south first from Luneta Park, but you can do this either direction. For easier wayfinding, you’ll be passing through major roads so expect heavy vehicular traffic. There will be some trucks on the route but you won’t be passing through the major trucking roads of C-5 and R-10.

Curious to find more routes? Check out Ciclo's Bike Route Guides:

• Bike Routes Near Metro Manila - Nuvali
• Bike Routes Near Metro Manila - Sierra Madre
• Bike Routes for Beginners in Metro Manila
• Five Coffee Ride Destinations Outside Metro Manila – Ciclo
• Cycling Trip: Quezon City to San Juan, La Union
• Cycling Trip: Quezon City to Baler, Aurora
• Cycling Trip to Lake Caliraya, Laguna
• Cycling Aurora's Pacific Coast
• Five Romantic Bike Routes in the Philippines