Mini Bike Tour of Paoay, Ilocos Norte

Last month, I brought my Brompton with me to the province.  I had an event that I needed to attend to, and I thought of going around by bike when I was there.

So, my kabagyan Al Castillo (who was also there on family summer vacation) and I reserved one day to go on a mini-bike tour of Ilocos Norte.

We met at our house in Laoag City at 5:30 in the morning.  Our first stop was the Provincial Capitol.

Brommie Skywalker and BromPink

Then we took Gilbert Bridge and turned to Airport Road.

Kris and Al along Laoag-Paoay Road

We headed south and took a break at our first stop, the Ilocos Norte Hotel and Convention Center.  The hotel is just a stone's throw away from the Fort Ilocandia Golf Course and Malacanan ti Amianan (Malacanang of the North).

As of this writing, this arc is gone. Ordered torn down by the governor.

From there we biked to the top of a hill and enjoyed the view of Paoay Lake.

Brommie Skywalker on granny gear

Then we biked towards the coast until we hit the Paoay Sand Dunes, where they were filming the remake of Temptation Island starring Heart Evangelista and Angel Locsin, among others.  Too bad there was no shooting that day.

Paoay Sand Dunes was also a film location of Born on the Fourth of July, Mad Max and most Panday movies

Afterwards, we biked back to the highway and rested at the viewdeck of Paoay Lake.

Al and I proceeded further south until we got to the Paoay Poblacion.  We took photos of UNESCO World Heritage Site San Agustin Church (AKA Paoay Church).

And then we biked east towards Batac City.  We passed by Mariano Marcos State University.

We had brunch in Chowking.  Had no problem parking our bikes inside the store.

After eating, we headed back to Laoag.  We rode on our Bromptons and proceeded north.

Passing Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital in Batac

Rehydrating at a sari-sari store.  It was hot that day.

We passed by the town of San Nicolas and stopped at the newly opened Pamulinawen Hotel

and Robinsons Mall for a photo op.

We completed the 'loop' and got back to Laoag at 11:30am.  Biked more than 45 kilometers with Brommie Skywalker.  Had no problems with my folding bike!  It performed like a trooper!

Tobacco Monopoly on the left.  Heroes Hall on the right.

That's where I used to work!

If you plan on visiting Ilocos Norte and want to tour the Laoag-Paoay-Batac-Laoag loop, consider touring by bike.  As I just showed you, it's possible!  And what's more is that it's free and eco-friendly!  And you get to enjoy the scenery much, much better.  If you rent a van, it'll set you back at least P3,000.00. 

Our Bike Route