Completing a 100-kilometer bike ride, or what they call “gran fondo,” is definitely no easy feat. In this episode of Tambike Session, Lester Babiera discusses with Cycling Matters’ King Filart and awesome biker Nike Lotilla about their century ride experiences. Indeed, it’s fun looking back at those hard bicycle trips.

Why are people doing a gran fondo? The three cyclists give their reasons with stories of fulfillment and misadventures. They’re giving tips too for the newbies who’d like to take this challenge.

Follow Lester's cycling Instagram page: www.instagram.com/firstbikeride

Tambike Session is an ANIMA podcast.

There are many things to love about both Korea and the Philippines, and our favorite Filipino-Korean couple share with us their take on this. From safety and security, to affordable prices and friendly customer service, enjoy this episode and may this inspire you to appreciate not only Korea but the Philippines as well.

Follow Lester's cycling Instagram page: www.instagram.com/firstbikeride

Tambike Session is an ANIMA podcast.

June is Pride Month and in this episode of Tambike Session, Lester Babiera had a conversation with LGBTQIA+ and Cycling advocate Thysz Estrada about the pressing issues of her communities and her experiences biking in the Philippines as a transwoman.

Thysz explains the significance of Pride Month in the Philippines, describes the queers, shares her story on how she was welcomed in her cycling community without discrimination and invites her fellow transwomen to join the bike lifestyle.

Follow Lester's cycling Instagram page: www.instagram.com/firstbikeride

Tambike Session is an ANIMA podcast.

Last April 2022, the first leg of the inaugural Gravel World Series organized by Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) happened in Bongabon, Nueva Ecija. We talked with cyclists Binz Angeles and Neil Claves of Team Built Cycles about their experience as participants and winners of this race — they’ll take us to the routes and memorable parts of the event.

As part of the Top 25 finishers of their age categories, Binz and Neil are qualified to join the Gravel World Championship in Tuscany, Italy this October. These two bikers tell us their preparations to the international competition.

Tambike Session is an ANIMA podcast.

With all the uncertainties and anxiety that we’re experiencing now, it’s good to cling into something for hope. Lester Babiera discusses the “ray of light” that he holds — the goodness that he found in the cycling community.

Let’s look back at the good things that some cycling groups in the Philippines have done. From the little things such as reposting advocacy contents, bike donation drives to greater initiatives like introducing bike infrastructure to the country, different advocates and bike communities have managed to make an impact for the Filipino bikers.

Ride along Lester's adventures at: @firstbikeride on Instagram

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Tambike Session is an ANIMA podcast.

Since everything seems to be going back to pre-pandemic times, we look back at how things have changed in terms of the way we commute after discovering cycling.

We had a conversation with rakenrol biker Marti Salva, also known as Higad Pating, about the commuter experience before the community quarantine, during the early months of the pandemic and now that he’s biking to get around.

Is it safe to bike at night? With more people opting to cycle in the evening, this episode of Tambike Session gives a glimpse of how it feels like to ride a bicycle during sundown.

Lester Babiera talks with cyclists Ysa Alvares and Paulbry Tubera about their thoughts about biking at night — their tips, memorable stories and why they like cycling in the evening.

Follow Lester's cycling Instagram page: www.instagram.com/firstbikeride

Tambike Session is an ANIMA podcast.

What should bike parking look like? Should we pay for it?

Bike parking is an important issue among cyclists, it’s something significant like bike lanes and road safety. It’s practically one of those factors that people on bicycles consider whenever they’re going to a certain place.

On this episode of Tambike Session, Lester Babiera gives his thoughts about bike parking in the Philippines – how it should be done, the ideal requirements and how the country adapts to the demands of bikers.

Follow Lester's cycling Instagram page: www.instagram.com/firstbikeride

Tambike Session is an ANIMA podcast.

Lester Babiera talks with award-winning writer and Creative Writing professor Joselito “Jowee” Delos Reyes, an ultimate tito cyclist, about his bike life in Quezon Province during this pandemic.

Being confined in Lucban for more than two years now, Jowee gets to know more about his province through bicycles. In this episode of Tambike Session, he narrates his cycling experiences — from his wife’s reaction towards his bike purchases, inviting friends over to cycle in Quezon and his next adventures as he prepares to go back to Metro Manila for face-to-face classes.

Follow Lester's cycling Instagram page: www.instagram.com/firstbikeride

Tambike Session is an ANIMA podcast.

Metro Manila has seen a lot of bicycles on the road during this community quarantine. More Filipinos hopped on the bike lifestyle and started regularly cycling around the metropolis — something that others would never have imagined possible in our crazy traffic.

Aside from the enjoyment and mobility that cycling gives to those who bike in Metro Manila, it actually helps improve our cities. For the first episode of Tambike Session, Lester Babiera talks with Anton Siy, the head of Pasig Transport, about how they enjoy bike rides and the contributions of biking to the metropolis.

Lester and Anton also discussed cycling advocacy — is there a right way of doing it? Listen to these two advocates as they take you to an insightful tambike session about how fun and helpful cycling is in Metro Manila.

Follow Lester’s cycling Instagram page: www.instagram.com/firstbikeride

Tambike Session is an ANIMA podcast.