Interview with Carlton James Palm

Interview with Carlton James Palm

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What motivates you to exercise? Motivation came to me in stages as I grew into becoming an avid mountain biker. Stage 1 was motivation by friends, the texting on those hard- to-wake-up days, stating a non-negotiable fact that we are going and wanting to go because it is great companionship. Stage 2 was motivation by learning new skills in the art of mountain biking through reading books on instruction, or talking to an experienced rider, and wanting to ride because there are new skills to learn. Stage 3 was motivation because the rhythm of the day begins to change, and I found myself wanting to ride because a day seems incomplete if it did not start with a ride. Stage 4 was motivation to climb higher and longer because it actually begins to get easier when you are consistent, and the climbs and distances do not seem to hurt in the same way. Stage 5 was motivation because of an acquired identity as a competent, healthy, and fast rider, and wanting to go out to keep that edge and distinction.

Can you say you are fit for your age? The doctor’s charts say yes, but you can’t understand fitness until you begin to compete in races in your age group.
 
I remember my first race in Bayawan when I thought I was fit, but I literally had to get off the bike, and sit down under a coconut tree as my competitors rode past me. The year I won my first race I spent months in preparation tolerating pain on climbs and long rides to reach the fitness to win even though I actually thought I was already fit enough even before the months of preparations began.
 

Fitness to ride, and fitness to win are two very different realities.

What was your worst injury from biking? What happened there? I had been reading and studying high speed downhill turning that time, and so we went up to Camp Lookout above Valencia to practice the skill. I was on my way down on that road that is partially dirt and paved. I successfully made the first three sharp turns, then came a steep drop, and sharp right turn on the pavement. As I started to lean into the turn, I realized I was going too fast, and felt panic come over me, and rather than leaning and committing into the turn, I went against all instruction, and I pulled in the rear brake to try and slow me down.
 
In an instance, the bike slid out from under me, and I ended up skidding down that paved road on my right side.
 
The pavement took skin off my arms, legs, and hips.
 

When everything had stopped, my bike had slid all the way off the edge of the road, and my body was a mess, but I was still able to manage riding home in pain.

What do you eat to keep fit? I am a careful eater, and always prefer the grains and vegetable over the heavier meats. I always prefer fish and seafood over fowl, and I refrain from the red meats.
 
Very rarely do I indulge in processed or junk foods, soft drinks, or alcohol.
 

I eat a bowl of cereal or oatmeal before my morning ride. The riding is always better with something light in the stomach.

What has been the best biking trail for you in Negros Oriental so far? Calabnugan Bridge in Sibulan is a gateway to a mountain bike park that people from around the world would die for. From that Bridge, there are four wonderful trails upwards known to the biking community as Balili, Ata-Ata, Freefall, and Hard Rock. Each of these trails offers a unique and different challenge.

 
Friends from Manila come to visit, and always say that they spend thousands of pesos constructing those kinds of trails in Manila that we have here naturally, and in the raw.
 

I believe the Calabnugan Bridge gateway is very special for mountain bikers in Negros Oriental.

What can the Provincial Tourism Council do to promote biking by locals and tourists alike in Negros Oriental? The Tourism Council could work with the local bikers to develop maps of the prime mountain bike trails. At these trails, the Council could provide small appropriate guide posts to point bikers in the direction of the trails, and also label the trails as the black diamond: most difficult, or blue square: moderate, or green circle: easiest — to help riders plan and enjoy their ride without too many surprises or accidents.
 

These maps could be available online or in the Tourism office, and could boost the interest in visitors and weekend riders to explore the wonderful trails in the vicinity of Dumaguete.

Cobbie Palm is a Mission facilitator of the Presbyterian Church USA. He was champion of the 2010 Sandurot National Mountain Bike Race in the Golden Boys (over 50) category. He speaks fluent Tagalog as he has lived in the Philippines for 32 years; the past 10 years of which he has enjoyed in Dumaguete. Incidentally, he was born at the SU Mission Hospital (now Katipunan Hall).

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