DISCIPLINED TO ENDURE.Cyclists who are disciplined to endure long rides try to endure the baking heat, picking up non-biodegradable waste, recyclables, and residuals to free the beaches of the trash which can ruin the environment. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

ACHILA UBAY, Bohol, Oct. 13 (PIA) -- Bikers from the southeastern to the northwestern parts of Bohol converged in a coastal barangay in Ubay town to do what they think is a good way to celebrate on a bike on a Sunday.

Bikers from Clarin Bikers Adventure Team (CBAT) had to crank up to Carmen to join the local TagaBukid Cyclists and weave their way pedaling 50 kilometers more to Achila, a coastal barangay off the highway to join other bike groups in a coastal cleanup, mangrove planting, and solid waste management information education and communication (IEC), along with a bikers get-together lunch on Oct. 13.

From the other side of Bohol, bikers from Duero and Guindulman composing team AIWA cranked up about a similar distance of 50 kilometers, trailing off a pick-up and picking Alicia's Sikad Progreso bikers to Achila Ubay, some 20 more kilometers later.

From Talibon, the home team Sikad Talibon, escorted by Suzuki Riders Club peeled off from the highway along with Trinidad bikers, arrived at the Achila Barangay Hall for a short program before the full day's events.

Bikers from Mabini as well as from Ubay also came in to pitch their hands in service for the environment on a Sunday.

"I am happy that all of us are united here to bike and that we are doing something for the earth where we bike," said AIWA biker Ariel Mapalo in his short message.

"We are simply doing this to the earth which God entrusted to us, so we can leave to our generation a clearer earth, cleaner air, and a more pristine environment," he reminded the bikers and the community joining the initiative.

Achila Chairman Rufino Dalogdog along with his barangay council, peacekeeping officers, and health workers welcomed the bikers on the early morning and acknowledged the group for joining in the mangrove planting and cleanup.

FOR POSTERITY. Bikers from half of Bohol represented by different bike organizations converged in Achila Ubay to conduct coastal cleanup, mangrove planting, ESWM IEC, and care for the environment as well as celebrate friendships through a solidarity lunch with barangay residents. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

A few minutes after the short program, the group of bikers, over 50 of them, some with their cleats on, took empty sacks or mangrove seedlings to the beach area designated for the activity.

Delayed by a couple of hours, bikers waded into the water, some in full jersey and cycling shorts, others in tri-suit, seedlings in hand and dug into the waist-deep water to the sandy beach to anchor the seedlings.

On the dry land, residents and some other bikers toted sacks and picked plastic and cellophane discards, torn clothing, broken appliances, household refuse, and broken fishing gear lying along the coast line in a cleanup event.

After the event, Ubay Municipal Ecological Solid Waste management Coordinator Mario Limocon shared to the environment volunteers some insights on the ecological solid waste management law.

Organized by the bikers in coordination with the local police, Achila and Ubay local government, the event was sponsored by AIWA bikers, CDS Dental Clinic and the Capitan Goyo Lions Club of Jagna. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)