Touring - Anyone toured Phillipines - I need advice.

G'day All
Hoping someone out there has cycle toured the Phillipines lately. I've just purchased my Thorn Raven (to be picked up when i go to the UK in a few months) and am planning a tour of a few months in SE Asia in January and February. Living in Darwin, Northern Australia my choices are vast with numerous budget airlines operating in the area.
After recently having a short vacation in the Phillipines I am thinking it would be a good place to tour - my original plan was Vietnam which would be my fourth visit there - but i just found the Filippino people very hospitable and the fact that English is so widely spoken (with a great accent i may add) i'm leaning in this direction.
SO!!
Any hints, suggestions, links etc etc for helping my research would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers and beers
Richard

You might find this page of interest: http://www.ridetheroad.com/web/trip.aspx?tripID=71

It is an information page written by people who toured there.

Ray

What a fantastic link - thanks heaps.

it seems like touring the Philippines wouldn't be that good simply because all the islands are relatively small. you could probably circle one in half a day. plus camping in the jungle would suck.

it seems like touring the Philippines wouldn't be that good simply because all the islands are relatively small. you could probably circle one in half a day. plus camping in the jungle would suck.

I didn't cycle there but was stationed in the PI while in the USAF in the 1970's. Some of the outlying islands may be that small but Luzon (the northernmost major island), Mindanao, and a number of others are plenty large enough for decent riding. Further, much of Luzon is extremely pretty.

I would recommend avoiding the ride up to Baguio from the south as there is (was) a lot of open-pit mining. Ugly. Plus there were spots where rock falls were not uncommon. One of our AF trucks got badly banged up from falling rocks. Rock falls are not that common but if you are in the wrong place at the wrong time.... I wish I could remember the details such as the start location for this road but if you are going north from Angeles City you will be fine until the road starts climbing.

Thanks for the replies guys - keep them coming. Even in the early stages of my planning i've figured i'd steer clear of the tiny islands and after reading some posts (here and elsewhere) i've been thinking more about what roads i do ride - meaning i will try to steer clear of busy roads and roads that service mine areas and now, roads where rockfalls occur. Wouldn't take a big rock to cause a cyclist damage would it? As mentioned before - first time so it'll be a learning experience so i appreciate the input.
Cheers and beers again guys
Richard