Before I left Manila for good in 1995, me and my brother cycled all over the island of Luzon... From Nasugbu, Batangas and also Bugarin in the South (straddling the Rizal - Quezon Province boundary) to the city of Baguio in the North.

One trip to the province of Pampanga had us cycling through the then Gapan-Olongapo Highway which is the road to get to Bataan. From Manila (Monumento) we headed North using the then MacArthur Highway which runs parallel to the North Diversion road.

Looking back, I would hesitate recommending anybody from using MacArthur Highway as the some of the jeepneys and buses plying the route have complete disregard for cyclists. Remember in Manila, these jeepneys (and oftentimes buses) can stop anywhere on the road to pick up and drop off passengers. On our way home to Manila, I had a couple of close calls with such jeepneys especially nearing the busy area of Monumento. I am talking about dozens and dozens of jeepneys racing each other to pick up passengers. I recall almost getting sandwiched between 2 of them.

Not sure today but the heat and pollution when riding in city streets and highways especially in the hot months were oppressive. However, things get much better the farther you are away from any city or major towns.