If you ever want to explore the historic parts of Manila, notably Intramuros, during weekends and holidays, then why not try biking around? Bambike Ecotours is one fun way to get around and enjoy history up close.
Bambike Ecotours in a Nutshell
Bambike Ecotours is an offshoot project of Bambike, founded by Bryan Benitez McClelland after he learned about the construction of bamboo bikes while traveling abroad in 2007 and volunteering with Gawad Kalinga. In 2009, he started building his prototype and officially launched Bambike in 2010.
Since its inception, Bambike has received recognition for its social enterprise model, including the Outstanding Achievement in Social Enterprise at the 44th Agora Awards and the Developmental Social Enterprise Award in 2019.
Around this time, Bambike Ecotours emerged as a way to showcase the bikes while creating a sustainable tourism experience within the Walled City. It promotes a form of sustainable tourism that encourages human-scaled travel while learning about Intramuros’ history and heritage.
What Tours do They Offer?
Bambike Ecotours has several guided tours to choose from:
- The full “Intramuros Experience,” which is a three-hour guided tour that includes entry to Fort Santiago
- The express tour, an hour shorter than the Intramuros Experience
- Intramuros Sunset Tour, highlighting Manila’s famous sunset
- A two-hour night tour
- Bamboo Pedicab Experience, ideal for tourists who cannot bike but would love to be part of their tours
You’ll pass through centuries-old churches, plazas, and other historical buildings with different Bambike frames to choose from.
Types of Bambikes in Intramuros
Before signing up for a bike tour, you may want to check out which bikes fit best for you. While all these bikes are generally beginner-friendly, some frames might be more suited to your body type than others.
1. Silay 2.0 City Bambike
This is Bambike’s latest model of city bikes, ideal for cyclists wearing skirts or who just prefer a lower step-through frame, because of its lower top tube design. It’s also great for smaller riders.
2. Ligtasin Cove Beach Cruiser
Designed to accommodate two people (one rider and one passenger), the Ligtasin Cove Beach Cruiser features a double top tube design, which makes it more stable. Smaller riders can use this with ease. It has an 8-9 speed Shimano drivetrain with hydraulic disc brakes, so expect excellent stopping action.
3. Bambike “Hybrids”
These hybrid bikes are called as such because of their build: a bamboo top tube with a steel downtube, seat post, and chainstay. Depending on your height and riding style, they feature an array of geometries and speeds while still being capable of traversing Intramuros’s cobblestone roads with ease.
They come in a single-speed road bike, an omafiets-inspired bike, and a mini velo.
Take note that the road bike may be better for riders at least 5”4 and taller.
All bikes have adjustable seat posts, but you might not be able to adjust the saddle.
They have other bikes and merchandise available, so be sure to check the Bambike website, especially if you want your own Bambike.
How are Bambikes made?
The great thing about Bambikes is that they’re handmade, so no one frame is like the other. Frame builders choose mature bamboo that’s around 3-5 years old with one important condition: these stalks must be thick-walled and straight. Afterward, they air-dry the bamboo to prevent cracking, pests, and moisture damage.
The tubes are then cut based on the frame geometry, with the ends mitered and aligned so they fit properly and the whole frame is straight. Instead of welding, the joints are wrapped in abaca fiber and soaked in epoxy resin. The latter improves the material properties by providing strength and damping against vibrations.
After curing the frame, the builder integrates metal components for the wheels, fork, and crankset. Finally, once the frame is complete, they sand and coat it with a protective varnish to give it a warm look.
Each frame can take dozens of hours to build, and curing requirements can prolong production by up to a week, so imagine that these bikes, while quite pricey, provide jobs for highly skilled people. What you get is a unique build that provides a comfortable ride that’s forgiving on rough roads. With proper care and maintenance, just like any bike, Bambikes can last a lifetime, and then some.
Bike Into History with Bambike Ecotours
If you’re interested in using Bambikes firsthand to learn more about Intramuros and its environs, guided tours are offered from Tuesday to Sunday, twice a day, accommodating 5-10pax per group. Interested parties may book online on the Bambike website.
Bambike Ecotours is located in Plaza San Luis Complex, Real St. cor General Luna St., Intramuros.
Leave a Reply