Looking for other cycling options in the south? Take the rolling route to Naic, Cavite
Multisport athletes training south of Manila looking for flatter, longer routes have taken a liking to the road to Naic, Cavite.
With the exception of a few races, triathlon courses tend to be relatively flat with only a few twists and turns. Starting off from Daang Hari, the Naic loop is around 80 kilometers long of flat to rolling roads that, with the exception of a couple of turns going out and back, stays relatively straight. It’s ideal for long stretches staying tucked in the aero position.
We start off from Evia City following Daang Hari as it goes straight across Molino-Paliparan Road and then Aguinaldo Highway to Open Canal Road, before turning left on Amaldo Highway and right on Governor’s Drive. This is also the route we take to Tagaytay, however, instead of turning left at the intersection to Amadeo, we follow Governor’s Drive from General Trias, further west towards Trece Martires and ultimately, Naic, instead.
As you can see in the elevation profile, there’s a drop in elevation from General Trias to Naic, from 130 to 13 meters. That means the trip back the same way will be slightly uphill for around 20 kilometers
This part of the route is fun and fast, stretching a little over 18 kilometers, all the while dropping imperceptibly downhill. The road is mostly traffic-free until you approach Trece Martires; after which, it flows fast again for around 13 kilometers until you reach Naic. Total one-way distance from Evia City to Naic is around 40 kilometers.
The high speeds you attain heading there may not be possible on the trip back. As you can see in the elevation profile, there’s a drop in elevation from General Trias to Naic, from 130 to 13 meters. That means the trip back the same way will be slightly uphill for around 20 kilometers. The scale of the elevation chart is deceiving though; it’s not as steep as it seems, but you will feel it in your legs. Depending on the time of day and time of year, a stiff headwind may be facing you on the way back. Your aero position will be well-tested here. From General Trias, we backtrack again to the Open Canal Road and Daang Hari, back to Evia City.
Going farther
Naic these days is merely a jump-off point to a new classic: Kaybiang Tunnel. Opened in 2013, Kaybiang Tunnel links Ternate, Cavite to Nasugbu, Batangas. It’s a further 24 kilometers away from Naic, passing the old road that led to Puerto Azul and Caylabne through the scenic Mount Palay Palay National Park.
Elevation
Route: Daang Hari-Naic-Daang Hari
Starting point: Petron/Evia Daang Hari
Finishing point: Petron/Evia Daang Hari
Naic-Kaybiang Tunnel map
Distance: +/- 83 Km
Average time: 3 to 4 hours
Total elevation gain: +/-256 m
Highest point: +/- 135 m