7 Lakes. 77 bikers. 7 hours.

Photo from Ma’am Chat.

I recently joined the 7 Lakes Bike Tour organized by the United Folding Bikers. A total of 77 bikers (mix of all sorts of bikes) from different groups were in attendance. We met in SM City San Pablo, 2.5 hours south of Manila, at around 8am. After a short briefing, we headed out to the 7 lakes. We faced challenging uphills, fun downhills and long stretches of roads flanked by coconut trees, banana plants and residencial areas. There were places where we had to push our bikes because the climb was too steep. We even had the chance to ride our folding bikes on dirt roads.

But due to unforeseen circumstances, we were only able to visit 5 out of the 7 lakes. We went back to SM City for some fun games before ending our tour. By 4pm we all went back to Manila on board buses.

It was still a fun and amazing tour even if we didn’t see the other 2 lakes.

San Pablo city is more popularly known as the “City of Seven Lakes”, referring to the Seven Lakes of San Pablo (Filipino: Lungsod ng Pitong Lawa): Lake Sampaloc (or Sampalok), Lake Palakpakin, Lake Bunot, Lakes Pandin and Yambo, Lake Muhikap, and Lake Calibato.

Lake Sampaloc is an inactive volcanic maar on the island of Luzon, the Philippines.
It is the largest of the Seven Lakes of San Pablo, Laguna. Nearly half of the lake’s depth has a shallow depression at the lake’s bottom, indicating its volcanic origin. The lake is located behind San Pablo city hall and is dotted with fishpens and small cottages built on stilts.

Lake Bunot is one of the Seven Lakes of San Pablo, Laguna. It is located in Brgy. Concepcion, San Pablo City. Only 4.5 km from the city proper, Bunot is known for its cultured tilapia and fishpens for Nilotica fingerlings. Bunot has a normal surface area of 30.5 hectares with a maximum depth of 23 meter.
Bunot is a convenient site for picnics. It is a real haven for nature lovers. Ideal for swimming and relaxation.

Pandin Lake has an area of 20.5 hectares and a maximum depth of 63 meters. It has a calculated volume of 6,600 cubic meters of water in storage.
Pandin is considered oligotrophic because of the abundant plant and fish life.

Palakpakin Lake is located in Brgy. San Buenaventura, San Pablo City. With an area of 43 hectares, it has a maximum depth of 7.5 meters.
Residents around the lake rely on income from fishpens and fishcages that grow cultured tilapia and silver carps.

Lake Muhikap (more commonly spelled as Mohicap or Mojicap) is one of the seven lakes of San Pablo City, in the province of Laguna, Philippines. The lake, which is located in Brgy. Sta. Catalina has an area of 14.5 hectares (36 acres), and it is one of the main suppliers of water in the city. The waters of San Pablo Lakes provide a generous source of tilapia for Metro Manila and suburbs.

Here I am riding my folding bike on a dirt road to one of the lakes. Thanks to Doc Maurice for the photo.

A little sunburnt, but it was worth it. 🙂

Some more photos.