Photo by Rocket Buenaventura
Cycling has always been fun—ever since Gabby Jimenez was a kid. Riding since elementary school, she grew up in Laguna, south of Manila, and still carries that joy every time she climbs on a bike.
In 2025, Gabby conquered Bentang Jawa. “The experience broke so many internal barriers. It showed me exactly how far I’ve come, but also how much further I can go to become the stronger, more efficient cyclist I aspire to be.”
Off the bike, Gabby works as a UI/UX designer at a local agency, while also doing photography and writing on the side — on the bike, she mainly focuses on gravel and ultra-distance/Audax riding. Cycling is more than just a sport or a hobby. It has made her world feel both small and big at the same time. In our conversation for People on the Road, she opens up about how riding has shaped the way she sees the world.
How did you start with your bike?
I’ve been riding since elementary school, but I only picked it up again seriously in 2022 as pandemic restrictions eased. I was based in Laguna (south of Manila) with my family then, and I simply wanted a way to get around and meet new friends. Since then, my rides have catapulted into longer distances and more technical terrain.
Where do you ride the most?
Honestly, I’m all over the place. Living in the heart of the city, my rides usually split in two directions: heading east to Rizal or south to Cavite for long climbs and trail sessions. Because my riding is so varied, I’ve curated a “three-bike stable” squeezed into my tiny living space—each serving a very specific purpose.
For the daily grind, I use my Voodoo Erzuli single-speed. I built it up from spare parts specifically for city commutes; the flatbar setup offers a completely different, nimble feel compared to my dropbar bikes.
When I want something with soul, I turn to my Blocks Electro from Built Cycles. The frame was handcrafted by the legendary Ave Maldea using Columbus Life tubing. With its track-inspired geometry, it has a life of its own on the road; and It’s incredibly versatile—I’ve taken it everywhere from gravel races to multi-day mountain expeditions.
Finally, my latest addition is the Vielo V+1 from Sabak Cycles. As my first carbon bike, it was my trusted companion for Bentang Jawa. While it’s technically a gravel bike, I find myself reaching for it most on long climbs; there’s a stability in its geometry that makes the toughest ascents feel remarkably controlled.
Why do you ride?
My “why” has evolved over the years. It began as a social outlet and a means of mobility after the isolation of the pandemic. Eventually, it became my primary way to commute and meet new people. Currently, it’s a way to discover my physical limits and improve, while still maintaining that sense of freedom—being able to reach places I wouldn’t even attempt to visit via other modes of transport.
Prior to cycling, I fenced competitively in university, so training routines and the thrill of competition are familiar to me (though I still get those start-line jitters!).
Tell us about one memorable moment from your cycling journey:
It would have to be finishing Bentang Jawa this year, 2025. It felt like the culmination of my growth over the last three years—a synthesis of everything I’ve learned about training, nutrition, and lessons from various riding groups. It even tested the depths of my mental toughness. The experience broke so many internal barriers. It showed me exactly how far I’ve come, but also how much further I can go to become the stronger, more efficient cyclist I aspire to be.
And lastly, how cycling shapes the way you see the world?
If not for cycling, I would never have met certain friends or enriched my existing relationships. It is such a social activity, yet I deeply appreciate the solitude of spending a whole day alone on the road. Cycling has made my world feel both small and big at the same time. My social circles constantly intersect through the community, but the bike has also shown me how much more there is to see. Through two wheels, the rest of the world feels more within reach than ever.
