The Philippine province of Iloilo and its capital, Iloilo City, on the Visayan island of Panay, derive their name from the earlier Philippine Spanish name Irong̃-írong, meaning "nose-like," referring to the promontory between the Iloilo and Batiano rivers. The earliest documentation of the name "Visayan" is by a Chinese raider in the 12th century. Its indigenous origin is uncertain. Little reliable history of the area is available prior to Spanish colonization. Some indigenous oral epic poems have been recorded and studied. Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi conquered the island of Panay in 1566. Not until this date in 1855 did Queen Isabella II of Spain open the Port of Iloilo to the world market. It became a hub for international shipping of sugar and fertilizer to global markets, spurring an economic boom in Iloilo and its neighboring islands, which had suffered a decline in its textile industry. Credits: https://w.wiki/FUnY Today I rode from the west side of Santa Cruz up CA-1 to Swanton and back, climbing Swanton Road from south to north, the easy way. Cloudy, cool, and dry, with a good tailwind going north and a mild, quartering headwind coming back. That's a good day on this route, which can have headwinds strong enough to be demoralizing. I took Cement Plant Road going north to avoid crossing the train tracks, but its pavement is probably as dangerous as the tracks. Especially since I forgot the right way to use Cement Plant Road: Turn left almost immediately to easily cross the tracks at a right angle and rejoin CA-1. Instead, I rode all of Cement Plant Road on poor pavement. Since I've been back in Santa Cruz, I've heard lots of club members praise the new, smooth Swanton Road pavement. It was very nice at least up to the Cal Fire station. The top section and the descent to CA-1 had some broken concrete and asphalt patches. But the descent was still a lot of fun! I'm glad to do another ride, easy but still significant, before I take a break for the Mount Diablo Challenge next Sunday. If it doesn't rain hard, I'll probably join the club's B ride tomorrow, 36 miles, 2,225 feet ascent, plus 10 miles from the west side and back. Then take four days off. Or maybe I'll ride a bit Thursday.