Bike craze catches up with Ginebra's 'Fast and Furious' pair of Jayjay Helterbrand and Mark Caguioa

Ginebra star Jayjay Helterbrand rides his folding bike to and from practice. Jerome Ascano

THE bike craze has caught up with 'The Fast and the Furious.'

Eager to stay in shape as he prepares for the season-ending PBA Governors' Cup, Barangay Ginebra star guard Jayjay Helterbrand has added biking to his cross-training routine after recently buying a Strida Folding Bike.

“It’s for my conditioning so that my legs can get extra workout,” said the 37-year-old playmaker and former MVP, who was actually set to ride his shiny new toy after the Kings’ Monday practice from the Green Meadows gym in Libis, Quezon City all the way to his home in New Manila when Spin.ph caught up with him.

Helterbrand said biking piqued his interest when he saw a guy riding a foldable bike last month. Intrigued by the handy bike's unique features, the PBA star asked him where he got it so he could get one, too.

“I really like the way it looks and you can fold it up, take it with you anywhere.”

A quick check on an online classified ads platform has the bike costing around P30,000 to P40,000.

On Monday, Helterbrand simply folded the bike and kept it in one corner of the gym as he attended Ginebra's first practice under new coach Jeff Cariaso. He then rode it on the way home.

Helterbrand's new hobby has since rubbed off on fellow Ginebra star Mark Caguioa, who, Jayjay said, now owns his own bike and has added biking to his cross-training as well.

So the next time you drive around the metro, don't be surprised if you see these two riding next to you.