The North Coast’s first major international biking event will be held next weekend, 13 April and 14 April in Cabarete. More than 20 competitors from Guadaloupe, 4 from Montserrat and4 from St Kitts, 15 from Antigua, and 15 from Saint Maarten are expected. The organizers at Iguana Mama, a tour operator and bicycle center in Cabarete, Puerto Plata, are also awaiting confirmation of the participation of competitors from Barbados, Grenada, Martinique, Puerto Rico, St Lucia and St Vincent.
“Everything is happening so quickly,” says Tricia Thorndike de Suriel. “One thing I can assure you, there’s a general biking hysteria all over town.” She explained that the international sports press community is again focusing on Puerto Plata, as occurred in the days of the Cabarete World Windsurfing Cup. The event is sponsored by Haciendas El Choco, Nanny Estates, Miro’s on the Beach, and Iguana Mama. Over RD$150,000 in cash and prizes, including free mountain biking vacations, rafting and canyoning trips. The race categories are elite men, experts, elite women, veterans, masters, juniors 1 (18-17-16), juniors 2 (15, 14, 13) and cadets.
A special highlight of the event will be a free race that will be announced at the last minute. For more information, contact Tricia Thorndike at iguanamama@mail.codetel.net.do, or Tel: (809) 571-0908 / 1-800-849-4720.
The schedule of events is as follows:
Friday night
6 p.m. to 9 pm
Information on town, hotels, the race and pre-registration at Iguana Mama bicycle shop in Cabarete. Welcome drink.
Saturday
7:30 am to 9 am
Pre-race registration (free coffee and banana bread provided by Panaderia Dick for all registered participants).
9 am to 10 am
Free transportation to course at El Choco.
11 am to 4 pm
Cross-country race.
7 pm to 10 pm
Special dinner for organizers.
Sunday
7 am to 8 am
Free transportation to course at El Choco.
8 am to 12 am
Time-trials for male adults, juniors and women.
1 pm
Awards lunch and banquet.
Monday morning
Iguana Mama Special Mountain Bike tour for everybody.