Mountain bikes kick into gear

FRIDAY, JAN. 4: The resurrection of mountain biking on the island gathers pace on Sunday with the first race of the 2013 Bicycle Works Mountain Bike Race Series, presented by Fat Tire Massive.

And race director Hans Hirschi believes the series is poised to go up a gear from last year, with the introduction of three new tracks.

The prelude to the eight-race points series (top six finishes count) is this weekend’s third Annual Bicycle Works Dockyard to Ferry Reach Mountain Bike Race, a 22-mile pedal frenzy across the stretch of Bermuda that gets under way at 9:30am.

Hirschi says 2013’s schedule will continue to breathe life into the sport, which will take its place among the roster of events in July’s Island Games.

He said: “Last year was a really good season. We took mountain biking, which was a dying sport in Bermuda, and we had 70 participants last year. The series has been going for some time but it had been dwindling.

“There is a misconception we are racing off cliffs but we race on courses on all of the national parks. It’s a lot of fun and it’s safer than riding on the roads — it’s slower and when you fall off the bike, for the most part, you will fall on dirt.

“It’s a different type of racing — more intensive. For the A class guys, for example, it can be a short 45 minute race.

“People are getting healthy and looking for other opportunites in Bermuda. You can get a decent bike for under $1,000 — anyone can do it.”

Riders will be broken down into classes based on ability — A Class, B Class, Novice and Juniors — and new tracks at the Bermuda National Museum/Casemates, Coney Island and Lodge Point Park will add to the already-established ones at Arboretum, Fort Scaur, Admiralty House Park, Ferry Reach Park and Hog Bay Park.

The Coney Island events will feature a 4x eliminator — the first time that’s happened in Bermuda. Two-minute races and Last Chance Qualifiers promise plenty of entertainment.

Dominique Mayho will be the man to beat after winning the A Class category last time out. He’ll be under pressure, though, from the likes of Mark Hatherley, Dexter Swan, former champion Neil de St. Croix and Most Improved Rider Deshi Smith.

In the women’s class, Karen Smith, Sarah Jordan, Gabriella Arnold and Sarah Bonnet are all vying for top honours.

Hirschi said: “There’s also a lot of riders coming over from the road. It’s going to be interesting to see how they get on because it’s a difference skill set.”

For Sunday’s race, the Fat Tire Massive and Bicycle Works have partnered with the Family Centre Cycle for Change programme for a second time to help raise awareness and funds for a very worthy charity.

Road Marshals will be posted along the route, with Pure Water and Barritt’s providing refreshments.

For route, entry forms, results, videos and pictures can be found at the new Fat Tire Massive web site — www.fattiremassive.com.

Tokio Youth

Meanwhile, tomorrow is the children’s chance to shine at the Arboretum in the Tokio Millennium Youth Mountain Bike Race (4pm).

The event is designed to introduce a love of cycling in primary school youngsters, who are free to use any kind of bicycle.

Registration can be done on the day.

For more information, visit www.tokiomillennium.com or visit the Facebook page at “Tokio Youth”.