Ages 15 to 60 compete 

at Banat-i MTB XC race

TAGBILARAN CITY, October 10 (PIA)--In only to prove that Banat-i mountain bike park is a wholesome playground for the serious bike aficionado, the recent 2nd Mountainbike Cross Country Challenge showed the park is green-light for a range of ages: at least from 15 to 60. 

Biker Devin Balderoza, 15 years old bike from Paseo de Loon finished the four loops of the 3.6 kilometer race course as the youngest biker while Dodong Lagumbay, at 60 years old who finished a single loop is the oldest registered biker in the over 50 race participants.

"Just manageable, but one should always keep grips of his focus," Lagumbay said. 

It is both a mountain bike park for tourists both amateur and pro, whatever is the rider's skill level, there is an apt trail, Bike Ta Bai, a local group of bikers who developed the trails assured. 

Now becoming a veritable playground for those with entry to professional mountain bikes, Banat-i bike park, has locally designed bike trails that offer rolling terrains, natural berms, mild ascents, single trail tracks interspaced with loose gravel descents, technical assault and descent sections and gut wrenching jumps. 

"But there is always an alternate route, an easy trail for the adamant and those who still have not completely forgotten the habit of grabbing a handful of the brakes. Or walk the bike," shared race organizer members of Bike Ta Bai, a local group of bike enthusiasts who have since organized fun rides to races in Bohol. 

And the race successfully went by without major incidents, although a non registered biker who took on speed as newbie in the trail, crashed early morning with cuts and bruises, race marshals reported.

A park now validated by local mid-level trail bike enthusiasts, Banat-i trails crisscross the access road to the towers up in the hill and is characterized by bikers bursting out of the shrubs, the trail sometimes obscured by overgrowth. 

And as if to show that it is really that challenging, as well as grueling, in the 29 years old and under category, Jonathan Pagaura of Paseo de Loon finished the four loops of the 3.6 kilometers in 1:09:8 seconds, averaging 13. 21 kilometers per hour in his 27.5 wheel set format. 

Coming in second was biker 202 Victor Bincog who finished the same 4 loops of the 3.6 km course in 1:11:06 or 12.7 kilometers per hour average. 

Third to cross the finish line after four laps was Ernesto Garcia Jr., clocking in at 1:17:12 seconds for an average speed of 12.29 kmph. 

In the 30-39 age group, biker Anthony Rabida, wearing race number 316 burst across the finish line after three laps of 3.6 kilometers at 1:07:12 or an average of 10.08 kms to claim the championship medal and prize followed by Jover Visto of Dimiao Valencia team, clocking in two minutes later. 

Dauistler veteran Arcel Asinero of Duro Brothers, wearing race number 304 picked third with 1:15:05 averaging 9.3 kmph. 

In the 40 and above age group, biker 402 Freddie Perez clocked in at 44:56 for two loops of the 3.6 km circuit, with a speed average of 16 kmph, while crossing the line after him was Stephen Zamora of Myokmok riders (race number 403) with an aggregate time of 45:40. 

Third in their age bracket was Jun Balicog of Duro Brothers finishing at 50:08. 

For the oldest age bracket, Ronald Cloma of Bohol Bikings wearing race number 501 pick the top place with 27:28 for a single loop of the 3.6 kilometers while coming after him were Alberto Escatron at 27:55 and Ervie Visarra of Valencia Dimiao getting third crossing the line at 36:04.

Over this, earlier, race participants thought using the 29 wheel set was an advantage, until Banat-i's rolling hills also bring in sudden climbs on rock strewn trails that make coasting on a larger wheel set a hard pay for the tricky climbs. 

Majority of the winners used 26 or the 27.5 wheel formats. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

Age doesn't matter, for the Banat-i trails, it is not the age or the cost of the bike, but more of the personal will to live a healthy life to the full, de-stress and pump-out the excess negative energies to conquer the self. Banat-i trails' recent race hand a 15 year old and a 60 year old competing. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)