From Banat-i to Antequera...

Weekend bike race

pedals off to Tupas

TAGBILARAN CITY, October 12 (PIA)--From Banat-i, mountain bike enthusiasts can now gear up again to Tupas as another week-end bike event cycles off in Bohol. 

After the Banat-i MTB XC race 2017, next weekend, bike enthusiasts and even those from outside Bohol can probe their bike-handling skills again, in Antequera. 

A test of core strength and stamina as well as self reliance is yet again opened as another mountain bike race in Bohol pedals off from the basket capital town center this October 22, Sunday.

The Tupas Mountain Bike Trail Race Challenge, billed as Sikad Tupas Para sa Kapilya promises to be a race that starts in a concrete road, rips to muddy single-track trails, technical descents and high incline climbs segments that combine easy to extreme sections that would be worth the thrill, according to Neil Mortejo, member of the organizing committee. 

The next week-end, the race shifts to an enduro trail race in Danao, Bohol. 

Other than those, two more triathlon events with long bike segments are set: Dimiao, Antequera and an unconfirmed Cortes race. 

In the past years, tourism stakeholders have seen a potential for road and mountain biking in Bohol, and have supported the eco-friendly sports activity that also showcases the best of Bohol: its challenging bike trails.

The Tupas Mountain Bike Trail Race Challenge is a Tupas Chapel fund raiser, according to Antequera race organizer barangay captain Edwin P. Cuenca. 

Technically assisted by a local bike group called Brotherhood Engaged in Environmental Ride Bringing Oneness and Genuine Satisfaction (BEERBOGS), Sikad Tupas Para sa Kapilya is a 13.4 kilometer mountain bike race, he said. 

The race opens for cross country, trail or enduro bikes and pedals off at the Tupas Native Crafts and Eco-tourism Showroom at the Poblacion and speeds off to scenic trails, rough roads, cliffside trail, hanging bridge and the trail along the 7.2 magnitude earthquake-caused Tupas lake on to barangay Tupas Catholic Chapel, organizers said. 

The race opens to 50 years old and above, 40 years old to 49, 30 to 39 and 29 under with a fun ride category, Cuenca posted in his facebook account. 

Registration is P150 and covers racers kit inclusive of chocolates, bottled water, freebies, a finishers medal, certificate and meal allocations. 

And since the race is on a Sunday, Antequera organizers are offering free basic accommodation to bikers who wish to stay a day before the race. 

"Bring your own provisions like food and personal hygiene kits, however," organizers advised. 

Bohol, with its paved roads leading to scenic sights, has also become a regular venue for the Giro d' Luca and the IronMan international triathlon. 

Bohol has since used biking as another tourism campaign product it can use to advertize its green tourism. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

On to their missionary and patriotic mission, biker members of the Antequera local club biked the trails of Binabaje in Cambaol, Alicia Bohol to inspect a new competition trail. Now they are helping Antequera organize a trail race this Sunday, October 24 for the benefit of the local chapel. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)