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The Shandy Carib International Surfing Classic & Adventure Festival 2004 once again features the
Cross Country (XC) and Downhill Mountain Biking races:
o Cross Country Race (XC):
This is a gruelling XC race that starts in front the Judges' Stand in Beach Break, Sans Souci, goes up to
Monte Video starting along the main road and through some trails added to this year's course to reduce time
spent on paved road. Then the race turns onto the Monte Video Zagaya Trace a tough, muddy trail that goes
through the back of Grande Riverre Valley, crosses the river and climbs a steep hill, finally descending sharply
into Grande Riverre, the bay west of Sans Souci. They then turn east back towards Sans Souci via the Paria Branch
Trace which starts in a steep, rocky climb. The XC course then becomes a narrow undulating single track on which
they will have to deal with many stream crossings, fallen trees and lots of mud testing the riders hill climbing,
and technical riding ability, balancing skills and endurance. The competitors' odyssey ends back in front the judges'
stand in Beach Break Sans Souci.
- Approximate Distance: 21km
- Highest Elevation: 200m
- Approximate Total increase in Elevation: 565m
- Level of Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Map
o Downhill Race:
The Downhill Race is exactly that, a very technical mountain biking adventure race that starts high
up a hill at about 800 feet above sea level and the fastest one down wins! Basically the competitor who
uses their brakes the least wins. However on the way down they are faced with slippery rocks, difficult
switchbacks, steep bumpy wet trails, lots of mud, a river crossing and jumps. This years race will see a
course lengthened further up the hill with at least one jump and switchback added.
This type of race lends itself to a special type of bike that has shocks leading to both back and front tyres.
It's a fast and exciting adventure race lasting about 5 minutes and it is the only one of its kind in the Caribbean.
Map
Registration for the both the XC and Downhill Races can be done at Geronimo's Cycle Sports, at Corky's,
or online by contacting Courtenay Rooks. Registration by October 29th is US$5 or TT$30. Registration at
the competition site is US$10 or TT$60.
The Mountain Bike Race Courses will be set by Courtenay Rooks and Paria Springs Eco-Community along with
members of the local community and local mountain bikers.
The Mountain Bike Races will be run by the National All Terrain Mountain Biking Association with the
assistance of the local Community and the Festival Event Staff.
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