Cyclists have the option of riding the mini or full course. The group ride will be this Sunday, October 24, 2010 starting at the Pacific Island Club south parking. Go time is at 6 am.
Dubbed by the acronym “HOM”, the 100km cycling course designed by PIC’s General Manager Kieran Daly, canvasses nearly the entire circumference of Saipan. HOM appeals to all levels of bicyclists, from the novice (joining a team of 4, each riding 25km); the intermediate as a team of two, riding 50km each; and the avid cyclist tackling 100km solo.
The course starts at PIC and heads south into the village of Koblerville toward the Saipan International Airport.
From the airport, the cyclists will ride uphill towards the eastern fringes of the island, through the residential villages of San Vicente, Papago and Kagman toward the Lao Lao Bay Golf Resort.
From the golf course, the bikers will proceed north on Isa Drive and descend down to the Kingfisher Golf Course entrance and make the U turn, scaling the long, windy road uphill to Capitol Hill.
At the bottom of Capitol Hill, the course converges on Chalan Pale Arnold Road to the next check point high atop Radar Hill in As Matuis.
The last portion of the race appears as a tourist map to Saipan’s infamous historical and scenic sites, including Suicide Cliff, Bird Island, Grotto, Banzai Cliff, and Beach Road and back to PIC’s finish line.
While 100km sounds intimidating to most, the Hell of the Marianas is certainly doable for the average cyclists.
Those who choose to race 100km solo definitely have the daunting feat of riding continuously for an average of four to five hours but for others, team categories make the race much more palatable.
Participants should bring their hydration and gels.
This is your chance to ride the course in a no-stress, easy effort. Take on trouble spots, build up confidence and plan your HOM strategy.
