The Anegada Desert Duel
    posted by Mark, 24 September 2009        



    With over 150 people on the Speedy’s Ferry to Anegada the popularity of the  BVI
    Mountain Bike Clubs annual Desert Duel Race continues to grow.

    This years race was once again won by Orano Andrews who dropped Phillipe Leroy and
    Mark Smith on the tough Sandy Section of the North Shore road and then maintained his
    lead until the finish.

    Road conditions were almost perfect with recent rains compacting the normally soft sand
    to make a very rideable route, there we still some soft patches which challenged the
    riders but these were notably less than in previous years.

    The 22 miles course took riders from the Start to Anegada Reef Hotel to Cow Wreck
    Beach , Loblolly Beach , the Settlement and then back to the finish in the Anegada Reef
    Hotel Parking lot.

    Within the first mile, Phillipe Leroy launched his first attack with Mark Smith and Orano
    Andrews both responding and quickly opening a gap on the remainder of the pack.  The
    attacks continued when the 3 left the paved road and took to the sand with Orano &
    Phillipe opening a small gap on Mark. However Orano proved too strong for Phillipe and
    after about 5 miles Phillipe got caught by Mark.

    With Mark happy to let Orano go and Phillipe content to Match his pace the positions
    remained as they were until the last mile when Mark let Phillipe open another gap and
    take 2nd place.

    Steve Marsh and Adrian Dale had an exciting tussle for the 4th and 5th place which
    finished in a sprint for the finish line.

    The intermediate class completed a shorter route of around 18 miles with Veteran rider
    Bill Kinkead taking the win and Walter Reich in his first race coming home in 2nd place
    and Bonnie Burkholder visiting from St John taking 3rd.

    The Social riders had the easy ride avoiding the sand altogether in a 12 mile route.
    Aurelie Legangneaux took first place ahead of Julie Reynolds with Anna Kinnersly
    bringing home the Bronze medal after some finish line confusion!

    The cadets were well represented in their races with 25 riders taking part in a 2 rounds
    race for each age group.

    On the ferry ride back to Tortola a raffle was held for a brand new mountain bike kindly
    donated by Last Stop Sports.

    The BVI Mountain Bike Club would like to thank everyone that came to Anegada and
    made the day such a success.

    CADET RACES

    Special thanks to Speedy’s Ferries, Anegada Reef Hotel. Last Stop Sports, Road Town
    Wholesale/Gatorade, Zolfo Cooper BVI and Caribbean Insurers.

    Chris & Victoria Ghiorse for organizing the Cadet race and Louise Wearmouth for time
    keeping.

    The BVI Mountain Bike Clubs Cadet Race series continued on Sunday in Anegada. With
    25 Cadets & Juniors travelling from Tortola to take part in the race.

    Numbers were swelled by 13 students from the BSAFE cycling program and several
    other new riders making the journey to the Sister Island and for many of  these students it
    was a chance to see Anegada for the first time.

    Whilst Mountain Bike Club president Mark Smith was setting up the course for the Adult
    races, Chris & Victoria Ghiorse organised the cadets into age groups and with 1 junior
    race and 3 cadet categories, there was plenty of racing for the adults to watch!  

    The 3 cadet groups did 2 races each to reach a combined score that then decided their
    overall position with the under 7’s completing 1 lap and the 8-10’s and 11-13’s
    completing 2 laps each.

    With Cadet race course taking riders from the the Anegada Reef Hotel to the Roundabout
    there was a mixture of terrain for them to get to grips with and with the start and finish
    being in the parking lot of the Anegada Reef Hotel, riders has to cross a cattle grid into
    the soft sand, which proved to be a test of not only the riders stamina but also their
    technical skills.

    “For the cadets my idea was actually to do three short races (to avoid ties) and to give the
    cadets a chance to try and learn from mistakes they made in the first race. They were all
    keen at the start, but after the first 5 minute race they began to realize that even a short
    race is very demanding.  In the end I decided 2 would be enough to keep them coming
    back for more.” Said Chris Ghiorse.

    The most spectacular finish was in the first 8-10 race with Jude Kinkead and Jaden
    Chalwell battling it out. Jude was in the lead and fell just after the bridge on the sand.He
    got up and had to run his bike to the line as Jaden stormed across the bridge safely and
    almost pipped him at the line!

    Most aggressive and determined rider of the day was young John Cullimore who at age 6
    is showing all the determination of his father Jim and Dominic Munro putting up a strong
    challenge.It was great to see 3 girls in the same age group riding even if we have to go
    as young as the under 7’s.

    When prompted by the question as to why he liked the shorter format one cadet rider
    said “Because then I can watch too”.  

    The juniors started their race with the adults and their course took them out on the paved
    road to Cow Wreck Beach where they turned and then headed back to Anegada Reef
    Hotel were happy to get back to the finish line.

    The club hopes to organise one final Cadet race this season.
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    AGM                                                             22 January 2009