It’s certainly a challenge: a bike ride from Troodos to the sea but there is still time to enter
THIS time last year I was hurtling my way down the Troodos mountains, enjoying some fantastic trails as I headed towards the Mediterranean for a 20 metre swim. I was not alone but accompanied by around 90 other riders as we took part in the second Mountain Bike Troodos Challenge, which has also come to be known as M2S (Mountain2Sea).
The third annual event takes place in two weeks time on Saturday April 30 and there’s still time to sign up. Teams comprising of three riders leave Troodos Square at three-minute intervals, each team carrying a map, mobile telephone and all the safety equipment required for their adventure.
Last year, all teams were required to stop at three checkpoints on the way down the mountain. The conditions couldn’t have been better; remnants of snow on the upper section and fine visibility and blue skies greeting us as we turned onto the south facing slopes. The superb weather gave all participants an opportunity to sample some of Cyprus’ most spectacular scenery.
The top section, however, caught many of the competitors by surprise and it wasn’t long before the mountainous terrain inflicted its first punctures to bike tyres. Leaving Platres behind us, we passed through the village of Peri-Pedi on the way to our first checkpoint, already having descended 900m over 17 kilometres. Here both riders and bikes could be lubricated and patched up as required before setting off up the trail to Lofou.
On this stretch there was plenty of opportunity to admire the impressive landscape of the region, which helped ease the pain of not having quite enough gears for such a pleasant ascent. With the first real climb behind us, checkpoint two afforded the opportunity of taking more water and checking on distance covered, approximately 30 kilometres.
To add to the excitement, the next encounter in the Kouris valley was a challenging river crossing. Here many a rider took a little premature dip, due to the river bottom being a little greasy with moss. However, with everyone safely across and with the chalk and limestone plateaux in our sights, we wound our way up the second big climb. This took us out of the valley and through the deserted village beneath Pano Kivides.
At the final checkpoint at the top, we were relieved to hear that it was all downhill from then on. With the coastline now clearly in view an exhilarating last leg took us down to sea level and the beach, where we despatched our mountain bikes. Each team member then had to swim across the finish line in the sea before collecting that all important Tshirt and a well deserved drink!
Despite the very testing terrain, several punctures and one mechanical problem, only two riders were unfortunate to have to retire due to injury. Neither were serious, just a little bit of dented pride (both were attended by the voluntary St John’s Ambulance teams).
Last year’s valiant winners were a trio of Royal Engineers who completed the course in a magnificent time of 2 hours and 22 minutes, a clear 36 minutes ahead of any of the other teams.
This year the challenge will be to descend from Troodos to the Mediterranean Sea at Pissouri Bay. The route is a new one, with a total cycling distance of 55 kilometres.
The event will be in aid of the Tsunami Relief effort, funds going specifically to purchase fishing nets for the fishermen in Thailand.
l This year’s event takes place on Saturday April 30. Entry is £20 per person (including event map, T-shirt and meal ticket). Entry forms are available from www.biketrekcyprus.com or call in to Bike Trek Cprus, Pissouri Bay. Mountain Bikes are available for hire. The event is being sponsored by Constantinides Bakery and Coca-Cola. Any companies or individuals who would like to sponsor this event in the form of spot prizes please contact Sheila on 99 833594. If you would like to act as a volunteer marshal on the day would also like to hear from you.
