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MTB Challenge Datanlí El Diablo in March

Róger Solórzano Canales | Jan 21, 2013

Panoramic view during the route that will continue the challenge. Photo courtesy of Apanas Tour.

Open cycling race in the mountain scenarios of Jinotega will bring friendly tourism with nature.

Mountain paths, waterfalls, coffee plantations and the Apanás Lake will be the route and landscapes that are going to be appreciated by the cyclists experts, beginners and bicycle tourists participating in the "Challenge MTB Datanli the Devil", which will be held in Jinotega on Saturday March 2. The event will have activities for the spectators and the families of competitors, as well as the participation of the Biking Nicaraguan Federation.

The cycling course will have a grand opening to the public with its four categories:

Press conference.

  • Elite: expert competitive cyclists.
  • Master A: competitors between 40 and 50 years old.
  • Master B: cyclists of more than 50 years old.
  • Open: every competitor.
  • Bicycle tourists : non-competitive contemplative cyclists.
  • Female: cyclists ladies.
  • Beginners: inexperienced.

Organized by ViaNica.com. Apanas Tour and Soda El Tico, this is the first challenge of its kind in the North of Nicaragua and will be the first of a regional event series that is looking forward to attract the public to emerging touristic destinations. "Dare to come and put your noses in the pure air of the Jinotegan mountains", invited Róger Solórzano Gaitán, President of ViaNica.com during the presentation Conference.

Silvia de Levy, president of the National Chamber of Tourism (CANATUR) – organization that supports the event-, expressed in front of the media that this is a way to get the brightness to a 'rough diamond' that is Nicaragua. Roberto J. Matus, Director of the Conservation and Sustainable Tourism Program, financed by the United States Agency for International Development –USAID-, main sponsor of the challenge, stated that he was proud of the initiative and identified it as a great way to attract environmentally friendly tourists.

Details of the competition

Felipe Zeas, of Apanas Tour, explained that the route has a distance of 49.5 miles of which 90% are rustic roads on the shores of Apanas Lake, forests and waterfalls in the Natural Reserve Datanlí El Diablo, between coffee plantations, rural communities and stunning mountain landscapes. The maximum height of the course shall exceed 1,500 meters above sea level, explained Zeas.

Besides of having the Firefighters, Red Cross and Police assistance , the event logistic provides refreshment points every 12.4 miles where volunteers will provide hydration and assistance to participants. A mobile unit will be monitoring from behind to assist any cyclist in need during the whole journey.

On Friday March 1 will be held a meeting with the participants in the city of Jinotega, as well as activities for the public attending the competition. The awards ceremony will take place on Sunday March 3, with a closing ceremony. The organizers shall provide for viewers cultural activities and guided tours.

How to participate

'We are going to bring along all the cyclists of the country', said Jader Grijalva, President of the Biking Nicaraguan Federation. Grijalva indicated that they are already excited with the participation of some of the clubs in the Pacific, and so are expecting the participation of at least a 150 competitive cyclists.

The registration will cost US$50 for international cyclists and US$20 for nationals. This cost will include an official shirt, accident insurance for the event and dinner during the meeting, said Felipe Zeas.

Those interested can register from now and until March 1. The applications can be made in person, or through a page and tool of electronic payment that available below:

Registration

Online registration here: Registration Desafío MTB Datanlí El Diablo

In person:
Managua: Tienda ProRider.
Address: Entrada principal la sierrita, 100mts, oeste reparto Santo Domingo.
Telephones: (505) 2276 0159 and 8257 4582
Opening hours; Mon - Fri: 10 AM - 6 PM; Sat: 9 AM - 2 PM

Granada/Masaya: INTUR Delegation offices
Opening hours: 8 AM - 1 PM

Challenge MTB Datanlí El Diablo map

Translated by Olga Ortiz Kurashvili