By Shandra Keesecker-Rivero
There are those who celebrate anniversaries with cake and balloons, and others who celebrate with a 40 or 60 kilometer bike race along the Coastal Highway just North of Puerto Peñasco. On Sunday, October 6th the Pelicanos de Peñasco (a.k.a Team Peñasco) bike club will be celebrating its 5th year with the latter, with start off time scheduled for 8 a.m. at the Barclin’s Circle K along the Puerto Peñasco – Sonoyta Highway.
The race, which has grown significantly over the past 5 years, is expecting the participation of at least 100 cyclists with bike teams coming in from Hermosillo, Caborca, Nogales, Cananea, Chihuahua, and Baja California, as well as of course the Pelicanos Team from Puerto Peñasco! Registration is just 100 pesos and there will be free t-shirts to the first 70 registrants! Race organizers and fellow Pelicano teammates Roberto Fierro and Charlie Muratore explain there will be a chance to register on Saturday Oct. 5th just prior to the race, from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. at Plaza la Madre next to the baseball stadium. Early morning registration begins at 7 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 6th, at the Barclin’s Circle K. Race starts at 8 a.m.!!
As in previous years, the Pelicanos Anniversary Race will include categories for both men and women. The women’s field is open to all women, all ages (generally starting at about 15 or so), and involves a 40 km stretch from Barclin’s to the first rest stop on the Coastal Highway. In the men’s division there is a Libre division (ages 15 to 45) and a Veterans category (45+). The men’s route spans 60 km, also along the Coastal Highway and back to Barclin’s. Racers will make their way back to Barclin’s where prizes will be given out at around 11 a.m. This year’s trophies are magnificent Pelicanos (what else?) that will go to the first three finishers in each category.
Fierro, President of the Pelicanos club, explains they believe professionals who come to race will take about an hour t
o 1.5 hours along the course, while there will be an additional 1.5 hours for participants to make their way to the finish line. Don’t fret, there will be assistance and support along the route for anyone who may not quite be up to finishing the whole race on their own two wheels. Plus, he adds, this year they will be adding a special “surprise” award for let’s say not necessarily the fastest.
Pelicanos club Secretary Charlie Muratore, avid cyclist himself and fresh off the annual twice a year Rosarito Ensenada Bike Ride, explains the Coastal Highway is the perfect stretch for the club’s annual race as it has wide shoulders and not as much traffic. In the past, the race had been held along the road to Caborca but that proved to be too complicated.
Cycling itself is a growing sport in Puerto Peñasco, and the dozen or so members of Pelicanos de Peñasco are leading the pack as they hope to continue to grow this event while also drawing more people to the sport. This year’s event includes many more sponsors than in the past, including the Hotel Mar y Sol which is on board with special cycling packages! Additional sponsors include Don Julio’s, EcoFun, Barclin’s, Tequila Peñasco, Vigamex, Coca Cola, Easy Walls, and Erick’s Burgers, among others. We also hear Vitality Spa will be on hand to give cyclists shoulder and neck massages at accessible prices.
So, if you’re headed to Rocky Point this weekend (yeah, we’ve got a line-up of concerts for you as well), be sure to bring a bike and help celebrate the Pelicanos’ 5th anniversary on Sunday, Oct. 6th. You’ll be done just in time for a leisurely drive North, or a great afternoon on the beach!
What: Pelicanos 5th Anniversary Bike Race (40 km and 60 km) 3 separate categories
When: October 6th 8 a.m.
Where: Departs from and returns to : Barclin’s Circle K (Puerto Peñasco – Sonoyta Highway)
Cost: 100 pesos (about $10 US) FREE T-shirts to first 70 registrants!
For more information or to pre-register, contact Charlie in Puerto Peñasco: 638-380-5028 or from the US: 520-907-4348. Email: charlie@rockypoint.com