Before crossing the finish line, the 3000 estimated participants in the XVII Annual Ride Around Lake Arenal, must spend two days on their bicycles and cover 137 kms, across rivers, trails and roads.
This event has already become a Mountain Bike Classic in Costa Rica. It will be held on the 16th and 17th of February, in the area of Tilaran, a small town located 2000 kms northwest of the country's capital, in the province of Guanacaste.
The Arenal Volcano is a giant that has been active for years, and displays the most amazing lava eruptions that can be seen all around the volcano, during the summer nights like the ones we have now. On the skirts of the volcano, lies the Lake Arenal which is the biggest in the country. It is an artificial lake and it was created in 1974 as part of a reservoir that provides a great amount of Costa Rica's electrical supply.
It has an area of 5208 ha and on the third week of Febuary, hundreds of cyclist will go around its perimeter. More than a competition this is a recreational event, of course there will be the ones who cross the line first, but what makes this a truly great event is that everybody can be a part of it, from kids all the way to elderly folks. Along the way, you can see entire families winding through the trails or battling against the steep hills.
The adventure
Of course, this does not mean this is an easy event. To endure having to make the bike go round, takes preparation and will. The famous event starts off on Saturday at 9 a. m, from Tilaran park. Resides the effort, the scenery is breathtaking. Many times along the way the perfect cope of the volcano can be seen guarding the way, and in other segments one rides right next to the lake.
There are parts were the trails become very narrow, and even full of mud if it has rained the night before. One the first day 60 kms will be covered and ends at a tiny town, called El Castillo, housing only a few locals, and for that night becomes the meeting place of all the mountain bikers. Most of which will set camp in the town square and will take a dip in a river that runs nearby.
Towards the finish line
The night goes by really fast, and once again the athletes are back on their bikes in search of the finish line. This 70 km day is mainly asphalt, that curves around the lake and faros. The scenery is amazing all along the way, but also are the hills. Every biker must focus on the way, due the the steep almost endless slopes.
Quite often along the way you may see long rows of cyclists struggling to get to the top of each new hill. After a day of definite hard work come a few kilometers of downhill and then they will find themselves again in Tilaran Park. Mission accomplished, a whole weekend of constant pedaling and courage, around Costa Rica's biggest lake.
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