Tour of Bahamas

As the 2012 racing season nears, the winter months ahead present a mental and physical hurdle for every cyclist that lives in a colder climate. Based out of New York City and the surrounding region, the Stan’s NoTubes/AXA Equitable Elite Cycling Team understands these challenges first hand. The majority of our competitors are afforded the professional luxury to venture to Tucson, Arizona or Southern California for the next few months to log miles in the warm sunshine. Our difficulties are compounded by the fact that nearly everyone on the Stan’s NoTubes/AXA team owes “The Man” at least 40 hours each week. The extended hours on the trainer and the seemingly relentless weather and darkness can make even the most dedicated rider lose focus.

Last January, we found the perfect remedy to the winter training blues. One Friday afternoon six of us took the afternoon away from our jobs and boarded a Jet Blue flight from Laguardia airport. Three hours later, we were living the island life at The Tour of the Bahamas welcome party. The weekend that followed was a wonderful whirlwind of racing, riding and relaxing on the beach.

The Tour of The Bahamas provides the perfect excuse to get out of the weather and head south for a short time trial and two moderate road races. There are races available for all categories, including Juniors and Women. The largest hill on the island is about as daunting as Harlem Hill in Central Park, and let’s face it, it’s January… so there’s no need to be in peak form. All three races start at the same location, a gentle 15 mile spin from the race hotel. While rental vehicles are available, we opted to ride to the start of each race to maximize our warm weather riding. We capped off our results (2nd prologue, 1st road race and 2nd GC) with an evening of local entertainment and fresh fish at the fish fry (just tell the taxi driver on Sunday evening – “take me to the fish fry”). With the addition of a short spin before boarding the flight back to the frigid north on Monday morning, we netted just shy of 300 miles of “winter” training… and we were back to work by noon.

If the boost in motivation and the added fitness are not reason enough to make the Tour of The Bahamas your first 2012 race, the sun, fun, beach and food should get you there. The flight is reasonably cheap, the logistics are easy and the weather is warm. The promoter has even negotiated a discounted rate at the beachside Wyndham Nassau Resort & Crystal Palace Casino for $109 a room. Hope we will see you there January 27-29, 2012.

Our team had a great time at this race and we wanted to share the experience with everyone freezing their butts off in the North East.

For more info please visit:
www.tourofthebahamas.com