ENDURANCE CYCLING CLUB

Hey peeps,

It's that time of the year again. When we all pull out the bikes and clean them down for one of the most anticipated ride of the season. October 19th will be the official gathering of the "2013 JAMAICA BY BIKE" charity ride. This will showcase all level of cyclist from near and far, young and old, competitive athletes, recreational riders, as well as those that are willing to take on the challenge of competing a 158 mile ride. 

The training has began and we all have to put in the mileage to ensure we complete the distance. Continue the good work guys and see you all at the starting line in the next couple of weeks.

HEROLD J. BLISSETT MEMORIAL CLASSIC 2013

Hi everyone, the Herold J. Blissett Memorial Classic is here again. We at the Endurance Cycling Club will be giving it an all hands on deck approach and hope that it will transcend throughout the populous, for both cyclist and spectators alike.  It has been over a half of a century since the Blissett Cycling family has been promoting the sport we have all come to love so much. Let us help them promote this wonderful sport and develop this country we call home "JAMAICA". See you there people.

Septemberis the start of a new type of racing to hit main stream cycling. We have gone ahead and organized a fresh face to the sport in Portmore; it's the first of it's kind any were in Jamaica. What we are yapping about is the ECC SPRINT FEST 2K10. We are going to take the long laps of cycle racing and convert it to a charter format 200m & 300m sprints in a head to head competition, to see who is the faster over the distance. Come and see if you can lift the championship trophy for your class. Do you think you have what it takes? 
 

 THE CYCLE CONTINUES.........

Here is another event on the calendar for this year. It's a challenge of endurance and longevity. Do you think you could get there under the nine hour mark. Come lets see if you can measure up.

Sponsors join Kingston to Negril cycling event

Thursday, October 08, 2009

NCB Capital Market Limited announced its support for the sixth staging of the Kingston to Negril bicycle challenge and adventure on October 17 with over $1 million in sponsorship.

The company's marketing officer, Julian Patrick, made the announcement at a press briefing at the NCB Wellness and Fitness Centre in Kingston on Tuesday night.

(From left) Jamaica By Bike Captain Paul Goldon, NCB Foundation Thalia Lyn, vice-president of Client Services NCB Capital Markets Vernon James, brand manager Gatorade; Ayanna Kirton, president of the Jamaica Cycling Federation; Vaughn Phang, head of events/public relations at the Observer, Andre Reid are caught in a light mood at the launch of the Kingston to Negril bicycle challenge and adventure at the NCB Wellness and Fitness Centre in Kingston on Tuesday night. (Photo: Jermaine Barnaby)

The five-year-old ride, the only event of its kind in the country, presents a challenge for participants and has become an annual staple on the cycling calendar.

Paul Goldson - whose Jamaica By Bike organisation is staging the event - said after last year's renewal, which attracted some 180 cyclists, "this year's event is expecting to grow to nearly 200 cyclists, including overseas participation, especially since NCB, the major sponsors, and others have put full support behind the challenge which has added a new dynamic dimension to the event for charity".

Cyclists are expected to leave the National Commercial Bank's Atrium on Trafalgar Road at 4:00 am on Saturday, October 17, en route to Negril, using the South coast route.

The journey is expected to be covered in about eight hours, with rest stops at the Total Gas Station at Clarendon Park, NCB Mandeville Branch, Total Gas Station Santa Cruz, Total Gas Station Luana, NCB Savannah-la-Mar Branch and finally NCB Negril Branch.

Julian Patrick - NCB's market officer, wealth services - gave further details.

"Once an athletic endeavour is undertaken, bragging rights are always at stake. However, the reason for this challenge is to generate critical support for two of Jamaica's medical institutions, the Sir John Golding Rehabilitation Centre and the University Hospital of the West Indies Intensive Care Unit. NBC Capital Markets Ltd therefore has thrown its full support behind the event to the tune of over $1,000,000."

The NCB Foundation will also donate $100 up to a maximum of $50,000 for every rider who finishes the challenge and signs the NCB Foundation's graffiti board.

Vernon James, vice-president of client services, said when NCB Capital Markets was approached to be the main sponsors, "we saw an opportunity not only to support the lifestyles and passion of our clients, but also to have an opportunity to invest in the development of a world-class product by 2010".

"We believe that Jamaica is ideal for this kind of adventure in terms of terrain, temperature and technology, and envision that in 2011 the event will pull in hundreds of cyclists and supporters to the island."

Ayanna Kirton, Brand manager at Pepsi JA, said the charities were deserving and in addition to what her company has already committed, "we also want to make a further donation of $100,000 to the Rehabilitation Centres... to improving the lives of those in desperate need of physical rehabilitation".

This year's event will get unprecedented sponsor from Pepsi Cola JA, through its Gatorade and Aqua Essential water brands; JP Tropical Foods, official snack providers; Jamaica Observer, exclusive print and media partner; KFC, who will provide lunches for volunteers; IYA Ltd, contributing design services - volunteer shirts and graphics; and Total JA, the official fuel partner.

The Cutters Cycling Club of Kingston put on a series of exciting races at the Dover Raceway in St Ann on Easter Monday.

Champion cyclists from all over Jamaica competed against long-time rivals in each category. The field was made up of seasoned riders from Kingston, Portland, May Pen, Westmoreland and Montego Bay.

Also competing were national champions O'Neil Samuels and Tinga Turner, both of whom made represented Jamaica well at the recently held Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia.

Michael Daley (Montego Bay CC) and Marlo Rodman (Cutters CC), outstanding juniors (Under-17), won first and second positions, respectively. In the National Supply Classic (categories 3 & 4), O'Neil Sinclair, the strong, young rider from May Pen CC, took top honours.

In the Mother's Power Patty-Power Race (categories 1 & 2), O'Neil Samuels (May Pen CC) emerged victorious.

The most spectacular race of the day (Suzuki Grande Finale) was called the "Devil Takes The Hind Most" or "Devil's" race. This format calls for the last man across the start/finish line on each lap to drop out.

The race fans went wild, as they saw the full field of cyclists attacking each other on every lap of the hilly circuit. Samuels, a real talent, won this race as well.

Veteran cycling champion Albert Millen of the Cutters Club had the fans cheering him on all the way, only to be the last man taken out by the devil in the second to last lap.