Off-road challenge gets going in Nuvali

MANILA, Philippines - The Nuvali eco-community in Sta. Rosa and Calamba, Laguna becomes a biker’s hub and haven the next two days with the opening today of the Nuvali Outdoor Adventure Challenge Dirt Weekend.

Several events have been lined up to showcase the latest developments, gear and equipment in off-road biking at the newest and extensive 1,700-hectare mixed-use development by Ayala Land, Inc.

Today’s activities include a bike exhibit, expo and swap meet, where bikers can trade in their bike parts and accessories with their fellow riders

Tomorrow, competitive and weekend riders will get to flex their muscles and strut their skills with the staging of the cross country, four cross race and dirt jump competition.

The centerpiece event will be the 40-kilometer cross country mountain bike races in the Open/Elite, Youth (15-19-year-old), Sport (20-29), Executive (30-39), Masters (40-up), Women’s, kids (14 and below) and Beginner’s divisions.

Former Southeast Asian Games gold medalists Eusebio Quinones and Erick Feliciano and veteran RP female rider Marites Bitbit are among those vying in the cross country competitions passing through some of Nuvali’s breathtaking scenery.

Also on tap are four cross races in the Open, Intermediate, Beginners, Masters, Women’s and Kids categories.

Four cross is similar to motor cross, with riders using mountain bikes instead of motorcycles as they race through a route featuring a lot of obstacles such as jumps, berms, hoops and gaps.