The countdown is on with less than a week to go. If you are thinking about New Year’s Day, then you are on the right track. But I am not talking about any celebration of the sort. I am talking about the 17th riding of the annual KREM New Year’s Day Cycling Classic.
This is the first main event on the cycling calendar and over the years has gained a lot of prestige and size; especially where prizes are concerned.
This is no ordinary race. Apart from physical strength, fitness and stamina, this race is mostly about discipline. And this is what separates the serious cyclists from the recreational cyclists.
You can train the hardest, have the best sponsors and equipment, be in the best of shape all year round and win all the races. All that does not mean jack if you do not have the discipline to maintain a healthy diet and strict training regimen through the Christmas season.
But really, why bother? Cycling is a grueling and expensive sport that requires a lot of dedication. Here in Belize, it can be considered as an expensive hobby. Unlike top professional cyclists from abroad, Belizean cyclists have to work.
A top cyclist requires six months of preparation leading up to a particular race. The average hours per week spent in training are about 23-25 hours (3 hours per day during weekdays and 5 hours per day on weekends). Weekdays are critical because most cyclists have to get up very early in the morning to train and make it to work by 8 o’clock. Some are fortunate to get time off from work to train, especially if they are employed by their sponsors.
The cost of a good bike, complete with all the trimmings, can range between $3,000 to as high as $10,000 or even higher. A cyclist can spend a hefty sum on maintenance and parts for a bike. When considering $300-$400 per month on daily nutrition (not including race day), it is amazing why some cyclists really bother, knowing the financial hard times.
So again, why bother? Well, for the serious cyclists… the answer is real simple. For the glory!!! Knowing that you have sacrificed and trained hard and have the desire to be the best in this exciting sport. People may argue that cycling is a team sport, which is true to a certain extent. I am not a cyclist, but I am sure that when it comes down to the nitty-gritty, everyone wants to win. And, unlike the word “team” you can find an “i” in cycling.
So who will win the 17th annual KREM New Year’s Day Cycling Classic? I have no clue. There are 3 two-time champions, but there has never been a back-to-back champion.