Tour of Bohol puts province on tourist map

MANILA, Philippines - Rep. Arthur Yap (3rd District, Bohol) has thrown his total support to the first ever Tour of Bohol, a two-day cycling race which he hopes will jumpstart Bohol’s sports tourism campaign and make the province, already known for its Chocolate Hills and tarsiers, a sports destination for local and international events.

On the last weekend of September, the Tour of Bohol will take amateur riders to a tour of nature, on a route mapped out against the backdrop of a spectacular coastline, picture perfect mountains and broad, flat lands where the air is fresh and the grass is green.

“In this two-stage cycling event we hope to jumpstart the promotion of Bohol not only as a tropical tourist haven but also as an exciting sports destination. The participants will experience on two wheels the beauty of Bohol’s third district, particularly the view of its pristine beaches,” said Yap.

Composed of 19 municipalities, the third district of Bohol is gaining popularity for its world-renowned Chocolate Hills, Loboc River Cruise and tarsiers. 

However, there are still many other prospective tourism spots that are ready for promotion, Yap said. 

Starting and finishing at the Loay Municipal Hall, the bikefest zooms off with a 90-kilometer road race on Sept. 24. The next day, a 20-km individual time trial will be staged.

All amateur riders are eligible to race in the Tour of Bohol.  Separate awards await the top 3 per stage. The top 3 racers on the distaff side will also get their own separate awards if there are at least eight participants in their category.  

The highly advanced Bike King Mylaps PRO CHIP timing system will be employed. 

Aside from the third District of Bohol, the bikefest is also sponsored and supported by Explore Bohol, Aboitiz Power, Unilab, Active Health, Pocari Sweat, Timex, Bike King, Orbea Bicycles, Corratec Bicycles, Corima Racing Wheels, Knog, Polar Insulated Bottles, Weekend Warrior and the Triathlon Association of the Philippines under Tom Carrasco.

The Philippine STAR is also lending its support to the event along with Summit Media, Women’s Health magazine, Men’s Health magazine and Runner’s World.

  Registration is ongoing at BIKE KING, B:1 Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City (tel. No. 02 8563362), 11 a.m.-10 p.m. everyday; Bohol-Cong. Yap’s District Office, Provincial Capitol Complex, Tagbilaran City (038 5018183/ Juliet or Eluna); Cebu-Dan’s Bike Shop (032 2369221) and Bacolod City- Dan’s Bike Shop (034 4410405).

 Entry fee is P1,000 per stage. Fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. Entry deadline is Sept. 23.

  For inquiries, call up race organizer Raul Cuevas at (email) [email protected] <http://aa.mc338.mail.yahoo.com/mc/[email protected]> at telephone number 02-8563362.