Despite sticky weather, scores of biking enthusiasts turned up to participate in the Qatar Chain Reaction (QCR)-backed first Mountain Bike Festival yesterday morning.
Starting from a vacant lot near the Civil Defence at 8.30am, the race, which had ladies, open (all ages up to 39 years), and masters (40 years and above) categories included laps ranging from 4km to 16km and.
The 16km (4 laps) open race was won by Jens Poulsen, while 16km (4 laps) masters was clinched by Murray Thomas. Thomas’s wife, Helen was declared the ladies winner
(8kms/2 laps).
Kids ranging 13 years (oldest) to five years (youngest) also pedalled during the festival.
“Recreational cycling doesn’t actually spring to mind when one thinks about Qatar. However, you would be surprised about the number of people interested and enthusiastic about cycling, both road and mountain biking,” said Suzette Lang, one of the core members of the QCR, a newly-formed multicultural community of recreational cyclists.
QCR has over 150 registered members, and is growing, as evident from the turnout, said the organisers.
“QCR started with a few individuals coming together to cycle to Al Khor early weekend mornings, later developing into an e-mail distribution list to, as of today, a community of more than 160 cyclists of all ages, with over 20 nationalities,” Lang told Gulf Times.
“We are trying to promote the fun of cycling to everyone living in Qatar, and invite more people to come out and join Qatar Chain Reaction. We are also speaking with the Qatar Cycling Federation, who is supportive of our efforts,” the official said.
The community, according to her, continues to grow by about five members a week, not all of them cyclists, and is open to all living in Qatar.
The next QCR event will be held on November 13. More information on QCR can be obtained through
[email protected].
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