Oceana’s Ride Across Belize Passes Through the Old Capital
Ride for Belize; Ride with OCEANA…it’s an initiative of the conservation organization to bring awareness to the Belizean populace on the importance of preserving our waters, fisheries and the barrier reef. The ride officially got underway this morning from Corozal and a number of cyclists—including athletes—joined in on the cause and took the eighty-five mile ride to Belize City. The pelathon made its way to the offices of the Belize Audubon Society and today, News Five got an update from National Grassroots Coordinator, Amelita Knowles, on the success of the first leg of the ride.
Amelita Knolwes, National Grassroots Coordinator, OCEANA Belize
“The turnout started slow and as we came along we met other riders who wanted to start…but they didn’t brave the cold this morning. Along the way however, we ended up with about thirty-five, forty riders…at nineteen miles, the cutoff going to Maskall. Other than that it went very well Duane…no rain along the highway, when we entered the city; a little drizzle so it was just very cool.”
Duane Moody
“I think it was really successful in that you guys reached here actually earlier than expected. I know it was after twelve that you guys were expected to be here.”
Amelita Knolwes
Amelita Knolwes
“Yes we planned to start at six and we did. And we plan to start at six tomorrow morning from the Belize Audubon office by the Memorial Park.”
Duane Moody
“Where to next?”
Amelita Knolwes
“To San Ignacio where we will have a stop in Belmopan tomorrow by the OCEANA office and then we move to San Ignacio town by the Guava Limb Café.”
Duane Moody
“Now talking about bringing that awareness of the importance of protecting our oceans and our barrier reef…have you found that these persons that are participating are actually receptive to that…bringing about that awareness?”
Amelita Knolwes
“Definitely Duane. We have seen them out at the cayes; they are fishermen, not cyclists. We know that they are lovers of the beaches so that also plays a key role because they are not just cyclists out there riding, but they know they are riding for a cause so we are getting the support from them as well.”
Duane Moody
“Now just reiterate for us how people can of course register because the registration continues tomorrow and for the rest of the right noh?”
Amelita Knolwes
“Yes, the registration fee is twenty-five dollars a day. You know one day is gone and you have three more days. Before we had if you signed up for four days you get an OCEANA jersey. You can still pay the hundred dollars and get the jersey. Everyday there is sign up at our starting points. And that is tomorrow, registration starts at five a.m. And including in that registration, they get their power gels, their power bars, they get servicing along the highway and also their meal at the end of the race and a continental breakfast early in the morning to get started.”
Starting at six a.m. on Friday, participants will ride to San Ignacio, making a stop at the OCEANA headquarters in Belmopan.
