Though it is the ‘off-season’ for most of the professional road cyclists that does not mean only kicking back and taking time off. For the American U23 time trial champion Peter Stetina, who will make his professional debut with the Garmin-Transitions team in 2010, it meant heading down to warmer climates for some time trial work… and maybe a little time on the beach too.
Report from Peter Stetina:
The first time I went to the Cayman Islands was just for some fun in the sun with my girlfriend. I didn’t fly with a bike, as it didn’t even occur to me that anyone would ride on the tropical island. Flash forward two years — I was recently introduced to the Cayman Islands Cycling Association and met a huge group of serious cyclists and triathletes on the island. Now I have a bike vacation destination in the Caribbean!
Despite what many believe or may thing, riding is great down there. ou can do 4.5 hours and barely touch the same roads; and on the east end of the island there is little traffic and smooth pavement. My days consisted of riding hard and then relaxing on the beach with a pina colada, that’s the good life!
I was recently invited back for the Reefathlon Time Trial as a guest pro to try and break the course record. Dyanna (my girlfriend) and I got an amazing trip with some riding, scuba diving, snorkeling, sleeping on the beach, good food and drinks, along with a nice little November tan.
Getting invited down for that week definitely makes all the hours suffering in the saddle throughout the season worth it. Cayman is interested in becoming a cycling destination in the Caribbean and they are going to continue to hold events throughout the year. I can’t wait to go back!
Photos courtesy: Mike Nelson bonedryphoto.com
