Crankers call on community to get on their bikes

(CNS): The Cayman Islands first ever cycling club 53//11 Crankers is working with the Cayman Islands Cycling Association (CICA) to promote cycling awareness and events on the island. Promoting fitness through cycling and the bicycle as an alternate means of transport to cut down on traffic, the new club is backing the islands first ride to work month this February. Crankers also plans to attract more young people and women to the sport by holding clinics on proper riding etiquette in a safe environment so that they can build confidence before reclaiming the roads, said Barry Jones, Founder of 53/11 Crankers Cycling Club and Vice President of the Cayman Islands Cycling Association.

The club has plans to run an awareness campaign in conjunction with all the stake holders which include CICA, NRA, the RCIPS and the Auto Association to name a few, to promote safety not only for cyclist but for all road users.

Jones explained that to launch the new club, Crankers is planning a series of races to create the Cayman Challenge Cycle Series. After the Ten Sails Cycle Challenge which took place over the Heroes weekend in East End the next two races will make up the Cayman Brac Bluff Challenge in April with the Estella Roberts Memorial Road Race (distance TBC but no more than 60 miles) on 24th and the Bluff Time Trial on 25th on the Brac. The Tour De GC on June 12 and 13 will include the Beatman Ebanks Memorial Road Race (distanceTBC.Race passing through each District) and the Criterium

“The race on the Brac is one that I can’t wait for. We have not held an event on the Brac in over 20 years,” said Jones. “As part of this inaugural event Crankers has invited Endurance Cycle Club out of Jamaica which has some top, present and future, talent in its membership.”

Aside from organizing races the club is also busy bolstering its membership and is proud to announce Peter Stetina of Team Garmin-Cervelo and Peter Luttenberger a former pro as honorary members. Stetina, was recently in the Cayman Islands where he spoke at some of our schools and was later joined on island by the rest of the Garmin-Cervelo team which held their first training camp in preparation for the 2011 season here — a first for the Islands.

The clubs name comes from the hardest gear commonly used in road racing a 53 tooth chain ring up front part of the crank and an 11 tooth sprocket part of the free wheel/body on the back. At 90 rpm of the crank which is considered optimal cadenceyou can power a bicycle to approx. 34 mph using that combination and upwards of 40 mps in full sprint.

“Not everyone loves racing a bicycle like I do,” said Jones “But most have ridden a bicycle at some point and know the freedom that it gives. In no other sport do you get to travel great distance at relative speed through country sides up the side of a mountain. You get to take in breath taking sceneries while getting fit and staying healthy. Also most of my best ideas like this club were conjured up on the bike. I have seen quite a bit of the world on my bicycle.”

Jones said that Cayman has a great cycling legacy as its first medals at any games came from cycling. For a small cycling country he said it also boasts several Olympians, Carifta Champions and a even semi-pro. But after a lull in the sport Jones says he wants to make the Cayman Islands prominent in the Cycling world once more and encourage the community on to bikes.
Crankers along with CICA will promote the islands first ride to work month in February.

For more details check out Facebook (53//11 Crankers)