The unique geography of the Caribbean’s Anguilla asserts the beautiful destination as a paradise for … [+]
The unique geography of the Caribbean’s Anguilla asserts the beautiful destination as a paradise for cyclists. With the landscape changing from gentle hills to flat, beach-adjacent roads, a bike ride on this island can be both exciting and relaxing. The growth of Anguilla’s sizable biking community has led to the creation of the Anguilla Cycling Association, which promotes biking and a healthy lifestyle for both locals and visitors. Here are just 4 of the top reasons that Anguilla is a paradise for those who love to go for a bike ride to discover a destination.
Climate
Anguilla’s climate can be described as tropical since it is hot year-round with a slightly cooler period from December to March. The island doesn’t typically see heavy rain volumes but expect most of it to fall from August to November. Similar to other tropical climates, when it rains it is usually in the form of downpours or thunderstorms. It is recommended for the most pleasant biking experience to go between the months of December to April as the temperatures are a bit cooler.
Biking Trails
One of the reasons why Anguilla is such an ideal place for cycling is due to its size. The whole island is just over 16 miles long and 3 miles wide, making it easy to navigate. Cyclists registered with Anguilla Cycling Association (ACA) ride daily beginning at 5 am. Visitors are welcome to join on the early morning rides, which begin centrally and go to the island’s eastern end and back.
Hasani Hennis of Team Anguilla competes during the Men’s Individual Time Trial Final on day seven of … [+]
Competitive Road Biking
In Anguilla, competitive road biking is enormous as a sport and loved by many. Every year in July, the Anguilla Cycling Association organizes the John T. Memorial Cycling Race. This is one of the most significant cycling events not just on the island but in the whole Caribbean. This annual race honours the memory of Anguilla cycling pioneer John Thomas, an advocate of cycling, who spent much of his time and money developing the sport on Anguilla. The elite race is 80 miles (128 kilometres) with the previous year boasting 90 participants. In 2018, Anguillan local, Hasani Hennis, became the first Anguillan to win the race. Hennis then proceeded to go on and come in first again in 2019.
Biking The Beaches
Anguilla lies between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It is typically a flat island with slight elevations that aren’t significant. The island is known for its many beautiful bays, such as Barnes Bay and Shoal Bay, as well as its stunning beaches that can be enjoyed year-round.
As Anguilla is a relatively small island, it isn’t unheard of to navigate it from end to end in a … [+]
The roads in Anguilla can swerve at times and be narrow, so if it’s your first time on the island, a guide is recommended. The overall quality of the roads is good but watch out for potholes and other vehicles as there are no designated bike lanes. The east side of the island is less populated, and as a result, there are fewer cars on the road, which makes for a pleasant ride. The north offers routes with a higher elevation for more experienced riders. Here, the beautiful Shoal Bay can also be found, an idyllic two-mile stretch of perfect white sand beaches lined with coconut trees. This is the ideal place to stop for a while and enjoy some refreshing beverages, eat lunch and take in the view of the cerulean waves. As Anguilla is a relatively small island, it isn’t unheard of to navigate it from end to end in a single day. In this respect, the island can be thought of as one, continuous trail – the bike ride of a lifetime across 33 stunning, white sand beaches.
