Build | Race | Explore

Arrival (Tues, Jan 29, 2013)

As your plane descends into Port au Prince, you’ll cross far-reaching mountains and a sparkling Caribbean Sea. This is it. No going back. You’re here with your mountain bike and your racing heart; ready to take part in the country’s first international race. Over the next five days, you will be part of a unique cultural immersion and race experience. Get ready to soak in the sites, see local art, hear captivating music, visit with our partner organizations, engage with locals in their daily lives, and tackle one of the most challenging ascent stages in the world.

Airport The airport in Port Au Prince is comparable to most developing countries. When you exit the plane, you will load onto a bus for a short ride to the terminal. As you exit the bus, you will be greeted by a band introducing you to the music of Haiti.  You will proceed into a main hall featuring circulating fans and Customs officials.  After receiving your entry visa, you will collect your bags and bike and be greeted by MTB Ayiti representatives, who will escort you outside-and into the Haitian heat. This is where your adventure begins…
Busses & Transportation The MTB Ayiti team will load your bike and gear into trucks to be transported to the athlete hotel. Your bikes and gear will be guarded in a protected holding area until your arrival. We will have mechanics on site to provide any level of support you need prior to and during the race.
Tour You will get a brief overview of Port au Prince and a tour of some of the most innovative sustainability projects in the Caribbean.
Hotel Athletes will stay together in a hotel in Port au Prince. Rooms are double occupancy, so you will stay with a travel companion or fellow racer (Details to follow).  Hotels are modern, and offer standard comforts, with showers, private bathrooms and US electrical outlets.
Meals Evening meals will be served buffet style in a common area where participants can reflect on the day and share their experiences and observations. Food options will consist of Haitian specialties and western staples. While there may be some limitations, we will make best efforts to accomodate dietary preferences.
Cultural Immersion There will be nightly educational sessions and entertainment as described below, organized by our Outreach and Hospitality Director, Amy King. In Haiti, people largely live in harmony with the rising and setting sun, and particpants will be encouraged to wind down their day after the evening announcements are concluded. Naturally, a high priority is camaraderie, especially with the local Haitian racers, so small group sharing is encouraged. {Please enjoy a Prestige, the local beer which won the best ale at the World Beer Cup in 2012)

Daily Educational, Entertainment & Athlete Activities

Educational sessions Haiti was one of the first places Columbus spotted in the 'New World' and the very first European encampment was established when the Santa Maria sank off the coast and Columbus left the crew when he returned to Spain. Haiti was also the first independent black nation in the world, having won it's independence from France in 1802. The Citadelle, a UNESCO World heritage site, is the largest fort in the western hemisphere. There are many other fascinating historical stories that will be shared by academics and guides.
Culture & Entertainment The Haitian culture is a rich and diverse blend of African, French, and Caribbean. Each night, you will be treated to dancing, music, performances, ceremonies, and more. There will also be merchants with their crafts for sale so you can share this culture with your friends and family back home.
Holistic & Wellness There will be holistic wellness activities every evening throughout the Haiti Ascent experience, courtesy of our partners WellFit Institute, and led by Jill Wheeler. Mind-body-spirit meet at the Wellfit tent for daily yoga sessions, cycling-specific stretching and body-work, guided meditations and an opportunity to deepen the community through facilitated discussion as the Haiti Ascent experience unfolds. Allow the power of integrative, wellness practices to enhance your physical, cultural, spiritual and mental experience during Haiti Ascent. The one who wins is the one who has the most fun! Balancing heart-pumping, fast-pedaling legs and a racing passion with mindfulness and relaxation, Wellfit Institute welcomes you to restore and more.

Medical

World Class
Medical Attention		 Safety and Health is our TOP priority and we have assembled a top notch Medical Team to support this world class event. Led by Medical Director Eric Miller, the team has decades of experience as field medics, EMT's, and sports injuries. Some will be coming from the US, and the remainder are full time in Haiti, both native medical professionals and expats on rotation.
Race Coverage 'On Course' support, including ambulances, vehicles, equipment and additional personnel will be provided by Global DIRT, a US-based organization located in Haiti that has recently been contracted to help build out a nationwide Emergency Medical Response capability. We will have a full range of medical support capabilities to handle any possible medical injury or contingency. There will be medics at various fixed locations throughout the course as well as roving on motobike. There are 4WD ambulances, and Polaris ATV with backboards that can reach every part of the course.
Insurance As with any adventure travel, we are recommending that participants take out medical travel insurance.  We have a special discount rate from MedJet, or you can use your preferred partner.  Patients can be evacuated from PAP to Miami in as little as 90 minutes.

You can learn more about medical preparations and recommended immunizations here

Build Days – Stages 1 & 2 (Wed & Thurs, Jan 29 & 30, 2013)

Morning Haiti comes alive with the first hint of dawn, and your first morning will be memorable. You will hear chickens crowing, people singing, and horns blaring. We will have coffee brewing and breakfast options ready early to get you fueled for the day ahead.
Ecosystem Building Activities All participants, including the professional and amateur riders, along with event sponsors and organizers, will work side-by-side on mapping, trail improvements, skills training and local bike-related initiatives. This will help establish the core infrastructure needed to support recreational mountain bike adventure trips throughout the peak riding season (Oct-Mar), and will be a significant part of the legacy that particpants in the Haiti Ascent Stage Race leave behind.
Lunch Boxed lunches will be provided by the race organizers to ensure all participants have healthy and nutritious food and bottled water.
Tours There are a suprising number of programs focused on innovative solutions to problems like electricity, sanitation, recycling, etc, and we will offer tours to project sites where you can learn about ingenious and inspiring solutions.
Dinner and Activities Eat, drink, reflect, learn, commune, and prepare for the race stages ahead.

Course Map


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Race Day 1 – Stage 3 (Fri, Feb 1, 2013)
Today we will replace shovels with shifters, and test yourself on a CHALLENGING Ascent course. Our Race Director is Rick Sutton, founder of Sea Otter Classics and Plus3 Networks.  With 30 years of racing experience, you can count on this being a world class event.  Our Trail Specialist is Chris Kehmeier, from the IMBA Trail Development Team.  He claims this is one of them most challenging, stunning, and unique trails he has ever ridden.

Breakfast Eat a hearty meal and hydrate. You will be burning plenty of calories today!
Pack Gear This is your final morning in the comforts of the capital city, so pack up all your gear and equipment and drop it with the vehicles in front. Your belongings will be securely transported to the athlete village, waiting for you at the completion of Stage 3.
Course Description The race starts at the site of the National Palace (33m/107ft) with a neutral start through downtown Port au Prince towards Petionville on the outskirts. You will begin a gentle climb before the pace vehicle pulls off and the race truly begins. The 'breakfast wall' is approx 5000' of continous climbing, and is followed by a challenging traverse along the ridgeline of one of the most stunning mountain passes in the Americas. This stage finishes with an ascent of the 'Sole Collector' (named because it is so steep and rocky, it is strewn with the soles of shoes) to La Visite National Park, the last remaining protected forest in the country. Total distance is approximately 35 miles with 10,000 ft of climbing.
Aid Stations/Race Support There will be numerous aid stations along the course with sports drink and nutrition. There will also be mechanics on moto bikes with spare tubes and parts, and a SAG vehicle to ensure that every rider is fully supported to complete the stage.
Athlete Village Your mountain retreat at 6000 feet above sea level will be something that few, even in Haiti, have experienced. The high elevation means temperatures are cool and crisp, so make sure you have a fleece, long pants, and a warm hat. The tent city will be comprised of stand-up tents that comfortably accomodate you and your roommate. You will be provided with a mattress and fresh linens each day (pillow, linens, blanket). Each tent has a flashlight, and there will also be limited pathway lighting. Camp includes large communal tents for dining, entertainment, and cultural activities. There will also be showers to wash off the blood sweat and tears from a grueling ascent stage.
Dinner Snacks will be available for athletes arriving earlier in the day, and a warm meal with generous portions will be served in the evening to fuel you for the next day.
Evening Activities Rest and Restore

Race Day 2 – Stage 4 (Sat, Feb 2, 2013)

Breakfast Start your final race day with a cup (or several) of some of the best coffee in the western hemisphere, grown locally on coffee cooperatives located in some of the same areas where we will be riding.
Pack Gear Load your gear up and onto the vehicles so it will be waiting for you in Jacmel.
Course Description Stage 4 is a 45 mile stage beginning with a challenging and technical 25+ mile singletrack loop thru lush pine forest. After circling the top of the mountain, racers will tackle a contiguous technical 12 mile, 6000' descent to the coast, culminating with a seaside sprint finish in the city of Jacmel.
Athlete Village Much like the athlete village in the mountains, this tent city will feature 2-person tents for sleeping, communal tents for dining, showers, toilets, and secure storage for the bikes.
Lunch/Dinner We expect everyone to finish by early afternoon, and want to get everyone fed and ready for the evening festivities. Fuel up, because the final 'stage' is just ahead!
PARTY TIME The race was specifically timed to finish in Jacmel just as Carnival is kicking off. This is comparable to finishing a race in New Orleans on the first day of Mardi Gras! Once you start with the parties, you may not want to stop, so pack your bike and gear and get ready for the experience of a lifetime

Carnival
This will be a celebration you will remember for the rest of your life. There is simply no more fitting way to finish your extraordinary journey than as VIP guests for one of the biggest festivals in the Caribbean. You will be treated to a parade, dancing, singing, performances, and plenty of food and drink as you are escorted to the best parties in the country. Be prepared to dance into the wee hours!

Departure (Sun, Feb 3, 2013)
The busses will depart early for PAP. Bikes, Gear, and luggage will travel with you in the convoy back to Port au Prince for your return flight home.