The 2009 North Face Costa Rica Trophy Bike race drew 68 riders of varying levels—including French cross-country luminary Miguel Martinez—all eager to sample the country’s singletrack while soaking up the incredibly diverse scenery.
The three-day race took riders through a variety of ecosystems, from lush tropical jungles to steep volcanic mountains, starting from the Arenal Volcano and ultimately ending up in Monteverde, the capital of Costa Rica’s gold coast. The stages ranged in distance from 25 to 35 miles each and offered everything from buff singletrack to steep fireroad climbs, all punctuated by swift river crossings.
“The landscapes traversed are really beautiful, wild and varied,” said Martinez, the XC gold medalist of the 2000 Olympic Games, who finished fourth in the Costa Rica race. “This country is great for those who can enjoy these special moments in which they find themselves in postcard landscapes.”
