1,000 cyclists gather in Subic

MANILA, Philippines – More than 1,000 cyclists and bike aficionados from 13 countries, including the Philippines, will flock to the Subic Bay Freeport today, in this year’s biggest and most challenging bicycle festival.

Dubbed the 2009 Terry Larrazabal Bike Festival (TLBF), the three-day cycling event, which started in 2002, will feature various bicycle races, demonstrations, and exhibits. The goal is to promote cycling as a way to be environmentally friendly.

The event will be attended by cyclists from Australia, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, the United States, and the UK.

"Again, this puts Subic in the map of sports tourism because the TLBF has also made a name in other countries," said Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Administrator Armand Arreza in a statement.

Festival director Gregorio Larrazabal said the event includes activities like the Mountain Bikes X-Country, Downhill Competition, 4X/Mountain Cross Challenge, Dirt Jumping and Trials Competition.