TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA) --Boholano bike group, Bike Ta Bai (BtB), is set to hold the BtB Epic Challenge 4 on December 3. 

Presenting itself as an epic bike challenger destination for extreme adventure sports tourists, BtB presents a challenge to those who could not get enough of the adventure, sights, and the good company.  

Now accepting registrations for two-man teams of mountain bikers, BtB has now opened their Facebook page. 

Competing teams are not allowed to separate and must work in tandem to complete the self-sufficiency challenge in either 50 or 100-kilometer cross-country mountain-biking categories.

Registration can be done online through MegaTech Ph, www.megatechph.com/events/btb-epic-challenge-4, or onsite at Gerisonic Electronic & Communication System, Maria Clara Street, Tagbilaran City, Bohol, in front of the University of Bohol.

In a race with a format where competing teams follow a global positioning system application and racers can download on their smartphones or bike computers, race organizers this time will also place marshals and signs in technical sections and inconspicuous turns.

During the last three BtB races, bike tandems had to fend for themselves once they miss a turn or their navigator failed to direct the team to the race course.

In the previous epic challenges, teams from as far as Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Cebu, Siquijor, Leyte and Mindanao have described the BtB as challenging, energy sapping, and capable of breaking up the team’s spirit and every rider’s resolve to survive.

The route during the BtB Epic Challenge 4 is not as filled with killer climbs and nerve-wracking descending sections as it was during the previous race course, which brought bikers atop the Maribojoc mountains. 

Still, the organizers have ensured that this year, the teams get to experience epic bike routes, breathtaking views, and trails not often trekked by bikers.

“It is generally rideable, though,” assured Gerry Marmito, BtB president and mountain and road bike rider.

Although the early bird registration had already passed, registration for the 100-kilometer ride at P4,400 per team and the 50-kilometer ride at P3,200 per team is still open.

The registration fees covers the event shirt, finishers shirt, metal medal, race bib with timing chip, after race meal, and an electronic certificate, organizers said.

The 100-kilometer ride is open for Open Elite, All Female Open, age categories at 18 and below with a parental letter of consent, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, and 50 and above.

The 50-kilometer fun ride is for open male and female where the overall winner for male and female teams get cash prize and plaques. 

 Finishers will receive acrylic medals, event shirt, race bib with timing chip, after race meal, and e-certificate.

Throughout the race, electronic and gravel bikers in the 100-kilometer category will get the medal and finisher's shirt but will not be able qualify for podium finishes, organizers said. (RAHC/PIA Bohol)