La Vuelta Puerto Rico: FAQs: All the Answers In One Place

What the Riders had to Say:

The organization was perfect, the support offered was world class and the route changes were a tremendous improvement and the food was the best of any event I've taken part in.

Mark Smith, 2006, 2008, 2009

Tortola, BVI

FAQs: All the Answers In One Place

FAQ Categories: General Info | Training |

Where can my family meet me along the tour?

Is this a tour or a race?

Does everyone really ride together?

What if I can’t make it?

Do I have to stay in one of the hotels mentioned on the Vuelta website?

Can my family/friends ride a part of the Vuelta with me?

How fast does Group A “really” ride?

I am coming from outside of Puerto Rico and will be bringing my bike in a box. Can someone help me get it set up?

Where can my family meet me along the tour?

We hope that you bring your family and friends to enjoy Puerto Rico as you ride the VUELTA! Your guests should plan to meet you in the destination city at the conclusion of each day. Alternate route sheets will be available for guests to travel to each location ahead of the peloton. If your guests choose to follow the peloton the entire day, they must ride behind the last SAG/EMS vehicles. Driving a vehicle behind participants is strongly discouraged.

Is this a tour or a race?

La Vuelta Puerto Rico is a non-competitive, recreational tour of the island of Puerto Rico. There are no timing devices used and no prizes awarded for finishing in a certain amount of time. When cyclists finish La Vuelta, they will receive a finisher’s medal. It’s that simple!

Having said this, we remind you that Group A rides at 25-30 mph all day, Group B rides at 20-25 mph all day and Group C rides at 18-20 mph the entire day. Be ready, this tour is NOT for the casual cyclist.

Does everyone really ride together?

Yes. The 2012 La Vuelta Puerto Rico will again offer 3 different Pace Groups to accommodate different anticipated speeds, but the groups really do stay together. Since the Puerto Rico Police and Municipal Police Departments will often be holding back traffic at major intersections, riding together ensures that everyone gets where they have to go at the same time. Riding together also allows cyclists to enjoy the slipstream created by the peloton…after 100+ miles, you might enjoy a little “draft”!

What if I can’t make it?

The Vuelta Puerto Rico is considered a “challenging” tour, some even consider it "tough". We suggest that cyclists make every effort to train appropriately and arrive in Puerto Rico ready to ride 375 miles in 3 days. However, unforeseen events can and will arise. If you find yourself unable to keep up with your chosen pace group, go ahead and drop back to the one that better suits your ability on any given day. If you find that you are unable to stay with the Group C riders (the slowest that goes at 18-20 mph all day) in the very back of the pack, consider hopping into one of the SAG vehicles and calling it a day. Doing otherwise will have you riding alone in our roads which are just as safe or dangerous as any other part of the world.

Do I have to stay in one of the hotels mentioned on the Vuelta website?

While you do not "have to" stay at one of the hotels mentioned on the website, you will find that it is certainly in your best interest to do so. Luggage pick-up and drop-off will only take place at the hotels that have been designated through the Vuelta. Also, the Vuelta Group Discount only applies to hotels that are mentioned on this site.

Can my family/friends ride a part of the Vuelta with me?

No. Family members and friends are welcome to join you at all of the parties, celebrations, etc. Due to safety/liability issues, only registered cyclists may ride the Vuelta.

How fast does Group A “really” ride?

We are honored, year after year, by the extremely high caliber of athletes who participate in the Vuelta. It is not uncommon to find several professional cyclists and triathletes at the head of the peloton. The pace of Group A is fast. Speeds are 25 to 30 mph all day, non stop, and this group can and does go a lot faster in certain spots. In 2011, this group rode in flat sections at sustained 40 mph. Hammerheads, this group is for you!

I am coming from outside of Puerto Rico and will be bringing my bike in a box. Can someone help me get it set up?

Please see the Sponsors page for a list of local bike shops that will be happy to assist you.