ST JAMES, Jamaica — Former interim president of the Jamaica Cycling Federation and CEO of Discover Jamaica by Bike, Dennis Chung, says the event is a significant step in the long-awaited push into a highly lucrative niche within the tourism sector.

“We have spoken about health tourism a while but this really is really first push into it,” he told the Observer Online Wednesday.

On Thursday there will be a welcome reception for the 35 to 40 participants expected to join this year’s event which runs from May 1 to 6. The ride is in its sixth staging and Chung ¬– who is also Chief Technical Director at the Financial Investigations Division – is the organiser. He is promising another fun-filled experience for cyclists from all over the world as they take their two-wheeled trek across Jamaica.

“The objective of the ride now – apart from us having fun as cyclists, because we love to suffer and do all those long rides – is that we want to create an impact on tourism and this is why the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) is behind us significantly,” Chung said.

“We want to give the local people opportunities. Right now we also include some local people who are cyclists who act as tour guides for people – even outside of our ride – that come in to do rides on their own. It’s growing from that point of view and we think that this really is the first major push into what is health tourism,” he added.

As they Discover Jamaica by Bike riders will be able to take in the sights and enjoy the local cuisine at every stop.

“It really is a way to positively impact tourism and the hotel sector and also the local vendors and local restaurants,” explained Chung.

“We are expecting about 35 persons to do all six days. What happens during the ride is that people normally join us, so sometimes the numbers go up significantly; but consistently throughout the ride we are looking at about 35 to 40 for all six days,” he said.

The ride around the country begins in Montego Bay.

“It is easier for persons to get flights into Montego Bay, there are a lot more options and the airport is actually closer to the hotels,” Chung explained.

“That first day we ride from Montego Bay to Negril. We get to Negril, we have some fun, spend some time on the beach, go to local restaurants and while we are going down we stop at local vendors,” he said.

The formula is repeated the next day during the ride from Negril to Mandeville. There will be gastronomical delights available from popular spots at Border – which straddles St James and St Elizabeth – and Middle Quarters in St Elizabeth. The sustenance will be important as day two covers one of the more gruelling parts of the almost six-day event.

“At the end of it we have the long climb up Spur Tree Hill which is one of the major challenges,” Chung said.

“Then on the third day we are riding from Mandeville into Kingston – and again to do our local stops –and when we get to Kingston we go out and eat at the local restaurants,” he added.

Participants who have done the event before will likely be pleased to return to Portland which has been a big hit with cyclists in the past.

“It is actually a very beautiful ride and it showcases how St Thomas and Portland has transformed in terms of the road infrastructure. People do love it as it now,” said Chung.

After a day of leisurely exploring Portland, the group will head back to St James. There will be lunch in Ocho Rios along with rehydration stops at coconut vendors along the way.

Chung explained that cyclists usually stay a few days longer after the event ends.

“It’s really vacation time for people and cyclists know if you can mix cycling with tourism and having fun, it’s a good thing for us,” he said.