What to Know About Cycling in Anguilla: A Cyclist's Gem in the Eastern Caribbean
As a cycling enthusiast, I’m excited to share this article about cycling in Anguilla. The bones of it were put together by my friends over at Jesson and Company, a Toronto based PR firm, but I thought my readers might benefit from some of this info, and me adding my two cents as well!
The unique geography of the Caribbean’s Anguilla asserts this quiet destination as a paradise for cyclists. It is, hands down, one of the most beautiful places in the Caribbean.
With the landscape changing from gentle hills to flat, beach-adjacent roads, a bike ride on this island can be both exciting and relaxing.
The growth of Anguilla’s sizable biking community has led to the creation of the Anguilla Cycling Association, which promotes biking and a healthy lifestyle for both locals and visitors. The association also puts on many island-wide races.
As biking is arguably the most effective means to explore the island, Anguilla has a few, charming bike shops worth visiting, that invite you to rent bikes out for the day. Prices vary from $25 a day for a professional road bike to $10 a day for a mountain bike. There are early morning group rides with routes ranging from 15 to 25 miles for riders at all levels. In this edition of the Anguilla newsletter, we’ll tell you everything you need to know before you start pedalling, covering the island’s climate, its biking competitions, the best biking trails, and the magnetic appeal of bike rides on the world-famous beaches.
About Anguilla
For those unfamiliar with Anguilla, it’s a British overseas territory that is located in the Caribbean. Geographically speaking, it’s one of the northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles. It lies east of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, and a little bit north of Saint Martin.
Many people don’t realize that Anguilla is more than just one island. There is indeed the main island of Anguilla, which is about 26 kilometres long and 5 kilometres wide, but there are also a number of smaller islands and cays, almost all of which have no permanent population.
The capital is The Valley. It’s the main town on the island, and it has a population of around 1000 people.
The total population of Anguilla is around 15,000 people.
The Climate in Anguilla
Anguilla’s climate can be described as tropical since it is hot year-round with a slightly cooler period from December to March.
In the months of May to October, the average temperature is 30° Celsius, but thankfully the sea breezes offset the heat, creating the perfect climate for cyclists, though be sure to have plenty of water on hand!
The island doesn’t typically see heavy rain volumes but expect most of it to fall from August to November. Similar to other tropical climates, when it rains it is usually in the form of downpours or thunderstorms.
It is recommended for the most pleasant biking experience to go between the months of December to April as the temperatures are a bit cooler.
By the way, if you want to do more than just cycling, check on my post on what to do in Anguilla!
What to Know About Cycling in Anguilla
If biking in Anguilla is what you have your heart set on, here are some things worth noting so that you can get the most out of your trip!
The Anguilla Cycling Association
Cycling has become popular enough in recent years on Anguilla that it has led to the creation of the Anguilla Cycling Association (ACA). Cyclists that are registered with the Anguilla Cycling Association ride daily beginning at 5 am. Visitors are welcome to join on the early morning rides, which begin centrally and go to the island's eastern end and back.
The Anguilla Cycling Association can be found on FB, Strava, or I’m told you can even email axacycling@gmail.com. I’m not sure if that’s a typo and meant to be “acacycling@gmail.com,” but you can try the first email and see. I just want to pass along the information I have for my readers who are keen to cycle in Anguilla!
Competitive Cycling on Anguilla
In Anguilla, competitive road biking is enormous as a sport and loved by many.
Every year in July, the Anguilla Cycling Association organizes the John T. Memorial Cycling Race. This is one of the most significant cycling events not just on the island but in the whole Caribbean!
This annual race honours the memory of Anguilla cycling pioneer John Thomas, an advocate of cycling, who spent much of his time and money developing the sport on Anguilla.
The elite race is 80 miles (128 kilometres) with the previous year boasting 90 participants.
In 2018, Anguillan local, Hasani Hennis, became the first Anguillan to win the race. Hennis then proceeded to go on and come in first again in 2019.
Personally, I’d love the chance to be a part of this!
Navigating Anguilla by Bike
Anguilla lies between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It is typically a flat island with slight elevations that aren’t significant.
The island is known for its many beautiful bays, such as Barnes Bay and Shoal Bay, as well as its stunning beaches that can be enjoyed year-round.
The roads in Anguilla can swerve at times and be narrow, so if it’s your first time on the island, a guide is recommended. The overall quality of the roads is good but watch out for potholes and other vehicles as there are no designated bike lanes. The east side of the island is less populated, and as a result, there are fewer cars on the road, which makes for a pleasant ride.
The north offers routes with a higher elevation for more experienced riders. Here, the beautiful Shoal Bay can also be found, an idyllic two-mile stretch of perfect white sand beaches lined with coconut trees. This is the ideal place to stop for a while and enjoy some refreshing beverages, eat lunch and take in the view of the cerulean waves. As Anguilla is a relatively small island, it isn’t unheard of to navigate it from end to end in a single day.
In this respect, the island can be thought of as one, continuous trail - the bike ride of a lifetime across 33 stunning, white sand beaches.
It’s Time to Consider Biking in Anguilla!
Whether you are an experienced biker or a novice, biking in Anguilla is for everyone. From the scenic landscape to the beautiful trails, it is impossible not to enjoy yourself while cycling in Anguilla.
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