Changes/Improvements

CHANGES/IMPROVEMENTS!

Every year, the organizers of La Vuelta Puerto Rico come up with changes to refreshen the event especially for those that come to the event year after year after year. 

The purpose of this page is to provide our participants with a 'go to' section where they can read about the changes before they start the event. This will assure that the expectations are met and there is no confusion as to what was done the previous year and what is being done the actual year. The following is a list of several changes that are now in place for next year. 

Registration Process: ACTIVE Refunds, Installment Plan, etc.

♦ We now offer ACTIVE Refund, an optional add-on to ensure the participants' full registration fees are refundable if they are unable to participate in the event. You can request a refund for your registration anytime, so long as it is more than 48 hours before the event.

♦ We now offer an installment plan that works in a very simple manner. You pay 50% upon registration and the Active.com registration platform will automatically debit the other half in equal payments through January 16, 2021 … every 16th day of the month. It's. That. Simple.

The Roads

After the Hurricanes of 2017, the island of Puerto Rico has been in the process of resurfacing its roads. Based on the consenting opinion of the participants that have done Vuelta Puerto Rico numerous times, the roads were rated far superior this past edition of 2020 that anytime before in recent memory. Please be advised that the routes that are part of Vuelta Puerto Rico has been carefully curated for many years and most of these were in excellent shape. These are expected to get better as monies have been allocated for the continued improvement moving forward. We expect the roads to be the best ever since the inception of this event in 2006. 

Day 1: First stop at mile 24, breakfast at mile 43!

♦ 5:00 AM and they are off! - indeed, the roads are smoother, the pelotons move more efficiently and starting at 5:00 AM gives Peloton C the needed time to beat sunset! In addition, this means that when we start, we already have natural light within 15 minutes. 

♦ Day 1, we will pedal from San Juan straight to the Río Grande Plaza (mile 24) and then on to breakfast in Fajardo, mile 43. Due to the effects of Hurricane Maria and the earthquakes of 2020, the 'Maria de la Cruz Cave' in Loiza has been closed until further notice. Like you do back home when you go for a long bike ride, you must have food to eat at your hotel BEFORE the event starts. Breakfast will be served in Fajardo which is two and a half hours away from the start. Don't forget to carry at least 2 gels and a bar, again, the same way you would if you were to ride for 3 hours in your hometown area. In year 2019 we rode straight from the start to Fajardo (mile 43) and even though the vast majority loved it, we are giving Río Grande a nice 20 minute visit this year. 

♦ The stop at Arroyo has been eliminated. Given the new date of Vuelta Puerto Rico, the town of Arroyo celebrates its Patron festival. According to the Office of the Mayor, the passing of bikes through town is not a good idea and we are therefore moving on to Salinas. This elimination was tested in year 2020 and given the proximity to the lunch spot, participants actually considered not stopping in Arroyo, a good idea.

♦ The town of Ponce has been subject of revival in the hotel scene. Effective year 2022 we expect to add some sizzle to the list of affiliated hotel in Ponce! Stand by as we release this information in the affiliated hotel section. Great surprises coming up!

Day 2: Starts at 6:00 AM! Breakfast in Yauco (mile 26)

♦ 6:00 AM and they are off, again! By the time we enter the narrower roads, it will be broad daylight. Again, you must have food to eat at your hotel BEFORE the event starts. Breakfast will be served at the Yauco Plaza, which will require that you start your day pedaling around 1.5 hours. Do not forget to carry your 2 gels and a bars the same way you would if you were to ride for 3 hours in your hometow area. 

Day 3: Breakfast in Aguada (mile 18) 

♦ Day 3, we will pedal straight to breakfast in Aguada. You must have plenty of food to eat at your hotel BEFORE the event starts. Breakfast will be served in Aguada which will require that you start your day pedaling a little over 1 hour if you are starting in Mayagüez. Do not forget to carry your gels and bars the same way you would if you were to ride for 3 hours in your hometown.

Luggage

♦ We only accept ONE (1) piece of luggage and all luggage will be delivered ONLY to the affiliated hotels. This is from day one at the start all the way to the every end of day three. Luggage will not be available at the finish, it will all be delivered to your affiliated hotel of the headquarter hotel in San Juan.