Free ferry for bike racers in hot pepper festival

If you’ve never biked the quiet roadways and backtrails of Tinian, the 15th Annual Tinian Hot Pepper Festival on Feb. 16-17, 2019, will make it easier than ever with free transportation for bike racers from Saipan.

The 65K Pika Bike Race will be held on Feb. 16 at 6am and will begin and end at the festival site at Kammer Beach. Bikers from Saipan who register for the race will be able to travel on the Feb. 15 ferry to Tinian at 5pm.

“As much as possible, we want to give our support to the Tinian community, open this event to as many people as possible, and give bikers a chance to experience the beauty of the island during the Tinian Hot Pepper Festival,” said MVA managing director Christopher A. Concepcion. “This year, we are offering participants in the 65K Pika Bike Race the chance to ride the ferry for free, to and from Tinian. We invite everyone to come out and enjoy the weekend in beautiful Tinian.”

To register for the 65K Pika Bike Race and avail of free ferry on Feb. 15, bikers may contact Alex Gozon at alexgozon@yahoo.com or 1.670.234.5416 or Dawn Sarmiento at dawnsarmiento@yahoo.com.

The MVA will offer ferry service between Tinian and Saipan on Feb. 15-18, 2018. The ferry schedule is: Feb. 15, departing Saipan at 5pm and departing Tinian that evening; Feb. 16, departing Saipan at 9am and departing Tinian at 4pm; Feb. 17, departing Saipan at 9am and departing Tinian at 4pm; and Feb. 18, departing Saipan at 8am and departing Tinian at 12pm. The Super Emerald ferry will depart from the Commonwealth Ports Authority dock in Lower Base; passengers and must check in one hour before departure.

Ferry round trip cost is $25 for ages 3-11, $35 for ages 12 and older, and free for children ages 0-2. For one way, the cost is $10 for ages 3-11, $18 for ages 12 and older, and free for children ages 0-2. Advance ticket purchase is required and will be accommodated on a first come, first served basis. Ticket purchases may be made at the MVA Office in Tinian or Saipan. Cash payments only will be accepted.

A repertoire of old and new competitions is also in the works, according to Concepcion. Other activities during the weekend include live entertainment, a variety of local dishes for sale, indigenous craft sales, and games such as umang (hermit crab) races and beach volleyball.

Campgrounds are open to the public at Kammer Beach, which has restrooms and showers.

The event is co-organized by the Tinian Mayor’s Office and Tinian Municipal Council and sponsored by the Bicycling Association of Tinian and MVA members. Available hotels on island are Tinian Ocean View and Lorilynn’s Hotel. Air service from Saipan to Tinian is provided by Star Marianas. Airport shuttle will be offered by the MVA to and from the festival site, which will be in San Jose village.

For more information on the Tinian Hot Pepper Festival, visit The Marianas Calendar at www.mymarianas.com or the MVA Facebook page, call the MVA Tinian office at 433-9365, or email MVA Tinian field supervisor Vida Borja at vborja@mymarianas.com. (MVA)