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Hikes on Bikes

By George Oxford Miller

World Cup mountain-bike routes treat peddlers to fabulous vistas

From salt flats to rocky tracks, bikers get thrills and test skills on world-class routes. In 2006, Curaçao hosted an International Cycling Union World Cup race. Peddle the trails that challenged the best.

Bikers on the Jan Thiel trails share the track with flamingos and pelicans. Routes through Christoffel Park pass caves, Arawak petroglyphs, a natural bridge, and the rugged Boca Tabla coastline. Take a spin on the St. Joris Baai loop, and stop at E Bista, an open-air cookshack at Playa Kanola, for a delicious fresh fish and veggie lunch. Rentals, about $20/day, include helmet, pump, water bottle, and maps.