Sunday's national championships at Ferry Reach marked the end of the sport's second season in Bermuda -- a season in which the average number of cyclists in each race doubled from the previous season to 30 and racing expanded into nine categories.

Over 60 riders competed in the 12-race winter series (10 cross country and two downhills), including five women and junior riders from as young as eight-years-old through to the veterans.

Four demanding courses at Hog Bay, Admiralty Park, Great Head and Ferry Reach Park offered a variety of challenges. Each course had its own set of unique features, from hard rock climbs at Ferry Reach, breathtaking descents at Hog Bay and the slightly insane stair descent and brutal long searing climb from the cove all the way up to Admiralty House -- eight times in one race! Three of the venues utilised a `short' and a `long' course which offered the experienced open category riders a longer and more technical challenge and gave all other category riders a slightly shorter version with a lower degree of technical difficulty.

This, according to organisers, had the effect of encouraging more junior riders, novices, veterans and women to take part.

For some of the competitors, the battle was much more about beating the terrain and finishing, and much less about their final position in the race standings.

For others it was a good way to keep in form through the winter months after the road racing season ended.

Next season, which will start in early December, will see a drive to encourage even more juniors, novices, veterans and women riders to get involved.