“400+ Cyclists Unite for Mangrove Conservation Ride”

The IV Round for Mangroves, a cycling event aimed at promoting mangrove conservation, took place this past Saturday. Over 400 cyclists from four municipalities in the northern area of Quintana Roo, Mexico, participated in the event. The cyclists began their journey from the Maritime Freight Terminal, also known as the Old Landing Strip.

The event was held in honor of International Mangrove Conservation Day, which is celebrated every July 26th. The event was organized by Desarrollos Hidráulicos de Cancún, and it began at 07:30 in the morning and concluded just before noon. Participants hailed from Cancún, Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen, and Isla Mujeres.

The main goal of the event was to raise awareness about the importance of mangrove ecosystems. These ecosystems are unique, special, and vulnerable habitats, and the event aimed to promote sustainable solutions for their management, conservation, and use.

Despite the intense heat, the cyclists journeyed southward, making their first stop at the Sacro Cuore Catholic University for hydration. They then continued on the Perimetral Poniente road until reaching Punta Sur, where the second hydration station was located. The group then proceeded on the Perimetral Oriente road to the Malecón Caribe lookout point, the third and final hydration station, before finally reaching the municipal esplanade of the island, the endpoint of the ride.

Alejandra Mayorga Rodríguez, the Corporate Social Responsibility Coordinator of Aguakan, emphasized the importance of mangroves. She explained that mangroves protect the coastal dune, purify water, and buffer hurricane winds. She added, "Their function is extremely important, and it's beneficial for us to learn and coexist with this ecosystem in a healthier and more dignified way."

Rodríguez also noted that on a scale of one to 10, human neglect of the mangrove is at a six. This is primarily because people are unaware of its benefits. She pointed out that people often reject mangroves due to their unpleasant smell, without realizing the crucial role they play in the ecosystem.

In related news, Tulum hosted the third orange ride, an event aimed at promoting the message "get active, join and say no to violence against women and girls".