St. Toolie's District - Manchester

On July 24, 2011, Myself and fellow FnT riders decided to make another bike trek into the country side and this time around St. Toolie's District in Manchester was the lucky place. We decided to set out @ 5am but in true FnT style we didn't depart until 5:30. Typical of the Ayatollah and his gang they left us tardy ones to start the journey on time. We had a great ride going down Hope Road, onto Waterloo Road then Dunrobin Avenue and Washington Blvd. We met up the early birds along Mandela Highway and we all regrouped @ Jose Marti.
I have been getting a lingering knee cramp since my fall coming from Maryland months ago and I had to seek relief by putting on my knee brace, after which, I was ready for the road again. Our next stops would be Old Harbour Town then Clarendon Park. The stretch to Clarendon Park would be the true test of the ride as the sun came bearing down on us, energy levels started to get drained and it was just down to mental strength. I thought I had left my cycling shades @ home and rode without them and a massive headache was my gift. Unlike me, I was so ready to quit before Sheriff said, "Look Theresa is in front of u... U can't stop now," and as she said that the needle in my energy tank went right back to full.  I decided to press on but was eventually  out paced by Terry, Carlington, Sheriff, super fast Marlon, and couple others. The great Ribbie stayed with me until I got to Mineral Heights Roundabout and then the Ayatollah joined me and we continued. Charles decided that he was going to ride faster because as my energy level increased I am going to pass and leave him, so I said OK see u. I did a solo ride until I caught back Charles @ the Glenmuir Road turn off. I rode slow giving him some distance ahead until I heard someone screaming, so I started scanning the bushes wondering who the hell that was.. Then I heard f@#k f@#k only to close the gap with Charles just in time to hear him cursing himself and  his bicycle... I almost fell of my bike with laughter. When I passed Charles he was so astonished that I was behind him...

But we both laughed and I rode on!!
My headache started to get worse and man was I happy when I caught up with Sheriff, Terry and Carlington at Four Paths... The sun decided to give us some relief because as we approached Toll Gate it got overcast and I felt a little sprinkle... Man that would have been a welcome shower...Carlington and I took on a steady pace while sheriff and terry passed us but we continued our pace stepping it up a little to Clarendon Park. We arrived in one piece and as the entire gang started to roll in, I realized that a couple cyclists had already taken support vehicles. Donovan said he didn't know Clarendon Park had moved and couldn't ride anymore...Fritz (my guest) had developed leg cramps and was out of the ride from as far back as Free Town...we regrouped and re-energized ourselves and continued to St. Toolie's.
The road to St. Toolie's District was rough, with the asphalt none existent and plagued by potholes in some sections...but I didn't mind it as it was a nice little off road for the off roadies and away from the impatient drivers that kept blowing us out of the road or men on the road side telling us females not to pressure our privates as if it belonged to them. We arrived at our  final destination and the first question echoed by so many was where is the river, but my mind was on the food after doing a 50 mile ride. Off some went to swim while others waited patiently. 

We were treated to callalloo, stew chicken, mackerel run down, bread fruit, fried plantains, fried dumplings, boiled food and ackee & salt fish.. We ate, some of us once and some of us twice but never the less it was worth the wait and we got a belly full.

Then off we went to swim... The water was magnificent, cool and revived us from that gruelling bike ride. In usual FnT style we laughed, chat, frolicked in the water, took pictures and just had a great time. We said our good byes to the cool countryside at app 12:30pm to say we have returned to our concrete jungle from whence we came.
Big up to the scouts for this fantabulous and magnificent location and kudos to all the riders.

Mtr!!!

Hike to the Blue Mountain Peak - March 18 - 19, 2011

The night of March 18, 2011 I decided to make another trek to the Blue Mountain Peak and added another check mark beside my list of adventures for 2011. This time I did it with 16 adventure seekers from my Fun and Thrills Adventure family and our friends. I also invited my good friend and coworker Shackiena.

The meeting spot was at Seberg Close, Hope Pastures @ 10:30pm where we loaded into 4 vehicles and drove to Whitfield Hall. 

 The drive to Whitfield Hall was a challenge, as our vehicles took on the craters in the road, deep turns and a 4m wide roadway overlooking a precipice. I felt sorry for my poor back and my weak heart as we drove the Section from Hagley's Gap to Penlyne Castle.

 On reaching Penlyne Castle at approximately 1:00am our final disembarking point would be approximately 5 minutes in a small rural community called Whitfield Hall. I think this community has seen as many visitors to the island as any 2 of our international airports as people from near and far decide to take on this feat. It seemed as if the weather smelled fresh meat in the air as it started to rain and this was the start of a veeerrry long morning!!

 We then said a prayer to take us safely on our journey and departed Whitfield @ 1:24am with Orrel taking the lead, Mike manning the middle and Howie ensuring no stragglers. We took on Jacob's Ladder and we all agreed that Jacob needs 2 upgrade to an escalator as the ladder isn't cutting it anymore. After 5 times, I still can't get use to it but we all pressed on.

Our regrouping point was @ the top of the ladder where we refueled and continued the trek to Portland Gap. This was easy sailing for us and we arrived @ Portland Gap @3:00am. We talked,laughed and ate then decided to take on the monster @ 3:30am with the hope of catching the sunrise @ the peak. The rain gave us a break now and then but we were all drenched and our feet somewhat muddy. This walk to the peak was the longest for me as it is suppose to be a 3.5mile walk from Portland Gap but that sure as hell felt like an eternity with no ending in sight.

We walked, stopped, sat, ate, drank and was ready to fall asleep as @ 5 in the morning it was widely believed that we all should be in our beds. The self acclaimed super 5 females comprising of myself, shackeina, pat, deanette and tamecia were ahead of the group and we arrived at the peak @ 5:45am. The rest of the gang arrived app. 15 mins after.

Now talk about an anticlimax, the rain came down, we were freezing as we were soaking wet, there was nothing to see as the place was covered with fog and I was ready to leave as I got there. The sunrise I was hoping to see was no where in sight and it rained and colder by the second. We endured the freezing weather for a bit and I decided enough was enough and started nagging everyone to go!

 We started downhill to Portland Gap, took some pictures on arrival and continued back to Whitfield Hall, except little Ms. Theresa who hopped a ride on the bike back of the ranger. We quickly mounted in our respective vehicles and off we went to warmth, our beds and some real food. We got back to Seberg @ 1:30pm and I headed home, took a well deserved shower and went straight to bed!

I had a blast but after 5 times I can officially say I have retired and MI NAH GO BACK!!

THANKS TO MIKE, HOWIE, ORREL AND THE F&T FAMILY AND FRIENDS FOR A GOOD MORNING/AFTERNOON AND NIGHT WITH LOTS OF WALKING AND GOOD FUN!

NUFF LOVE

Health System Disgrace.. What's new??

Today like everyday I set out reading the Daily papers.. Then the headline hit me "DISGRACEFUL! Specimens left in open corridor outside KPH."

The article outlined the unconscionable way in which specimens to be sent to the Blood Bank, just a stone's throw away from the major public hospital in the corporate area is left outside of the transport department on the corridor exposed to the natural elements and god knows what else.

I was mortified to read of this occurrence while people wait with their lives basically flashing before their faces while such negligence is allowed to happen at this institution. One woman who was diagnosed with cancer tells the tale of how she is waiting for the test results from her amputated breast so she can know her course of treatment and ultimately her fate.

8 years ago and just recently I lost my mother and an aunt respectively to cancer, a deadly disease and I know first hand how this woman is feeling because she needs to know how to proceed with her life. I would be devastated if my mother and aunt were given this kind of treatment luckily for my family they were able to seek private care. What about the rest of Jamaicans that cannot afford to seek private care, are they left at the mercy of such unconscionable act and blatant disregard for human life???


Is this the price we pay for FREE HEALTH CARE?? We wait with bated breath on how this situation unfolds.