COOL BLUE HOLE - WHITE RIVER VALLEY (BORDER OF ST. ANN AND ST. MARY) (22.2.2012)

Our scheduled departure time should have been 5am but in true FnT style, 24 riders departed HQ @ 5:30 after asking sweet Jesus for journeying mercies. As is the norm we coasted down Hope Road onto Waterloo Road then down West King's House Road. At the intersection of Constant Spring and West Kings House Roads we saw a group of guys in neon green cycling jerseys shouting cycling commands and we were like woww!! Then we saw a familiar face, Blacks.. and we realized it was the Blissett Cycling Club. They were joining us on our ride to "Cool Blue Hole" in the White River Valley on the border of St.Mary and St. Ann.
Our first stop was Jose Marti where we did the pleasantries and said hello to the cyclists from Blissett. We found out Thomas had a spill on the Boulevard but besides getting a cut he was good 2 go.

We continued along the Spanish Town Bypass, and through the Gorge... I thought I saw the Sheriff stop and admired her favourite rock *smile* before she set off again.

 
Our second stop was @ the Juici Beef in Bog Walk where we regrouped and made use of the bathroom facilities. It was @ this location we said goodbye 2 Blissett as they were heading out before us and never 2 be seen again for the remainder of the ride.  Barry, Thomas, Shara, Bernadette, Marlon, Gairy also set off with Blissett.
We left Juici Beef at app 8:15am...Howie and Alwrick outpaced Sherriff, myself, Donovan and Shackeina heading into Ewarton. The four of us made a quick stop @ the Ewarton Texaco Gas station, refueled and started up Mount Rosser. The climbing order was Sherrif, shack, donovan and then myself. I must say, for the first time will I ever agree with Alwrick abt a ride... Mount Rosser wasn't that bad. We paced ourselves and did it non stop. At this point we were clueless with what was happening behind with the other guys (Mike, Maurice, Naomi, Stanford, Orrel, Samira and others).

Driving 2 Ocho Rios, you don't realize how many hills u go over until u r on a bike... I can tell u my legs were burning and dying 2 get 2 Fern Gully as that was the ultimate thrill 4 this ride. In the vicinity of the Haddon Disposal Site David Jo drove up and told Donovan and I that Black's group was in Ochi eating jerk chicken. I could have kicked him over because I was dying of hunger. I settled for Oreos, banana chips and a top up on my water and dvan and I moved out.

Dvan's bike was giving him some trouble tho as a truck came way 2 close 2 him on Mount Rosser and he fell damaging his derailleur, in addition 2 cramps we stayed 2gether and took our time. We made it 2 walkers wood and made a stop 2 fix his bike where mike, orrel, and the others caught up 2 us. I left out on my own as I was aching so bad 2 go down fern gully as was Mike because he was right behind me. A taxi man came in front of us and started slowing us down. That was the day I know bicycle can cuss car.. We were so mad @ him that we passed him and cruised into the Ocho Rios shell gas station at app 12:30pm where we waited on the others. 
That was our final stop 4 the ride in the interest of time... we were way behind and it would have been another 45mins ride from there 2 the river. The sheriff and the others were already on the exchange road heading up so we decided 2 pack it in.

 Finding this river wasn't the easiest and we can all agree that riding on the exchange road was not a bed of roses... That road was the worst part of the ride.. It was incomparable 2 Mount Rosser and I lift my hat to everyone that went up. On arrival the food wasn't in abundance as most of it was already devoured. From the little that I tasted, I must say.. The chef did a good job. Thanks Andrew East!!!

After the battle the reward... The river was magnificent!!! The water was too deep 4 me but I found a little pool and made myself comfy. From all the splashes, laughing and screaming I know everyone was having a good time.

All good things must come 2 an end as we had 2 start packing up bikes and prepare 4 our trip back 2 KGN. We departed @ app 4pm and arrived @ HQ around 6pm.

This trip will forever be a memorable one, I climbed Mount Rosser non stop, I downed Fern Gully and I spent the day with my cycling family. I had a blast and of course the day was drama free! Good going guys!!

But I have one question... Where was the ayatollah and his gang?????