Roun' D Island 6-9.04.2012 (Easter Weekend)

What were we thinking????? Well from the weekend of April 6-9 I can say Fun and Thrills Adventure Club has been declared a certified crazy bunch. We decided for the weekend to ride the entire Island starting east - north- west then south. Here is the run down of the weekend:

Day# 1: Route - Kgn, St. Thomas, Portland then St. Mary. 


App 19 crazy riders set out from Hope Pastures @ 5:05am. We did a good warm up leg out to Harbour View where the true test started. From Bull Bay we encountered hills non stop. The wickedest of all was the hill in Amity Hall. For the start of a 4 day ride weekend I don't think anybody was expecting that hill but we rocked our bodies on that saddle and pedalled until we got over. One major hill down and like a 100 more to go. Our major rest stop for that day was Long Bay in Portland. 

Long Bay Beach, Portland

Mike had arranged for some food 2 be cooked the evening before because it was Good Friday and we didn't expect any restaurants 2 be opened. Lo and Behold when we got 2 Long Bay the rice was a gonner and we arranged 4 a man on the beach 2 cook some rice and make vegetable for us. All is well that ends well for the lunch because we ate and was ready again. We refueled @ Port Antonio and then up Black Hill and made our rest stop @Agualtavale where we regrouped and rode together since our 5pm arrival time was way behind us. We arrived @ Casa Maria @ app 8:15pm. We all got our room assignments, went to shower and went 2 the dining hall @ 9:00pm. I couldn't even sit comfortably 2 eat as my butt was hurting me. Our resident prayer warrior (Bernadette) closed the evening with prayer, I filled a container with ice and then we headed 2 our rooms. I won't say what I used the ice for but it was a welcome relief. Sheriff was the wake up caller and we said our good nights and head 2 bed. 


Day# 2: St. Mary - St. Ann - Trelawny - St. James - Hanover. 

5:30 am.. 1/2 hour late ..We said good bye to 5 riders (barry, robert taylor, donovan, andrew walcott and johann) and set off for the 2nd leg. Talk abt excellent ride apart from the heat. Myself, nikki (sherriff), terry and bernadette rode together for the first part of this leg. I just love riding with these great ladies. Of course Mr. Whoosh (thomas), maurice, howie and resa (visitor from cayman) held the lead like 1hr ahead of us. We had breakfast on a beach side in St. Ann near Pear Tree Bottom and howie got the best fried dumpling ever that he couldn't bring himself 2 eat but lovely Terry took a good bite out of it and that was the end of that. 

Howie's Fried Dumpling

On wards to Trelawny with the next major stop being Mobay...Rio Bueno Hill and Braco Hill.. All I can say is Damn!!!!! In the sweltering heat Nikki (sheriff) and I decided 2 take the town of Rio Bueno instead of riding over the hill.. Orrel, Mike, Bernadette and Terry rode over that hill and later I learnt that they were the only ones from the entire riding group that rode over Rio Bueno... Kudos 2 them!!!!

Orrel resting before Braco

Braco..... When I saw that hill stand up infront of me.. I immediately asked for an alternate route and was reliably informed there was none but was told is a likkle hill soon dun!!! Same condition applied... We rocked and pedalled and we got over.. Sweet down hill!! 
First bike mechanic work for the day would have been nikki... A staple on the road was the offender and she got a puncture. While fixing.. Our knight in a shining white Honda Ridgeline drove up and quickly assisted in changing the tyre then set off with us. Ride on!! Next stop was Scotchies!! My butt was burning me in addition 2 a grumbling belly.. So YES I had 2 take a break.. I drove for about 1/2 hour 2 Pimento on Bogue Road where we had lunch. Because of this I was side lined as a non finisher and mi bex bad!!!!!!!!
Straight ride 2 Orange Bay with a few minor stops... We rode into Pamella's @ app 8pm where we did the routine of showering, eating and then bed time!!

Day 3: Westmoreland - St. Elizabeth - Manchester.

5:30 departure from Orange Bay... With breakfast being under a cool shade tree near Sav. Food was excellent as usual then straight riding with few minor stops. Major stop was Middle Quarters where we found a spring... Swam for abt 15mins then bought a delicious pumpkin and cray fish soup! 



Next stop.. Santa Cruz.. We devoured some patties, ackee and callaloo loaves to re-boot then straight 2 the foot of Spur Tree. 
St. Elizabeth was by far the hottest parish I rode through so the rain was a welcome relief when we got 2 Santa Cruz. The best part of this leg was the water we rode through in the vicinity of Pepper. It was thrilling with adrenaline pumping!! I would do that part again in a jiffy. 


Spur Tree, Spur Tree Spur Tree!!!! That climb was disastrous... But I made it of course with few stops because I wasn't wearing iron panties. We got 2 the top of Spur Tree @ abt 7pm and I don't know if it was the sleep and hunger but the turbo kicked in and we rode like our lives depended on it 2 Lesline.. Howie's friend, where we had dinner. 5 of us stayed there and the other 14 persons stayed @ a hotel in Fluer Flats... I stayed @ Lesline and that was the best sleep I had since the trip. 

Day# 4: Manchester - Clarendon - St. Catherine - St. Andrew

6:30 am departure... Home stretch. We were all treated 2 coffee, tea and fried sprat @ Lesline before we set off. The down hill 2 Porus was sweet! Next stop for breakfast was Clarendon Park.. 

I didn't have the strength 2 pedal that mountain bike so I switched 2 road bike and it made my burden some what easier. Onward 2 Old Harbour where we refuelled for 10mins then movement 2 Hope Pastures. We had showers of blessing starting on the boulevard straight 2 Hope Pastures. The first group rode into Hope Pastures @ 1:05pm . When I saw the gate, heard the dogs barking, saw plp unpacking their stuff and loading their cars..it dawned on me that I was back!!! 
I had a whale of a time... Eventhough my arms are burning, my fingers are numb, my hair looked like crap, my skin is like pearnel's head (2 colour) and I am dog tyad!!!!!! 
Big hug and thank you 2 everyone...I can't single out anyone cuz everybody played a part in making the weekend memorable. 
Nuff Love... And I can say 2 all my friends with confidence I rode 650km by bike with a 30 mins drive!!! 

FnT RDI 2012 Massive (riders & support drivers) BIG UP!!!!