-
Long time since I’ve posted mon
But, I do Negril and Jamaica as well as my dear friend Rob a disservice by not doing so.
I just returned from the island, and it was a 2 year hiatus. I took a brand spanking new girlfriend with me and she LOVED it.
This thread will be my trip report. I just got home today, so will give more details later.
I do just want to thank everyone who made the trip amazing
Rob
Connie
Collette
Godwin
Susan
Tina
Without all of you in my life over the last decade+ I wouldn’t be the person I am today and I wouldn’t have nearly as much fun. So thank you all from the bottom of my heart for being my friend. It means a lot and I wish I could do more to help you guys get back from Covid.
-
Re: Long time since I’ve posted mon
Flip,
Looking forward to your Trip Report!
Enjoy,
VVHT
-
Re: Long time since I’ve posted mon
-
Re: Long time since I’ve posted mon
Day 1:
My first vacation with my girlfriend Erin and her first trip to Jamaica. I’m always super stoked to bring a first timer down.
I am no longer living in the Philly area, I now live in Miami Beach, so the flight time is roughly an hour and fifteen mins. NOT BAD!!!!
We arrived on time and I had enough time to grab a red stripe before Godwin arrived to the airport. He explained to us that he had guests staying at Half-moon that needed a ride to the airport at 11, and asked if we minded if he dropped us at Scotchies for lunch. NO PROBLEM MON!
We grabbed some chicken and some stripes and enjoyed our meal. By the time we finished, Godwin was back and we were off.
We made a couple beer stops on the way, and took a tour of a house Godwin is involved with building. Then it was off to Home Sweet Home.
We got settled into our room, we were as far as I could tell, possibly the only people staying there. We had a great room right on the ocean, Erin was very impressed.
We ended up just bouncing around a bit and settle on Susan’s bar for happy hour. We called it an early night because we were tired travelers, and just tired from the last two years in general.
https://i.postimg.cc/15rdskbw/03-F43...3595198-D8.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/0NB3h7F4/7-CCB8...-C55830-C6.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/kM8Zh6cj/941-F4...-E92-D6476.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/Gtk5BVt0/970-CB...C9-ED6-F18.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/L6p7d9Qm/A16-D1...-D44554-E7.jpg
-
Re: Long time since I’ve posted mon
Flip,
Good stuff!
More please!!
Enjoy,
VVHT
-
Re: Long time since I’ve posted mon
Yeah, It's great seeing Negril thru a newbie's eyes, I brought my GF, Corey, down for the first time in Nov and it was like waking your kids up for xmas! LOL
-
Re: Long time since I’ve posted mon
Day 2.
I brought my bicycle down, so I got up around 6:30 and got a 33 mile ride in. I rode out to Orange Bay and back to Home Sweet home. With a bonus climb up Tank Hill I was a little hungover. So the pace was a bit slower than usual.
Got back to hotel. Jumped into the ocean, then got ready to walk to Canoe for breakfast.
Had a great meal, then headed down to the beach.
We hit
Travellers
Sunny Side
Tony’s Hut
Sun Beach
Maybe another one. Memory is a bit fuzzy.
We went to Connie’s new backyard experience for dinner though, and it was sensational. I highly recommend hitting Connie up via Facebook messenger and setting up a reservation!
https://i.postimg.cc/YqFHQtF4/02-D5-...6-A32-CA74.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/hhWN27mX/340-FF...56-A0-C5-C.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/PxNGJHh5/39-BBC...5-C8-B20-F.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/x8bWGPXr/5-D8-A...430-A59608.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/k4H0tHXF/68-A6-...8-A29051-D.jpg
-
Re: Long time since I’ve posted mon
-
Re: Long time since I’ve posted mon
-
Re: Long time since I’ve posted mon
Nice bike
I have thought about riding in Jamaica but not sure how safe it is?
What do you think is it worth it?
We just finished 1st day of the horsey ride in Georgetown ky. 105 miles!
-
Re: Long time since I’ve posted mon
Quote:
Originally Posted by
bikescott
Nice bike
I have thought about riding in Jamaica but not sure how safe it is?
What do you think is it worth it?
We just finished 1st day of the horsey ride in Georgetown ky. 105 miles!
Definitely worth it. The rode to Sav is pretty nice and not too many holes.
Also, nice ride! I’m headed to Europe next month to tackle some climbs and follow the tour for a few days.
-
Re: Long time since I’ve posted mon
Day 3
Woke up and rode to Sav and back in under 2 hours. Was a good ride and felt refreshed.
We again went to Canoe for breakfast.
This day we ended up linking with Rob and getting all kinds of drunk at SunnySide.
Rob took off to take care of his many animals and we walked down to Drifters. Said hello to Luddy and checked out the music.
Afterwards we went across to Italian Cafe for dinner.
Coming off the beach we were undressed, but the dinner was very good.
Caught a ride home, and ended up falling asleep by 9:30.
https://i.postimg.cc/vT76qYFK/2-DF32...F0535-C9-F.png
https://i.postimg.cc/FsZL0Hxd/73-D7-...802-B628-E.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/Dwx13wJk/827072...3361-D46-A.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/fRR0CQHH/A4-BE8...-F1-E1-AC3.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/sDyWBh5C/C6-DAD...6-C7-FEAC7.jpg
-
Re: Long time since I’ve posted mon
Looks like you are having a wonderful time and you are definitely hitting all the right spots. Nice shirt on Rob!!!
-
Re: Long time since I’ve posted mon
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Flipadelphia26
Definitely worth it. The rode to Sav is pretty nice and not too many holes.
Also, nice ride! I’m headed to Europe next month to tackle some climbs and follow the tour for a few days.
Thanks Flip
Have a great trip to Europe
-
Re: Long time since I’ve posted mon
So you only spent 3 days in Negril? :confused:
-
Re: Long time since I’ve posted mon
Sorry! I will post more next week. I’m actually out of town at a bike race in Kansas right now.
-
Re: Long time since I’ve posted mon
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Flipadelphia26
Sorry! I will post more next week. I’m actually out of town at a bike race in Kansas right now.
Unbound Gravel? Did you do the 200 mile?
-
Re: Long time since I’ve posted mon
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Odinson
Unbound Gravel? Did you do the 200 mile?
My Teammate did the 200. I did SAG support. Basically a lot of driving and sitting around. Brought my road bike though and got some riding in.
-
Re: Long time since I’ve posted mon
Last full day.
I woke up and went on a short ride up Hogg hill. The surface of the moon must have better pavement.
Got back, picked up the lady and we strolled down to Canoe once again for breakfast (I think)
The plan was to meet up with Rob at Collete’s, Have some beers and then make our way to Red Dragon for Pork. Then walk up the west end road. That’s what we did.
We made a few stops along the way and ended up at Rick’s for the sunset.
Rob had to take off, so we ended up bar hopping our way back down to Home Sweet Home. Our latest night yet, and most hungover for our flight in the AM
https://i.postimg.cc/qMmSLY8v/36-B55...355-DB9-FC.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/ZnHgXs2j/3-AFAE...C3-C9-AD69.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/MKZg1xfL/51-E0-...-D16-FDC55.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/kGqz1P1B/B6593-...8-B08-DA43.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/9XYv4z0T/E6-A9-...CE1-FACEE1.jpg
-
1 Attachment(s)
Re: Long time since I’ve posted mon
Flipadelphia26,
Nice report and glad to see you brought your bike too.
bikescott, bringing bikes to JA and Negril goes back to the 70's. Easiest way to get around although the bikes we used to bring were old beaters that we rebuilt and custom painted Rastamobiles!! At the Green Hill PO, Portland, JA 1980
Attachment 56631
-
Re: Long time since I’ve posted mon
Yeah it was cool to be able to ride down there. Here in Miami, a lot of the guys I train with and even more I race against are Jamaican. Super popular sport with the JA expat community here. A lot of them ride like they drive in the island, which makes races a bit chaotic.
Hoping to organize a trip to bring some of them and their bikes “home” and get some riding in down the road.
-
1 Attachment(s)
Re: Long time since I’ve posted mon
-
Re: Long time since I’ve posted mon
Quote:
Originally Posted by
johng
Classic ride with a great paint job!
-
1 Attachment(s)
Re: Long time since I’ve posted mon
Thanks Odinson,
I traveled the entire island on that 10 speed. I got that bike when I was 12 years old and it had been sitting in my garage for years so I took it down to bare metal and did a total re-fabrication including Ites, Gold and Green colors. Back in the day of the Big Bus one could stow a bicycle on the top of the bus and travel long distances. I flew into Kingston and traveled all over Portland and through the Blue Mountains on that bike and ended up in Negril where I rode throughout Westmoreland and Hanover Parishes. What fun it was to have a bike in Jamaica!!
Attachment 56633
-
Re: Long time since I’ve posted mon
That sounds like a dream.
-
Re: Long time since I’ve posted mon
Quote:
Originally Posted by
johng
Thanks Odinson,
I traveled the entire island on that 10 speed. I got that bike when I was 12 years old and it had been sitting in my garage for years so I took it down to bare metal and did a total re-fabrication including Ites, Gold and Green colors. Back in the day of the Big Bus one could stow a bicycle on the top of the bus and travel long distances. I flew into Kingston and traveled all over Portland and through the Blue Mountains on that bike and ended up in Negril where I rode throughout Westmoreland and Hanover Parishes. What fun it was to have a bike in Jamaica!!
Attachment 56633
Great times! What was your record number of patches/tube? Schwinn Paramount Racer? Probably $200 back which seemed like a fortune!
We used to rent the Oma bikes from Kool Brown. Sunday morning rides were the best, no traffic, Gospel music and the surreal calm. Not sure where to rent bikes anymore but I should. Pretty much spend most time snorkelling and looking for lion fish to spear but getting in the saddle on choppy days would be great.
-
Re: Long time since I’ve posted mon
Odinson,
If memory serves me right it was a Raleigh bicycle made in England and it had a very hard leather seat and a very nice Gold finish. No fenders or other accessories I got it probably in 1967 or thereabouts. It was a great ride that ended in my garage and I decided to rebuild it and bring it to Jamaica with me. And yes I was wise to have brought numerous patches and tubes. What I failed to bring were rubber brake pads. I remember riding from Green Hill in the Blue Mountains to Port Antonio one day and it is a very steep downhill to the coast. Didn't have much brakes left after that.
And yes Negril on a Sunday was always the best especially Easter Sunday. My favorite place in the world on Easter!!
-
1 Attachment(s)
Re: Long time since I’ve posted mon
Attachment 56634
Different bike, different year
-
Re: Long time since I’ve posted mon
Quote:
Originally Posted by
johng
Odinson,
If memory serves me right it was a Raleigh bicycle made in England and it had a very hard leather seat and a very nice Gold finish. No fenders or other accessories I got it probably in 1967 or thereabouts. It was a great ride that ended in my garage and I decided to rebuild it and bring it to Jamaica with me. And yes I was wise to have brought numerous patches and tubes. What I failed to bring were rubber brake pads. I remember riding from Green Hill in the Blue Mountains to Port Antonio one day and it is a very steep downhill to the coast. Didn't have much brakes left after that.
And yes Negril on a Sunday was always the best especially Easter Sunday. My favorite place in the world on Easter!!
Ah yes, those hard leather seats that would supposedly adapt to your fit with enough sweat on the seat.
-
Re: Long time since I’ve posted mon
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Homebrewer
Ah yes, those hard leather seats that would supposedly adapt to your fit with enough sweat on the seat.
Might be the other way around! If I'm out of my Brooks all-weather for a week or more (Jah forbid), it take a few days for me to get super comfortable again.
-
Re: Long time since I’ve posted mon
Quite honestly the leather seat wasn't an issue for me. Peddling back uphill from Buff Bay to Green Hill was a challenge and more often than not I was off the saddle!!
-
Re: Long time since I’ve posted mon
I check the forum the first time in several weeks and the first thing I see is a trip report from Flip. Good to see my fellow former Manayunker is back!
-
Re: Long time since I’ve posted mon
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Mike_D
I check the forum the first time in several weeks and the first thing I see is a trip report from Flip. Good to see my fellow former Manayunker is back!
Hey! Likewise!
Actually have thanksgiving already booked. Getting back in the Jamaica swing of things, and it feels good!
-
Re: Long time since I’ve posted mon
Hey Flip,
I don't know how much you have traveled in Jamaica outside of Negril but you can easily put together some awesome bike trips in JA especially in the Eastern side of the island. Portland parish for example has beaches and mountains, waterfalls, rivers, towns and best of all the friendliest people you will ever meet!!
-
1 Attachment(s)
Re: Long time since I’ve posted mon
Attachment 56636
At the pool of the old "Villas Negril" where Brimsley Hall was bartender. An awesome place to stay back in the day!!
-
Re: Long time since I’ve posted mon
Quote:
Originally Posted by
johng
Hey Flip,
I don't know how much you have traveled in Jamaica outside of Negril but you can easily put together some awesome bike trips in JA especially in the Eastern side of the island. Portland parish for example has beaches and mountains, waterfalls, rivers, towns and best of all the friendliest people you will ever meet!!
I have indeed been on that side of the island and am definitely looking to ride over there at some point.
There’s a road race from little London to MoBay in august that I’m trying to swing right now.
November we are flying into Kingston and doing 2 nights over there and then the rest in Negril. Hopefully catch a ride out to some good roads to ride.
-
6 Attachment(s)
Re: Long time since I’ve posted mon
Hey Flip,
Great to hear you will be over in Kingston in November and don't know how long you will be on the island but the B1 runs from Papine in Eastern Kingston up and over the Blue Mountains and down to Buff Bay on the North Coast. It passes by Strawberry Hill, The Newcastle JDF Camp, Holywell Park at Hardware Gap and then descends to the sea at Buff Bay, Portland Parish. This is some of the most beautiful scenery on the island through the coffee growing country narrow mountain roads. I highly recommend you take a look at this route. It will be well worth your time!!
Attachment 56637Attachment 56638Attachment 56639Attachment 56640Attachment 56641Attachment 56642
-
Re: Long time since I’ve posted mon
Quote:
Originally Posted by
johng
Hey Flip,
Great to hear you will be over in Kingston in November and don't know how long you will be on the island but the B1 runs from Papine in Eastern Kingston up and over the Blue Mountains and down to Buff Bay on the North Coast. It passes by Strawberry Hill, The Newcastle JDF Camp, Holywell Park at Hardware Gap and then descends to the sea at Buff Bay, Portland Parish. This is some of the most beautiful scenery on the island through the coffee growing country narrow mountain roads. I highly recommend you take a look at this route. It will be well worth your time!!
Attachment 56637Attachment 56638Attachment 56639Attachment 56640Attachment 56641Attachment 56642
Wow! I definitely will!
-
Re: Long time since I’ve posted mon
ENOUGH ALREADY!!! You guys are killing my 'Sand Gravity' vibe... LOL :congratulatory:
(Great pics from both of you guys though)
-
Re: Long time since I’ve posted mon
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Flipadelphia26
Hey Flip
Are you going to be in St Louis for the Gateway Cup?
It would be nice to meet you.
Tim