That Enfield Ride

A few weeks ago, I accompanied Charles 1st, (a St. Mary man, as is Alrick) Fatman and Ayatollah to check out a new outing with a distance of approximately 37 miles, which could accommodate not only riders but hikers as well.

The scouts

This was to Enfield in St. Mary, a district south east of Annotto Bay in St. Mary where around four different rivers converge. We selected as our destination Bridge 41, snugly situaated beneath the mist covered mountains which would also give us access to the Dry  and  May rivers.

I have no idea why it is called the Dry river for as Howie and I reminisced about the hash we did there with Jah 3 a few years ago, I had to laugh remembering how expensive that hash had proven to be for me. For I had slipped on a rock and fell into the "Dry river"  getting my two cell phones wet and both proved to be unfix-able!

The dry river

I recall at that time too, asking several residents why it was called the Dry river and if they had ever seen it dry, but none had. Anyway, yesterday riding along the roadway, we noticed a huge sand mining operation close to the Northcoast highway and have since assumed that they Dry river goes underground thus allowing the sand mining, hence the name. If anyone else has a more logical explanation, I would certainly welcome it!

Anyway, back to the ride.

Lyming at Agualta Vale

The B team left out about 5am and our first stop was at Castleton to guzzle down the delicious janga soup and boiled corn which is always ready, regardless of  what time we get there.

By then we were caught up by all members of the A team, then it was off to Agualta Vale for another gathering.

We then rode east along the northcoast  highway to Annotto Bay then just out of the town, we turned south to Fort Stewart  where the hikers started their 10 k walk.

The most difficult part of the journey in my book was riding by the sea just outside of  Annotto bay, as the wind was very heavy and it was blowing in a westerly direction.

The good part is that the sea was so rough that we were washed by sea spay occasionally and to persons like myself who always welcome water, that enhanced the ride.

Rough seas indicate how breezy it was.

Apart from that, it was a fairly easy ride with good roads and good company.

When we got to Bridge 41, it seems everyone had lost the desire to swim as no one made a move, or maybe we were just too hungry to move, but then Pat saved the day with sandwiches she brought until until the food arrived from Port Maria. While we waited, Michael and Karen Chuck drove in to join us with tall Robert who was visiting from New York..

Champion rider Andrew Smellie added to the niceness by prearranging that water coconuts were picked and iced in time for our arrival.
Pity Andrew rides so infrequently!

Champion hiker Betty arrives in fine style

It is commendable to see that Lisa Williams is beginning to adopt her parents prowess for service as when the food arrived, she did not dive in like the rest of us but joined her parents in ensuring that all were fed and happy before diving in herself.

Shortly after we ate, everyone was ready to head back.

It was a great day of good healthy exercise and camaraderie and the arrangements were seamless, compliments of the Ayatollah and team.

JOAN WILLIAMS, co-host of JUSTICE on POWER 106, describes herself as an unapologetic addict to the Jamaican outdoors. A foundation member of FUN AND THRILLS ADVENTURE CLUB, she explores the island at any given opportunity cycling, hiking or swimming with that group, family, Jah 3 and anyone else who will have her. In 1995, she published the popular TOUR JAMAICA and the 4^th edition is now an ebook available at;

http://www.amazon.com/Tour-Jamaica-Joan-Williams-ebook/dp/B00EJWCSHS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1389464644&sr=8-1&keywords=tour+jamaica+by+joan+williams

Contact; gratestj@gmail.com