I think Fun and thrills riders created history on Sunday August 31st by being the last riding group to take on the new south to North highway which reports state have been killing automobiles because of the steepness of the incline. Last, as the very next day is when the toll kicks in and cyclists will definitely not be allowed, they say. It was however the closure of the Mount Rosser route on the 31st August 2014 that caused some 30 of our courageous cyclists to take that route for they had been severely warned that cyclists would not be allowed on it. |
| Moneague Lake |
Instead I choose to hike from Faiths Pen with 9 other persons.
We therefore drove on the new highway which took us through brand new, absolutely beautiful and lush country.
We had planned to take the exit to Faith's Pen so we could hike to Moneague, but that exit was closed so we had to go to the end of the highway, drive to Faiths Pen then hike back to Moneague then east to Blue Hole.
Watsonville, up drove Charles Simpson declaring that he could ride no more and had jumped into his vehicle. Gail who had been driving the supporting vehicle took then took the opportunity to stretch her legs and joined us hikers.
The destination, Blue Hole is quite an attractive park in the making. The owner, Mr. Carter, told me it had been bush land but he has a dream to eventually make it into a full entertainment centre with movie theatre and all.
Incidentally, he told me the name of the river there was Blue Hole but I prefer to believe the map which identifies it as River Hole!
As we had driven most of the way, we were there some time before the riders started filing in . First came was barber Dean who arrived at least half hour before the 2 second place person .
Barber Dean hasreally blossomed by leaps and bounds for now he hardly bothers to ride with us little leaguers and in fact won the Kingston to Negril semi professional race this year.
Barber Dean hasreally blossomed by leaps and bounds for now he hardly bothers to ride with us little leaguers and in fact won the Kingston to Negril semi professional race this year. Omar too has become a top rider with out group.
Third came Bernadette, the first woman rider ( I am sure!) to conquer the new highway although she says she stopped three time.
Blue hole was a lot of fun although on the first touch, the water is quite cold. However once you become acclimatised it was absolutely wonderful and some local kids had great fun showing off to us how they jumped from the ledge up above and even out of a mango tree, into the bottomless blue hole beneath. They must have been shocked however as Kelly one of our hikers, not to be outdone, alsomade the leap!
| Local kids also jumped off the ledge in to the deep blue hole beneath. |
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We all had a wonderful time lounging around, kissing the tree that is supposed to cure all ailments, eating a nice Jamaican breakfast (though small;!) while different persons related their experiences riding up those unforgiving hills on the new highway while Howie's granddaughter Ria enjoyed herself in the river and on the swing.
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| An Omar Downie photo |
It was then too that I heard how Gibby too had made history by falling twice on the new highway and he has the scars on his elbows and knees to prove it too!
When you see Maurice did not make any move to ride back, you get to realise how challenging the ride to the destination must have been and we really missed Barry who is ill in hospital, as we know he always enjoys a new challenge.
Anyway, regardless of the difficulties some people had completing the journey, everyone had a wonderful day as we always do, especially when we "discover" somewhere new.
JOAN WILLIAMS, moderator
of JOAN WILLIAMS ON LINE broadcast 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 4th
edition is now an ebook available at;
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