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Easter holidays in Jamaica are always a time of great fun and frolic and this year it was no different. While the “A team” of “Fun and thrills” decided to show their machismo and ride around the island, doing 8 to 10 hours in the saddle and the blazing sun, on Friday, the rest of us rode to Morant Bay in St. Thomas. We left around the same time as they did and some of us kept up with them up to the cement company gate.
Michael Chuck is a real Trojan, for while his family waited for his return, he rode with us only to assist in taking back some of the bikes in his pickup. That’s the type of dedication to the group that makes it one big happy family.
After the pleasant and not too strenuous 32 mile ride to Morant Bay, we loaded up into several vehicles for a day at the beach at Long Bay in Portland. That beach is known for its huge waves and is thus a surfers dream, but for swimmers it is simply no fun. So we had our meal there, played some dominoes and drank some liquor. We were honoured to be paid a “rest” visit there by “round the islanders” Heather, Michael and Orrel.
The original plan had been for us to got to Reach Falls, but unfortunately because it was a sacred public holiday, it had been closed by the operators. The Long Bay alternative was only plan B.
Luckily for us, the Trinidadian environmentalist, Kim, who knows more about eastern Jamaica than most of us, had ridden with us and was able to suggest a great swimming area at Drivers River. Incidentally, Drivers River is the same river that forms Reach Falls at the top, but where the excellent section for swimming is, is at the bottom of the road. It was actually the local people who were in the shallow section washing their cars and a truck, who directed us to the perfect spot.
There, the water was cool and fresh and quite deep in certain areas. As a result the adventurous were able to go up to an overhanging cliff and jump off into the water without even touching the bottom. We spent a wonderful time there before driving back to Kingston.
On Saturday, only Charles and I rode, me up the hill as usual and Charles around UWI campus. After that we took the boys from the National Children’s home for their usual spin.
On Sunday I rode alone and in the afternoon, four of us, Nicole, Fatman, Charles and I went to Mandeville to join the “round the islanders “ on the last leg of their journey.
Michele and her mom were perfect hostesses, providing an excellent meal for all and accommodation for some of the cyclists. On Monday, we started the ride back to Kingston ahead of the A team. It was quite pleasant for me up to Old Harbour as the morning was cool and the traffic was limited. Damit passed us near the toll bypass in Clarendon. We never saw the rest until we got to Inswood in St. Catherine.
By then the sun was really pelting down and I couldn’t wait to jump into one of the support vehicles. Charles and Fatman finished the entire journey from Mandeville and Michael, Damit, Howie, Orrel and Heather returned to Kingston after riding around the entire island without incident.
We are really going to miss Heather, our real inspiration. She is a foundation member of “Fun and Thrills” and the role model for all female riders, for she has never wavered to undertake any challenge that the men come up with and has surpassed them on many occasions. Unfortunately, she has to go abroad to join her husband Johnnie. After riding around the entire island for four days, she flew out on Tuesday 6th April 2010. But not before we threw a farewell party for her on Monday night. Stefan and Penny were the hosts and all went well.
Who will be the new inspiration for fun loving women in “Fun and thrills?” Anyway, as Francois Rabelais said, Nature abhors a vacuum, so I guess the position will soon be filled.
Walk good Heather.
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