As above really. There's a [i]very small[/i] chance that I could be going out for a short visit, and as with any trip somewhere I've not been before, my first thought is: "Is there anywhere to ride?".
I appreciate that it's a pretty small island so there won't be miles and miles of glorious singletrack, but as it's basically one big hill I thought there might be something.
There's also the small matter of getting a bike out there, but I thought I'd see what the STW gurus had to say, before I worry about that one.
Thanks for your help!
Its hot and humid, that's all i can tell you about my one hour stop over there!
I'm pretty sure someone had an early mountain bike when I live out there. Population is small so there probably aren't any dedicated trails however there are losts of hills and tracks (animal and 4x4) so you would find stuff to ride. I imagine klinker and lava rocks are harsh on tyres (and faces)!
I ride there (here) all the time. There are some good routes off Green Mountain. Just done four hours here this weekend 6000' climbing. And descending
was guted i couldnt take my bike when i went. its an amazing landscape. and so many scoria cones just begging to be ridden. i imagined myself riding snowboard like lines drifting in the lose scoria top.
green mountain road up would be a killer climb and an off road descent would be awesome.
its dry and all the foliage below the top of green mountain is mexican thorn bush and spikey and evil. would have loved to ridden the lava fields over by the world service pylons east of english bay - its how i imagine the moon! there is a sketchy 4x4 track across it that we had to content ourselves with
you never know we are still doing a little bit of work for AIG so maybe....
I took my bike several times (a rigid raleigh technuim chill)there and had some fun times. Mainly on road once topping 40+ riding down to English bay, after a swim one of the guys suggested perhaps it wasn't the brightest thing to do as the medical facilitys there only extend to a doctor and nurse. With the airbridge only twice a week .
If you do get to go try and take a bike it is a fantastic place to explore the sights and the various bars but don't get injured, the ride up to the top of green mountain is a must.
If you do go please take some pictures and post them here I would love to go back but it is a tad expensive.
Yup my ride starts by climbing up Green Mountain to the Water Catchment area, then down Breakneck Valley through the pines to the NASA road. Then head up towards the old NASA site but turn toward the Scout Camp.
At the Scout Camp I double back onto the Portugese Track-super fast and loose. Really fantastic descent onto the North East Bay Road. Then up into Two Boats. From there I head to one boat trying to crack 50 down the hill (only done it once-normally 48-49). From one boat I go left thru donkey plain and back to Travellers Hill. Normally 15 miles and 1h:45 with 3400' climb.
It's a great route. There are others which involve less climbing but I always do Portugese and its sublime when you get it right (like today).
Only snag is if you come off and you hurt yourself no help will come unless someone knows where you're going. I went mega off-piste last week and should I have taken a cliff top tumble off on the loose stuff it'd be game over. There are sat phones you can borrow which I probably should have done.
Been doing a bit of long distance swimming there-the AIG Harbourmaster ticked me off for that sadly!!! Swam with the Dolphins and seen lots of turtles the last week or so in the water.
It's an epic place.
swimming with turtles and eating fresh tuna i caught an hour before were massive highlights.