I like maps and I study them. Maps can hide a lot of history. From sometime now I was looking at a trail in my favourite mountains, the Port Royal Mountains. It look really long and interesting, however I got the information that it doesn't exist anymore, that is overgrown! Two weeks ago I did a trip in the area with my friend Anthony, we were looking for a cave. With this occasion I further enquired about the state of the trail, and I found out that people are still using it. Bradford my friend from Roses Valley show me the trail and I asked him to come with us and walk part of it. To my surprise the trail was quite good (this just means that is not badly overgrown and you ca walk it), so we walked down for about 1/2 hour. On the way down we got treated to some lovely banana and jackfruit and even some coconut. Walking on the trail we could see the remains of retaining walls and a fording, which means it was a wide drivable road at one time. We walked back to the car and leave with an exploring fever in us. This "fever" is like a virus once you catch it you can't get rid of it until you go and explore the trail.
In the following week I started to plan the trip. I needed to find a ride to Flamstead, if can't get one we will have to ride the uphill part as well. This can take about 3 - 3.5 hrs. We don't know how long is going to take to ride down the trail, we didn't know what to expect. Some trails begin looking very good, well walked, just to find yourself half way down the mountain with no clear trail to follow. Than you have to cut your way through the bush and carrying the bicycle on you back for hours. This reminds of my trip with Andy Gyles to Corn Puss Gap, where we followed a good trail, until we found ourselves in the middle of nowhere with no clear trail to follow. It took us 9 hours to work our way through the bush. Anyhow I learned my lesson, so I like to be prepared.
Once we get through this trail we need to get back home which can be challenging after many hours of riding, bushing. The whole trip can stretch out to 7-8 hours of riding. It is essential to have good equipment and the knowledge to fix it if needed, otherwise you will have to add a few more hours of walking, pushing or carrying your bike. There are things I always carry on a trip like this, such as : sufficient water, high energy snacks/bars, tools, first aid kit, rain jacket, light, GPS, spare batteries, cell phone, insect repellent, spare tubes.
Towards the end of the week I found somebody to drive us to Flamstead (big relief), I really wasn't prepared for those 3 hours of climb. We met him 6 am in Papine and start our journey uphill on the dark winning road to Guava Ridge. Up here the air is really cool at this time of the day, it makes you wake up instantly! By dawn we reach to Bellevue Great House, the sun gently covers the mountain sides in beautiful warm orange colour.
Quick equipment check and we start descending. First we follow the main road leaving behind us the last piece of asphalt at 3900 ft above see level. We descend fast but resisting to any temptation to do tricks, jumps etc. An injury is the last thing we want on a trip like this, so no braveries. At Flamstead Square we take the road to Roses Valley, continuing through some coffee farms. We reach the river and start the climb towards Good Hope. In the gap, Keith and Scatta the farmers, come out to say hi and wish us good luck.
After a short break we continue passing a few donkeys, they are the only transportation method for the farmers, they are helping carrying the produce to Dallas from where they take a taxi or bus to the market. However the ripe bananas can not be carried by the donkey, they would break, therefore the farmer has to carry it on his head for many many miles. (Next time your bargaining for the price of banana think about this.) We take a right and stop at the ruins of the Good Hope Great House. Once a beautiful Georgian style residence owned by the Munn family has fallen in neglect after the Munn twin sisters left the island in the fifties. Good Hope was a coffee estate. We enjoy the views for a few moments before continuing our descend!
We turn off left and start following the trail. We quickly pass the part we walked last week.Half an hour walk downhill means about 5 minutes or less riding the bicycle. This pictures shows Anthony riding beside the stone rain gutter (in the right bottom corner) and the huge hole on the left carved out by the rain. Mother Nature is taking it back.
The trail is really fast for riding, the only things that slow you down are some big rocks and a few fences meant to keep animals away from the crops. On some parts the trail detours from what looks to be the old road, most probably is avoiding a landslide. we cross the river bed a few times, however very little or no water in it. For a while the trail goes through the river bed, this makes riding very difficult because you have lots of stones to roll over or go around, is hard to keep the bike rolling. Further down we see a Stone fence and a gate, apparently this should be where the Lucky Valley Great House is located. The area behind the wall was very thick bush, we couldn't see the ruin. further down the trail splits in two we take the one on the right . This takes us to the ruin of the mill. The walls are still in good shape the stone work is really good.One time the river must have had much more water to run this mill. Today everything was very dry.
A few more corners, another fence, car wreck and.... , I got a puncture! I continued riding as long as I still have some air in the tyre. Quick tube change and we hit the main road. 14 km to this point all off road, This definitely makes this trail one of the longest rideable trails. Of course the work just starts now, we will go back to move some stones and fallen trees, and make the trail fun and safe to ride.
We are meeting my wife Edith and daughter Isabelle at Cane River Falls, one of my favourite spots. A swim in the river to wash off all the dust and bugs and of course to refresh our selves. The virus is gone for now, but I am sure I'll catch it again!
