REAL RIDE #1: THE DARK SIDE TRAIL

This goes from Mount Airy to Annotto Bay. You reach Mount Airy by going over Stony Hill, down to Golden Spring and turn right.

You can do the whole ride from Kingston, but this makes an epic and we prefer to motor up the Mount Airy.

From Mount Airy there is, on the Jamaica OS map an actual road, which has been long overtaken by the elements and ending on the coffee farm plateau.

The first part is a 45-60 minute climb to Mount Telegraph. There is a descent just after the start to a fording and then the track is steep and either stony or earthy depending on recent weather.

The first part takes you past the FIDCO depot to Mount Cressy where you turn right (straight on takes you to Leith Hall Gap and into the wild- another “Real Ride” better done in the opposite direction).

After this tough climb you are on a narrower track that descends and then climbs, with a couple of fordings and you reach Mas Lloyd’s bungalow on the plateau. It is worth stopping for a conversation with this coffee farm worker.

The track continues on the plateau amid the coffee farm with superb scenery of wild mountains on both sides.

Eventually the track seems to end and the fun starts. You have a single track with landslides a rock garden and a steep drop off on the right.

At the next “junction” you can go right of left (Boogie knows the way on the left). We usually go right which descends towards Cum See, you can see the sea from up high,  and crosses a bridge with only the parapet left, still single track.

Long Road then takes you through the banana fields to Annotto Bay.

Boogie’s alternative route mentioned above stays in the bush but comes out in the end.

The ride is a tough three hours, longer if the track is rough.

Drivers who have dropped you at the start can meet you in Annotto Bay, we have different options for eating, but it takes some arrangement.

I have done the ride on hard and soft tail, whatever you have nobly tyres area must.

The ride does require a lot of care or some skill on rough slippery surfaces.

A4WD vehicle can make it to Mas Lloyd’s but would then have to turn back. This would be useful for anyone who runs out of steam.

Also do not try it alone, Boogie, John, Amador or myself can lead and ride shotgun, you don’t want to get lost where cell phones have no signal!

At least two litres of liquid and some food are a must, as are spare tubes and a pump.

By David Linehan

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Salt Hill Trail

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The North-West Passage Exploration 2012

February, 2012

In world geography this is the Atlantic-Pacific junction between North America and Russia. Hard to complete before nuclear submarines.

 In local MTB terms it is a route that last year John, Amador and I tried to take from Mount Airie, over Mount Cressy and Leith Hall Gap and then down into the Wataru Coffee Farm valley and thence to the Brandon Hill road and civilization. We failed mainly because of a scary landslip, even on foot, no way with a bike. That is why we called it the "North West Passage".

 Being an Anglo-Saxon, there is no such thing as defeat and Boogie’s arrival was the spur to try again.

 The circuit we covered from Mount Airie was about three hours, virtually all rideable on double track, but with a testing stony climb of about an hour out of the valley and then a “bushy” trail to get to the ridge and the Leith Hall Gap road.

 Here is the route:

 From Mount Airie climb up on the normal road and descend until you see the sign for the Dyoll Coffee Factory (plenty of locals to ensure you don’t miss it).

 Just a little problem on the main road, before you get to the turn off, there is a serious landslip and you have to take a little, steep path to get back on the road.

 Down the coffee farm road, which descends, nothing serious and plenty of room until you get to the river. It is wide but not too deep and you can ride across.

 Then you turn left and the serious climb begins. It is varied with flat pieces (almost) and steep, short ramps, we only walked twice. Scenery improves as you gain height.

 You then come to a ”Private” sign and instead turn right onto a “bushy” track, mainly flat with a couple of grades that you can ride. I sent Boogie in front and he cut through the light bush!

 The you hit a double track and turn right, this is the track we took last year and had to double back. It takes you to Leith Hall Gap, with a serious climb to get there, I walked about 50

metres.

 At the Gap it is mainly downhill, with several fords and waterfalls and the trail is wet with puddles but easy to ride.

 You cross the river again and there is the last climb up to look down on and descent to Mount Airie and cold beers!

 Mission accomplished and a good ride for fit bikers.

By David Linehan

Dustry Road

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Bermuda Mount

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The "Never Again" Trail

Area: Flamstead, St. Andrew. From Bellevue Great House we rode down to Flamstead Square.To go down to Dublin Castle we turn right and after a steep climb we went down and turn right at the next intersection. We passed Dr. Peter Kings house and ride down to the end of the road where the trail starts on the right through a coffee farm. Only small parts are rideable , the trail is narrow and very steep at parts. After reaching the first house the trail becomes rideable, it has some sharp turns and roots sections. From Dublin Castle the unpaved road is downhill until the second cross of the stream. After a short climb , is all downhill to Gordon Town. It is a nice hiking trail!

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Coffee Farm

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Dallas 2

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Holywell

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Dallas 1

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Kintyre Gully

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Cofee Farm

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Settlement

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Johnny Ridge

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Down Pipe Gully

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Gordon Town

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Strawberry Hill Circle

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