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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