Keisha Shakespeare-Blackmore, Staff Reporter
Crossing a river on a bike? Damion Chin does it like a pro. - Photos by Keisha Shakespeare-Blackmore
Travelling through the tough terrain of the Jamaican countryside may be a sweaty bother for some 'house rats', but for nature-loving thrill seekers it's a fabulous feast of fun.
What began as a group of friends taking the road less travelled into the island's interior evolved into an adrenaline-rush off-road adventure.
Two Saturdays ago, the 4-Real Off-roading team, along with more than 300 family members and friends, travelled the rugged trails of St Andrew and St Thomas. Their destination was a magnificent river with cascading waterfalls in Hillside, St Thomas.
The 4-Real team consisted of a group of friends, Wayne Reynolds, Craig Bernard, Kris Dacosta and Johnny Chin. Reynolds and Bernard note their parents are lovers of the outdoors and even carried them hunting as boys. As adults, they would go off-roading on weekends.
"People knew we usually go on these road trips and asked us to plan a big event so the four of us got together and made it happen," says Reynolds. They made it happen with the help of Motor Sales, Toyota Jamaica, Kir-Dex Transportation Limited, Maxxis Tyres and Jamaica Broilers.
Exciting air
About 7:00 a.m., we all gathered in Hope Pastures, the air filled with excitement as we waited to hit the road. Reynolds was busy running around making final preparations. He had a short meeting with the drivers before we headed off. At 8 a.m., Reynolds sounded his horn, signalling everyone that it was time to roll out.
It was incredible to see more than 50 pickups and SUVs rolling out like a grand armada through Hope Pastures to Papine ready to battle the great outdoors. Passers-by watched curiously as the vehicles headed off into the wild.
The Gleaner team drove in a Motor Sales-sponsored Pajero. Our driver was Bobby Marshall, who was accompanied by Ian Lyn, Motor Sales' marketing and sales manager. Lyn was bubbling with excitement and re-enacted a few moments from Oliver At Large. He was absolutely hilarious.
Reynolds led the way, and as we drove on we had to stop a few times while the others played catch-up. It was a busy Saturday morning as shoppers and other weekend walkabouts causing an urban snarl stopped to let us through. It was amazing as they hailed us as we passed, and we waved like patronising politicians driving through their constituency.
True beauty
Even though some people use them for cruising around the city, Hummers are really built for this type of terrain.
Ian Lyn of Motor Sales takes in the scenery through the sunroof.
The crisp morning breeze was lovely and as the car wended its way through Gordon Town, then Mahogany Vale, the serene countryside unveiled its true beauty.
In Mahogany Vale, we went on a little dirt track down a steep hill onwards to the Yallahs River. Reynolds went first to guide the others across. While the first set of vehicles traversed the river, others came on foot to get a piece of the action.
Francesa Carpenter, an English intern at The Gleaner, and I hopped out of our vehicle to get a better view of the grand crossing. Barefooted and with rolled-up pants, we splashed our way across.
Safely on the other side, we watched as the vehicles crossed the river filled with slippery stones. Darn! A Ford pickup got stuck. Then Chin came on the scene, and with the gusto of a perennial problem solver roped the Suzuki and Ford together. By now, it was an early-morning show that drew a host of spectators.
We watched as Chin revved up the Suzuki, the crowd cheered, but nada. Instead of the Ford breaking free, it went further down into its watery snare. As we began to simmer in the sweltering sun, everyone was now running out of ideas as to how to get the pickup out.
Sean Pierre, a member of the group, who was a few inches behind the stuck vehicle, tied a rope to his vehicle while a few men jumped in the back of the Ford to add some weight. Pierre, who was driving a Pajero, reversed, pulling the pickup and voilą! It broke free! After about a half-an-hour tug-o'-war, the Ford was reeled in.
By now our ride had gone ahead to prevent a massive gridlock on the off road. Thus, Carpenter, DaCosta and I had to hitch a ride. Up the hills we went, on a bumpy yet exhilarating ride.
Through Guava Ridge on to Mavis Bank opened up a breathtaking view of the Blue Mountains. Mist lurked over the peak, cool breeze kissing our faces, as the army of adventurers motored into the open wild. The blissful tranquillity was then penetrated by a cacophonous convoy of about 100 bikes that came roaring by. Even a few girls were riding the bikes.
The thrill reached fever pitch as adventure seekers cheered them along as they joined the fleet.
Getting a glimpse
Bruce Duquesnay (left) of Best Dressed Foods grills up a storm while Kenneth Lowe has a cold one.
As the group passed through each small community, spectators came out to be part of the excitement. Some had chairs while others stood on the bank. It was unbelievable to see children, farmers, people who were just hanging out at the little shops stop to get a glimpse of what was going on.
By now, the morning sun was stinging and a 'catch-the-stomach' stop was due. In Bethel, there was a cookshop where some people grabbed a bite. Others had sandwiches from their stash, some had water while the drinkers settled for something, well, a little stronger. After about half an hour, Reynolds sounded the alarm and we were off - to Cedar Valley, Trinityville, then the final destination, the Hillside Falls (the eastern part of the Morant River), for the big barbecue.
A few good men try relentlessly to free the stuck Ford from its watery prison.
Getting to the falls was no walk in the park. Motoring through a huge riverbed packed high with stones, it was as a 10-minute roller-coaster ride that seemed like two hours long. But, I wasn't prepared for the enchanting river that awaited. It was picture perfect, spectacular. The water was pure, almost still. As you got closer, the music pulsated eardrums and the aroma of barbecue chicken, sausage and other delights captivated the nostrils.
Before long, the riverbed became a sea of pickups, SUVs, quads and bikes before another chill session and chowdown to cap a great adventure.
