Cycling Grenada: My Toughest 60
When you live on a mountainous Caribbean island, the amount of route options is very limited. On a daily basis, if I want to ride over 20 miles I either have to head up coast and do some pretty serious climbing or opt for monotonous loops.
I don’t like either option, really……so most of the time I put in 20+ miles and call it a day. But for a while now, I’ve been yearning for the solitude that can only come from putting in the miles.
Ever since coming to Grenada 2 1/2 years ago, I’ve considered cycling around the island. At 60 miles, the circumference ride is far from what cyclists would call a long ride…..but this ain’t your typical 60. Steep percent grade inclines, rough patches of road, and grueling heat and humidity make the ride around the island feel more like 100 miles.
When I lived in Austin, putting in 60, 80, or more miles was tough…..but so much less intimidating. What I loved about those rides was the opportunity to be all alone, to suffer, and be one with my bike. It’s a feeling only a cyclist can understand. And it was a feeling I needed to experience again.
So last week it was time. I had no idea how long this ride was going to take me. All I knew was, “it’s going to take you much longer than you’d think 60 miles would take”, based on what I’ve been told.
The first 15 miles or so was very familiar as I’ve ridden that far up the East coast several times. But after that, it was foreign territory to me and my bike. I rode through villages I had only breezed past in a vehicle, and I cycled on roads that I had only even driven once before. For most of the Northern part of the island, it was only me and my bike….and the occasional person walking by.
It took just over 4 hours to get around….and it was the toughest 60 I have ever done. Seriously. But that feeling of solitude, of wanting to achieve something, and to bust out of the box was the best feeling I’ve experienced in a very long time.
There’s nothing like time in the saddle….know what I mean?
Twice round and you have yourself a century (I dare you :)! Nice work! What sort of elevation gain did the ride have? There is something amazing about the solitude you experience on a bike, just clears your mind of everything or on the other end of the spectrum, it gives you time to ponder things.
Thanks for the comment, Jeremy. With the hills and conditions here….doing 60 pretty much is like a century anywhere else. I’ll take your dare and consider it for the future.
Awesome ride Darryl, well done SIr !
Thanks…..it was nice to finally get all the way around this island.
Wow, congratulations on your epic ride, Darryl! The fact that you were able to go approximately 15 mph on a ride of that difficulty speaks to your incredible fitness and cycling strength! Did you take photos on the ride? Would love to see some if you get a chance to post a few.
Yeah, the speed was okay….but definitely felt slower than I’m used to. I didn’t take any breaks for photos, but maybe next time I’ll take things slower and shoot some photos.