| Title: | Bicycling |
| Notice: | Bicycling for Fun |
| Moderator: | JAMIN::WASSER |
| Created: | Mon Apr 14 1986 |
| Last Modified: | Fri Jun 06 1997 |
| Last Successful Update: | Fri Jun 06 1997 |
| Number of topics: | 3214 |
| Total number of notes: | 31946 |
I'm heading for Barbados at the end of the month for a couple of
weeks. My girlfriend has once again allowed my bike to join us
on holiday and I was wondering if anyone out there can advise
me on local traffic conditions, state of the roads, what the
drivers are like also whether I can get away with taking my
road bike (prefered) or if I should take my mountain bike.
In the last couple of years I have cycled in California, Hawaii,
Minorca and Crete along with countless trips in my homeland of
Scotland. I used the road bike in my trips to California and Hawaii
but stuck with the Mountain bike when cycling in Crete and Minorca.
In Scotland I use both but prefer the road bike as I can cover 200
to 300 miles in a weekend and get to see a lot more of the country.
So far what I have gathered about Barbados is they drive on the
left (same as Britain), the local population mainly use the bus,
and the road are fairly narrow but quite good. If anyone can add
to my sparce knowledge plus give advice on some nice trips, places
to see etc, I would appreciate it.
Many Thanks,
Richard
| T.R | Title | User | Personal Name | Date | Lines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1724.1 | take the mountain bike | GOBACK::FOX | Tue Sep 04 1990 17:23 | 13 | |
Lemme try this one more time... My wife and I went in Barbados in 84. From what I recall, (what with all the rum and all...) the place is much better suited to an ATB than a road bike. First off, Barbados ain't that big! You won't have much opportunity to stretch out and boogie. Secondly, the roads are horrible. Wicked narrow and so-so condition. I would not want to be riding in traffic w/o being able to get off the pavement. We stayed on the north/northeast side - only went to the west once or twice. They may be better there, but it's so crowded on the west side, you won't be moving very fast. The east side is undeveloped - dirt roads, mountainous terrain, some parts seem tropical. Great place for some off-road fun. John | |||||
| 1724.2 | Re: Take the mountain bike | AYOV24::RGELVIN | Wed Sep 05 1990 14:46 | 11 | |
Regarding -< take the mountain bike >, thanks for the advice. Roads
conditions in Barbados sound similar to most of the Islands in the
Med and I have always been glad that I took the ATB rather than my
road bike when visiting them. I'm planning to do the west coast
of the USA, from Los Angelos to Vancouver, later this year and I will
save the road bike for that trip rather than risk damaging it in
Barbados.
Thanks again for your reply.
Richard
| |||||
| 1724.3 | maniac drivers | ISTG::OLEJARZ | Wed Sep 12 1990 14:58 | 8 | |
While riding in cabs down in Barbados, I would often end up grabbing the door handle when our cab driver would pass cars going the speed limit on narrow roads or when I could see other cars pulling out into our path to pass. I'm used to crazy Boston drivers put a lot of these people were just plain sick. I'd stick to the mountain bike on the back side of the island like one of the previous replies recommended. Greg | |||||
| 1724.4 | chain gang | BURTON::WILTSHIRE | Thu Sep 20 1990 14:40 | 23 | |
Hi, I've just come back from holiday in barbados. It was great!!! The roads are no better than the med (except for the highways of which there are 7). You would be better off on an ATB. There is a cycling federation in barbados and if you look in the telephone directory you'll find it no probs. I would recommend giving them a call. If you are a climber there is only 1 hill (farley hill) but its quite a biggy. I ws amased at the prices of racing stuff out there. Its cheap. There is a good cycle shop in De'Costas Mall in Bridgetown and the Cannondale stuff in there was very tempting. I found it quite amusing to see on sunday morning the local chain gang beavering their way around the island. Me? I didn't bother.... Make mine a Rum Punch, cheers larry w | |||||