Circling Grenada By Bike

Generally speaking, Caribbean countries are quite small when compared to the rest of the world. This may be true, but it also depends on how you look at it. Sure, the main island road that takes you around the perimeter of Grenada is less than 100 kms in distance, but this is very deceiving. Especially when on a bike.

I say this because under North American cycling conditions, a ride of this distance would take me somewhere around 2 1/2 hours to complete. This time, it took me four days.

Okay, so that’s a little deceiving in itself.  In reality, the journey took approximately 5 hours of pedaling…much longer than what I’m used to.  But taking in overnight stops along the way allowed me to see this beautiful country in a manner that can only be done by bike.

I did the ride because we offer it through Mocha Spoke, and I want to be able to tell our guests what to expect.  Mocha Spoke will look after all the logistics (your route, accommodations, and a fantastic mountain bike rental), and we’ll answer any questions you may have about the journey.

My first day of riding was only 25 kilometers, but by the time I reached Cabier Ocean Lodge I felt like I had cycled a hundred.

The route is quite hilly, and although I wouldn’t call it mountainous it’s enough of an incline to give you a serious workout.  I’ve been this way several times and I always try my best to take in the ocean views and island villages along the way.  I have to laugh at all the encouragement the locals give me while pedaling up the hills.

Good thing I took the mountain bike instead of my road bike, as the road down to the resort was rocky and ridged.  Once I arrived at Cabier Lodge, I was once again blown away by the view.  The beauty of staying at a place like this is the personal service and the feeling you are more like family than just another guest.  As I sat down in one of their hammock chairs and stared out at the ocean, I forgot all about the hard work it took me to ride there.

It’s amazing what a good night’s sleep and a delicious breakfast can do for you.  As I said goodbye to my friends at Cabier, I was fired up and ready for my second day on the bike.  This time I had 32 kms in front of me on a route that would be more inland than along the ocean.  Plus it would be the first time I’ve ridden my bike further North than Grenville.

Once again I faced down some rolling hills, but they weren’t like what I had overcome the day before.  I rode along and made a few stops on my way to the Northern tip of the island.  On this day of riding, I came to the realization that Grenadians just might be some of the friendliest people on Earth.

Just after lunch I arrived at Petite Anse Hotel.  I would have made it there much earlier if it wasn’t for getting lost a few times.  Thanks again to those friendly locals.  Petite Anse is French for “little cove” and was named so because they basically have their own little private beach.

This pretty boutique hotel made me feel like I was a Hollywood celebrity on a private getaway. There really isn’t much else around, but Petite Anse has enough luxury to not make you go looking. The first thing I did was jump in the pool to cool off. Then it was an afternoon of relaxing and liming.

I had a pretty short 23 kilometers of riding ahead of me for day 3, so I slept in and spent the first part of the morning meditating alone on the beach. I was maybe just a little too relaxed, but I mounted my bike and started off along the West coast.

This day of riding just might be the most beautiful route I’ve ever taken. A good portion of the ride was spent along the ocean, and the fact that several kilometers were downhill was a bonus as well. Since I had a late start, I didn’t make it to Gouyave (pronounced Gwov) until noon so I stopping in a vegetarian lunch at a little shop along the road.

Just a short pedal later, I was once again at my lodging for the night. This time it was Mango Bay, another small and intimate resort. Perched on the side of a cliff, I was amazed once more at the incredible view upon me.

With only 4 rooms, it might not be labeled as a resort….but with the warm service and attention to detail I felt as though I was a guest in a 5 star luxury hotel. The vegetarian restaurant on site provided me with a nourishing meal before I drifted off to sleep.

Where had the time gone? Here I was on the last leg of my mini island bicycle adventure, and not at all ready for it to end. This final day was another short one with only 22 kms to Mocha Spoke. The first part of the ride was peaceful and majestic. I then had to bike through the island capital of St. George’s. What a change from the quietness I had experienced along most of my ride.

It was still quite early in the morning when I returned to Mocha Spoke, so I chilled out for a while before heading home.  I talked with some customers who were there having breakfast and coffee, and now they all want to do this bicycle journey as well.

I didn’t want this post to come off as an infomercial for our Mocha Spoke Bicycle Trips, but if this does interest you feel free to contact me for more information or to help put your Grenada bicycle adventure for you.   I can help put together your entire bicycle vacation including accommodations, other tours, island recommendations, and more.

By: Darryl for lovingthebike.com

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