2004 NATIONAL HEROES DAY, KINGSTON TO NEGRIL
In 1991 three recreational cyclists, Capt. Paul Goldson (Air Jamaica), Dr. Franklin Bennett, (UWI) and Tim Byam (Grenada) had that bright idea to attempt a ride from Kingston to Negril, a distance of approximately 140 miles. Without ceremony the three set off from the intersection of Russell Heights and Barbican Road at 5am on the morning of October 19, 1991 and arrived in Negril 13 hours later. Many ask the question as to what could have possessed three grown men to set off on such feat with not even a support vehicle (cell phone service was virtually non existent in Jamaica at that time).
Since then, long distance riding has become a life style and in essence, the hallmark of this core group which has grown considerably. The ride, which has now become an institution, has fittingly been observed annually on every National Heroes weekend since 1991 as for many, it is truly a heroic endeavour. It is eagerly anticipated each year by a wide cross-section of the local cycling fraternity and has even attracted overseas participation.
The official staging point of the ride is the intersection of Molynes Road and Washington Boulevard and ends officially at the Point Village Resort in Negril. This year’s group which comprised approximately 40 riders, completed the journey in a riding time of approximately eight and a half hours averaging 16.5 miles per hour. The route follows the south coast through Porus, Mandeville, Spur Tree, Santa Cruz, Whitehouse, Savanna-la-Mar to Negril.
Since then, long distance riding has become a life style and in essence, the hallmark of this core group which has grown considerably. The ride, which has now become an institution, has fittingly been observed annually on every National Heroes weekend since 1991 as for many, it is truly a heroic endeavour. It is eagerly anticipated each year by a wide cross-section of the local cycling fraternity and has even attracted overseas participation.
The official staging point of the ride is the intersection of Molynes Road and Washington Boulevard and ends officially at the Point Village Resort in Negril. This year’s group which comprised approximately 40 riders, completed the journey in a riding time of approximately eight and a half hours averaging 16.5 miles per hour. The route follows the south coast through Porus, Mandeville, Spur Tree, Santa Cruz, Whitehouse, Savanna-la-Mar to Negril.
Robert Thomson
October 2004
see photo below
see photo below
Group photo "Negril 2004"
