“These trails are of the vey best kind; traditional routes each with its own history built to serve a very practical purpose - yet seemingly crafted with an understanding of two wheels.”
Jamaica is NOT flat. At 7,402 feet, Blue Mountain Peak is the highest in the English speaking Caribbean. And all that elevation is gained in less than 10 miles giving Jamaica one of the steepest general gradients on the planet. Its called mountain biking for a reason...
In addition to steep terrain there are a number of other factors that make riding in Jamaica such a unique experience. The first is the varied terrain. Soft and loamy, rocky and rooty, mud, sand, rotten mangoes, you name it, you'll ride it - oftentimes on the same trail. We call it "Jamaican technical" and its like nothing you've ever experienced. Or maybe more appropriately, its like everything you've ever experienced - in one place.
The second thing that makes riding in Jamaica unforgettable is the fact that Jamaican trails are living, breathing things. Most have been around hundreds of years as generations of Jamaicans have used them to walk within and between communities. They are literally the arteries of rural Jamaica and you'll ride past goats, cows, donkeys, farmers, kids (LOTS of kids), churchgoers, and little old ladies. You'll see grocery shops, houses and rum bars. LOTS of rum bars - and we'll stop at more than a few. You will be IN Jamaica - literally.
Lastly there is the music. No matter where you are and how far in the bush you think you've reached, you can ALWAYS hear music chinking out of some sound system somewhere. Jamaicans are some of the most "music-est" people on earth and it makes for an unforgettable ride.
Generally speaking, Singletrack Jamaica's rides are of the 'all-mountain' or 'enduro' variety. We love to go down and are willing to suffer as much as it takes going up in order to make that happen. We shuttle to the top when we can, but more often than not, it simply isn't possible and we end up earning our descents.
“The sun, beaches and the rum had me loving it before my bike was even out of the box. When we did hit the trails the riding was a mixture of uphill and technical downhill, which was perfect for some pre-season riding. Our rides took us through small villages, beautiful vistas and even a waterfall. It was just all so perfect”
Some of our main riding areas and trails include:
Ocho Rios/Oracabessa
- Coke Bottles
- Rivers of Babylon
- Jellied Eel
- Irie Fm
- Melt Down
- Trench Town
- Murray Mint
Robin's Bay/Pimento Hill
- John Crow Gully
- Pressure Drop
- Carlton Pass
- Kill Hill
- This Sucks Until It Doesn't
Blue Mountains (in conjunction with Gravity Jamaica)
- Triple Bypass
- Money or Boots
- Scotchies
- Jus'kiddin'
- Farm Trail
- Woodford
- Happy Gate
- Downpipe Gully
- Blue Mtn. Peak
There really is something for everyone.
“I quietly hiked my way back to the top, as I had to hit it up one more time. A sublime trail. There’s absolutely nothing more to say about it. ”