Tinker's Paradise: Caribbean Spice, With World Cup Flavor
(Source: Mountain Biking Magazine) You can almost imagine what must've been going through Tinker
Juarez's mind when he got the phone call: "Tinker, we've got some
good news for you" the call probably went. "You get to hang out on
an island resort in the middle of the Caribbean."
It didn't take much convincing to get Tinker on a fast plane to the
beautiful island of St. Lucia. All he had to do was travel to the
resort of Anse Chastanet and advise on the construction of a new
bike trail that would bear his name.
Mission to St. Lucia
Anse Chastanet, the casually luxurious resort in St. Lucia's scenic
southwest that climbs up a green hillside above a silver beach, is
noted for many things. Fine cuisine to nourish the body; a spa to
soothe and tone it. Original art in guest rooms to feed the soul, as
well as walls that drop away to reveal magnificent views, and trees
that growing through the ceiling. The sounds of birds to wake you in
the morning, and the sight of a thousand reef fish, in offshore dive
sites that are ranked with the Caribbean's finest.
Now Anse Chastanet has added two more landmark features for active
vacationers: A brand new mountain bike facility, as well as guided
hikes in the surrounding rain forest. A fleet of brand-new Team
Volvo-Cannondale replica F800 mountain bikes was lined up to take
adventurous visitors on amazingly scenic custom-designed private
trails.
In a new move to strengthen Bike St. Lucia's claim of offering the
most competitive bike trails in the Caribbean, Anse Chastanet
invited Team Volvo-Cannondale rider Tinker Juarez to consult on the
construction of the resort's newest trail. Michael Allard, who put
Bike St. Lucia into effect last year and oversees it, says, "We've
had requests from serious riders wanting something even more
challenging in the way of trails. To create an appropriate challenge
for these riders we thought it best to have a top professional help
design the trail."
Ringing Tinker's Bell
Set on the northern side of Anse Mamin, the historic plantation that
is part of Anse Chastanet Resort, the trail takes riders to the top
of a peak 900-1000 feet high. The ride takes approximately 30
minutes and promises both the opportunity of ringing Tinker's Bell
placed at the top of the mountain and the reward of one of St.
Lucia's most spectacular vistas: A 270-degree view of the Caribbean.
Tinker was naturally very excited about the trail since it bears his
name - "Tinker's Trail." He was also very impressed with the
professional standard of the facilities and storage area that
provides visiting riders genuine first-class treatment.
Other Anse Chastanet trails - including challenging singletrack
loops - wind through the lush Anse Mamin Valley that bisects the
600-acre private estate owned by the resort. The trail system has
ben described as "incredible" with lush jungle terrain with
innumerable wild orchids and a variety of birds; a huge freshwater
reservoir, and a stream with an old-fashioned swimming hole for
cooling off; an old church, and ruins of an 18th century French
Colonial plantation. Trails are clearly marked for levels of
difficulty, and patrolled by Bike St. Lucia staffers.
For those who want to learn or sharpen their skills before heading
up the trails, there's a skills area with a trained instructor. Each
rider is issued a Bell helmet, a complimentary Cannondale Jungle
Bike™ souvenir water bottle, and a trail map. There is a 5000
square-foot covered bike facility and retail center for guest
comfort. When Tinker first visited the facility and saw all the blue
Cannondale bikes lined up, he commented, "Wow. This looks like the
inside of our team truck."
Excerpted from Mountain Biking magazine, Volume 14, Number 7, July
2000, Destinations Feature, p.30ff ©2000 Challenge Publications,
Inc.
Pedal Through St. Lucia's Sugary Past
Sentinel of St. Lucia's Sugary Past "You could call it the sweetest
bike ride in the Caribbean-- an 18th-century sugar plantation on St.
Lucia that has been transformed into a mecca for mountain bikers.
'Actually, it's more like jungle biking,' says Michael Allard of
Bike St. Lucia, which opened in January and offers wild rides on a
twisting network of trails through Anse Mamin on the island's
southwest coast. 'It's designed along the lines of a thrill-ride
theme park with trails for hard-core bikers and beginners alike. But
its main inspiration is nature.' In the days of Caribbean
colonialism, the 500-acre French-owned plantation produced sugar,
molasses, rum and cocoa. Vestiges of its former glory remain-- the
ruins of a chapel, the brick skeleton of the main house and the iron
vats where cane juice was once boiled down into syrup.
The bike center is headquartered in a restored building that
shelters a sleek array of Cannondale F800s and offers various "skill
stations" where advanced bikers can sharpen their techniques and
newbies can get their first taste of the sport. Part of Anse
Chastanet resort, which sits next door, the bike center offers
enthusiasts the best of two tropical worlds. 'You can spend hours
pedaling through jungle terrain and then zip down to the beach to
cool off,' says Allard.
Khaki-clad bike 'rangers' patrol the trails to assist
visitors, and there are several 'oases' for picnicking and catching
your breath. Bikers can follow trails where donkey carts once
handled barrels of molasses to ships bound for the American
colonies. The aptly named French Wall Trail follows the remains of a
stone wall that still shows the handiwork of meticulous artisans.
The Aqua Dulce Trail shadows the route of the plantation's aqueduct
that once spilled into a three million gallon fresh water reservoir
and turned the water wheel that ground the sugar cane. While the
reservoir's basin is overgrown with trees and shrubs, its walls are
solid and intact. Allard hopes to convert the reservoir into a giant
swimming hole stocked with fish that can be served in the
restaurant. It will also feature a ramp so thrill-seeking visitors
on old worn-out bikes can shoot down into the water. 'It will be so
cool,' says Allard. 'Like being a little kid all over again.
' "
from Caribbean Travel & Life magazine's Gazette article, March 2000
issue, page 16
Do you fancy getting dirty in the Dingly Dells, trying out your
pedaling prowess on the Riverside Run, or ending a hard slog climb
by ringing Tinker's Bell, then you must experience the Anse Mamin
Jungle Biking™ Adventure.
Described by the editor of "Bike" magazine as "a Disneyland for
adults", this unique mountain biking experience gives you the chance
to test your skills on a series of exclusive trails set in tropical
jungle on the grounds of a historical 18th century French colonial
plantation.
The Jungle Biking™ Adventure is a first class operation - from the
time you are collected from your hotel to the moment you return. The
"check-in" and changing facilities at Anse Mamin are as impressive
as the top notch equipment, chosen to accommodate both beginners and
experienced riders.
Each rider is issued with a Bell ForzaPro 2 helmet and one of
Cannodale's new F800 suspension bikes with the latest gearing and
Expert wheelset that will allow you to tackle even the toughest of
obstacles.
The trails, which are graded to cater for every level of ability,
pass the ruins of a centuries old sugar mill and 3000 gallon fresh
water reservoir with walls 20 feet deep. There is even an ancient
church set among the dense tropical foliage. Fruit trees abound and
if you decide to take the trails at a more leisurely pace, you can
hunt for wild orchids among the trailside trees, or simply find a
secluded and romantic spot to share with your significant other.
And if your exertions in the steamy jungle start to tell, another
trail will take you an old fashioned swimming hole filled with cool,
volcanic mineral rich water. You can just slip off your trainers and
into the refreshing water.
Unlike other mountain biking tours, the Jungle Biking™ Adventure can
be as tough or as relaxing as you wish to make it. While less
experienced riders can stick to the moderately graded trails, there
are also a number of dedicated single track loops designed with
experienced riders in mind. In addition, the moderate trails have
optional obstacles for those who wish to take in a bit of log
jumping or rock dodging. The choice is yours.
As five time World Champion Volvo Cannondale team member, three-time
individual US national champion, Pan Am Games gold medallist and US
Olympic team member, Tinker Juarez, said: "The trails and
environment are absolutely incredible. They're great trails for
novices, and as a pro, I had a great time riding here."
In fact, the mountain bike champ was so impressed, he will be
assisting the Jungle Bike™ Adventure management team in conjunction
with Bike St Lucia, to create a super-challenging trail set to open
in October this year.
This advanced trail will loop to the top of a small mountain with a
vertical ascent of some 1,000 ft and providing stunning views of the
neighbouring Pitons. The reward for those who make it to the top?
You get to ring Tinker's Bell!
But the Jungle Bike™ Adventure is not just about great mountain
biking. Anse Mamin has one of the most beautiful beaches to be found
in St Lucia so when you've finished biking for the day, and feasted
on a delicious buffet lunch, you can use complimentary snorkeling
equipment to venture out to nearby reefs in the marine park, or just
stretch out on the sunlounger and soak in the rays.
Those who don't bike can participate in a guided tour of the
historical ruins, spend a lazy day topping up their tan and becoming
more familiar with the area's marine life.
This is a great tour which represents good value for money. For just
US$89, you will be collected from your hotel be taxi and taken by
the Anse Chastanet speed boat (a scenic 35 to 40 minute coast
hugging ride) to Anse Mamin, have the use of a Cannondale bike, bike
helmet, get a complimentary water bottle, a plantation picnic lunch,
and the use of snorkeling equipment when you have finished riding
for the day. There are special packages for non-bikers and
concessions for children under 12 who are big enough to bike (over 4
feet 10 inches tall).
Apart from representing value for money, the tour also gives you the
chance to set your own pace. It is a good idea to start your
adventure in the hands of one of the Jungle Biking™ guides, but
after that, and once you are armed with a small map of the trails,
it's great fun to go it alone. Spend as much time as you like at the
swimming hole, or really earn your lunch with a rigorous workout.
Trail patrol staff carry puncture repair equipment and other items
on their bikes in case of problems and to ensure you keep on biking.
For maximum enjoyment you should be comfortable on a bike. The
wearing of closed toe shoes is mandatory - expert riders can even
bring their cycling shoes from home as Jungle Biking™ can provide
bikes with special pedal clips catering for most shoe types.
For those who like to cycle, but haven't experienced the thrill of
offroad pedaling, and introductory Jungle Biking™ skills course is
on offer where you will learn the basic skills for properly enjoying
off-road biking. An additional US$10 will give you a full hour with
an instructor who will put you through your paces - you will be
stump-jumping before you know it.
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