To quote friend J. on her winter getaway to a warmer climate earlier this month, "It doesn't suck here, just sayin'." No, it doesn't suck in St. Croix. Highs around 82 and lows in the 70's each day; just what the doctor ordered for this pale rider. This is one laid back island in that they don't bother with daylight savings time and pennies, nickles and dimes are not welcome at the local establishments. I am not kidding in that every bill was rounded up or down accordingly; and I was just fine with that as I usually arrive home from these trips with enough change to launder a college student for a year. Besides the warm weather, the intent was to pedal, both dirt and pavement. The mountain bike trails are in their infant stages but have a bright future. Bike shop owner Aaron arranged a ride Sunday morning with him, myself and two others, Wendy and Don. Aaron and Wendy are co-trail creators with each section of the trail named after a Bob Marley reference. Wendy has been an island resident since '74 and was celebrating her 65th birthday on Sunday. She is about five feet tall and maybe 90 pounds but don't let her age or small frame deter you. The girl can ride! A few times she was asking if I wanted to pass but little did she know I was trying everything in my power to not let my breakfast fly for all to see. "No, I'm good Wendy." And no, I did not lose my cookies on that first day. It was close though as I had one "vurp" (vomit burp). For a Michigan trail comparison, I would say St. Croix right now is in Proud Lake shape but with potential to be like Pontiac Lake, Island Lake or Brighton. They just need more riders and have no doubt that Aaron and Wendy will get them there.
I left the dirt for pavement on Monday with a pedal to the east side of the island; on East End Rd. Some complex road names as I was on Northside Rd. the day before; on the north side of the island. Even so, I still got turned around a few times. You get to see more when you are lost so I was maximizing my tourist dollar; and got to see the projects of St. Croix.
While I hit a few heart attack hill climbs, the locals advised of the mother of all hills, The Beast; a hill that tops them all. I didn't partake in said Beast but attached a few videos from the Ironman Triathlon that involves it. So just to be straight, after swimming however many miles and running a marathon, you need to climb this vertical hill from hell. Show me the tow rope please.
Post pedal involved the hotel pool and thankfully I didn't reproduce my Brazil burn this year. That was some serious skin loss on that trip. My hotel was not a five star but had a nice view of the bay and served its purpose quite well.
The pubs in Christiansted had everything I needed except for one minor omission. What does a guy need to get a chicken dinner in this town? The food was delicious but I was craving some bird. For how many roosters that are roaming town (not an exaggeration; see the last batch of pictures below), you would think a chicken emporium would be greeting you upon arriving in town.
In the "it's a small world" file, I sat down for lunch Tuesday and had a Commerce resident on one side and a retired WJR employee on the other.
One would think that the law of averages would bring about one bad local apple in my ventures on the island but whether it was someone I pedaled by giving a simple fist to the heart salute or a pleasant "hello" greeting, EVERYONE on this island could not have been nicer.
It doesn't suck here, just sayin'.
Trail Head
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| Northside Rd. |
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| old dairy farm off the mountain bike trail |
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| some big climbs but worth it for the view - and the descent |
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| East End Rd. |
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| East End Rd. |
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| East End Rd. |
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| East End Rd. - Buck Island in distance |
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| East End Rd. |
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| East End Rd. |
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| big fu**ing dish |
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| not sure the St. Croix translation for 'slob' but made me laugh |
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| Tavern 1844 - cool pub |
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| Tim Duncan shrine |
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| tunnel of trees were a treat |
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| been over a 100 years since one but preparation is everything |
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| my hotel room balcony view |
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| Why did the chicken cross the road? |
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| Randy the Rooster |
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| yep, more rooster |
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| need more rooster |
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| rooster in the pub |
If friend Slick ever recommends a band to see, go see that band. Last year it was Samantha Fish; last night it was Albert Cummings and there was no disappointment. Close your eyes and it was Stevie Ray Vaughn making that guitar cry. And that was Jim crying after learning that Raj locked Jim’s keys in his van……..”Thank you for calling AAA, how may we assist you today? Is that you Jim? Locked out again? We’ll be right there” All kidding aside, you can’t blame Jimmy “Keys” for this one and the fellas eventually got back in the van so all was well. I left after the first set as it was past this early riser’s bedtime but the guys tell me the second set was outstanding (of course it was better than the first; my luck, as always). 
