Hike #2- Returning to the scene of the crime

Hi Team,
After a relatively "easy" start to the IronDocs series of Hikes; Hike #2  starts at Bath Car Park at 3:45pm sharp (returning to the scene of the crime). Lisa, Chetwyn and Astra received a special mention from the Hike master, and they are in line for one of our limited IronDocs tees presented to the most improved Hiker after 10 Hikes.


We have been receiving lots of queries with respect to the difficulty of the hikes, all we can say is that its not an ab lounge, its not a "take this pill and you will look like a fitness model in 4 weeks!" These hike challenge your body and your mind, they allow you to push yourself and feel proud when finished. No magic pills here, come stimulate your mind and your body, one thing we can assure you we wont leave you behind, start together finish together.


Safety, Safety, Safetyy-It got dark very early and everyone didn’t have flashlights! Once again bring your hydration, your flash light, a fluorescent vest if you have one. For those who don’t know the way, our Hike master Brian Charles is leaving Trimart Car Park at 3:15pm sharp Sunday November 14^th. Don’t be late.
BTW Astra we are looking forward to your commentary for hike number 2, in case you did not realise you are our official scribe, qualification; that lovely description of last weeks Hike!!

Hike #1 The Inside scoop!!

One of my clients (Dr. B Charles ) saw me last week and said “we’ve formed a group of exercise enthusiast called IronDocs, who are trying to promote health, fitness and weight loss through activity and we go hiking on Sundays; u should come! Astra in an enthusiastic voice resonated: “Sure, see you on Sunday!!!”

Well Sunday came, and I met the group at the meeting point and we drove convoy style to the starting point. We ventured off from Codrington College. I envisioned a scenic walk in the country side accompanied with maybe some small forays onto nature trails.

Little did I know what I was getting myself into! We set off on a swift pace, running down hills, walking on paths that had not seen human footfall for a long time. We reached Consett Bay for a brief hydration break and there the “hike began”. We climbed STEEP slopes ever watchful for loose and low hanging branches and careful of the slippery terrain up to a newly discovered place (for me), called Windy Hill. We descended the cliff face, more times on all 4’s than on 2 feet. It was slow going but by this time, my body was sending mixed messages to my brain. “This is great”. “What a lovely view”. “Why can’t I breathe?”. “The air is so nice and fresh”. “Are we there yet?”. At this point muscles in my legs were screaming in agony but still we kept on going and yes at a rapid pace. Finally we got off the cliff after sliding down a 5 foot chute to the beach. We walked on the coastline and were soaked by the waves but we also got to see the old railroad tracks. We reached Bath; my breath was regained, my heart resumed a normal beat and I began to feel like the end was near. Alas that was not to be! Our trusted guide, IronDoc Charles, pointed to a steep hill and said that’s Annette Hill and that’s where we’re going. All I could do was groan and say I got this far! I can finish! We climbed this mountain on all fours, mud on my hands, clothes and my shoes were no longer distinguishable. With darkness approaching we began our return to our starting point. We returned to Codrington College at a few minutes after six.

I was tired, beat, sore and wet but EXHILARATED!! I look forward to next week’s hike with excitement and healthy dose of apprehension.

Cruiser,

There was not a ride last weekend because of the passing storm. The loose debris blowing in the strong wind and the falling trees made it very dangerous to be outside riding. Therefore the route from last weekend will be on the schedule again very soon.

The bike route for Saturday November 6^th will start at Haggatt Hall in St. Michael. This is a flat route with a few inclines and is approximately 64 kilometers (39 miles) long.

We will assemble in the Standard Distributor’s car park in Haggatt Hall at 4:45 a.m. to start riding at 5:00 a.m. Please be there early so that we can start on time. Also please ensure that you have full safety gear, especially a helmet and lights.

The actual route is:

Exit the car park and turn left onto the Highway, turn left at the Norman Niles roundabout onto My Lords Hill, thru Welches, Belleville and onto Culloden Road. Turn right onto Beckles Road, turn left onto Bay Street, thru Hastings, Rockley and Top Rock. Turn right at Oistins (by the "Y" in the road), thru Sayers Court, Ealing Grove and turn right up thru Wilcox.

Turn right at Pilgrim Place, onto Pilgrim Road, thru Spencers and Oldbury. Turn right at Four Roads, turn left at Kirtons , turn left at Rices and thru Sandy Hill. Turn right at Beulah, thru Ruby, Eastbourne, Well House, Merricks, Marley Vale and Bay Field. Turn right at Three Houses thru Parish Land and Dodds.

Turn left at Church Village (by the Parish Church) and thru Sunbury. Turn right at the Six Roads roundabout thru Four Square, Woodbourne, St. Patricks and Fair View. Turn right at the Searles roundabout thru Ridge, Edey and Staple Grove. Turn right onto Egerton Road, turn left thru South District, onto Hanson Hill, Mapp Hill, into Haggatt Hall and the car park.

If you have any questions or suggestions call Livvy at 425-4516 or 262-0476 or call me at 425-3387 or at 233-0157.

Take care and safe riding,

Melvin

Roamers!!


I hope you didn’t have too many problems due to Tomas last weekend.
Generally speaking we were fortunate not have been hit harder. Spare a
thought and say a prayer for all who were affected here and in St.
Lucia and St. Vincent. I’m sure you will play your part in giving
assistance to anybody that needs it.


On a lighter note, the planning for our Independence Day
round-de-island roam and picnic is picking up pace. There’s no Nation
Fun Ride this year so we have to get together and have our annual
opportunity to socialise... right? For those taking on the
round-de-island roam, we will assemble in the Brownes beach carpark to
roll out at 4:00am. It’s important that we start early cuz we expect
to be on the road for about 5 hours. The earlier we start the less sun
and traffic we’ll have to deal with.


The route will basically be thru Bridgetown, up the west coast to
Sutherland Hill, past the cement plant to St. Lucy parish church,
south to pass Farley Hill, down to East Coast Road and Cattlewash,
dipsy doodle across to Bath and Codrington College, Blades Hill,
around East Point to Sam Lord’s Castle, back to the airport, to
Oistins and along the south coast back to Brownes beach.


It’s a fairly long route (over 50 miles I think) so those of you not
riding are more than welcome to drive along with the posse as “support
vehicles”. You know... like how they do it in the Tour De France? Lol,
not quite but you could carry some water, tools and any other stuff
the riders might want you to hold on to. I’m thinking of bringing an
extra pair of legs myself!


After the roam (by bike and car) we’ll get to our picnicking on
Brownes beach I figure between 9:30 and 10:00am. Start thinking about
what you can bring to contribute to the eats and drinks... might be
good to have a masseuse on hand too!


Whoo... I’m so excited already that I’m taking up the whole email
talking about the round-de-island and picnic. Let me know which option
you’ll be going with... 1. Riding 2. Driving 3. Picnicking 4. Riding
and picnicking or 5. Driving and picnicking.


Hmmm... I don’t want to go on any longer so I will have to include the
notice from the GSSDC next week. Stay tuned.


For tomorrow’s roam we’ll use the stormed-out route from last week. If
we get another storm tomorrow, that route will be abandoned
permanently!


Assembly point: Garfield Sobers Gymnasium
Assembly time: 5:30am
Roll out: 5:45am


Longer route: Exit gym compound near Fort George Heights and head to
St. David's, keeping left-ish at the Y to pass the church. Left at the
link road (Staple Grove) and across to the T, then right to pass thru
Watts Village en route to the Boarded Hall junction. Left and across
to the Turnpike. Right and then right again to pass thru Carmichael
and all the way to the corner by the Brighton market. Take the left in
the corner and follow the road all the way to the triangle at the
Mount. Left and down the hill to pass thru Ellerton and back to the
Turnpike. Right and onto the road that leads to the St. George parish
church, continuing down the hill to Charles Rowe Bridge. Straight
across onto Lower Estate and past Roberts Manufacturing to the T
junction. Right and a short left and then left at the reverse Y to
head to Kelsi's supermarket and then the Hothersal Turning roundabout.
Left onto the ABC H'way and across to the Norman Niles roundabout.
Left and thru Neils Plantation, past the Salters junction and all the
way to the Essco roundabout. Right and across Dash Valley to the
junction with Mapp Hill. Left and thru South District, and then right
onto the Staple Grove link road back to St. Davids. Return to base via
Kent, turning into the gym complex after passing the Fort George
Heights entrance. About 30.6km.


Shorter route: Follow the longer route all the way to arriving at the
Turnpike the first time. Straight across onto the road leading to St.
George parish church. Left at St. George primary school and past St.
George secondary to the Essco roundabout. Straight across and rejoin
the longer route thru Dash Valley, Mapp Hill etc. back to base.


That’s it for now,
See you tomorrow...
Adrian

Hike # 1

Dear All,

After the hike was postponed last week because of Hurricane Tomas, we will now host the first hike on Sunday November 7th.

·      The hikes will start at 4 pm sharp every Sunday. Meeting points will be published on the IronDocs blog by the previous Wednesday. In any case a central meeting point will also be published for those not knowing the country well.

·      Remember to be respectful of nature, the environment, and private and crown properties through which we will traverse.

·      We are each others keeper so be wary of those in front and those behind. If there’s a threat (injury, lost way…) shout early as those in front may be some way off.

·      There will be multiple points for rest, catch up, drills, hydration…

·      There will be at least 2 guides (occasionally more) on each hike.

·      Essential equipment;

o   Comfortable footware.

o   Comfortable loose shirt and long pants. No shorts. Preferably synthetic track pants as cotton tends to be difficult to clean.

o   Small flashlight. It will get dark even though the hikes are not likely to go way into the night but its getting dark early at this time of year.

o   Bring cold/frozen water or sports drink for the end of the hike, and a small water bottle for during the hike. There will be opportunity for refills.

o   A cap/hat may be useful.

o   The less baggage the better so no haversacks with food, makeup, towels…

·      A few words of caution (not discouragement);

o   Exercise is addictive but it’s a healthy vice.

o   Waterproof your phones. It will rain.

o   During the hikes;

§  You will get dirty.

§  You will fall (usually minor slips and slides).

§  You will laugh, cry, wish you never came, and then wish for more, all at the same time.

·      The first hike starts from Codrington College, St. John, with a meeting point at Trimart Haggatt car park at leaving at 3:25 sharp.

Q: What does a trim body, with a firm flat stomach tell the world? 

A: That you have taken command of your health and fitness. 

See you next week and start training and spread the word.