Cycling around Tobago

Danny · Post by **Danny** » Tue Mar 25, 2003 10:28 am

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 19 March 2003

staying at coco reef for two weeks in july.i hope to do some cycling around the island.1.is it safe to wander around both personally and also re traffic.2.any reccomendation re renting a descent bike near the hotel.

Post by **Steve Wooler** » Tue Mar 25, 2003 10:29 am

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 19 March 2003

Hi Danny.

Fear not - it is perfectly safe to wander around at any time as long as you apply the same basic common sense that you would at home. Don't walk around flashing expensive cameras and videos and wearing flash jewellery - like anywhere in the world, they are too tempting to some toe rags. However, Tobago is considerably safer than most parts of the UK, for instance. Driving in Tobago is erratic, to say the least. I think it must be illegal to use turn signals, because I don't think I've ever seen them used, and they have a habit of stopping anywhere, at any time, even in the middle of the road, without warning.

Have a great trip.

Patrick Dankou · Post by **Patrick Dankou** » Tue Mar 25, 2003 10:30 am

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 20 March 2003

Hi Danny, there are a few bike rental companies within walking distance of your hotel. Please let us know what you consider a " decent" mountain bike. What you will find in Crown Point may look like a mountain bike, but if you are serious, you will probably laugh at the equipment offered here. There are some serious 'freaks' however who I met doing a Tobago documentary for a german TV channel. These guys know all the secret trails and have excellent bikes for rent. I will get some info on their rates and offers shortly. You could also mail them : [email protected]

Caribbean greetings

Danny · Post by **Danny** » Tue Mar 25, 2003 10:31 am

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 20 March 2003

i just want to ride 10-20 miles in a day without bike breaking.mainly on roads so i can see a bit of the island up close and to keep fit for a charity bike ride later in the year.

thats great.will get in touch with them.plse give me your phone no. as we will also want to use you to have some guided tours around island.your company already been reccomended to me.thks and lok forward to hearing from you.

Danny · Post by **Danny** » Tue Mar 25, 2003 10:49 am

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 19 March 2003

thks steve but you didnt mention about renting.any ideas or recomendations?

Post by **Steve Wooler** » Tue Mar 25, 2003 10:52 am

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 19 March 2003

Sorry, Danny, you did ask and I totally forgot to reply. Yes, I understand that you can hire cycles in the Crown Point area, but I dont know where. However, I do know a lady that does - she answered a question about hiring cycles in Charlotteville some weeks ago. COME IN TANJA. She's obviously busy but I'll email Yes Tourism and either Tanja or myself will post a reply here.

Steve Pitts · Post by **Steve Pitts** » Tue Mar 25, 2003 10:53 am

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 20 March 2003

Hi Danny

As Steve W. says, cycles of various sizes and styles are available for hire in Crown Point. If you head for the Airport and turn off onto the old Store Bay Rd, (I think this road runs down to the Tropikist hotel and the fort and is known locally as NP Rd after the petroleum depot at the end) you should find a short rank of stalls selling T-shits and stuff. I'm sure that one of these hires bikes.

Cheers
Steve

Danny · Post by **Danny** » Tue Mar 25, 2003 10:53 am

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 20 March 2003

thnks .will look them up.interested to see some of those t-SHITS you mentioned.is this a new line in tobago?

Steve Pitts · Post by **Steve Pitts** » Tue Mar 25, 2003 10:54 am

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 20 March 2003

Ooops. Spelling never was my strong point. I meant T-shorts. By the way, my son Andy is a MTB nut but is too old (at 19) to hang out with the old 'uns on holiday. I'm sure that he would enjoy cycling on the island, but I guess he would want to take his own bike. Not as daft as it sounds perhaps. Steve

Steve Payne · Post by **Steve Payne** » Wed Jun 25, 2003 12:24 am

I just got back from Tobago and did some cycling while I was there. Th first ride was a 2 hour ride from Crown Point where I rented a bike from the guy who is located very near the airport (he parks his bikes out on the side of the road - can't miss him) for $20TT/hour. I race road bikes and spend time with mtb racers, so my equipment standard is high. The bike I rented was a cheap bike by my standard, but it worked welln and I didn't have any mechanical problems.

The second ride I did was arranged through Moutain Biking Tobago (http://www.mountainbikingtobago.com/). I thoroughly enjoyedn the ride with them and I am sure you will too because they tailor your tour to your specifications. If you want roads, they do roads. If you want flat, they go flat. If you want a killer, off-road challenge, they'll arrange it. Their bikes are much better that the street rentals and they can arrange pedals for cleated shoes if you like (SPD). My 4 hour tour cost me $40 US I thinkand that included the bike rental.

I do a lot of riding in the city when at home, so I am used to traffic. In Tobago I found the drivers to be considerate and give a bike enough space. You have to be careful going around sharp turns because the custom seems to be that cars honk on blind curves and a bike can't do that, so an on-coming car may assume no one is ahead and "cheat" on the center stripe. Riding in the towns, both Crown Point and Scarborough, was scarier than the rural areas.

If you expect to see much of Topbago by bike be prepared for killer hills. Once you get about 5 miles north of Crown Point you will find that are no more flats - its all either up or down and those hills are pretty steep.

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