Does anyone have information on which of Caribbean Islands are most suitable for safe riding? Planning a large family vacation and want to bring my bike.
I’ve done a lot of riding on the island of Curacao in the Dutch Antilles. Roads there ranged in quality from excellent to devastated. There were excellent roads on the western end of the island where it became distinctly desert like.
I’ve also transited Bonaire on a four-wheeler on a diving trip while scouting for some favorable roads to ride on in future trips. There are good roads to the west and east on Bonaire and traffic volumes are almost alway light except in the city center.
Having done the St. Croix 70.3 race I’ve ridden a (very challenging) lap of that island and it was quite good but with some sketchy pavement conditions.
That is about all I know about the Caribbean region, a place I hold near and dear.
I did a triathlon in Nevis. There were some goats in the road, but at least the drivers were really nice.
Also, notice that I said “road” instead of “roads”. There’s only one.
I hear Cozumel has a nifty little 56 mile route you can do twice
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It’s a vacation! Save the money of transporting the bike, and enjoy the time in the sun with your kids, swim and run if you feel so compelled to workout…
I live in Barbados and we have lots of riding here. You can PM me if you like and I can give you more details of what you can expect.
Sean
I’ve ridden in Curacao, Barbados, and Martinique… Would gladly go back to any one of them and ride more, but if I were to rate them I’d go 1-Barbados (varied terrain, decent roads & traffic), 2-Curacao (similar to B, but seemed a little more urbanized and expensive, although that was over a decade ago), and 3-Martinique (you’d better pack a great-granny climbing gear, cuz it’s fonkin’ steep all over).
How does one get to live in Barbados? any chance your company is hiring?? I think I know about 7% of a particular website that would be interested in the answer.
For the original poster…don’t try riding a road bike on St. Maarten. I actually brought my ride down there for a few weeks. The hills were so steep/slippery I couldn’t make it up them without wiping out. That coupled with island traffic 1.5 lane roads for 2 way traffic = tough conditions. They do have a pretty sweet triathlon in February which is actually 3 30 minute triathlons separated by 15 minutes or so. goes S-B-R, B-R-S, and R-S-B.
nevis has a semi active tri/cycle group out of oualie beach. they rent Mtn and road bikes and the island is somewhat suitable for both. the guy who runs the shop and triclub is Reggie although Winston is also involved as club president. I’ve been there a few times and have done lots of swimming with them both and did a road ride with reggie. Running was done on my own.
you can find the club on google. it is pretty no frills however.
How does one get to live in Barbados? any chance your company is hiring?? I think I know about 7% of a particular website that would be interested in the answer.
For the original poster…don’t try riding a road bike on St. Maarten. I actually brought my ride down there for a few weeks. The hills were so steep/slippery I couldn’t make it up them without wiping out. That coupled with island traffic 1.5 lane roads for 2 way traffic = tough conditions. They do have a pretty sweet triathlon in February which is actually 3 30 minute triathlons separated by 15 minutes or so. goes S-B-R, B-R-S, and R-S-B.
I was born in Barbados so I get to live here by default 
Our racing season just started last Sunday so if anyone comes down they could get in a race or two just for fun (circuit race and/or TT).
check out Grand Cayman, safe, great riding with good family values.
www.CaymanIslandsCycling.com
c
Barbados would be great for riding, the east side of the island has some good hills and lass traffic
St Lucia…awesome hills…15% grades all over but the drivers are crazy…I wouldn’t ride there
Aruba…flat as a board but not too much traffic outside the port
Bonaire would be nice, still pretty flat
Grenada…the roads are pretty good, lots of hills and outside of the main city there isn’t too much traffic except for the taxis taking tourists around
St Maarten…good roads, a little busy on the Dutch side but ok, some nice climbs
ST Thomas…roads good…weouldn’t want to ride when a lot of cruise ships in port since there are a lot of taxis out with tourists
I have heard Nevis is good for cycling but have no road experience there.
Andrew
Some not mentioned before:
- Antigua: good roads, flat, nice scenery, not much traffic.
- Dominica: huge climbs if going inland but there is a coastal road that is nice. Average pavement.
- St.Kitts: Good pavement, flattish, very small.
- St.Thomas: IMHO the traffic is crazy (and I live in NYC)
- St.John: average pavement but nice scenery, little traffic and one challenging climb (great vacation destination)
- Vieques: small, and half of the roads are dirt, but not much traffic (great vacation destination)
- Culebra: to small even to warm up (but beautiful place)