Bicycles in the Caribbean

[capttman]

The only problem I find is finding a lock strong enough to keep my bike mine..It's all good....

[Conwaysailors]

Hmmm. We spent the night researching which folding bikes to get for our trip to the Bahamas and Caribbean next year. Guess we'll have to rethink this a bit. In most ports, we were thinking that bikes would be helpful for getting to a grocery store to stock up on food. Can anyone tell me if there are grocery stores within walking distance to the average harbor down there, or does everyone take taxis to the store?

[Hud3]

You can usually find at least a small grocery store within walking distance of the anchorages in the Lesser Antilles. A notable exception is St Lucia, which has a good grocery and butcher shop that requires a taxi or a "dollar bus" ride to and from Rodney Bay.

BTW, Nevis and St Kitts aren't hostile to bicycling. We have a very active road and off-road biking community here. I ride four times a week with friends in the Nevis Cycyle and Triathlon Club.

[boatman61]

I just use my feet... most things are a dinghy ride and short walk in the Islands.. if the other side I love the buses... full off real characters....
taxi's... no way

[Conwaysailors]

Originally Posted by Hud3

You can usually find at least a small grocery store within walking distance of the anchorages in the Lesser Antilles. A notable exception is St Lucia, which has a good grocery and butcher shop that requires a taxi or a "dollar bus" ride to and from Rodney Bay.

BTW, Nevis and St Kitts aren't hostile to bicycling. We have a very active road and off-road biking community here. I ride four times a week with friends in the Nevis Cycyle and Triathlon Club.

Would love to do some real riding on the trip. Will look up the Nevis Cycle and Triathlon Club when we get there. Maybe I can tag along while we're there!

[Hud3]

Sure--that would be great, Erica! One of our members is the general manager of Nisbet Plantation, and he frequently brings hotel guests on our rides. We always enjoy meeting new people and showing them a bit of Nevis.

[challenge]

Hey thanks for all your input!

[BojanglesIV]

We love to ride, but I wouldn't want to do it in most of the leewards or windwards. I could see riding on st. kitts and nevis, but most of the other islands would be too hilly, the roads suck, and it's too hot.

As for provisioning, buy a good folding cart and you'll have no trouble walking to and from the stores. The odd time it may pay to take a bus or cab, but I really don't think you'll miss your bikes.

If you want exercise, there are lots of great hiking opportunities. (and swimming, of course)

Cheers,
Colin