Antigua is well suited to cycling. The island is small, the hills are negotiable and generally not too steep, the scenery often varied, and village life much more suited to observation from a slow moving bicycle than from a speeding car. Put aside a few exceptions, traffic is generally light, and as long as one gives all due respect to motorised vehicles, the odds of avoiding major collisions are all in all fairly decent.
You will find a list of cycling routes in the drop down menu above, or follow the links bellow to wherever inspires:
Falmouth Area
Island Wide
A few personal observations that could make your cycling outings more enjoyable:
Safety:
Riding in Antigua is generally safe; common sense applies.
If you are going to more remote areas, let someone know of your plans.
Female cyclists should be cautious when alone and in isolated areas. My guess is that a sober dress code helps keep temptation at bay, but nothing beats the safety of a group.
As I said above, always give way to any motorised traffic regardless of priority. You are the most vulnerable on the road, and whilst most drivers will be extra careful to steer well clear, you will not have much of a recourse should you get involved in a crash. Local hospitals facilities are limited, and there is little to be gained in the knowledge of your own good right once you have been knocked down.
Avoid riding after lunch time on Sundays and public holidays. This is when half the island seems to go cruising around, and the amount of drunk or doped drivers on the road increases dramatically.
Do not ride at night. Local rides are ok, as long as you have a light on your bike; if not, the police may stop you and hassle you for this severe infraction.
Annoyances:
There is one major annoyance when riding off asphalted road in Antigua: the Acacia thorns are sharp and steel hard needles that will go through your tyre like butter, and neatly brake off flush. They cannot be pulled out completely and there is always a hard shard left buried somewhere deep in the tyre. I think I have had over 50 punctures in three months from off road riding. Kevlar inner tube protection strips, thorn proof tubes or solid, rubber filled tyres are worth considering for those looking at any serious off road riding.
Last, it is hot in the tropics,.... so bring plenty of water with you. I count a litre per riding hour, which is usually far too much but better safe then thirsty.
You will find a list of cycling routes in the drop down menu above, or follow the links bellow to wherever inspires:
Falmouth Area
Island Wide
- Cycling to St John's
- Fig tree drive, St john's , Potswork dam.
- Devils' bridge and Long Bay
- Harmony Hall and Half Moon Bay
- Bendals to Swetes via the Body Pond valley
- Mount Mc Nish
- The North Coast
- Five Island Peninsula
- West Antigua map
A few personal observations that could make your cycling outings more enjoyable:
Safety:
Riding in Antigua is generally safe; common sense applies.
If you are going to more remote areas, let someone know of your plans.
Female cyclists should be cautious when alone and in isolated areas. My guess is that a sober dress code helps keep temptation at bay, but nothing beats the safety of a group.
As I said above, always give way to any motorised traffic regardless of priority. You are the most vulnerable on the road, and whilst most drivers will be extra careful to steer well clear, you will not have much of a recourse should you get involved in a crash. Local hospitals facilities are limited, and there is little to be gained in the knowledge of your own good right once you have been knocked down.
Avoid riding after lunch time on Sundays and public holidays. This is when half the island seems to go cruising around, and the amount of drunk or doped drivers on the road increases dramatically.
Do not ride at night. Local rides are ok, as long as you have a light on your bike; if not, the police may stop you and hassle you for this severe infraction.
Annoyances:
There is one major annoyance when riding off asphalted road in Antigua: the Acacia thorns are sharp and steel hard needles that will go through your tyre like butter, and neatly brake off flush. They cannot be pulled out completely and there is always a hard shard left buried somewhere deep in the tyre. I think I have had over 50 punctures in three months from off road riding. Kevlar inner tube protection strips, thorn proof tubes or solid, rubber filled tyres are worth considering for those looking at any serious off road riding.
Last, it is hot in the tropics,.... so bring plenty of water with you. I count a litre per riding hour, which is usually far too much but better safe then thirsty.
Various
Should you need to get spares, the best bike shop in Antigua is located in St John, close to the start of All Saints road.
It is called Bike Plus and here is a link to a map for you to find it. They also have bikes for hire.
There is a Cycling Association in Antigua for those who are serious about their biking, organizing quite a few cycling events. You can check their website here: http://antiguacycling.com
Should you need to get spares, the best bike shop in Antigua is located in St John, close to the start of All Saints road.
It is called Bike Plus and here is a link to a map for you to find it. They also have bikes for hire.
There is a Cycling Association in Antigua for those who are serious about their biking, organizing quite a few cycling events. You can check their website here: http://antiguacycling.com
