The 00677

Puerto Rico. What’s not to like. The people are nice, the beaches kick ass, drinks are cheap, the riding is amazing and you can wear shorts and short sleeves all day and night. I’ve come here several times now and it only seems to get better.

The hospitality here is really something else. Greg and Val, our hosts, are a sweet couple from Rhode Island. Their hospitality and generosity ranges in the EXTREME range on the scale and if I was anywhere else I might take caution, as if I was being set up for a trap. However, we’re in Puerto Rico and I guess the H word just kind of rubs off on people. Greg and Val live in a beautiful home on the top of a hill, minutes from the beach. Bryan and I are living in the downstairs apartment of the house which is fully equipped so that if needed, and it might be, I could live here for months. Greg and Val have done more than the average host to make us feel comfortable. Everything from taking us out for drinks, showing us the local hot spots on the beach, cooking meals for us and even going on rides, the fun just doesn’t seem to stop. But I don’t feel guilty, everything done here is genuine without any hidden agenda.

Greg, Val and friends.


Greg.


The backyard. It sure isn't Hwy 36.


The praises don’t stop with Greg and Val either. Doel, and Paolla, are some of the greatest people out here. Doel does so much behind the scenes work that nobody ever realizes how much it takes to put on a race of this caliber all while maintaining the level of professionalism it has. The race promoters in the states could learn a lot from these guys. The truth is, the amount of good things said about this place and the people who live here can’t be said enough and those who don’t believe me should come here for themselves.

Bryan and I have spent the majority of our time either riding bikes, playing darts or on the beach. The roads here are insanely steep, so steep, that I didn’t think Bryan would believe me so I took him on some of the steepest roads around.


He did pretty good.


But having to shed a little winter weight, he had to walk a little.


After riding the course:


Bryan decided that he needed a new ride. The scalpel just wasn't shredding enough.


After riding to the highest point around, the Channel 12 news tower, twice we were pretty tired.


Yesterday Greg, Bryan and I got up early to hit up some local routes. Greg crushed us as we deaded up towards the radio tower for the third time in two days. Don't let his demeaner throw you off. On the last hill I thought I was home free to just cruise up to the house but Greg had other plans, ATTACK!


And as usual the views suck.


The rest of the gang gets here today, along with my new bike...yaaaaaa, time to shred.

Bryan also posted a mini book on his site, check it out.