Jamaica by Bike charity cycle a success
Published:Sunday | October 23, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Jamaica by Bike delivered another highly anticipated Kingston to Negril charity ride two Saturdays ago, with all proceeds being donated to the Sir John Golding Foundation to aid in purchasing a portable defibrillator, critical life-saving equipment, for the centre.
Two groups departed the ATL Autohaus on Oxford Road, Kingston, at 4:30 a.m. and 5:15 a.m., respectively, behind a convoy of VW Amaroks. The cyclists covered a 160-mile journey, making six scheduled stops along the way to the Long Bay Beach Park in Negril.
This year, ATL Automotive, by means of the Volkswagen Commercial brand, provided support vehicles for the entirety of the ride. The convoy led riders from ATL Autohaus' Kingston site, with quick stops in Ewarton and Moneague, and a breath-taking descent into Drax Hall via Golden Grove and Chalky Hill. The riders continued westward to Montego Bay, halting only to rest and re-charge in Duncans. A scheduled lunch stop took place at ATL Automotive West, the Bogue City Centre-based state-of-the-art VW showroom in Montego Bay.
An exciting final leg into Negril followed, with the cyclists pulling in and powering up in Lucea for the final stage straight up to the Long Bay Beach.
The increasingly popular event has attracted over 100 cyclists in recent years. ATL Automotive LTD partnered this year as a presenting sponsor.
Judith Denton, marketing and communications manager for ATL Automotive, said that she was thrilled with the level of support the race received and was happy to be on-board as a sponsor for the very worthy cause.
The Jamaica by Bike organisation has its origins in the Negril Ride event, which was conceptualised and first accomplished in 1992 by three pioneering road cyclists, Dr Franklyn Bennett, Paul Andrew Goldson, and Tim Byam.
"Post-1992, the ride represented part of a comprehensive exercise programme, having been born out of a desire to challenge ourselves in maintaining fitness, while having fun with family," commented Goldson, one of the founders of the event.