Author Topic: Jamaica Fat Tire Festival 2010 (Read 4409 times)

YaMon · « **on:** October 26, 2009, 09:22:30 PM »

I just spoke to one of the organizers for the Jamaica Fat Tire Festival, an organization that I had a lot to do with in its formation. This year the festival will be held from Feb 6-11. You can go to www.smorba.com to get additional info.

The exciting news is that we will probably get 1 day to ride some private trails located in the Blue Mtns. The trails are owned by a wealthy individual who I have been sworn to never divulge. There are private cabins and a heli pad already built for his and his guests use.

The trails completed so far is 4 miles of DH that drop about 2,500 feet. It has ramps, wall rides and from what I hear .....incredible. I have photos that were taken about a year ago and will post if I can figure out how to transfer them from Facebook. Yes, ther are also XC trails.

The wesite will not have any info about the Blue Mtn Ride because it is such a new development. The trailhead starts at about 5,000 ft elevation and lots of it above tree line.

If you are interested, drop me a PM. Jamaica is about 1 1/2 hours away and the event will be unlike any other Fat Tire Festival you have been to.

Later,

YaMon.

Skinman · « **Reply #1 on:** October 26, 2009, 10:15:53 PM »

Oh man that sounds like fun. I spent 10 days in Mo bay for Sun Splash in the 90's. I had the time of my life. No MTB's but we rented motorcycles and toured the back country. (I had a guide who I cannot name) I got to see parts of Jamaica tourists never see. It would be fun to go back.....

ProEdgeBiker · « **Reply #2 on:** October 26, 2009, 10:30:43 PM »

only if this was 6yrs ago, i'd be "FLYING" there with the quickness.

YaMon · « **Reply #3 on:** October 27, 2009, 08:54:16 PM »

Probably going to post some photos in a next few weeks. We are trying to get permission to post some pics. The event will only accomodate 20 people. I am already signed up. The only chance anyone will ever get to ride these trails are if you know the owner and/or work for his company or you attend the Jamaican Fat Tire Festival.

The main trailbuilder there is from Canada and they have hired a bunch of New Zealanders and rotating them between Mexico, Portugal and Chile....yea, the owner is building in those countries at the same time. Frome what I have been told, by february they will have added quite a few more trails. All the trails are being cut by mechanized methods.

See ya all down there if anyone decides to go. Let me know.

YaMon.

ProEdgeBiker · « **Reply #4 on:** October 27, 2009, 09:20:14 PM »

How do we get our bikes to Jamaica?

YaMon · « **Reply #5 on:** October 27, 2009, 10:52:41 PM »

Put them in a bike box and bring with you. If you fly Air Jamaica I don't think they will charge you.

Last year they had a rep from the tourist board meet and greet you at the airport and walk you to the front of the line and expedite you through customs.

Event starts at a bar on saturday night....located in Ocho Rios and one that I designed and built before moving to tampa a few years ago.

Darrinw2001 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 27, 2009, 10:52:53 PM »

Quote from: ProEdgeBiker on October 27, 2009, 09:20:14 PM

How do we get our bikes to Jamaica?

lets take a charter boat and make a week of it!! Who's with me???

ProEdgeBiker · « **Reply #7 on:** October 27, 2009, 10:59:01 PM »

Quote from: Darrinw2001 on October 27, 2009, 10:52:53 PM

Quote from: ProEdgeBiker on October 27, 2009, 09:20:14 PM
How do we get our bikes to Jamaica?

lets take a charter boat and make a week of it!! Who's with me??? Week in the boat

Half Breed · « **Reply #8 on:** October 29, 2009, 09:16:28 AM »

Quote from: ProEdgeBiker on October 27, 2009, 10:59:01 PM

Quote from: Darrinw2001 on October 27, 2009, 10:52:53 PM
Quote from: ProEdgeBiker on October 27, 2009, 09:20:14 PM
How do we get our bikes to Jamaica?

lets take a charter boat and make a week of it!! Who's with me??? Week in the boat

hell yeah, im in

YaMon · « **Reply #9 on:** November 16, 2009, 07:36:38 AM »

Here are a couple videos of the Jamaica Fat Tire Festival 2 years ago:

http://bikemag.com/av/flash/ride-guide-143-fat-tyre/

http://bikemag.com/av/flash/ride-guide-143-part-2-murphy-hill-jamaica/

http://bikemag.com/av/flash/ride-guide-tv-hamilton-mountain-jamaica/

http://bikemag.com/av/flash/ride-guide-tv-episode-143-segment-1-jamaica/

This was filmed by Ride Guide in Canada.

Enjoy.

Scott · « **Reply #10 on:** November 16, 2009, 10:02:32 AM »

Quote from: YaMon on November 16, 2009, 07:36:38 AM

Here are a couple videos of the Jamaica Fat Tire Festival 2 years ago:

http://bikemag.com/av/flash/ride-guide-143-fat-tyre/

http://bikemag.com/av/flash/ride-guide-143-part-2-murphy-hill-jamaica/

http://bikemag.com/av/flash/ride-guide-tv-hamilton-mountain-jamaica/

http://bikemag.com/av/flash/ride-guide-tv-episode-143-segment-1-jamaica/

This was filmed by Ride Guide in Canada.

Enjoy.

Nice, but I like PEB's work more

ProEdgeBiker · « **Reply #11 on:** November 16, 2009, 10:37:28 AM »

LOL!!..

YaMon,

How safe will our bikes be? i guess they will be in the hotel rooms?

YaMon · « **Reply #12 on:** November 16, 2009, 10:40:11 PM »

Hey PEB, you and Scott sure are tight....Bikes will be fine. Hotel has ok'd them to go into rooms. Bike wash area will be provided. I have yet to post the private trails in the Blue Mtns....killer. Maybe if Swampclub can put up a Facebook page, I will be able to do it. By the time the festival comes around they will have double what they have now. They are using all mechanized trail cutting machines, so they can go pretty quickly.

ProEdgeBiker · « **Reply #13 on:** November 16, 2009, 10:47:16 PM »

Quote from: YaMon on November 16, 2009, 10:40:11 PM

Hey PEB, you and Scott sure are tight....Bikes will be fine. Hotel has ok'd them to go into rooms. Bike wash area will be provided. I have yet to post the private trails in the Blue Mtns....killer. Maybe if Swampclub can put up a Facebook page, I will be able to do it. By the time the festival comes around they will have double what they have now. They are using all mechanized trail cutting machines, so they can go pretty quickly.

cool, here's SWAMPs FB Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/SWAMP-Mountain-Bike-Club/88300825726

YaMon · « **Reply #14 on:** November 17, 2009, 07:51:15 AM »

PEB - Can't figure how to post a pic since it is on another friends facebook page ( he is one of the guys building the trais). So send me a friend request and then you will be able to go to my page and click on the link to the page with the photos. Wayne Lee.

YaMon · « **Reply #15 on:** November 17, 2009, 02:55:18 PM »

PEB - Just sent you two links through Facebook.

YaMon · « **Reply #16 on:** December 02, 2009, 08:21:34 PM »

For those of you that may be considering going to the Jamaica Fatta Tire Festival, the number will be limited to around 20 do to transportation and lodging arrangements. The total price is going to be $795 and a deposit of $300 is required. You can go on their website: www.smorba.com for more details.

YaMon · « **Reply #17 on:** January 14, 2010, 09:59:35 AM »

For those into Freeriding....it looks like Darren Barrecloth will be attending the Jamaica Fat Tire Festival this year. Along with famous MTB photographer (Decline Magazine) Ian Hylands.

YaMon · « **Reply #18 on:** February 18, 2010, 10:11:25 PM »

Just got back from Jamaica and can say this this years event was far and above the best one yet. You can go to www.pinkbike.com and type in jamaica in the search to see a video and some photos.

YaMon · « **Reply #19 on:** March 24, 2010, 09:05:01 AM »

Well FINALLY the pics and videos from days 4,5 and 6 have been posted on Pinkbike.com. Type in Jamaica in the search and you will see trails at 6,000 feet in the Blue Mountains. These were private trails and were nothing short of incredible. Enjoy and hope to see some of you there next year.

ProEdgeBiker · « **Reply #20 on:** March 24, 2010, 09:48:07 AM »

cool!, lots of ContourHD shots i see..

http://www.pinkbike.com/video/125533/

YaMon · « **Reply #21 on:** March 24, 2010, 05:35:00 PM »

I actually brought down Kevin L. Countour HD but did not get to film too much since the most important day I forgot to charge it. Ian Hylands ( video and stills) uses a NIKON DSLR.....the best available. That is why everything look so good.....plus he is a professional and does shots for Fox and a bunch on cycling magazines.

ProEdgeBiker · « **Reply #22 on:** March 24, 2010, 05:46:21 PM »

Quote from: YaMon on March 24, 2010, 05:35:00 PM

I actually brought down Kevin L. Countour HD but did not get to film too much since the most important day I forgot to charge it. Ian Hylands ( video and stills) uses a NIKON DSLR.....the best available. That is why everything look so good.....plus he is a professional and does shots for Fox and a bunch on cycling magazines.

there's a shot of someone with one on their head.

YaMon · « **Reply #23 on:** March 24, 2010, 07:25:46 PM »

Yea, that was me. I think Kevin L. may have purchased it from you.....

Darrinw2001 · « **Reply #24 on:** March 25, 2010, 07:01:26 AM »

One of these years I will do this.. I haven't been to Jamaica in 18 years and I so much want to go back...

YaMon · « **Reply #25 on:** March 25, 2010, 08:43:06 AM »

It is incredible how varied the terrain is....as you can see in some of the photos. Best thing is the festival is more about "Jamaica" and seeing another side of it, than it is the riding. The festival is about 5 days long and starts from you get up in the morning to when you go to bed at night. Certainly hope you can make it one of these days.

News:

Author Topic: Jamaica Fat Tire Festival 2010 (Read 4409 times)