Jungle Mountain Biking

 Downhill Mountain biking in the Jungles of Guatamala with the ‘GLOWPUNK’ crew.

After the full day high altitude volcano climb the day before (see previous edition) there was only one man left standing from the ‘GLOWPUNK’ crew that still had energy to burn. Lieutenant Diarmaid Collins is as fit as the Irish military makes, and so was the perfect man for the day’s adrenaline filled adventures. We strapped a HD camera to my bike helmet with some duct tape that we got from a local Antiguan mechanic signed a legal disclaimer and jumped in the back of the pickup truck with our specialized off road mountain bikes and our local guide.

The pickup truck wound its way high into the volcanic jungles that surround the small town of Antigua, Guatamala.  We received waves and friendly salutations from locals all along the way. Our friendly driver stopped the truck at a small vista point high above what seemed like endless jungle. We dismounted, checked the camera and followed our guide along some simple trails to get used to the bikes.  When the guide was confident that we were comfortable on the bikes he cycled ahead of us as fast as he could pump his legs and  shouted over his shoulder. “Follow me,if you don’t fall off you aren’t cycling fast enough.”

Within seconds we were hurtling down the jungle tracks, dodging crevasses left by the recent heavy rains and roots revealed by temporary jungle streams. When you are moving at such speed your adrenaline begins to pump like crazy. You become super aware. Your mind is making calculations so fast so you don’t hit the tree or rock that nature has put in your way. I was feeling super alive and I was keeping up with our guide and Diarmaid.I relaxed for a split second and 'Bang!!!' I hit a rock.

Everything was instantly processed in slow motion. I remembered the legal disclaimer that I had signed just before we left base. I hit the ground hard and skidded towards the cliff edge. I thought about my epic holiday to date and the girl I had planned to meet for dinner that night. I was slowed by some jungle growth and managed to keep the camera that was strapped to my head from hitting the ground. The edge was close but I was still on 'Terra Firma.' I was alive, buzzing from fear and adrenaline and hungry for life.                              

       The cuts on my legs were more like good drinking stories than injuries. I pulled my bike from the dense jungle growth and made my way back to the track. There I met Diarmaid and our guide laughing.

       I guessed they had seen it all before and accepted my near death experience as part of the adventure, part of the sport. I noticed that they too had some scrapes and cuts from the day's adventures.

With a nod and some energetic pumping of legs our guide led the way again. Again he shouted his crazy mantra as he dissappeared into the jungle;  "If you don't fall off you aren't cycling fast enough."......

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by

glowpunk

Glowpunk Crew climbs a Volcano in Antigua

THE ‘GLOWPUNK CREW’ CHASE ADRENALINE IN ANTIGUA GUATEMALA.

Very few life experiences can beat the feeling you get when you reach the summit of a 13,041ft Volcano, however mountain biking down a volcano as fast as you dare is a close contender!

For this trip I recruited three old friends from the Officer Corps of the  Irish Army. Lieutenant Shane Doyle, Lieutenant Diarmaid Collins and Lieutenant Colm Hogan. We had trained and served together in Ireland and now we had the chance to travel together in one of the most beautiful, interesting and culturally rich parts of the world.  When I emailed them to see if they wanted to come on this trip their email reply was simple “ LEAVE GRANTED, TICKETS BOOKED!”… God I love military efficiency!

We quietly slipped out of our hostel residence at 5am and made our way through the beautifully moon lit cobbled streets of  Antigua, Guatamala. If we were to make it to the top of the Mt. Acatenango and down again in one day we needed to start early. This is not a forgiving mountain.  Most people who climb it suffer from mild altitude sickness. (Which our helpful guide helped us combat with an Aspirin tablet.)The work rate involved in climbing this natural speed bump is much higher than your average low altitude climb because of decreasing availability of oxygen as you ascend.  Fortunately for the tired climber there is much beauty, adventure and adrenaline to distract you from the work induced pain.

The adventure began before the climb. Our transport stopped along the way to pick up armed security for our ascent. Armed bandits operating in the area have made this a wise precaution. We chatted a little and joked about military tactics with them but it was clear that there was a real threat and that they were taking their job very seriously.

 The protected transport made its way for the best part of an hour along a muddy road winding it’s way through the dense Guatemalan jungle. Our driver finally deposited us at the start of a mountain track which due to recent rain looked more like a dry river bed.  After a quick check of equipment and a few mouthfuls of water we were on our way. (A local dog who obviously knew the area well, followed us all the way up and down for a handsome reward of a handful of biscuits and a bit of a homemade sandwich.)

 

 

The climb took us through  Mayan “Farmland,” Lush cloud Forest, ” high “Alpine Forest” and finally into “The Volcanic zone.”  All the way up we were rewarded by panoramic views, until we got close to the top  and the weather closed in on us. Our guide informed us that at altitude lightning is a real danger. I guess being the only conductor on what is otherwise bare volcanic rock is not a good place to be. Thankfully the cloud that stole our panoramic view from the peak of Acatenango decided to show us some mercy and leave us lightning bolt free. The climb up took us close to 7 hours. The fast descent took us less than 3.

We sprinted down whenever we could, sliding and falling every few hundred metres on the loose volcanic rubble, enjoying the euphoric natural high and invincibility to pain the adrenaline gave us. Lt. Collins was in his element. At home in Ireland he regularly competes and wins mountain running races that take up to 36hrs to complete (“Beast of Ballyhoura.”)The descent was fast but the real speed and adrenaline rush came the following day when the “GLOWPUNK CREW” decided to rent some specialized downhill mountain bikes and speed through jungle tracks on the side of a volcano. To be continued…

By Glowpunk. :)

www.glowpunk.com 'Fight the Power'

http://www.glowpunk.com/


Frog

            I awoke one night in Liberia Africa to a strange noise. We were in a jungle area sleeping in tents underneath the moons glow. The perimeter of our patrol harbour was secure, or so we thought. Surely nothing could disturb us, or get at us, but something did. A small frog was making every effort to jump over my tent. Repeatedly he jumped against the man made wall of my one man tent. Each time he tried he slid back down to earth. At first my conditioned mind thought ‘silly creature,’ but I was wrong.



            He was not failing, quite the contrary. Through his many attempts he was learning. He also succeeded in waking me up. Not just physically but mentally too. And who is to say with persistence he would not achieve his goal. He was taking a stand. He encountered something new and unknown that night and instead of going around it, ignoring it or pretending it didn’t exist he chose to question and struggle for his innate desires . That night froggy glowed!



Glowpunk

http://www.glowpunk.com/