Sorry, no pictures. Maybe next time. :disappoin
We did the SW recently and here are some conditions folks may want to be aware of:
We did the SW recently and here are some conditions folks may want to be aware of:
- There was major road construction in downtown Bani resulting in a rather confusing detour. If you didn't know the area it would be easy to get lost in a barrio.
- The road from Cruce de Ocoa to San Jose de Ocoa has suffered some damage in several areas with the road being degraded and in poor condition. Passable, but in many places it's slow going.
- The damage to the bridge between Bani and Azua that got washed away has been repaired, and there seems to be major work being done to deepen and re-route the flow from the dry river bed. Good luck messing with Mother Nature.
- The road from Cabral to Polo Magnetico has been completely resurfaced!
- The uphill mountainous section of the road from El Limon to Jimani is completely covered with a layer of nasty oil. I had a rear tire break lose in a right turn about 1'+. Checked my skivvies later.
- The entire border area in Jimani is in extreme danger of going underwater. No matter how high the make the road, the water from Etang Saumatre is encroaching everywhere. In fact, it is 6" deep in two areas for maybe 10m, and water is now deep on both sides of the road. Because of this condition, the road is just for going in from the DR side, and a new road has been built behind the customs houses going out. Of course many don't follow the rules and problems with traffic ensues. The entire border area, on both sides, is not crammed into a space less than 20% of the old, pre-flooded space, and it is pure chaos on market day. The road leaving has two areas where the water is 18" deep for 20m+. I can tell you it was quite interesting fording them, not knowing what was benrath, on motorcycles. True adventure, and one guy dropped his bike in loose gravel right as he was going into the first stretch of water.
- There is a new detour around the west side of Lago Enriquillo to replace the old detour that replaced the submerged road last year. This detour is serious: 800km west of the old, and at least 4km long. Huge construction and it looks like it will ultimately be paved. It's large, looser gravel now and made for interesting riding to say the least. It is at least 15-20' higher than the lake. There are a lot of houses in the Boca Cachon area that are submerged in the salt lake.
- The windmill farm at Juancho has expanded many times over. It's HUGE now with at least 30 windmills and more being built. Quite the sight. I'm sure the local impact is very positive.
- The coast road from Barahona to Enriquillo is falling into disrepair. However there is a 2km stretch with new construction. Unfortunately, they had put chip seal it making for some slip and sliding on bikes. I hope there are plans to repair the many areas that look like a Beirut street. Doable, but bad spots.
- Cuevas de Pomier between San Cristobal and La Poma is still one of the most interesting, unknown attractions in the DR. Take your own flashlight.