Tony Malouf and Jeff Wescott in Puerto Rico

Staying under the radar and looking for spots that are out of the ordinary...

9 Apr 2015

While in Ponce, we kept being told that we had to hit this burrito truck. So once we came across the food truck we realized the rumors were true and those burritos were much larger than our appetites.
While in Ponce, we kept being told that we had to hit this burrito truck. So once we came across the food truck we realized the rumors were true and those burritos were much larger than our appetites.
We rode our first day in the center of Cayey, where we had our first interactions with the local people.
We rode our first day in the center of Cayey, where we had our first interactions with the local people.
Tony has been to this spot before, and this time around he wasn't leaving without getting his! 360 ET down the infamous big block!
Tony has been to this spot before, and this time around he wasn't leaving without getting his! 360 ET down the infamous big block!
On this particular sunday we found ourselves at what I thought as an abandoned stadium in Cayey. Yet to our surprise just to the right of the frame was an after party of sorts after a large baseball game!
On this particular sunday we found ourselves at what I thought as an abandoned stadium in Cayey. Yet to our surprise just to the right of the frame was an after party of sorts after a large baseball game!
The people of Puerto Rico were more than happy to interact with us. They were intrigued by the fact we came all the way to PR just to ride and appreciate the architectural offerings of the island.
The people of Puerto Rico were more than happy to interact with us. They were intrigued by the fact we came all the way to PR just to ride and appreciate the architectural offerings of the island.
Puerto Rico as a small problem, overran with stray animals.
Puerto Rico as a small problem, overran with stray animals.
While Tony was warming up for something else I had to capture this one!
While Tony was warming up for something else I had to capture this one!
This cute little guy may seem friendly, but this was as close as he would let me get to him. He hung out with us at the local hot springs spot, along with several other stray cats.
This cute little guy may seem friendly, but this was as close as he would let me get to him. He hung out with us at the local hot springs spot, along with several other stray cats.
This is a true example of the attitude of the island and it's people. On our first day we realized how the people ran the island...
This is a true example of the attitude of the island and it's people. On our first day we realized how the people ran the island...
In the drizzling rain of the early morning in Cayey, we rode in the city plaza and enjoyed every drop!
In the drizzling rain of the early morning in Cayey, we rode in the city plaza and enjoyed every drop!
After we left El Yunque National Rainforest, we stumbled upon a random spot on the side of the road and while I was setting up I was lucky enough to catch this local on his afternoon bike ride!
After we left El Yunque National Rainforest, we stumbled upon a random spot on the side of the road and while I was setting up I was lucky enough to catch this local on his afternoon bike ride!
Parked and ready to ride out and about around Cayey.
Parked and ready to ride out and about around Cayey.
On our last hours of daylight of the trip we took a drive to this amazing part of the island. I caught this moment of a father teaching his son the ways of fishing in such rough ocean waters.
On our last hours of daylight of the trip we took a drive to this amazing part of the island. I caught this moment of a father teaching his son the ways of fishing in such rough ocean waters.
A light test hop turned into something worth saving, Jeff ending a line with a 180 over the wall.
A light test hop turned into something worth saving, Jeff ending a line with a 180 over the wall.
The El Yunque National Rainforest holds so many secrets, as we were told by nearby locals and Nico's family.
The El Yunque National Rainforest holds so many secrets, as we were told by nearby locals and Nico's family.
Jeff Wescott bearing the pain of his passion.
Jeff Wescott bearing the pain of his passion.
Tony Malouf enjoys the view and the local agriculture, 150 feet high, above the rainforest floor.
Tony Malouf enjoys the view and the local agriculture, 150 feet high, above the rainforest floor.
San Juan was completely different from the rest of the island. But we were pleasantly surprised with this amazing DIY concrete park only 100 yards from the ocean.
San Juan was completely different from the rest of the island. But we were pleasantly surprised with this amazing DIY concrete park only 100 yards from the ocean.
Tony, Jeff, Nico and myself walked the rainforest barefoot, walking along the stream the entire time until we reached a 50 foot tall waterfall. You can say we really got in tune with our surroundings.
Tony, Jeff, Nico and myself walked the rainforest barefoot, walking along the stream the entire time until we reached a 50 foot tall waterfall. You can say we really got in tune with our surroundings.
Cruising the streets of Ponce. This city is the second largest metropolitan area in PR, next to San Juan with a population of nearly 167,000 people.
Cruising the streets of Ponce. This city is the second largest metropolitan area in PR, next to San Juan with a population of nearly 167,000 people.

Photos by Wes McGrath

Puerto Rico is an Island located off the southeast tip of Florida, a part of the Caribbean Island chain with a population of over 3.5 million people. Even so you don''t feel as if you're in the United States (it is 'an unincorporated territory of the US'), but it's more like the feeling of being in a foreign country. Staying outside of the main metropolitan areas of the Island, such as San Juan, we decided somewhat by default to keep to ourselves in the smaller parts of the island. Mainly spending time in Cayey and Ponce (yep), we soon developed an interest in staying under the radar in small town neighborhoods to seek out the spots that were out of the ordinary and we certainly weren't short-changed. Through our 11 days of pedaling and sight seeing I found my memory cards filled with culture and memories to share, I wish I could fully express the experience we had in Puerto Rico, but if this gallery doesn't do it for ya, well then maybe someday you'll be able to buy yourself a plane ticket! Check Out Malouf's BSD Beverage edit below and look for some exclusive content here on DIG from Mutiny's Jeff Wescott soon...

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