Arrived in Bolivia ...
Hola, now from Bolivia !!
Today we have finally a short stage again, 75 kilometer, with a Ferry trip in it on lake Titikaka. Today it seems to be a very nice and seenic ride. We left at 8:30 the hotel to start a 15 kilometer climb, not steep but when the legs are cold it hurts a lot. Anyway we have to go to the other side Again for all of us that it is not free of dangers, and we all have to be carefull, especially in downhills. The ride it self was great. Beautifull views of the lake, and at the background mountain tops covered with snow. The hotel was so so, it should be a 4 star hotel, but there was again no hot water, after a few hours there was water. It is just an old hotel, that might have had 4 stars in the past, but now it deserves only 2 stars. After dinner some playing with the computer, and sit next to the fireplace with a Cuba Libre. Hope that Martin will be ok soon, and can join us again !!!
Bolivia here we come !!
Hola, last time from Peru ... next time will be from Bolivia
Today another long cycling day, we have 145 kilometer to cycle to Copacabana. It is also the last day that we will be in Peru, and we will enter Bolivia. Nice to goto a new country, also sad that we are leaving Peru, it is a nice country with very nice people, and I am sure I want to go back to see more of the country. Maybe by bike again, or rent a car or motor-cycle. I think that Peru is also very suitable to travel by offroad bike... anyweay, we are going to the Peruvian border today. In the morning we had a small issue with one of the trucks, the accelerator was broken, so that had to be fixed before the trucks could hit the road to the border. After a small delay, we were suppost to leave at 7 in the morning because of the possible delays at customs, we left the hotel in Puno at 7:45. The road was good, wind was not bad, and was sometimes in the back or at on of the sides. Lunch was not arranged, because one of the trucks was broken. Around 80 kilometers there was a little village called Juli. We decided to stop there for some lunch. Before we reached the centre, we had to climb for about 50 meters. Which was nice because after lunch we only had to climb another 50 meters. At the plaza there was some kind of ceremony with the Peruvian flag. There were kids marching on the street, and a band was playing. We got a lot of attention from the locals. There was also another Dutchman by bike, fully packed with luggage, the way it should be... after some drinks, snacks and chocolade it was time to move on. At the border, at 135 kilometers from Puno, we didn´t get any problems. First we got a stamp on the exit paper, then I had to goto another building to get the exit stamp in the passport. After that we crossed the border with Bolivia, and had to fill in the immigration papers. No issues, no questions asked, only a smile and he tried to pronounce the name of all country´s where we were comming from. Also money was changed, from the Peruvian Sol to thr Bolivian Bolivianos. Always good to have some money in the pocket. Bolivia seems to be cheap, but if you run into some trouble, you can bye someting or get a taxi. The ride from the border to Copacobana was only 8 kilometers, so we arrived into the hotel quite in time. Hotel was at the Tikikakka Lake, nice views. After a warm shower, finally a shower that normally worked, we went downtown. Very nice restaurants, bars and places to have a drink in the sun. Dinner was in a small restaurant, and there was an old woman sitting in front of the restaurant that kindly invited us in. It took a while before we got our food, but it was nice. I had a typical Bolivian dish with beef, sausage, potatoes, onions and lots and lots of peppers. I asked them for poco picante, but it was pretty hot. Halfway I had to quit and started to pick the pieces of meat and sausage. 3 Fantas and lots of water later we left the restaurant and went back to the hotel. Two days to go and we are in La Paz, capital of Boliva, and higest capital of the world, we will see what that is like.
Adios Amigos !!
Last ride in Peru, Bushcamp to Puno ... 160 kilometers
Today we had a long ride, yesterday we missed due to the strike 50 kilometers, so had to catch up today. Today´s ride was 110 kilometers, so that changed to a 160 kilometer ride. Overall the ride was flat, and at the end a small climb and decent into Puno, so it should be possible. In the morning it was cold, ice again on the tent, this time not on the inside of the inner tent, but on the inside of the outer tent. We have had worse at 4300 meter altitude... :o) ... Breakfast was at 6:00 because of the long day, and to give the slower people time to reach Puno in time. Some people preferred to take the truck, because Puno is located at the Titikakka lake, the highest lake in the world. Shaped like a Puma, catching some rabit ... I looked at the picture, but can´t recognize a Puma, nor a Rabit ... must be Peruvian to recognize it, I will ask my brother to have a look at it. Inside this lake are floating islands, the Uros islands Their base is made of roots of a plant, kind of cork, and on top of it they put plants which are abundant in the lake. So we left early, the weather was nice, cold but the sky was blue, and the sun started to gain strength so it would be warmer soon. The part till lunch was pretty boring, flat, no mountains, and not a lot of citys. After 80 kilometer we had a lunch stop. After lunch we continued with a group to finish the remaining 80 kilometers. In the village Juliaca we stopped for a drink. On the plaza there was a wedding going on. We were just to late to see the whole ceremony, but there was dancing and music, nice to see. Locals were interested where we were from, and where we were going. With the little Spanish I speak I tried to explain what we are doing and where we where going. After the Coke we continued to Puno, we wanted to reach the hotel in time, because at 4 pm the last boat to these floating islands would leave, and some of us wanted to visit these islands. There was wind comming from everywhere, front, back, sides, and also the wind was sometimes gone. The climb at the end was ok, I was of cause the slowest climber, but the rest waited for me, before we started the decent into Puno. During the decent Jurgen tried to read the map with one hand, and going downhill at the same time... not smart, and a small bump that normally is no problem, smacked him against the ground. No sirious injuries, his bike was a bit damaged, but Filip should be able to get it fixed. After getting him into a taxi, and explaining the name of the hotel, we followed the taxi to the hotel. We arrived at the hotel around two o´clock, so we had planty of time to do some shopping, and get ready for the boat that left at 4 pm. The islands were nice, but extreamly touristic. It was just like a floating market, but nice to see. It is almost unbelievable how these people can live here, if they still live here. Maybe they are just here for the tourists, to show how it was long time ago, when people really lived on these islands. Maybe they still live like this, it is hard to tell. Anyway, we have seen it, and got back at the hotel at 6 pm. After some dinner, and some walking and shopping for water, we went back to the hotel and got some sleep, it has been a busy and tiring day. My head was still glowing because of the intense sun at this height. I put on sunblock, but even factor 50 didn´t prevent that at the end of the day the face is red, not burned fortunately... Tomorrow again a 145 kilometers, and we are going into Bolivia ... new country, new people ... Adios Peru, muchas gracias!!
Adios ...
Andahuaylas to Bushcamp to Abancay ... lots of climbing and downhill ...
¡Hola Gringos!
Today we arrived in Abancay, pretty easy day with 40 kilometers unpaved downhill, and about 15 kilometers climb to reach Abancay. So pretty easy, but to get here we had to climb yesterday about 40 kilometers to reach bushcamp at an altitude of 3600 meters in an eucalyptus forest. Yesterday morning started good, we had a nice breakfast, some eggs, nice bread and tea. The beds were good and I had a good night. Woke up early, so I left the room so that Martin and Ruud could sleep a bit more, and I checked my e-mails and read the Dutch newspaper, to see what is happening in Holland while I am not there. Around half past 6 I went back to the room to see if Martin and Ruud already woke up, so I could start packing my bags, and go for breakfast. Here we got the new map for the day from Wilbert, and we were starting with a long climb up to the pass at 4100 meters. The road was unpaved, some parts were like a washboard, some parts was ok, and good for cycling. after a couple of hours we reached the top, together with Gerard, he escaped the last kilometers, so the chalange for me to catch up with him. Unfortunately he had to stop for road work, so I was able to catch up with him, otherwise he reached lunch first, which is not strange, beacause he is much faster then me anyway ...
Next morning I woke up, after a preyy good sleep. It was warm at night, but the tent was still wet, so first breakfast. The sun was shinning, so hopefully it was dry before I had to pack my tent. After lunch, it was still wet, so I had to put in the tent wet in the bag. Tonight I will get it out again, and let it dry in the hotel. Together with Gerard we start the decent, and all went fine, till Gerard decided to taste the local sand in this downhill. In a hairpin there was a lot of sand, and he took a dive into the sand. Luckily he was ok, except from send all over his face and body, but that is no problem. Almost at the bottom Rob van der G passed us, but we saw him again after 15 minutes, because he had a flat tire. All that was left was a climb of 15 kilometers to Abancay. We arrived here before 12 hour, together with Rob, Wilbert, Gerard, Erik and Filip. Rest of the day was relaxing and enjoying the sunshine ... later more !!
Adios !!
Trip from Chincheros to Andahuaylas and restday
¡Hola Amigos!
When I opened the curtains this morning, the sky was blue, some clouds, but the weather looked great for a nice day cycling. Today we were going to start with a 40 kilometer climb to 4200 meter, and after that we were going to have a long and nice decent to Andahuayles. I left the hotel together with Gerard and Gerrit, after a few meters we lost Gerrit already, and Gerard and I started the climb. After the first 10 kilometers we streched our legs, and Peter and Martin already passed us. After some water and energy bars we continued the climb that was constantly up. The road was unpaved, some parts were ok, but there were also parts that were almost impossible to ride with the bike. Anyway we have to get over this pass, so just keep turning the wheels and try to stay on the road. After 35 kilometers the road wasn´t that steep anymore and there were some downhills also, which was nice for a change. After almost climbing for 4 hours we finally reached the top, where the truck was parked for lunch. Very welcome after a long and pretty exhausting climb. The bread was a bit dry, but that didn´t matter, food was food. After lunch Ruud and I started our way down, which was nice. The first kilometers were nicely paved, and we were hoping that this would be the case all the way down into the valley where Andahuaylas was. Mmmm .... to bad, after the nicely paved kilometers we ended up into the mud, stones and washboards again, and all the road workers were shouting some Spanish words to us, that I didn´t understand. After some Hola Amigos and Adios Gringos, they smiled and waved and wished us a good trip.Halfway the downhill I lost Ruud, and waited for him at the small city that was at the bottom of the downhill. Aftera few minutes still no Ruud, so I decided to continue my way to the hotel. The directions on the map were not very clear so I asked a local for the way to Andahuaylas. Just straight ahead, and at the Plaza to the right, then foloow that road... easy directions... After 5 minutes I saw Jasper, who was also looking for the hotel, and together we found the hotel after cycling some 5 kilometers extra. Shower was good, and I was sitting in the sunshine in front of the hotel, taking care of the timing of the cyclists. Didier was having a drink together with Dolf. Dolf´s upper arm is broken and he has to go back to Holland. At night we went to a Pizzaria, where we had some nice pizzas. Peter found a nice bar for a drink, where they were playing old 80´s music. After some Caiparinas, which were nice and good, Peter, Jurgen and I went outside where a drumband from Cusco just passed. Filip and Ewald were also there, so we joined them. They told us that there is also free beer, so we joined them. After a short walk through town, with a lot of noise and drunk musicians, we ended at a gas station, where the bus waited to take them back to Cusco. A truck with extra beer arrived, to make sure that they were all really drunk before they got into the bus. After some extra beers in the pocket, we said goodbye and headed back to the hotel. It was a nice evening, and a very nice day with an exhausting climb and difficult decent.
Tomorrow we will have another day with lots of climbing, unpaved roads and downhills ... the next week will be hard, but when we have reached Cusco, in four days from now, we should have had the most difficult part of the trip ... we will see.....
Adios !!
Cold nights and trouble during the downhill to Chincheros...
¡Hola!
Woke up this morning, after a very cold night with snow inside the tent. All the water was frozen on the tent, and when I scraped it off from the tent I was able to have my own snow-ball fight inside my tent... temperature inside the tent was at 7 in the morning 1 degree C. The sun started to shine over the hills, and slowly the snow melted and turned into water. Time to wake up and prepare for a day cycling, the first 10 kilometers were up, and then about 50 kilometers downhill. Unpaved roads, so be careful because the turns and bends are full with gravel and sand, that might make your bike slip. Unfortunately this happened to Dolf, and he is now on his way to the hospital in Andahuaylas. It does not look good, maybe he broke his arm, or dislocated his sholder...
Hard climbs, clod bushcamp, and rainy dinner ... tough life ... :o)
¡Hola!
Today we are going to have a tough day, we have to ride 78 kilometer, and it is only 5% paved ... climbing will be about 1800 meters. We start the day with 40 kilometers climb, so a good start of the morning. Climb will goto about 4200 meters, where we will have a bush camp, so let´s prepare for a very cold night. Going out of Ayacucho went ok, we were escorted by the Police, but we lost them already after some turns, even better!! Rob was in front, and after a few kilometers we had to turn, because he wasn´t sure about the road, so turn around ... After finding the right road, it was a steep hill, going up to about 15%, not long, only about 500 meters, but still, when the muscles are cold, and the body still sleepy, it hurts... From there only up, road was unpaved, but in a quite good condition, at least some parts were. Construction is still going on, so a lot of big trucks, machines and workers were present on the road. I came across Peter-Paul, and we cycled together to the lunch spot, which was almost at the top of the climb. Lunch was good, lots of irritating flies, but these don´t eat your arms and legs, so pretty harmless. After climbing to the top, dark clouds start to show up at the other side of the hill. Mmmm ... rain is possible, even hail and snow at 4200 meters. I had all the rain gear in the bag, so if it was needed, I was prepared for some wet weather conditions. From the top it was another 40 kilometers up and down before we reached bushcamp. The scenery was great as always, the oxygen level low as always at this height, and I was feeling pretty ok. Tired, hoping that I reached camp soon, I was still enjoying this ride. The rain started, not much but enough to make me decide to put on my rain gear and long finger gloves. At a certain point the rain turned into hail, but that stopped pretty quick and the sun appeared again. Still having all the rain gear on, it was pretty warm, but better safe then sorry and wet and cold, I kept fully geared up till I got at the bush camp. At the location, there was another bushcamp, so we moved on for another 3 kilometers to find another spot. Dinner was served, but after a few minutes it started it to rain, first a few drops, then it started to poor down from the sky. Another party tent was installed, and everyone was taking shelter underneath it to get some protection from the rain. Rain itself is no big problem, but the cold at this altitude makes it uncomfortable, especially when you have to sleep in your tent after wards, and all the clothes are wet and damp. After some hot chocolate with rum and marshmallows, I helped with the dishes, and went to sleep.
Adios !!
Good sleep ... finally ... but these #$%$$# sandflies ... ;o)
¡Hola!
Yiehaaaaaa, good sleep last night, no issues with the stomach and the rest, and I felt good when I woke up this morning. Unfortunately the sandflies also woke up, and started to terrorize the camp again, so quick breakfast and go on our way to Ayacucho, an big and nice city, where a hotel was waiting for us, but first we had to climb quite a lot and do some unpaved roads, before we hit the asphalt again. Cycling went fine, the road was nice, scenery great, just like the past two days, and my body was also not protesting anymore, hopefully this was it, and after two weeks trouble it is better now. When we entered a small village, there was a bit of confusion about the right way to go, but Rob was there also and he knew where we had to go first: to an Pandaeria to get a little cake and a drink, smart move!! after the cake and the drink, some kind of corn-drink with other fruits, we continued and started a long climb that would lead us to lunch. Climb was ok, slow but eventually I would reach the top. Lunch was in the middle of town, and also here lots of kids, but very nice and happy with some candies. After the lunch, another 40 kilometers to go to reach Ayacucho, where we would have another rest day. It seems to be a nice city, where we can spend some nice relax time, drink some Pico Sours and dance some salsa
Tomorrow more about the restday in Ayacucho !!