The first half of Peru in pictures, on the Longitudinal de la Sierra (3N) and other roads around, in 60 shots.
When the appetite goes, everything goes
Or almost. I left Cajamarca’s region, finishing with it’s homonym capital (which hasn’t reconciled me with Peruvian cities), with at least the impression that my intestine was going back on track. I won’t talk about my shit a lot longer, just to say that you appreciate way more life and what’s around when you can stop thinking about what’s inside. Pushed by this new energy, helped by a favorable wind, a well paved road and two small valleys, I did 125 kilometers that day, bringing me quite close to La Libertad region. This will compensate for days where I’ll make 25 or 40 pretty soon…
Mine shortcut, imprevisible labyrinth
La Libertad region is mainly a coastal region, with a small part in the Sierra, stuck between Cajamarca and Ancash regions. Compared to its two mountainous neighbors, Continue reading
Maybe it was perceivable at the end of the Ecuadorian video, but I wasn’t in my best shape. Small parasites have taken control of my intestine. I had pills against that, but still, it was working hard. I stopped for a little day of rest in the first Peruvian town that could offer me a bed.
By coincidence, I stopped during a holiday. “Nation’s day”. On TV, the army, the police and other civil groups were marching on the capital’s streets under the eye of the Republic’s President. The new war toys were shown, acquired for millions. I walk on Namballe’s streets towards the central square to see if the Internet signal is back at the cybercafe (without success) and I listen to this never-ending military fanfare out of the neighbors’ TVs.
I get sad to see Continue reading
Three little weeks, two of them sitting on the bicycle, were necessary to cross the little Ecuadorian Republic influenced by Chavez’ 21st century socialism. In so little time, I crossed 8 times the Great Continental Divide, without doing too much detours: the PanAmerican go straight in the Sierra, going around volcanoes. The highest snowy peaks were hidden behind clouds, as I haven’t been lucky for the weather.
Letters and numbers
Ecuador
From July 7th to 28th 2013
22 days, 15 of them on the bicycle
Rainy days: 17
1,203 km, overall total: 18,950 km
8 crossings of the Great Continental Divide
2 flat tires
80.23 km per bike day in average (54.70 par total day)
Average speed of 13.1 km/h
Largest day: 116 km
Shortest day: 43 km
Fastest day: 17,1 km/h
Slowest day: 8.0 km/h
Maximum speed: 86.9 km/h
Where to sleep?
I slept only once in commercial lodging, so I won’t be able to talk about price and quality. If Ecuadorians are less hyper socials and a little bit more discreet than Colombians, they will nonetheless help you out if they can. Continue reading
During the 15 days spend on the bicycle in Ecuador, I climb more than 16.000 meters, which is almost two times the elevation of Mount Everest. I crossed the Continental Divide 8 times. And before all that, I went to play in the Amazon basin to cross from Colombia to Ecuador.