Ipiales Colombia, 6km north of Ecuador, 1 deg north of the Equator

After a lot of “lateral” movement along the Mocoa-Pasto road, I am 6 kilometers north of the Ecuador border.  The Mocoa – Pasto is considered the most dangerous road in Colombia.  Not only does it have massive drop-offs but it is also mostly single lane and quite rocky.  The view, needless to say, was spectacular. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNOcSEBGlJc I rode with http://frenchguyonabike.blogspot.com/ and http://hannamijakobson.com (great photos).

Photos: Bogota – San Agustin

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Tierradentro to San Agustin, Colombia

I was picking fruit from some trees in Tierradentro (for making juice) and got talking to Carlos, the resident archaeology student.  I had been planning on hiking up to the mountaintop tombs next day at daybreak, but he convinced me to start an hour earlier.  So it was that sunrise found us on the sacred grounds of an extinct culture with the tallest peaks in Colombia towering behind us.

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Neiva, Colombia

Sadly I had to leave Sabastian and his family.  Though I was getting quite used to hot chocolate and fresh rolls in bed as a way to start my day, my feet were also getting itchy after 3 days of not moving on.

I did get out riding with Sebastian 2 days, and on our mountain climb, he dropped me wearing sneakers for bike shoes and riding a mountain bike. Strong guy.  I was also amazed by how active Bogotans were.  There were continuous throngs of people out riding on all types of bikes including 60-year-old men fully kitted up riding a BMX with a long seat post alongside of young guys on the latest carbon fiber frames…

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Arrived in Bogota

The last 55km into Bogota were ALL downhill, and I am still at an elevation of 2600m!  That does not happen in Ontario.

I am staying with Sebastian and his family for the time I am here, which makes thing very tranquillo. Sunday is famous in Bogota because on top of the 300km of bike paths the city shuts down some of the main highways for bicycle use only.

A long time buddy of mine will be flying in on Tuesday. Otherwise I have not spoken english or seen anyone with a hair color other than Black since Kurt left a week ago!

Barbosa Colombia, 180km north of Bogota

Buenas from Barbosa,

Last night I camped with Riccardo who makes and sells his own cheese and sausages, near Socorro.  It was my best meal since I have been here and we had a great time chatting.   From his door I had a steep 5km climb (or it seemed tough at that elevation) and then I descended for 65 of the next 70 kilometers.  The amazing thing about that was there were still deep deep valleys below me.  I crossed a river and have been climbing since.  The locals tell me that I have a ‘large pico’ ahead…
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