Leaving Quito Monday

My new buddy Baptiste, a.k.a. ’French Guy’,  caught up with me on Saturday after a group mountain bike ride with my ”casa ciclista” host,  Santiago.  We toured the old town today and  then I will head off on my own.  I will be leaving the Pan Am to loop around two different volcanoes before heading through Vilcabamba and sticking to the Andes into Peru (two-ish weeks from now).  I will miss hanging out with Baptiste, but look forward to seeing my old cycling buddy, Matt.  Here are some of Amigo Francais’ photos of our times together.
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Casa Ciclistas San Augustine

thank you again Igel & Paola

pictures are up from the Casa Ciclistas San Agustine here

http://grenzenlos.ath.cx/gallery/Ciclistas_2010/k_P1250091
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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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Bogota, Cyclovia not at all what I thought

I am really impressed with Bogota.  Not only does the city have 300km of bicycle paths, but on Sundays and holidays they close down an additional 120 or so km of roads for cycling use only.  Cyclovia!  Tomorrow is a holiday so I will be able to ride around with throngs of other cyclists again.  There is of course a bike route going to and from the airport to make things easy.  How civilized.  AND IT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 35 YEARS!!
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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!