Arriving again in time for the sunday ciclopaseo, i saw some now familiar faces from last week’s ride, like this daughter-father duo. The girl had an incredible voice which was a real surprise when hearing it first from the a distance and seeing the person it belongs to later. Just next to the el ejido… Continue reading Quito no. 2
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Cuyabeno wildlife reserve
The trip started with a bus ride to the Carcelen terminal, from where a night bus would take me to Lago Agrio. I could sleep a little and, while still feeling battered, the start into the morning was alright. I spent some time looking for a small bag, as i am travelling without a bagpack… Continue reading Cuyabeno wildlife reserve
Quito
Arriving in the mariscal district, it could hardly be a more drastic change from the last evening spent around Mojanda. Bars and discos with booming music and people running to and fro. It took a while to find a hostel as many were booked out. I was glad to get an early rest and enjoy… Continue reading Quito
Laguna de Mojanda
It was another heavy cobbled climb out of Otavalo to the lagunas. But after finding a rythem, it’s ¨not too bad¨, which was the only reply i could master when a motorcyclist stopped and mentioned that ¨this looks brutal¨. I still felt i needed to climb higher to get a better view once i reached… Continue reading Laguna de Mojanda
El Angel páramo
Stocking up on supplies in Tulcan, i was ready to hit the rather lonely road through the ecological reserve “el angel”. Well described by other touring cyclists, the turn-off from the busy main road was easy to find and after some passing trucks on the first kilometers, the traffic stopped altogether in the second half… Continue reading El Angel páramo
Mocoa to Pasto and the last days in Colombia
Starting into a rainy morning, the asphalt soon gave way to rocky gravel and though not very steep, the climb left little time to catch one’s breath. The road is still considered dangerous and was named “el trampolín de la muerte”. But this was before these crash barriers were put in place. The weather was… Continue reading Mocoa to Pasto and the last days in Colombia
Mocoa y el fin del mundo
After arriving in Mocoa, i just cycled the little distance out of town to the “Casa del rio” hostel, which seemed like a nice spot for a rest day. But instead of resting, i set out with Jesse from Canada, who was staying in the same dormitory. Goal for the day was the ‘fin del… Continue reading Mocoa y el fin del mundo
Desierto de Tatacoa
The excitement was dimmed by increasing traffic after reaching the main road at Chiquinquira and, getting closer to Bogota, i began to doubt i chose a route far enough from the capital, as it felt as if i was passing through the industrial outskirts. But after half a day of sharing the road with lorries and cycling… Continue reading Desierto de Tatacoa
Villa de Leyva
Arriving in the center, i soon got off the bicycle to push it through the cobblestoned streets. These were redone only sixty years ago to recreate the paving during colonial times, before the town was declared a national monument. Many overlanders travelling through Colombia stay at the Hostal Renacer, which offers camping and a nice atmosphere to… Continue reading Villa de Leyva
Norte de Santander
Stopping in Mompos for a rest day, i soon moved on as the heat was too much, even for just relaxing in the shade. I followed the Rio Magdalena for a while, before i took a turn off to Ocaña and the start of the Andes. It was a heavy and rocky climb to the… Continue reading Norte de Santander