Bush camp Motupe to Lambayeque. 72 kms, 64 metres of climbing. A nice early day.

After sleeping in my new tent for the first time, and first time on tour, it wasn't that bad. I crashed out at 8 pm and woke around 6 am. Putting the tent up was pretty straight forward last night and packing it away took about 5 minutes. I need to get the construction and demolition of the tent down to an art, because when we get further south and the weather is horrendous, I need to be able to do it quickly.

The group rolled out of Motupe around 8.15 am. By the time I got along the dirt track and up onto the main road, cyclists were all ahead of me. Barry and Lupcho had raced up the road to catch Jorst and James, but didn't catch them. I was glad to ride with the bunch of about 15 riders, and today I felt better so did some turns on the front. Now that has to please some my bike riding friends back home.

We rode along a dead flat road, with the usual kids calling out 'Gringo, Gringo'. We just waved at them and continued on. Today was a really pleasant day of perfect temperature and the headwind wasn't that bad. Once again the very small towns we rode through were of the mud type and tin roofs. Every bridge we rode across showed no water in the rivers below. This place is so dry right now it's amazing. I'm not sure when the rain comes in this part of the world.

We continued on into Lambayeque at around 11.40 am to find James and Jorst's bikes but not Barry and Lupcho. By the time I had a shower, shave and washed my clothes for the next 2 day's of riding. Barry and Lupcho arrived some time later are having gone the wrong way. At the end of the day it doesn't matter one bit what your time is, as long as you arrive at your destination in one piece.

My home more commonly known as 'Tent Hilton'. Named after my very good friend Mr Rodney Sanders. 

 You can see we camped in a dust bowl last night, but I'm not complaining as there's another 70 more nights of these coming up.

 I took some photos in the local market in Lambayeque. They all wanted to show off their catch.

 More fishing moments.

 And boy hasn't she got a big one.

I took the above photo during our trip to the Museum in Lambayeque. It's amazing how these bodies are preserved so well after all these years.

Once we had lunch at the Hotel Santa Lucia, Buck, Max and myself went for a walk of the markets and tried to locate a shop that would sell up a 'Claro' sim card. We were told that the town wasn't big enough to have an agent, meaning we would have to wait 2 more days until we have our rest day.

Max left us, so Buck and I went and visited the famous Bruning Museum. The museum was established in the early 1900's, contains hundreds of gold and silver pieces, as well as textiles and ceramics from the Vicus, Chimu, Moche, Inca and Lambayeque cultures. For a bit of useless trivia, Lambayeque is the home of King Kong milky candy, a popular dessert with filling made of fresh milk, pineapple sweet5s and sometimes peanut. This part of Peru is also famous for their Alfajores.

Buck and I had had enough walking around so went back to the hotel to rest up. When I got back Barry, Lupcho and Franz were going to the town of Chiclayo to check out some bicycle shops. I thought what the hell, I'll go to bed early and catch up on the hours of sleep I've already missed this holiday.

The taxi was about $5 US for the 15 minutes trip for the 4 of us one way. A pretty good bargain. Once in town we looked at several bicycle stores, none having Peru cycling jerseys, and a couple of clothing stores, all to no avail. I was told Lupcho our mechanic on the tour has a bicycle store in Huanchaco, the town where we're having our 2 rest days. We should be able to get a cycling jersey for sure.

As we were catching the taxi back to Lambayeque, we came across a serious motor vehicle accident with the car on it's roof in the middle of the road. How crazy is this? It was one of the mad taxi drivers from this part of the world. The drivers in this town drive exactly like the idiots in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and the list goes on and on.

Tonight will be another quiet night, no dancing girls or loud music. A nice meal and do some reading.

Tomorrow we head towards the city of Pacasmayo. Not sure what awaits us. I do know it's not a bush camp.

Until tomorrow, safe riding.

Chulucanas to Motupe bush camp. 147 kms. 811 metres climbing. I sat on the whole way.

The room we had last night was on the corner of the hotel on the ground floor. This meant that everytime a car or motor cycle pulled up at the corner we would hear them rev off. This happened all evening and all morning. I don't think I got much sleep at all. I was just as tired this morning as I was last night. Not a good start to a 147 km ride.

 The photo above is of our police escort for the day.

 My first bush camp for the trip. Another tent 'Hilton' experience.

The campsite in northern Peru is very baron, hot and dusty land. 

I'm finding it difficult to stomach the breakfast of cereal and bananas. I have to force myself into eating it.

We all rolled out of the hotel as a group and James did the usual thing by riding out in front on his own the whole day. I sat at the back of the bunch because my stomach was not 100% and I was dead tired. The group was about 20 strong to the lunch break which was off the main road and up a dirt track next to a couple of homes. These homes are just about falling down. Very little is going on around this part of the country. Dry, hot, baron land is all it is. Probably best described as a hot dust bowl.

I ate more than usual for lunch because I didn't want to suffer in the afternoon like I did yesterday. Barry and Tim are going really strong right now and doing the majority of the work on the front of the bunch. I just wanted to get the day over with.

Like usual we had the police escorted us until about 30 kms from the bush camp. At least the weather was cooler than yesterday. As we rode through some very small towns the children would come out and yell out 'Gringos' to us, we would just wave at them and continue on.

With the Bike Dreams sign on the side of the road, it was time to turn off and take the dusty road up to a football field where the trucks were located. I had a problem with my camping bag, I couldn't find the key for the lock. This is where Robert the boss came into action and broke the lock. Now my tent is up and I'm ready to relax, eat, drink and more relaxation.

Dinner was perfect, a birthday cake for Alec and I'm off to bed. Tomorrow is roughly 75kms and dead flat. How cool is that. '

Until tomorrow, safe riding. 

Macara, Ecuador to Chulucanas, Peru. 127kms, 764 metres climbing. Hot afternoon.

Today's the day we leave Ecuador and enter Peru.  The group rolled out of the hotel around 8.15am and headed the 4 kms down to the border. At first we were all waved through the Ecuadorian check point only to be turned around and told to go back. We had to fill out more forms, and then cross over the bridge and into Peru.

Once we got our passports stamped and another form to complete it was time to start the real riding. It took close to 1 hr and 30 minutes to be processed across both border points.

It was now 10 am and we still had 120 kms to go, and the temperature was now 28 degrees C. The first thing that immediately hit us was the poverty, housing, dryness of the countryside and the pollution thrown on either side of the roadway.

As soon as we left the checkpoint we had a police escort all the way to the 65 km lunch stop. He pulled in with us and had a drink and some chips whilst we sat down and had some tasty bread rolls. We still had 60 kms to go and now the heat was 35 degrees C.

Back on the silky smooth road with the police officer right beside us. He would move on to the intersections an stop the traffic as we rode through. The little towns we rode through look like they are rapidly dying. Very little is going on, and plenty of people lying in their hammocks keeping out of the heat.

Many of the small villages consisted of no shops and mud/cane buildings. This reminded me so much of Ethiopia and northern Kenya. Very poor nation. They say 36% of the people live below the poverty line.

As the afternoon went on the heat was affecting me again, just like yesterday. I had put in some hard work up until the 90 km mark, but the last 30 kms I just hung in there and never saw the front of the bunch again. Barry and Tim were going really well today.

As we got closer to Chulucanas, I got to see hundreds of motor bike trikes, just like they use in Thailand. A lot of school children being driven home and others had goods from the local market.

The major town before the finish was Tambo Grande. It's at this town we had to take a detour along a sandy track and through the back of the village, avoiding mongrel dogs and not falling in the sand. Just outside of the town we stopped to get out of the heat and buy some drinks.

When we stop, our police escort stops.

We got going again for the final 15 kms into town. No hills, but Barry and Tim were causing me a great deal of pain on the front of the bunch. We made in into town around 3 pm and immediately went to the bank to get some local currency. Back to the hotel for the an amazing cool shower. There was no way you could have a warm shower considering how I was feeling. I was cooked.

The rest of the afternoon was sitting down in the square and then going for dinner. I'm sure I'll sleep like a bear tonight.

Tomorrow is 147 kms of the same, but we get to use our tents for the first time, bush camping. Due to the slow wifi, no photographs today.

Until tomorrow, safe riding.

Catacocha to Macara. 94kms, Summit 1900 Metres. 1417 metres climbed.

Today was a day of 2 stages, 1 before lunch was downhill and the 2nd stage was after lunch, absolutely stinking hot, and hills.We got away from our nice hotel in Catacocha and immediately went downhill for  15kms. What a good change to start the day compared to others which is usually leave town and start climbing.

Since today was not timed we rolled along as a group and had a nice morning of easy riding. Lunch stop was at 55 kms, and the photo below was taken at our lunch stop on the shores of the river.

 Now if you look at the above photo, it appears that Elizabeth is taking a photo of Patrick's ass. I'm not sure.

After lunch this is the when the weather really affected me. It was stifling hot and an no shade as we climbed the final 10 km mountain. I had to stop twice and couldn't stay with Barry and Jerg on the climb. I was stuffed. I took a couple of breaks and eventually reached the summit with the boys nowhere in sight.

After rolling down the hill for a km or 2, I met up with them at a small roadside shop. A nice cold Pepsi to refresh and I was feeling much better. I think the effects of yesterday and the heat of today were telling my body to rest up.

We rolled into the town of Macara around 1.15pm and got a huge room. I'm washed, my clothes are washed and hung out, and now it's time for a cup of soup.

I'm doing nothing for the rest of the day.

The photo above was taken at the small roadside stand 1/2 way down the mountain.

Tomorrow we have a big ride and also leave Ecuador and enter Peru. 

Until tomorrow, safe riding.

Finally a stage win. Loja to Catacocha. 94.4kms. Summit 2634 Metres. Climbed 3435 Metres.

A rest day and a great sleep can only be promising for the day ahead. We rolled out of the Hotel Podocarpus in drizzling rain. Not want I wanted for a 96 km ride.

Before I get into the day's ride I should mention it was Viv's birthday yesterday, and she got plenty of cake from Bike Dreams for her birthday. I took a slab of course, it was free.

The course map for today is below.

As we rolled out of town we had to keep on a rather rough road which took us straight up, how surprising is that? The first climb was 15 kms which we took as a group of about 8 riders in the rain. With lights on I felt pretty safe.

As we reached the summit we all stopped and put on the rain jackets for the descent down into the town of Catamayo. I followed Jorst and Patrick down the mountain in the rain and with my super slick tires on. I was really concerned going down the mountain in rain as these tires are notorious for slipping out under you. I followed their lines into and out of each corner and didn't want them to get too far ahead.

As we passed Catamayo and headed up the road to the next mountain, I couldn't see any of the other riders behind me. We caught James who's the hitter in the tour and rode with him to the base of the climb. I was feeling pretty good and decided to attack right from the start.  Patrick and Jorst dropped off and then James, I was now on my own about 50 kms from the finish.

I kept pushing on trying to put in as much distance between James and myself in case I crack on the climb. After about 5 kms I rounded a corner and their was the lunch truck.  I quickly took a couple of bananas, a food bar and filled up my bottles. I got back on the road and continued up the remaining 12 kms of the climb. I could see a long way back down the mountain, but couldn't see James or anyone else.

It is so hard to keep your head and legs concentrating on turning those pedals, knowing that soon you will be free to roar down the other side. As I crested the summit some respite for my tired legs. The temperature was getting hotter today and keeping up fluids was really important.

From the top of the climb I had about 20 kms to go to reach Catacocha. Still there was a lot of work to be done before I reached the finish line. There were never ending hills all the way and you wouldn't believe it, the town is on the side of a rather large hill, which means another bloody climb. Up the cobbles of a gradient of 25% to reach the town square.

I had so much sweat in my eyes I couldn't read my Garmin, so I had to pull out the sheet with the name of the hotel on it. A couple of school kids pointed me in the right direction of the hotel. Another 100 metres, around the corner and the big red fire engine waiting. Finally a stage win in the Andes Trail. Regardless of how the rest of the tour pans out, I can go home happy.

Our bags were already off the truck and we could get our key for the room straight away. I had the best shower and shave ever, washed my clothes and hung them out on the balcony. Yes, we have a balcony looking out over the street and into the local square.

 The photo above was taken from our balcony.

Barry took this amazing photo looking back over the mountains we had just ridden over. One has to question our sanity of days like today. 

I've had a great day, Barry came 3rd, we have a great room, plenty of time to rest, and now it's time to eat. Tomorrow is another surprise which will all unfold during our breakfast. This is when Robert hands out the sheet with the day's instructions and graph of all the climbing. 

I'm having such a great time and doing with it good people.

Until tomorrow, safe riding.

Rest day on Loja, eXsight Tandems, Brian Siamyeuka.

Today is a rest day in Loja located in the Cuxibamba valley in the south of the country. Loja has a rich tradition in the arts, and for this reason is known as the Music Capital of Ecuador.  The city has a population of around 200,000 and is situated at 2100 metres above sea level. If you're in this neck of the woods, Loja is a great departure point for the Amazon Basin and the El Dorado region.

Now that's enough history about this city. Buck and I did a walk around early today and enjoyed watching Ecuadorean life slowly pass us bye. Today is a rest day and that's what's we're doing. Barry's still not 100% and is spending the day resting up in his room.

Now for something special from back home.

During the 2014 Sydney to Surfers Charity bicycle ride, a tandem bike was used on a couple of days and later auctioned at the end of the tour. Cyclists in the tour are broken up into packs according to his/her own ability, and usually there are about 10 packs of 20 cyclists on tour. Barry Buckley (my mate on this tour) and Mark Morgan from back home were a part of the 2014 Sydney to Surfers bike ride and members of pack 4.  One of the cyclists from pack 4 Clive, suggested that they should put in a silent bid to buy the bike and donate it after the tour to eXsight Tandems of the Illawarra.

eXsight Tandems of the Illawarra is an organisation that takes vision impaired cyclists on tandems for ride rides around the Wollongong region on a daily basis. Barry and I donate Tuesday's to go for a tandem ride each week. I'm not sure who gets the biggest thrill out of the ride, me or my partner on the back.

To make this story short, Pack 4's bid was successful and the tandem was delivered to Geoff Stratton last weekend down in the mighty Wollongong. Several of the riders from pack 4 attended together with members of eXsight.

Delivery of the new tandem to eXsight. That's Geoff Stratton the president of the organisation on the tandem.

The photo above shows the names of the members of Pack 4 who so kindly donated a good sum of money to purchase the tandem. I hope to join pack 4 in 2015 and ride the Sydney to Surfers bike ride

The next topic I wanted to mention was the delivery of cycling jerseys to a good friend in Lusaka, Mr Brian Siamyeuka. During the 2011 Cairo to Capetown bicycle holiday, I met Brian in Lusaka and have kept in contact over the years. Brian is also a keen cyclist, so I decided with a couple of my friends to arrange around 20 jerseys to be delivered to him.  One of my son's friends Dr Dan was was travelling to Lusaka, so I arranged for Brian to meet Dan at the airport and do a handover. Everything went to plan and below are photos of jersey's being worn.

 Brian's the handsome chap on the right.

The photo above is Brian receiving his award for coming third in a big race recently.

With the support of many of my friends back home, the jerseys arrived with a big thanks to Dr Dan. To Clive, Barry, Mark and all the others of Pack 4 a very big thank you. 

There's no more to be said about the rest day other than I'm doing nothing until tomorrow morning.

Until tomorrow, safe riding.

Ona to Loja. 106kms, 2471 metres of climbing. Summit 3100 metres. Stuffed.

After resting up all day yesterday on the truck and getting a good sleep last night, it was time for both Barry and I to get back on the road and do it all again. Today's stage was listed as the hardest so far on the tour and there's no better day to do it, and that's after you've been unwell.

The photo above is of today's stage. A real tough day in the saddle.

We rolled out of the hotel around 8.15am and went down hill for about 1 km and then the fun  began. Up the road went and once again into the cloud line for 15 kms. There was no reprieve and the gradient was 10-12% all the way. I tapped away with Patrick and never really forced the pace as I knew I had a long way to go, and considering how I felt yesterday, the goal was to get to the end and nothing more.

I wasn't feeling too bad when we reached the summit so we stopped to put the wind jackets on and took off down the mountain to get ready for the next climb.

The next climb was 12 kms long and was a similar gradient. These mountains just go on for ever. We don't get any rest and we have to keep turning those pedals no matter how painful it is. It's so hard to explain the difference of riding at altitude compared to riding at sea level, there's just no comparison. With the 2nd summit in reach, I was starting to feel exhaustion setting in. Along the top of the mountain we went and onto the lunch stop at 45 kms. It felt so good to get off that seat and sit down and eat, rest and drink. A couple of other cyclists were already there, but I couldn't give a damn who was in front of me today, I was just riding to survive. My stomach was still all over the place, but come hell or high water, I was going to the finish line in Loja.

Barry and I left the lunch stop at 12 pm and took on the final 60 kms to end our day of pain. About 1 km down the hill we turned off to check out a small village. We had to buy some water because Barry left his water bottles back at the lunch stop. It's these diversions in the tour that can have the best moments on tour.

We came across 2 gorgeous children who had such a beautiful smile that I had to take their photos. If you never venture off the main track in life, you will miss so much.

 The photo above is Barry and the 2 children.

 In the same village I went into a small shop to have a look at the clothing, but didn't find much other than one of the men playing the pan flute. See above.  It was just an amazing experience and so out of the blue encounter.

We had to push on, we still had 60 kms to go and 2 more climbs to get over before the roll into Loja. The first climb was 4 kms which wasn't too bad, but the 2nd climb was brutal. With legs now screaming and no more energy left at all, we both clawed our way up the final climb of 10 kms to be greeted with the view of Loja in the distance.

The roll down into town had a couple of little climbs along the way, but we were both spent. Should we have had anther day off the bike, well there are some that would say YES, and there's me who said, 'in for a penny, in for pound'.  I did it.

We made our way into the hotel around 3 pm, got our room, had a shower, soup, cup of tea, and laid on the bed.  I was just empty.

Tomorrow is another rest day and I'm so looking forward to it.  I've got some good news on eXsight Tandems and what Barry and his mates achieved which will be posted tomorrow. Also I'll be adding a story on my good friend from Lusaka on the delivery of jerseys by Dr Dan.

Until tomorrow, safe riding.