15/5/2012
Sincelejo to San Bernado
D113, T6.11, Av18.28 Total 9731
Getting on the move about 0630, again the day was quite pleasant, temperature wise. Two mangos and the avocado were enjoyed for breakfast. Coffee was bought at the first bus stop.
Criusing along a truck put me off the road. Though it was no real danger, signs read on the side of the road gave directions to the coast. I started taking these seriously after four days of trucks and wasps. Asking about the whole deal, it was decided to ride a big loop west and take in some coast before joining the main road again at Planeta Rica.
Leaving the highway, it was immediately evident how much of an impact on the riding environment was made by trucks.
The road was in fairly poor condition, but hey, dodging pot holes is so much better than dodging trucks. This was great, the sounds of birds, animals and frogs was music to my ears.
Locals had told me it was a flat run to to San Bernado on the Pacific coast. Small towns were all along the road.
Reaching for my towel on the bars, it was not to be found, this has happened a few times where an oncoming truck and its air wake will suck it off the bars. It often happens whilst one a down hill run, concentrating big time, unaware of the loss. To date I have bought four or five replacement towels due to this happening.
It is impossible for me to ride without a towel to wipe the perspiration from my face. Solving this loss, a polo shirt was spotted road side, cut to size, the problem was temporarily solved.
A long chat with a big bunch of people was enjoyed in Momil, as was a drink.
This is a road less travelled by cyclists, having lunch at a bar the guy told me they dont get riders passing through here. Everyone was helpful and everso friendly.
The wet is here, everywhere there is surface water, white herons are never much out of the scene.
Crossing a one way bridge on the river Sinu, one could easily see the erosion that is caused by these torrential deluges at this time of year. The river was a rich ochre colour, that of the tons of sediment being transported seaward. Clumps of water hyacinth were also making the journey.
A throat cold has now set in, in the mornings and evenings it is at its worst. So be it.
Lunch was enjoyed at Lorica, as was a great chat with people at my table. A question often asked is what do I think of the Colombian women, “bonita” is my reply. The owners wife told me how her husband had many woman. To that I replied one is plenty. On leaving I said to her husband “ una mujer, de acuerdo” we all laughed, it was an enjoyable hour with some great people.
Arriving at San Bernado, totally wasted, only to find the beach was another 8k away, a milk was consumed and on one rode.
Along the flat passage all sorts of crops were being grown and cattle grazed.
Stopping at a farm where some people were sorting mangos, I offered to buy a few, Victor the owner gave me a couple. Now these were the best mangos ever tried. They were huge and so sweet yet not sickly.
Mangos are now becoming an on the road staple for me.
Victor told me they were organic and that he exported them to Ecuador. They would be for sale there in three days. He also told me the beach was another 2k away.
It was after 1600, it had been another big day, signs directed me to a hotel on the beach. Heading off the road a sand track was taken to the beach.
Cabins and a flash hotel, come resort greeted me. I was a captive audience, the place was isolated with only these two establishments to choose from.
Victor had told me what to expect to pay. When the lady at the cabins said 50,000 pesos for the night, a resounding no was my reply, anyway immediately the price became 30,000. All good.
The resort next door was 40,000 pesos (twenty dollars) but its facilities held no interest for me as only one night was to be spent here.
A shower was taken and a long walk on the beach till dark was enjoyed.
The sunset, though not inspiring was a nice part of the ambience, as was the perfect formation of pelican flocks flying high above the beach.
It was a special time for some reflection, the ocean was warm, its shore, broken by a gentle surf. There were all sorts of rustic beach houses built almost on the beach lining the vegetation extremities.
Some fishermen sorting their nets were asked about the tides and the fishing in the fading light.
The tides here are small, and in their summer, the northern hemisphere winter they do get big surges that come close to the dwelling though not threatening in nature.
Tea was provided by the owners of the cabins of for a cost. It was a great fish,(ravolo) rice salad plate enjoyed at a table almost on the beach accompanied by two dogs that eye balled me as they do when food is on the offing.
They got what they wanted as my meal was finished. We were all happy.
Sincelejo to San Bernado
D113, T6.11, Av18.28 Total 9731
Getting on the move about 0630, again the day was quite pleasant, temperature wise. Two mangos and the avocado were enjoyed for breakfast. Coffee was bought at the first bus stop.
Criusing along a truck put me off the road. Though it was no real danger, signs read on the side of the road gave directions to the coast. I started taking these seriously after four days of trucks and wasps. Asking about the whole deal, it was decided to ride a big loop west and take in some coast before joining the main road again at Planeta Rica.
Leaving the highway, it was immediately evident how much of an impact on the riding environment was made by trucks.
The road was in fairly poor condition, but hey, dodging pot holes is so much better than dodging trucks. This was great, the sounds of birds, animals and frogs was music to my ears.
Locals had told me it was a flat run to to San Bernado on the Pacific coast. Small towns were all along the road.
Reaching for my towel on the bars, it was not to be found, this has happened a few times where an oncoming truck and its air wake will suck it off the bars. It often happens whilst one a down hill run, concentrating big time, unaware of the loss. To date I have bought four or five replacement towels due to this happening.
It is impossible for me to ride without a towel to wipe the perspiration from my face. Solving this loss, a polo shirt was spotted road side, cut to size, the problem was temporarily solved.
A long chat with a big bunch of people was enjoyed in Momil, as was a drink.
This is a road less travelled by cyclists, having lunch at a bar the guy told me they dont get riders passing through here. Everyone was helpful and everso friendly.
The wet is here, everywhere there is surface water, white herons are never much out of the scene.
Crossing a one way bridge on the river Sinu, one could easily see the erosion that is caused by these torrential deluges at this time of year. The river was a rich ochre colour, that of the tons of sediment being transported seaward. Clumps of water hyacinth were also making the journey.
A throat cold has now set in, in the mornings and evenings it is at its worst. So be it.
Lunch was enjoyed at Lorica, as was a great chat with people at my table. A question often asked is what do I think of the Colombian women, “bonita” is my reply. The owners wife told me how her husband had many woman. To that I replied one is plenty. On leaving I said to her husband “ una mujer, de acuerdo” we all laughed, it was an enjoyable hour with some great people.
Arriving at San Bernado, totally wasted, only to find the beach was another 8k away, a milk was consumed and on one rode.
Along the flat passage all sorts of crops were being grown and cattle grazed.
Stopping at a farm where some people were sorting mangos, I offered to buy a few, Victor the owner gave me a couple. Now these were the best mangos ever tried. They were huge and so sweet yet not sickly.
Mangos are now becoming an on the road staple for me.
Victor told me they were organic and that he exported them to Ecuador. They would be for sale there in three days. He also told me the beach was another 2k away.
It was after 1600, it had been another big day, signs directed me to a hotel on the beach. Heading off the road a sand track was taken to the beach.
Cabins and a flash hotel, come resort greeted me. I was a captive audience, the place was isolated with only these two establishments to choose from.
Victor had told me what to expect to pay. When the lady at the cabins said 50,000 pesos for the night, a resounding no was my reply, anyway immediately the price became 30,000. All good.
The resort next door was 40,000 pesos (twenty dollars) but its facilities held no interest for me as only one night was to be spent here.
A shower was taken and a long walk on the beach till dark was enjoyed.
The sunset, though not inspiring was a nice part of the ambience, as was the perfect formation of pelican flocks flying high above the beach.
It was a special time for some reflection, the ocean was warm, its shore, broken by a gentle surf. There were all sorts of rustic beach houses built almost on the beach lining the vegetation extremities.
Some fishermen sorting their nets were asked about the tides and the fishing in the fading light.
The tides here are small, and in their summer, the northern hemisphere winter they do get big surges that come close to the dwelling though not threatening in nature.
Tea was provided by the owners of the cabins of for a cost. It was a great fish,(ravolo) rice salad plate enjoyed at a table almost on the beach accompanied by two dogs that eye balled me as they do when food is on the offing.
They got what they wanted as my meal was finished. We were all happy.
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