17/2/2013 Sth of Bolivar to San Antonio (just nth of Ibarra)
D77, T5 (8), Av15.24, Max70, Tot11404, 1204
Fine with slight breeze, <20°C
It was good to have been sleeping out in the elements. It had been a wind free night even though we were on a very exposed site.
Breakfast was porridge, fresh coffee and bread. Getting on the road about 0800, we enjoyed a good bit of downhill cruising. Though more was to come.
Further along the road we met up with another rider from Japan, Hiro, an engineer from Okinawa. He too was on his way south. Unfortunately, he had his Cannondale touring bike stolen in Medellín. Luckily, it was unloaded. They cut his locked cable.
He was on another bike he bought there. Good on him, he was a nice guy. Though could not speak much English or Spanish.
This did not matter, it was enjoyable riding together.
It was pretty much all downhill to the river Chota. We had such a great ride, unreal scenery. The countryside now very dry on the tops now with cane growing in the lower valley.
The vegetation is mainly agaves, bromeliads and small trees. The terrain is very rocky.
Riding up out of the river Chota on our way up to Ibarra, we met a polish couple. They had been robbed in the company of another rider in the town of Chimbote in Peru. The coast road in Peru is evidently quite dangerous in this respect. Another town to watch is Paiján to the north in Peru.
A small bottle of good rum was bought at a local tienda near the river for the night.
It was another big climb up to Ibarra, though small by comparison to the climb to Ipiales. The views were spectacular to say the least. Huge sloping plateaus running down to sugar cane in the valleys often with a small town spilling down a part of the slope.
In Ibarra, a large city we stopped at a large supermarket. The fresh produce was immaculately presented. Every conceivable food item was available. Food for the night was purchased, as we intended on camping.
Hiro looked after the bikes while Devon and I shopped and vice versa.
It was about 1600 when we rode out of Ibarra, we wanted another campsite, it had been a big day, at least for me. Reaching San Antonio, which was like a suburb of Ibarra, we went into an alcoholic rehab centre that was located on a large plot of land.
The person in charge gladly let us camp up behind the building in a half finished house.
It was a good night, we ate well, were comfortable, enjoyed a few rums and laughs.
Not to mention a good Frisbee throwing session. This too was an elevated site which offered great views of the city.
The cloud engulfed the whole area by dusk, you could literally see the clouds passing us, after all we were at 2475 metres.
It was a cool night, sleeping in long johns and a woollen top in a down bag, Hiro and I pitched our tents inside the shell of the house. Devon opted for the front lawn.
Video of the view on the way to Ibarra:https://vimeo.com/60388427
D77, T5 (8), Av15.24, Max70, Tot11404, 1204
Fine with slight breeze, <20°C
It was good to have been sleeping out in the elements. It had been a wind free night even though we were on a very exposed site.
Breakfast was porridge, fresh coffee and bread. Getting on the road about 0800, we enjoyed a good bit of downhill cruising. Though more was to come.
Further along the road we met up with another rider from Japan, Hiro, an engineer from Okinawa. He too was on his way south. Unfortunately, he had his Cannondale touring bike stolen in Medellín. Luckily, it was unloaded. They cut his locked cable.
He was on another bike he bought there. Good on him, he was a nice guy. Though could not speak much English or Spanish.
This did not matter, it was enjoyable riding together.
It was pretty much all downhill to the river Chota. We had such a great ride, unreal scenery. The countryside now very dry on the tops now with cane growing in the lower valley.
The vegetation is mainly agaves, bromeliads and small trees. The terrain is very rocky.
Riding up out of the river Chota on our way up to Ibarra, we met a polish couple. They had been robbed in the company of another rider in the town of Chimbote in Peru. The coast road in Peru is evidently quite dangerous in this respect. Another town to watch is Paiján to the north in Peru.
A small bottle of good rum was bought at a local tienda near the river for the night.
It was another big climb up to Ibarra, though small by comparison to the climb to Ipiales. The views were spectacular to say the least. Huge sloping plateaus running down to sugar cane in the valleys often with a small town spilling down a part of the slope.
In Ibarra, a large city we stopped at a large supermarket. The fresh produce was immaculately presented. Every conceivable food item was available. Food for the night was purchased, as we intended on camping.
Hiro looked after the bikes while Devon and I shopped and vice versa.
It was about 1600 when we rode out of Ibarra, we wanted another campsite, it had been a big day, at least for me. Reaching San Antonio, which was like a suburb of Ibarra, we went into an alcoholic rehab centre that was located on a large plot of land.
The person in charge gladly let us camp up behind the building in a half finished house.
It was a good night, we ate well, were comfortable, enjoyed a few rums and laughs.
Not to mention a good Frisbee throwing session. This too was an elevated site which offered great views of the city.
The cloud engulfed the whole area by dusk, you could literally see the clouds passing us, after all we were at 2475 metres.
It was a cool night, sleeping in long johns and a woollen top in a down bag, Hiro and I pitched our tents inside the shell of the house. Devon opted for the front lawn.
Video of the view on the way to Ibarra:https://vimeo.com/60388427
At the foot of the climb to Ibarra, the Polish couple, Hiro and Devon
Having a break on the way up, prickly pear cacti are another common plant dweller here.
Looking back down with 2 levels of highway below, cane in the fields. This was landscape on a grand scale.
Downtown Ibarra
Dry as a bone.
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Tillandsias on power lines, spread by birds.
Typical flora
Looking north back to Ibarra
Enjoying the evening well sheltered. With good company. The flash is reflecting off the cloud passing by.
Hiro ready to roll.
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