22/1/2013 Quito all day
Saying goodbye to everyone, Mark, the American guy helped me get my gear down a few flights of stairs I headed off to find a motel. The first one wanted $50 a night. Totally out of my league, the owner told me of another one down the road.
At $10 a night, very comfortable , hot water, the net, restaurant and three beds in the room I was on a winner .It was walking distance from "Gringoland". This is the bar and swanky shop area where if you want it, you can get it. The young ones were lining up to get into night clubs at 1700.
It’s good to be keen about something or someone.
There was really nothing I wanted there. Though all the main brand outdoor shops were represented. I did grab a few plastic carabiners for my locking cable, to store it.
Devin spoke and he was heading to the equator museum, for me it was an hour or more in buses. I had to get new bearings in my wheels. The existing ones had done 12,000km, it was time to renew them and Quito will be the last big city visited for sometime.
The road from here to the coast and Pedernales has a lot of downhill runs, some high speeds will be attained and faulty hub bearings are not something I want to deal with.
Arriving at a bike shop, “My Bike” Ciclismo Total, at Tomás de Berlanga 747 e Isla Fernandina Esquina, T: 09 423 1753.
I checked their workshop which was really well set out. They looked competent. I spent an hour with a young mechanic and competition mountain biker who did the job. He knew what he was doing .
The old bearings though not worn were getting dry. This job was done for $10, so reasonable.
I would recommend these guys any day. There shop had all sorts of accessories, they are Trek dealers.
From here, a “to die for” greasy feed of pork, salad and potato was enjoyed. I am happy not eating to much meat these days, that chicken ordeal has left me a little weary, especially where one can not see the meat actually being cooked.
Visiting the local supermarket, a reassessment of food for camping was catered for with some acquisitions of lentils, pasta, fresh dried herbs and spices, tuna and avena. (porridge)
Previously cooking in a wok, I gave it to Guy in Medellín due to space restrictions in my front panniers. Now planning to boil veges then fry them, add spices and eggs. I also purchased a fry pan. Devin has got this down to a fine art, buying veges at the last stop before looking for a camp site for the night.
A cheap but good light weight pan was found, all the good ones are way too heavy.
Riding now for nearly 1 month, I have lost over a stone in weight and feel very healthy, though the long steep climbs are still a case of mind over matter. Riding at my own pace, this involves stopping at intervals, sometimes short. Proudly the bike has not been walked since before Pasto.
I am enjoying keeping this blog up to date. It is a good medium for recollecting my thoughts, feelings and memories of each day. It also serves to inform those who are interested better than conversation in many ways.
Devin is proud of his “old” cycling mate. By the way, you can catch him at www.bpc-devdub.blogspot.com
My only craving is Coca Cola in glass bottles, it is a different brew when from glass. The other day five were consumed. At fifty to seventy five cents a bottle, it is a cheap sugar and caffeine fix.
I very rarely drink it at home, anyway at $2 plus a bottle and in PET, it is not on. It is nice knowing that almost all consumed whilst journeying is burnt off. Typically in any day after drinking so much fluid urinating is rare. Being in a full body lather of sweat is not!! It’s a nice way to get rid of body fluids. A daily aqueous body fluid “transfusion”.
I feel that that the roads ahead in Peru, Bolivia and those of Southern Patagonia will test me to my limits. I indeed look forward to these challenges.
It is nice to know that I sit not at home having to accumulate more money to maintain a life style of which I used to be accustomed too, while the few remaining years with the ability and will to pursue the unknown slip away. Luckily for me, this lifestyle is not an unsustainable drain on funds.
Though being with friends, family and having a good laugh from deep in the stomach is missed, those days wills return.
Hopefully, I will have many years ahead for lazy Sundays with the paper, the garden, old friends, good laughs and the predictable, when this desire is fulfilled or becomes to much of an effort.
Having not traveled extensively whilst in my twenties, getting enjoyably side tracked in Australia after leaving NZ, maybe this is where this desire is rooted, among other reasons.
Though, right now I want to use these few last years in my 50’s pushing myself and enjoying the unknown while my mind and body allow. At present this lifestyle has a certain sublimed excitement for me, an excitement laced with certain risks, that are always rewarded with new experiences in this fascinating continent, both culturally, socially musically and geographically.
Here's a video we recorded having some fun cruising down from El Bolivar to the River Chota on the 16/2/2013, best played with the volume down on the video and listen to today's music track, click on link:: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cHX57Ssbzw
Saying goodbye to everyone, Mark, the American guy helped me get my gear down a few flights of stairs I headed off to find a motel. The first one wanted $50 a night. Totally out of my league, the owner told me of another one down the road.
At $10 a night, very comfortable , hot water, the net, restaurant and three beds in the room I was on a winner .It was walking distance from "Gringoland". This is the bar and swanky shop area where if you want it, you can get it. The young ones were lining up to get into night clubs at 1700.
It’s good to be keen about something or someone.
There was really nothing I wanted there. Though all the main brand outdoor shops were represented. I did grab a few plastic carabiners for my locking cable, to store it.
Devin spoke and he was heading to the equator museum, for me it was an hour or more in buses. I had to get new bearings in my wheels. The existing ones had done 12,000km, it was time to renew them and Quito will be the last big city visited for sometime.
The road from here to the coast and Pedernales has a lot of downhill runs, some high speeds will be attained and faulty hub bearings are not something I want to deal with.
Arriving at a bike shop, “My Bike” Ciclismo Total, at Tomás de Berlanga 747 e Isla Fernandina Esquina, T: 09 423 1753.
I checked their workshop which was really well set out. They looked competent. I spent an hour with a young mechanic and competition mountain biker who did the job. He knew what he was doing .
The old bearings though not worn were getting dry. This job was done for $10, so reasonable.
I would recommend these guys any day. There shop had all sorts of accessories, they are Trek dealers.
From here, a “to die for” greasy feed of pork, salad and potato was enjoyed. I am happy not eating to much meat these days, that chicken ordeal has left me a little weary, especially where one can not see the meat actually being cooked.
Visiting the local supermarket, a reassessment of food for camping was catered for with some acquisitions of lentils, pasta, fresh dried herbs and spices, tuna and avena. (porridge)
Previously cooking in a wok, I gave it to Guy in Medellín due to space restrictions in my front panniers. Now planning to boil veges then fry them, add spices and eggs. I also purchased a fry pan. Devin has got this down to a fine art, buying veges at the last stop before looking for a camp site for the night.
A cheap but good light weight pan was found, all the good ones are way too heavy.
Riding now for nearly 1 month, I have lost over a stone in weight and feel very healthy, though the long steep climbs are still a case of mind over matter. Riding at my own pace, this involves stopping at intervals, sometimes short. Proudly the bike has not been walked since before Pasto.
I am enjoying keeping this blog up to date. It is a good medium for recollecting my thoughts, feelings and memories of each day. It also serves to inform those who are interested better than conversation in many ways.
Devin is proud of his “old” cycling mate. By the way, you can catch him at www.bpc-devdub.blogspot.com
My only craving is Coca Cola in glass bottles, it is a different brew when from glass. The other day five were consumed. At fifty to seventy five cents a bottle, it is a cheap sugar and caffeine fix.
I very rarely drink it at home, anyway at $2 plus a bottle and in PET, it is not on. It is nice knowing that almost all consumed whilst journeying is burnt off. Typically in any day after drinking so much fluid urinating is rare. Being in a full body lather of sweat is not!! It’s a nice way to get rid of body fluids. A daily aqueous body fluid “transfusion”.
I feel that that the roads ahead in Peru, Bolivia and those of Southern Patagonia will test me to my limits. I indeed look forward to these challenges.
It is nice to know that I sit not at home having to accumulate more money to maintain a life style of which I used to be accustomed too, while the few remaining years with the ability and will to pursue the unknown slip away. Luckily for me, this lifestyle is not an unsustainable drain on funds.
Though being with friends, family and having a good laugh from deep in the stomach is missed, those days wills return.
Hopefully, I will have many years ahead for lazy Sundays with the paper, the garden, old friends, good laughs and the predictable, when this desire is fulfilled or becomes to much of an effort.
Having not traveled extensively whilst in my twenties, getting enjoyably side tracked in Australia after leaving NZ, maybe this is where this desire is rooted, among other reasons.
Though, right now I want to use these few last years in my 50’s pushing myself and enjoying the unknown while my mind and body allow. At present this lifestyle has a certain sublimed excitement for me, an excitement laced with certain risks, that are always rewarded with new experiences in this fascinating continent, both culturally, socially musically and geographically.
Here's a video we recorded having some fun cruising down from El Bolivar to the River Chota on the 16/2/2013, best played with the volume down on the video and listen to today's music track, click on link:: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cHX57Ssbzw
The Basilica in the rock
Presently in Provincia Pichincha
Plaza Foch
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Gengrejo para almuerza
Boules or Patanque in the park
Fresh fruit juice
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23/2/2013 Quito all
day
Fine about 22°C
Having a bit of a sleep in, and heading downstairs my blog was updated over breakfast.
The hotel is five minutes from the cultural centre, an hour or so was spent here marveling at the gold ornaments the Incas adorned themselves in .Of interest was the different potteries from different peoples of the country. A visit here is well worth it.
From here, a meander took me through parque El Ejido, a beautiful park full of Cyprus trees and many Eucalypts to name a few trees.
Children and their parents were playing, markets were in abundance, men were playing Patanque, young couples were starry eyed, people walked, the best fresh juice was available all in a city sanctuary.
Next was a walk to the basilica perched on a city vantage point. It was huge to say the least, all in a bland grey stone. Parishioners were inside doing what they do.
The visit was worthwhile. Hunger lead me to a seafood diner where a delicious meal of crab was enjoyed for $3.
Browsing about saw me get back to the hotel about 1600.
Devin arrived at the hotel about 1630 as arranged , he had some repairs done on his bike at Constubicis, at Codoro y Pinto, in barrio la Mariscal. They are well known to touring cyclists and he found them ever so helpful.
We headed into town and, then went and had a couple Mohitos in the tourist area near here, Plaza Foch. From here we went on for dessert at the restaurant where his couch surfing host Carolina was working. It was very up market. A divine chocolate cake dessert and ice cream was enjoyed. The Cuye we had near Otavalo for $12 was on the menu for $41. Given that, the place had a great atmosphere and a musician playing.
Quito has a great feel about it, moving at what appeared to be an easy pace, so noticeable in these Latin American cities I have visited so far.
For me there is something special about arriving into one of these iconic South American cities on a bicycle, knowing the hardships endured before arrival, hardships brought about by unassisted passage. Similarly, these hardships dwindle on arrival at the destination whether it is a small town, an isolated campsite, a hosts house or one of these large concentrations of people.
Some nice views from El Bolivar to Ibarra:
Fine about 22°C
Having a bit of a sleep in, and heading downstairs my blog was updated over breakfast.
The hotel is five minutes from the cultural centre, an hour or so was spent here marveling at the gold ornaments the Incas adorned themselves in .Of interest was the different potteries from different peoples of the country. A visit here is well worth it.
From here, a meander took me through parque El Ejido, a beautiful park full of Cyprus trees and many Eucalypts to name a few trees.
Children and their parents were playing, markets were in abundance, men were playing Patanque, young couples were starry eyed, people walked, the best fresh juice was available all in a city sanctuary.
Next was a walk to the basilica perched on a city vantage point. It was huge to say the least, all in a bland grey stone. Parishioners were inside doing what they do.
The visit was worthwhile. Hunger lead me to a seafood diner where a delicious meal of crab was enjoyed for $3.
Browsing about saw me get back to the hotel about 1600.
Devin arrived at the hotel about 1630 as arranged , he had some repairs done on his bike at Constubicis, at Codoro y Pinto, in barrio la Mariscal. They are well known to touring cyclists and he found them ever so helpful.
We headed into town and, then went and had a couple Mohitos in the tourist area near here, Plaza Foch. From here we went on for dessert at the restaurant where his couch surfing host Carolina was working. It was very up market. A divine chocolate cake dessert and ice cream was enjoyed. The Cuye we had near Otavalo for $12 was on the menu for $41. Given that, the place had a great atmosphere and a musician playing.
Quito has a great feel about it, moving at what appeared to be an easy pace, so noticeable in these Latin American cities I have visited so far.
For me there is something special about arriving into one of these iconic South American cities on a bicycle, knowing the hardships endured before arrival, hardships brought about by unassisted passage. Similarly, these hardships dwindle on arrival at the destination whether it is a small town, an isolated campsite, a hosts house or one of these large concentrations of people.
Some nice views from El Bolivar to Ibarra:
Sunday on the Avenida Rio Amazonas, Quito
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Another shot of the camp at Otón, from Devins camera
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24/2/2013 Quito
Well, it was a day doing five eights of nothing. The day was pretty much spent in a nice cafe where we both updated our blogs and uploaded video. The internet is incredibly fast here. The cafe was on the Avenida Rio Amazonas, cyclists were using the dedicated bike lane all day.
It was nice just doing nothing.
Well, it was a day doing five eights of nothing. The day was pretty much spent in a nice cafe where we both updated our blogs and uploaded video. The internet is incredibly fast here. The cafe was on the Avenida Rio Amazonas, cyclists were using the dedicated bike lane all day.
It was nice just doing nothing.
How the day was spent
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A bit of Quito architecture
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25/2/2013 Quito
Devin was heading off for Qenca today,I am going to the coast tomorrow. We got up and had breakfast at the Húngaro. About 0830 he headed off, it was a bugger for both of us, we had had a great time riding and hanging out together, we got on really well. Parting company I decided to do a few touristy things for the day, the first was to take the TelefériQo up the mountain next to town. It is a six person gondola running up the range to 4100 metres.
Unfortunately the city haze and cloud obstructed any clear views.
From here Quito Antigua was visited. It was a bit touristy for me. The duration was short, one that took in the grand square and the post office to post a map home. The map of Colombia, they are quite heavy. From here the day was just spent relaxing. The taxis in town are so cheap and they are everywhere. A 15 minute ride is about two to three dollars.
The temperatures here are so idyllic, around 24 most days since I have been here and very comfortable at night.
The taxi driver told me this is Ecuador's whitehouse.
Grand Park Old Quito.
Cota Paxi is behind the cloud at 5897m looking south
We had a bloody great time riding and laughing together. Unfortunately our future passages were south and west.
The first shoe shiner who could handle brown shoes.
I kept telling Devin he will be as safe as houses in Peru with this minus the gat, load of shit!!!!!
Survey mark
Little devils, Quito
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Nice to see the Aussie flag, third from left
Speaking of flags, this is the local one.
This was the best photo the Canon could muster up.
Fire has visited this terrain especially on the lower sections, where Eucalypts are the predominant species.
Hot water SA style, it's ok with 110v I don't know about 240v!! Such a good idea. Love the wiring!!
Another one from the equator.
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