24/6/2013 Above Uripa to Andahuaylas
D69, T4/6, Av17, Max63, Tot15860, 5795
Fine, cool at the pass.
Waking up and poking my beacon outside the tent, the place was white and the tent was frozen. Into the nest I retreated.
Just relaxing and thinking about the ride yesterday. It would be nice to let the place warm up a bit. Knowing that the site would get the sun pretty early, the sleeping bag offered a welcome retreat.
About 0800, sun arrived and rapidly melted the frost and just as quick and hour later the grass was dry, so was the tent after moving it to expose all sides to the sun.
Its amazing that in 2 hours from frost to dry grass occurred, again a reminder of my proximity to the equator, that of about 13°30’. I went from wearing long johns, longs pants etc to shorts and shirt whilst packing up.
By now, women and men,( mainly women) were moving their cows and sheep out along the tack above. They were being moved to feed for the day.
The owner of the land was in his field above. I yelled a greeting to him. He came down to say hello.
He didn’t mind that I was here. I told him I arrived late.
Being in no hurry all the gear was aired in the now hot sun, the bag was aired as was the airbed.
Leaving about 1000, dressed in shorts, sweater long sleeved shirt, sandals and water proof socks.
Though the sun was warm, any air movement was decidedly cold.
There was a climb to the top then all down hill to Andahuaylas.
Andahuaylas POP 6800 / ELEV 2980M, 135km west of Abancay on the way to Ayacucho, is the second-most important town in the department of Apurímac, and a convenient halfway stop on the rough but scenic route between Cuzco and Ayacucho. LP
Halfway up the climb, a yell came, here was the Argentinean and German guys Deirdre and I bumped into east of Trujillo, hanging onto to the back of a truck. getting pulled to the top of the hill. I laughed.
“¡Sangriente jovenes!, tipico, nunca quieron trabajar” ellos via al alto”. I thought.
Though at times on the way up a slow moving truck was tempting.
At one point stopped alongside a culvert, bending down over the bike whilst still on it.
I was getting something from a front pannier. A guy in a Hilux stopped up ahead, he thought I was throwing up. I gave him the thumbs up and he moved on.
It was getting colder, even though it was the middle of the day. Being up here in the afternoon it would be bitterly cold. My mind contemplated a world without the sun, it soon all be over within a few days.
My left hand again was void of feeling .
Five pairs of gloves are utilised due to my getting cold hands so easily.
A pair of woollen inners is for finicky things around camp, another thin pair is used for riding, Then there are just normal fingerless riding gloves and a thick pair of ski type gloves. Rubber gloves are used over these in the wet and for doing repairs.
Every corner looked like the top but no.
Pulling in at a culvert to get out of the wind, now close to the top, a couple of good mouthfuls of coca leaves were chewed in the drain with shelter.
Leaving here my whole mouth was anaesthetised. It felt good.
They say it improves oxygen flow in the blood. that feeling soon returned to my hand is proof of this.
All the way up the climb music was being played on my walkman, it is a back up.
The ipod and speaker both had flat batteries after 3 days of constant use.
Some days for a short period Spanish lesions are played, though too much is not beneficial. Just picking up a couple of tips a day is adequate for me.
Generally songs capable of lifting me are played, many of which are used on the blog.
Though Peruano music always has its place, it cements the atmosphere together.
Reaching the top, all that could be seen was a huge valley, this was going to be a great descent, one that would see me in the comfort of a hotel in Andahuaylas.
Stopping here, still under the effects of the ritual in the culvert. All was as it should be.
The only need was a change of gear. Longs were put on. My thick gloves were put on over inners. Sunglasses were put on over a neck tube and my beany was pulled low over my ears. Finally the raincoat was put on to lessen the affect of the wind.
This was a good road with good visibility ahead. It was so enjoyable, speeds of 60 plus km were reached, whilst the hair pin turns taking me to the next traverse were consistent and could be reasonably anticipated.
How sweet this was, knowing the top had been reached as always except in Ecuador in Cajas NP.
The weight of my gear helps maintain momentum.
The descent was 40km. Wanting to stretch it out ice creams and snacks were enjoyed in a town on the way down.
Sitting outside the tienda a hard case woman was trying to get me lined up with every woman that walked past. She was a bit of an identity, though respected in town.
Down in Andahuaylas, the temperature was bearable again.
After some searching, the Hotel Adan y Eva was booked, they had a GL room.
Here I had the best shower for 5 months, two taps, scalding hot water, plenty of it and great flow. This was unbelievably divine, just letting the hot water spill over me, leaving my skin feeling alive.
A few clothes were washed during this time.
Milk powder, raisins, porridge, magi soups, broccoli and tea bags were bought in town.
Another pair of shoes to replace my runners were bought, nothing flash but all leather uppers, if they do the job to Cuzco they will be kept. If not many Zapaterias in Cuzco sell upmarket sports come walking shoes.
Dinner was had in town, though prior to this chicken skewers with a potato on the end were enjoyed at corner stalls, for 20c each, an emoliente washed them down.
D69, T4/6, Av17, Max63, Tot15860, 5795
Fine, cool at the pass.
Waking up and poking my beacon outside the tent, the place was white and the tent was frozen. Into the nest I retreated.
Just relaxing and thinking about the ride yesterday. It would be nice to let the place warm up a bit. Knowing that the site would get the sun pretty early, the sleeping bag offered a welcome retreat.
About 0800, sun arrived and rapidly melted the frost and just as quick and hour later the grass was dry, so was the tent after moving it to expose all sides to the sun.
Its amazing that in 2 hours from frost to dry grass occurred, again a reminder of my proximity to the equator, that of about 13°30’. I went from wearing long johns, longs pants etc to shorts and shirt whilst packing up.
By now, women and men,( mainly women) were moving their cows and sheep out along the tack above. They were being moved to feed for the day.
The owner of the land was in his field above. I yelled a greeting to him. He came down to say hello.
He didn’t mind that I was here. I told him I arrived late.
Being in no hurry all the gear was aired in the now hot sun, the bag was aired as was the airbed.
Leaving about 1000, dressed in shorts, sweater long sleeved shirt, sandals and water proof socks.
Though the sun was warm, any air movement was decidedly cold.
There was a climb to the top then all down hill to Andahuaylas.
Andahuaylas POP 6800 / ELEV 2980M, 135km west of Abancay on the way to Ayacucho, is the second-most important town in the department of Apurímac, and a convenient halfway stop on the rough but scenic route between Cuzco and Ayacucho. LP
Halfway up the climb, a yell came, here was the Argentinean and German guys Deirdre and I bumped into east of Trujillo, hanging onto to the back of a truck. getting pulled to the top of the hill. I laughed.
“¡Sangriente jovenes!, tipico, nunca quieron trabajar” ellos via al alto”. I thought.
Though at times on the way up a slow moving truck was tempting.
At one point stopped alongside a culvert, bending down over the bike whilst still on it.
I was getting something from a front pannier. A guy in a Hilux stopped up ahead, he thought I was throwing up. I gave him the thumbs up and he moved on.
It was getting colder, even though it was the middle of the day. Being up here in the afternoon it would be bitterly cold. My mind contemplated a world without the sun, it soon all be over within a few days.
My left hand again was void of feeling .
Five pairs of gloves are utilised due to my getting cold hands so easily.
A pair of woollen inners is for finicky things around camp, another thin pair is used for riding, Then there are just normal fingerless riding gloves and a thick pair of ski type gloves. Rubber gloves are used over these in the wet and for doing repairs.
Every corner looked like the top but no.
Pulling in at a culvert to get out of the wind, now close to the top, a couple of good mouthfuls of coca leaves were chewed in the drain with shelter.
Leaving here my whole mouth was anaesthetised. It felt good.
They say it improves oxygen flow in the blood. that feeling soon returned to my hand is proof of this.
All the way up the climb music was being played on my walkman, it is a back up.
The ipod and speaker both had flat batteries after 3 days of constant use.
Some days for a short period Spanish lesions are played, though too much is not beneficial. Just picking up a couple of tips a day is adequate for me.
Generally songs capable of lifting me are played, many of which are used on the blog.
Though Peruano music always has its place, it cements the atmosphere together.
Reaching the top, all that could be seen was a huge valley, this was going to be a great descent, one that would see me in the comfort of a hotel in Andahuaylas.
Stopping here, still under the effects of the ritual in the culvert. All was as it should be.
The only need was a change of gear. Longs were put on. My thick gloves were put on over inners. Sunglasses were put on over a neck tube and my beany was pulled low over my ears. Finally the raincoat was put on to lessen the affect of the wind.
This was a good road with good visibility ahead. It was so enjoyable, speeds of 60 plus km were reached, whilst the hair pin turns taking me to the next traverse were consistent and could be reasonably anticipated.
How sweet this was, knowing the top had been reached as always except in Ecuador in Cajas NP.
The weight of my gear helps maintain momentum.
The descent was 40km. Wanting to stretch it out ice creams and snacks were enjoyed in a town on the way down.
Sitting outside the tienda a hard case woman was trying to get me lined up with every woman that walked past. She was a bit of an identity, though respected in town.
Down in Andahuaylas, the temperature was bearable again.
After some searching, the Hotel Adan y Eva was booked, they had a GL room.
Here I had the best shower for 5 months, two taps, scalding hot water, plenty of it and great flow. This was unbelievably divine, just letting the hot water spill over me, leaving my skin feeling alive.
A few clothes were washed during this time.
Milk powder, raisins, porridge, magi soups, broccoli and tea bags were bought in town.
Another pair of shoes to replace my runners were bought, nothing flash but all leather uppers, if they do the job to Cuzco they will be kept. If not many Zapaterias in Cuzco sell upmarket sports come walking shoes.
Dinner was had in town, though prior to this chicken skewers with a potato on the end were enjoyed at corner stalls, for 20c each, an emoliente washed them down.