The day commenced at the right end of the profile, some of these small towns cant be plotted as the point of origin.
27/2/2013 Tandapi to El Carmen
D91, T4hrs, Av 22.08, Max60, Tot11715, 1495
Temp up to 30° and humid in later stages.
Outside was still very wet, though a clear day welcomed me, my clothes were put , while cooking scrambled eggs. Getting away about 0830. The Rio Tauchi was followed for miles, it slowly got bigger as the number of tributaries added to its volume.
The ride was basically downhill all day. As elevation was lost, so the temperature increased. Good time was made.
At Santo Domingo some fruit was bought, a chair borrowed and a divine pineapple eaten on the spot with some bananas.
It was so nice to be off that road through the valley, as the shoulder was very narrow. One had to keep such a straight line when a semi passed.
Reaching Nuevo Isreal, chicken soup was enjoyed with 3 bottles of coke, it cost $3.60. From here the road became a concrete 4 lane freeway, it was good easy riding all the way to El Carmen.
Not wanting to hang around as someone had told me to watch it here, I don’t want to give the town a bad name. Though sometimes you are better not knowing these things. Pre judging places and especially people on someone else’s opinion can be very negative.
The town and the people were very helpful.
Finding a motel south of town, the staff member told me it was a room rate by the hour. In other words you came here to shag, not to sleep.
He directed me to another place further on, it was the same deal. Managing to talk the guy into a good deal, a room was occupied.
It has a round bed and a mirror on the wall at bed height. There is a garage attached with a roller door so no one can recognize the car. Taxis are frequent visitors. It is amusing.
About 1800 hours down came the rain, this will be the pattern now most evenings. Camping will spell being out in heavy rain. Though when it suits that will be my accommodation.
Dinner consisted of mixed greens boiled with chilli, then further cooked in my fry pan with garlic and tuna. It was a great meal prepared in the garage.
Still having Colombian coffee with me, it is made with a cloth filter like a small fishing net. The coffee is placed in this and boiling water falls through the mesh having flushed the goodies from the ground coffee. It is a strong brew but good. At present soy powdered milk is used. This product came with the best zip lock packet. This packet will be used with milk powder when the soy is finished.
Some sewing repairs were carried out on my Keen sandals, that suffice perfectly for riding almost every day, rain or shine.
All the winter gear, beany, jumper, gloves, woollen tee shirts, being worn for the last 3 weeks will now be put to the bottom of my clothing pannier.
Synthetic shirts and swimmers are now at the top. However, my raincoat is always accessible.
The humidity is now above 80%, Luckily riding in these conditions does not bother me, sweat in my eyes does!!
Looking at my brake pads, they are nearly worn out and will be replaced in Pedernales. Almost new at Medellín, less than 2000k and they need to be replaced.
Coming down from Quito Yesterday saw me on the brakes throughout the descent.
D91, T4hrs, Av 22.08, Max60, Tot11715, 1495
Temp up to 30° and humid in later stages.
Outside was still very wet, though a clear day welcomed me, my clothes were put , while cooking scrambled eggs. Getting away about 0830. The Rio Tauchi was followed for miles, it slowly got bigger as the number of tributaries added to its volume.
The ride was basically downhill all day. As elevation was lost, so the temperature increased. Good time was made.
At Santo Domingo some fruit was bought, a chair borrowed and a divine pineapple eaten on the spot with some bananas.
It was so nice to be off that road through the valley, as the shoulder was very narrow. One had to keep such a straight line when a semi passed.
Reaching Nuevo Isreal, chicken soup was enjoyed with 3 bottles of coke, it cost $3.60. From here the road became a concrete 4 lane freeway, it was good easy riding all the way to El Carmen.
Not wanting to hang around as someone had told me to watch it here, I don’t want to give the town a bad name. Though sometimes you are better not knowing these things. Pre judging places and especially people on someone else’s opinion can be very negative.
The town and the people were very helpful.
Finding a motel south of town, the staff member told me it was a room rate by the hour. In other words you came here to shag, not to sleep.
He directed me to another place further on, it was the same deal. Managing to talk the guy into a good deal, a room was occupied.
It has a round bed and a mirror on the wall at bed height. There is a garage attached with a roller door so no one can recognize the car. Taxis are frequent visitors. It is amusing.
About 1800 hours down came the rain, this will be the pattern now most evenings. Camping will spell being out in heavy rain. Though when it suits that will be my accommodation.
Dinner consisted of mixed greens boiled with chilli, then further cooked in my fry pan with garlic and tuna. It was a great meal prepared in the garage.
Still having Colombian coffee with me, it is made with a cloth filter like a small fishing net. The coffee is placed in this and boiling water falls through the mesh having flushed the goodies from the ground coffee. It is a strong brew but good. At present soy powdered milk is used. This product came with the best zip lock packet. This packet will be used with milk powder when the soy is finished.
Some sewing repairs were carried out on my Keen sandals, that suffice perfectly for riding almost every day, rain or shine.
All the winter gear, beany, jumper, gloves, woollen tee shirts, being worn for the last 3 weeks will now be put to the bottom of my clothing pannier.
Synthetic shirts and swimmers are now at the top. However, my raincoat is always accessible.
The humidity is now above 80%, Luckily riding in these conditions does not bother me, sweat in my eyes does!!
Looking at my brake pads, they are nearly worn out and will be replaced in Pedernales. Almost new at Medellín, less than 2000k and they need to be replaced.
Coming down from Quito Yesterday saw me on the brakes throughout the descent.