Next trip someone please remind us that mountain biking, in actual mountains (and we are talking starting at 2.5 miles above sea level) not up Mass Avenue, is hard. Especially if you only ever do it when you are on vacation. Which we do.
Jean and I do really enjoy it though. The mix of jaw dropping nature, pushing yourself physically to the limits, and experiencing real native culture away from the touristy cities is very appealing to us. The aches and pains are not. But the experience is worth it.
Today we hooked up with Diego again and a German guy at 730am to climb by car to 4000 meters. Yes, 2.5 miles up in the very thin air. From there we biked through the mountains for more than 5 hours. It was not all downhill by any stretch. But in this terrain - rocky narrow roads with big drop offs and animals chasing you - even downhill is exhausting.
We did it. Again. We celebrated with a very fresh (head still attached) tilapia lunch and some soaking in volanic hot springs. Ahhh. So worth it.
And here are my Five Favorite Fotos from today...
Nature...
Cuicocha Lake and Cotacachi Volcano (I think).
Beauty...
In the cloud forest everything drips with moisture and beauty.
Fun...
Cervezas and fresh cooked meal - post ride.
Spirit...
Soaking in the hot springs after the ride. Yup, I was thanking God.
Just liked it...
Soooo Handsome. Pre-ride power breakfast.
And more photos here at my flickr account.
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