(August 13 – written by Dave) Today we completed pass number 4 from Ayacucho to Cusco and I’m happy to report that everyone rode the entire way.  We started the day with a 35k climb and finished the day with a 35k descent.  We voted this afternoon and everyone prefers going up first better than … Continue reading Pass 4, mountain day – Abancay to Curahuasi (70k/19,114k, +5,250)

(August 12 – written by Dave) I am excited to report that today, I rode the entire distance with the rest of the team – woohoo!  I had no stomach issues of any kind and we had a beautiful day riding in the Andes to boot.  I know that some of the more cautious readers … Continue reading A full day’s ride – Huancarama to Abancay (64k/19,043k, +4,800)

(August 11 – written by Dave) My stomach bug came back today and it was my turn to take it for the team.  We had about 37k to ride to reach the top of the second pass but I was not riding very strong and had to have several bathroom breaks.  We rode about 24k … Continue reading Pass two (mostly) – Andahuaylas to Huancarama (89k/18,979k, +5,000)

(August 10 – written by Dave) Today was the first of 4 days in a row with passes reaching close to 14,000 feet.  Not the most idea conditions for Nancy and I to be less than 100% but you do what you have to do.  The ride from Ayacucho to Cusco actually has five of … Continue reading Pass one – Uripa to Andahuaylas (76k/18,890k, +4,600ft)

(August 9 – written by Dave) Rumours of my demise are greatly exaggerated – after yesterday’s overly fuzzy day, I’m happy to report that today was much better.  I didn’t eat much yesterday and got a little hungry today but overall I felt 100% better and am nearly fully recovered.  And before I go too … Continue reading Rumours of my demise… – Chumbes to Uripa (58k/18,814k, +4,600ft)

(August 8 – written by Nancy) Well, today was an interesting day and even now at 7pm it is still continuing to be interesting!  Our riverside camp was very quiet last night though we did have some traffic passing after it got dark.  It’s always somewhat disconcerting to see headlights on the tent when it’s … Continue reading Man down – Riverside camp to Chumbes (55k/18,757k, +3,300ft)

(August 7 – written by Dave) We were first at the brekkie buffet this morning and we did ourselves proud in how many rolls we could eat.  It was a little hard being discrete as even by the time we left the room, no other guests had gotten up.  Oh well, the first two days … Continue reading Back on the road – Ayacucho to river camp (60k/18,702k, +3,000ft)

(August 5/6 – written by Dave) Today we were reminded how lucky we are to be doing this trip.  Right now and for the last couple years, for the first time in the recorded history of mankind, there are no wars going on in the Americas*.  Even before the Spanish arrived in 1534, the Incas … Continue reading Ayacucho thoughts…

(August 4 – written by Nancy) We had a quiet night in the theatre of the Municipalidad building, save for the rustling of sleeping pads echoing in the big space as people turned over in their sleep.  I had to jab Dave a few times with my elbow when he started to snore – in … Continue reading Red dirt mountains into the city – Julcamarca to Ayacucho (60k/18,642k, +2,700ft)

(August 3 – written by Dave) You can probably tell from the title, we had a dry morning and no real threat of snow.  So we got up and rode.  The woman running the hotel said that it was probably raining and/or snowing on the pass but we were already packed at that point so … Continue reading High again – Lircay to Julcamarca (72k/18,583k, +4,920ft)