(August 2 – written by Dave) It was cold overnight in Huancavelica, so cold that the surrounding hills had a dusting of snow on them this morning.  The snow make for nice photos so long as it stays up there!  It’s not much fun to ride in.  There were some clouds about in the morning … Continue reading Llama day – Huancavelica to Lircay (76k/18,510k, +3,800ft)

(August 1 – written by Dave) Well, we made it to Huancavelica in once piece even with all the climbing.  We figured that of the 77k we rode today, more than 50k of them were uphill.  We had a couple 20k climbs, one right out of Izcuchaca first thing this morning.  Actually the climbing was … Continue reading Climbing day – Izcuchaca to Huancavelica (77k/18,435k, +5,800ft)

(July 31 – written by Dave) First up a quick thank you out to everyone who wished me happy birthday today (or yesterday as the Aussies got the day right but are always a day ahead when you are in this side of the world!).  I’m getting older everyday but as my father used to … Continue reading Birthday spin – Huancayo to Izcuchaca (68k/18,357k, +2700ft)

(July 30 – written by Dave) A short post from Huancayo, Peru.  We’ve had a nice rest day here.  Yeah, I know, I’d never heard of Huancayo before yesterday either.... Anyway, to the theme of the day.  Back in the day, sometime in the early 1990s, Starbucks opened their first store in Portland, Oregon.  Nancy … Continue reading Familiarity breeds contentment in Huancayo

(July 29 – written by Nancy) Okay, I am really tired but Dave is insisting I write the blog for today so I’ll give it a shot before I fall asleep.  Today was a long day – we didn’t get to our hotel in Huancayo until after 5pm.  We did have sunshine the whole day, … Continue reading A dog’s day – Tarma to Huancayo (109k/18,290k, +4000ft)

(July 29– written by Dave) Brrr, it was cold this morning.  My cyclo computer read 1C as we left the hostel.  It was very foggy and the extra dampness that comes with fog made it seem much colder.  Everyone was fairly rugged up as we made our way back out to Highway 3N.  We were … Continue reading Peru Independence Day – Junin to Tarma (68k/18,180k, +1,000ft)

(July 27– written by Dave) Last night we slept well (except when Nancy stole all the blankets).  Overall though, we were happy with sleeping sound at 3,300 metres (10,800 feet).  It’s not our highest sleep of the trip but it’s getting up there.  Riding today we climbed to 4,400 metres (14,435 feet) and didn’t really … Continue reading More up, staying high – Highway hotel to Junin (105k/18,113k, +4200ft)

(July 26– written by Dave) Today was a departure from the magnificent scenery that we’ve been riding through for most of Peru.  We rode up the Rio Blanca all day but the river was not overly photogenic and the hills of the canyon were kind of ordinary as well. I had promised Philipp that we … Continue reading Rio Blanca (White River) cruise – Huánuco to highway hotel (81k/18,008k, +5115ft)

(July 25 – written by Dave) We’ve had a productive day here in Huánuco.  Bikes cleaned.  More route planning done.  Natural fruit bowl and yogurt for brekkie.  Slept in until 8:30.  All good.  So this will be a short post. For late lunch (yes lunch) Philipp and Kathrin wanted to try ice cream rolls.  We … Continue reading Huánuco ice cream rolls – who knew?

(July 24 – written by Dave) Today turned out much different than we thought it would.  We had 14k of uphill to start, followed by 60k of downhill.  We rode again with Philipp and Kathrin.  All four of us enjoyed the uphill much more than the downhill.  Yup, you read that right.  It’s all about … Continue reading Up or down, you choose – Chavinillo to Huánuco (74k/17,927k, +1900ft)