(July 16 – written by Dave) We’ve had a couple nice relaxing days in Caraz.  Yesterday we watched the world cup.  For those who missed it, France won.  There were also two parades in town on Sunday.  The first for marching school troops, the second for people in costumes.  I never really got why either … Continue reading Caraz – Laguna Paron and a few mountains

(July 14 – written by Nancy) (posted on 15/7 due to being off the grid for the last 4 days) Well, it’s been a tough but generally enjoyable section for the last couple of days.  It was really nice to be on this stretch with our new German friends, being able to share the scenery … Continue reading Canyon del Pato – River Camp to Caraz (56k/17,560k, +4000ft)

(July 12 – written by Dave) (posted on 14/7 due to being off the grid for the last 4 days) We had a very quiet night sleeping by the river with only one car coming down either side of the canyon, sometime around 12:45.  I would hate to drive that road in the daylight.  In … Continue reading Switchbacks, an amazing canyon and a crash – River Camp to River Camp (66k/17,409k, +4500ft)

(July 11 – written by Dave) (posted on 14/7 due to being off the grid for the last 4 days) Night was pretty quiet in the spa hotel, except for someone pounding on the door at 1:30 – we think that they were looking for a room – we did not offer to share.  We … Continue reading More dirt and some switchbacks – Cachicadan to River Camp (72k/17,343k, +4500ft)

(July 10 – written by Nancy) (posted on 14/7 due to being off the grid for the last 4 days) We woke to cold temperatures this morning.  It’s hard to get out from under the covers when the air temperature in the room is almost as cold as outside.  I lingered as long as I … Continue reading A day on the dirt – Huamachuco to Cachicadan (58k/17,270k, +2800ft)

(July 9 – written by Dave) First an update on dinner last night.  We bought a pile of shredded veggies and a chicken flavour package at the market and made soup.  It turned out to be quite tasty.  It is hard to beat the price at .80 Soles or about .25 US cents.  We used … Continue reading More up and some dirt – Cajabamba to Huamachuco (56k/17,213k, +4000ft)

(July 8 – written by Dave) We had a nice restful night in San Marco - the hotel seemed busy but it was really quiet.  The only problem for me was someone making coffee at 5AM and the smell waking me up.  I didn’t get up and find the source but life could be worse … Continue reading Bunch riding – San Marco to Cajabamba (61k/17,156k, +4000ft)

(July 7 – written by Dave) (posted on July 8) Today starts with last night and a fun dinner with bike packers Hanna, Mark and Richard, plus we met another cyclist from France named Natalie.  It was Mark’s birthday so we celebrated at a nice fish restaurant.  We left after dinner as we were riding … Continue reading More cycling friends – Cajamarca to San Marco (64k/17,095k, +4800ft)

(July 5-6 – written by Dave) We’ve had a couple nice days off here in Cajamarca.  It’s a nice little city, 200,000 people, or the 13th largest in Peru.  More on what we’ve been up to later but first I have to start with the amazing “end of the Inca” story.  I always wondered what … Continue reading End of the Inca and other tales from Cajamarca