Distance: 94.24 km
Ride time: 4.28.06
Average: 21.09 km/h
Max speed: 33.09 km/h
Total: 31677 km
The countries in this part of South America (Peru, Ecuador, Colombia) are all divided into three parts: The coast, the mountains, and the jungle. Lately I have spent a lot of time at the coast, and I also know the mountains well. If there is something I’m still missing, its the jungle.
On today’s ride I did very much feel I was in a jungle, even though I’m actually in the coastal region. It was raining, and the banana plants were surrounding me on both sides of the road. What a huge difference compared to the coastal deserts of Peru.
My bike is not really set up for rainy weather. Luckily I find it absolutely amazing how little rain I have had on the whole trip. Today the shower lasted 45 minutes, and even though it was not heavy rain, everything got dirty.
When you are cycling in a new country it is always very interesting to learn what the people eat, and how much it costs. I was happy to discover that Ecuador has the same lunch set meals as they have in Peru and Bolivia. For 2.5$ I got a soup, a main dish with some kind of fish, and two glasses of fruit juice. It was all very delicious.
In Naranjal, a random small town that would be my destination for today, I found a car washing guy who was happy to give my Bianchi a quick wash as well. Half an hour later I had my own shower in my cheap (and very noisy) hotel room.
Tomorrow I should reach Guayaquil, Ecuador’s biggest city.
Any idea yet on what to do with the Darién Gap?
Hi Travel Nerd. My plan is to cycle up to Cartagena and take the new ferry to Panama – thereby avoiding the Darién Gap.