Peru 2013

Bagua Grande to Pedro Ruiz            41 miles     4,300 feet of climbing

Today is a scenic as it gets.  We enjoyed the scenery along the Rio Utcubamba all day long as we followed the river upstream.  One of the best features of cycling in Peru roads is the roads.  The paved roads are in almost perfect condition and are well maintained.  The roads are engineered to keep the grades relatively uniform.  There is little traffic.  Trucks and buses are the main users of the roads.  Moto-taxis and small cars driven as taxis are used for short trips in and around towns. 

So today the road were travelling had been washed out.  We detoured along a local road through a village.  The road was partially paved, dusty and sandy in spots.  The grade got so steep I had to walk a portion of it.  Some local people decided it would be a good idea to collect a toll for using the road, so we paid.  The one Neuvo Sol price (about 38 cents) seemed reasonable.  When the facility you expect is suddenly unavailable, the appreciation is enhanced.

Despite the beauty of today’s ride, it became hot and sunny.  As we rode along we entered steeper and narrower valleys.  The scenery is fantastic as you can see below.  Riding the shadow of the valley walls gave us a cooler ride as well.

 

 

Hotel Rio group photo

The order of the palms

Peruvian flag for government facilities

The river wide

The road ahead

Roadside living

How steep is my valley?

A cool spot in the lea of the mountain

Typical of today's ride in the morning

A refreshing spot

Well, the road has to go somewhere

Think we can fit through there?