Peru 2013

Moyobamba to Tarapoto       72 miles    2,700 feet of climbing

There’s no question that we’re in the jungle, between the vegetation, heat, humidity, resident hotel parrots and a smattering of new bugs, all the evidence is in.  Today’s ride started under an ominous sky.  As a kid growing up in the Midwest I used to be able to look at the sky and know what weather was coming.  This certainly didn’t look like something that would blow over.

The ride started with some rolling road and by mile 30 we had nearly reached our peak altitude for the day when the rain started.  With raingear on we rode up for two miles then downhill for twenty, slowing at times because of lack of visibility.  Not only could I not see the hills in the distance, it was tough to see down the road.  We did have a big yellow semi-truck pass on a straight downhill.  We returned the favor a couple miles later by drafting another semi passing the big yellow rig.  The rain had slowed and visibility had improved.

Let me share today’s ear worms, some real oldies:

“Green, green, its green they say on the far side of the hill.  Green, green, I’m goin’ away to where the grass is greener still.  I told my mama on the day I was born that I got keep travelin’ on.  I’m just a natural born travelin’ man and I gotta keep travelin’ on.  Green, green…”

“…cool, clear water.  Old Dan and I with throats burnt dry and souls that cry for water (water, water).  Cool, clear water.  Keep a movin’ Dan, don’t you listen to him Dan, he’s a devil not a man and he spreads the burning sand with water (water, water).  Cool, clear water…”

Admittedly the second may have been more appropriate in the desert.  But we did have cool, clear water.

In Tarapoto our group splits with three riders, Lon, Alessandra, Araceley and Nayda continuing on to Yurimaguas to board the riverboat to Iquitos.  If the timing is right we will hop off the boat at Nauta and ride 60 miles through the jungle to Iquitos, perhaps even reaching there before the boat.

 

Bruce

 

Chris

 

Fine, feathered friends

 

Road scene

 

Ominous

 

More ominous

 

Thanksgiving

 

Bike washing

 

Rider washing

 

Hotel courtyard