Lucky Old Sun

Peru 2013

Colan Beach to Chulucanas 81 miles 1,900 feet of climbing

We left our scenic accommodations at the Luna Nuevo Hotel after breakfast of eggs, oatmeal and melon juice. I especially enjoyed the juice, not least because other riders gave me theirs. The day started off cool and overcast and with a climb out of the beach to the bluffs and then back to Piura with its cacophony of horns, whistles and barking dogs. Dogs in Peru seem to be much more independent and mostly unaffiliated with an owner, but presumably someone feeds them and some are very territorial. Today we passed a dog sitting in a yard who didn’t bother to get up but barked at us nonetheless just to let us know it was his territory. His enthusiasm for the task was lacking.

The weather cooperated with us all day. We started with a coastal fog cover which kept temps cool. Then we enjoyed Partly cloudy skies for a couple of hours. Finally the sun came out for a while only to be replaced with threatening storm clouds. A comfortable riding day.

We enjoyed a good lunch before leaving Piura. Because we had sent the baggage truck ahead with lunch orders we didn’t have the typical interminable wait common in most small Peruvian towns. Once we left town the traffic quieted and became the usual stream of a few jitneys, an occasional truck and an occasional “tourist bus”. We began to see signs of the diminishing hold of the dry desert climate. Many more trees were green, occasionally with fruit. We saw small herds of goats, burros, and even cattle. All appeared undernourished except the burros. I guess they’ll eat anything. The town of Chulucanas is a neat and tidy town with well paved and maintained roads. This is rare in Peru. Even in the capital city of Lima the roads are pock-marked with repairs, divots in the pavement and irregular surfaces. Our hotel in Chulucanas features spare rooms and limited internet service. On par with experience and expectations, if not hopes.

Here are some photos of our group and the “scenery” along our ride.