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Bike ride Ecuadorian Style!

We saw a poster for a bike ride through the Andes Mountains and immediately signed up.  We had already met lots of wonderful Ecuadorians who loved to bike, so this seemed to be a natural next step.  Sure, it was 100 K, but that’s just 60 miles and Mark and I ride 60 miles all the time.  Plus the route was 90% downhill!  How could we go wrong?

We started out on a beautiful Saturday morning.  To our surprise, our bikes were loaded into a van, one on top of another.

Ok, so everyone does organized rides a little differently.  We hopped on the bus that took us to the beginning of our ride, about 40 minutes away.  Our bikes arrived just fine and we were greeted with a military send off.  Now that has never happened on any of our bike rides before!

 

We start downhill through the mountains and have never before experienced such exhilaration from the beauty of the Andean countryside.  I have hiked and biked in many places and many countries, but these views were absolutely breathtaking.  The hillside flowers, the streams running down the cliffs, the farmers tilling their land all made our ride unforgettable.

We soon realized that other aspects of the ride would be unforgettable!  

After our fantastic downhill trip into Giron, we started to ride a bit up and down, it’s to be expected.  Soon, Mark has a blow-out and hops in the back of a pick-up for a ride up to the a restaurant where many riders took a break.  I climbed 2-3 miles at a very slow pace, but made it and was thrilled to hear that we were about half-way!  Yippee!  We are told there is another about a 2 mile climb, but nothing like what I just rode up.  Mark repaired his tire and off we go! 

We rode and rode and then started to climb, the air was thin and I had a hard time breathing, but made it to the top.  We rested and had some food and are again told that we are half-way.  Hmm…that’s odd.   I decide I will get in a van with a friend and take a breather until we are a bit closer to the end and when the climbing is over.   My friend and I get out when we are told we have 20 k to go.  Great!  We are rested and ready to rock and roll!   We bike on and on and on.  We climb and climb and eventually get in another van when we are told that there is still at least another 20 k left.    Mark gives up at about the same spot and we meet at the finish!

We are completely baffled about why the ride was so difficult. We are talking with an Ecuadorian about how much longer than 100 K the ride seemed.  He tells us that the rides are always billed as shorter and easier than they actually are.  Who knows why, but we will be very wary the next time we sign up for an organized ride!  


More photos from our ride  through the Andean countryside