Ive had an amazing adventure over the past 10 weeks.
I have seen and experienced the world in a very different way and will find it very difficult to take things for granted after seeing the way others live and to a lesser extent living a very simple life from the saddle of a bike.
I’ve put myself in uncomfortable situations forcing myself to make decisions such as sleeping in an abandoned house at 4500m altitude surrounded by volcanoes, and spending two days ascending to over 4000m in altitude.
I’ve camped on the altiplano surrounded by Lamas. I have woken up to an ice covered tent, spent time in hospital with a spider bite on my arse, seen snow for the first time (as it was thrown at me in the form of a snow ball!). I have swum with turtles, seen condors circle above me, seen one of the wonders of the world, cycled across salt flats seeing nothing but salt in all directions. I have somehow survived through 3 countries where I speak none of their language. I’ve eaten things I still have no idea what it was. Trekked across tracks created 5000 years ago by the ancient Incas, ridden across deserts, been chased by probably nearly 100 angry dogs, and ridden the worlds most dangerous road. Ive met some of the coolest, and most interesting people, and found the local people in general to be extraordinarily helpful. I’ve struggled for oxygen while climbing to heights of 4678m in the freezing temperatures and in the same day sweated my arse off descending though the jungles of Bolivia. My bike has endured some very rough terrain, and I’ve passed thousands of memorials from busses going over the edges of numerous cliffs.
- my bike shop mates
- Met this little guy at the restaurant
- We made it to Puno
- Paredes Clinica Cusco
- Little buddies hanging out at the border
- Pablo and I
- Death road
- Some quick directions before comiting to a long road with no people
- Park in centre of Cusco
- Hitting the road again for thast 110km to La Paz
- The best welcome to Chile sign i could find
- Cerro Azul car
- Day one, Sexy Pumas begin the big Trek
- Me and my warm socks hanging with the Lamas
- Day one on the bike
- There are fruit stalls everywhere around here
- Sunset
- Trekking through the snow
- Snappy little climb to 4678m
- Reunion
- Breakfast at Pucusana
- Shelter under a bridge
- dog
- fresh fish for lunch
- Dune Buggy ride
- A spot of washing
- 5 tents set up along the Lake umongst farmland
- Nice sunny day
- Bolivia!! Second country!
- The border crossing
- Too close for comfort
- amazing
- Family photo – just not my family
- A couple more crazy cyclists
- Lamas
- My first down hill
- Plenty of reminders along the road to take it easy
- An old abandoned mud brick house
- plenty of big old rigs
- 13 cold excited cyclists
- Some little biddies I met along the way
- Pigs crossing the road just before it started snowing
- surreal landscape
- Island of Uros
- Policia
- Nasca Lines
- Cheeky Lama
- Met this little dude on the road
- Exploring the Markets with Jun
- My Host
- My new arsenal for dogs
- My campsite for the night
- The long windy road
- Leaving Copacabana
- Sharing Machu Picchu with the locals
- Stare off with a Bull – didn’t win
- Old bus
- Checkpoint 2 – waiting to enter
- frosted tent
It has been a real eye opener and an experience I will never forget! I am a little sad to be leaving but more excited to be heading home to appreciate all the simple things we take for granted every day like (like having a good coffee).
I want to thank everyone who has followed my adventure through my blog, Facebook, and Instagram! I have been overwhelmed by all the feedback and comments I have received along the way which has made the journey that much more special.
I’m pretty excited to be heading home and I’m looking forward to catching up with all of you soon!
Stats:
Total Bike Distance – 2709km
Total meters ascent – 26,063.18m (bottom to top of Everest 5 times)
Total countries – 3
Well done. What an adventure you’ll never forget.
Thanks mate! enjoy yours!!