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.
- fresh fish for lunch
- Little buddies hanging out at the border
- My new arsenal for dogs
- Policia
- Me and my warm socks hanging with the Lamas
- Shelter under a bridge
- The border crossing
- Leaving Copacabana
- Family photo – just not my family
- Snappy little climb to 4678m
- There are fruit stalls everywhere around here
- Met this little guy at the restaurant
- The long windy road
- Nice sunny day
- Plenty of reminders along the road to take it easy
- 13 cold excited cyclists
- Sharing Machu Picchu with the locals
- A couple more crazy cyclists
- A spot of washing
- Cerro Azul car
- Pablo and I
- Stare off with a Bull – didn’t win
- Checkpoint 2 – waiting to enter
- Lamas
- Pigs crossing the road just before it started snowing
- My Host
- Some quick directions before comiting to a long road with no people
- frosted tent
- plenty of big old rigs
- Day one, Sexy Pumas begin the big Trek
- Some little biddies I met along the way
- Paredes Clinica Cusco
- Too close for comfort
- Trekking through the snow
- Met this little dude on the road
- Death road
- Dune Buggy ride
- Exploring the Markets with Jun
- Day one on the bike
- We made it to Puno
- My campsite for the night
- Hitting the road again for thast 110km to La Paz
- Park in centre of Cusco
- Sunset
- Island of Uros
- 5 tents set up along the Lake umongst farmland
- amazing
- my bike shop mates
- Cheeky Lama
- The best welcome to Chile sign i could find
- Nasca Lines
- Bolivia!! Second country!
- My first down hill
- Reunion
- An old abandoned mud brick house
- dog
- Old bus
- surreal landscape
- Breakfast at Pucusana
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!!