March 2017 | 129
and rough . It was only when hard-riding Barranca
had still not arrived and there was nowhere to stay that we took a bus trip with two Bucaramanga friends . Again the equipment at the hospital was well-appreciated .
The next day , it was back on two wheels for our
into the Canyon Chicamocha ( the second largest in the world ) to Cepita , then half way up the other side before another plunge down into the canyon on a newly tarmacked ( partly !) road left us exhilarated and wanting to spend an extra day in the interesting riverside village , but time was getting
heavy rain had swept small rocks over the road so the ride up was nice and quiet , only two-wheeled
There is plenty of history and decent accommodation in the Mogotes , Valle de San Jose and Chaharala area both boast recently tarmacked roads , so good progress was made in the high mountains until Barichara was reached . This town is now a popular tourist destination with Boutique Hotels . It also has an infants ’ monitor in the small country ' hospital ' which we had visited in 2013 ,
away ! It was still in good order and appreciated . The
Sunset over Rio Magdalena at Honda
Onwards then for three days in the most dramatic and unmade steep roads so far , and we had to ask where there was accommodation and food . After
drop ( 1879m ) and climb ( 1198m ), there appeared a lone , US , young , female cycle-camper awaiting her friend who was six hairpins behind and walking . Imagine our surprise , when after nine tours in Colombia , and only a handful of cycle tourists
Austrian couple riding from Costa Rica to Tierra del Fuego ! We must have spent a good two hours chatting . Onwards again , through fertile pastures to Bucaramanga and two more FOCSA equipment visits , a guitar concert , lunch and dinner invitations ,
best of all , meeting up with friends from 38 years ago .
improved , no tummy upsets and we drank the natural delicious water-based fruit juices daily .
longer do the oncoming vehicles overtake without considering us . Cycling is alive and well , although there are more mountain bikes and a lot of riding the streets in the dark ( with lights ) when they are quiet . Accommodation is better than ever . The economy is booming , thus there are many more - ' motos ' and less walking , but this has a health downside . Beautiful Colombia is a real bargain for tourists and with improved security you would not be disappointed .
San Jose del Nus punctures , seven other cycle tourists met which is more than in all our nine previous tours put together !