Colombia 2025

 March 8, 2025, returning to El Retiro The ride adventure is over. I've  removed my electronics from my bike, and stuffed everything that's mine in my pack. This included a hand painted plate that Juan Jose gifted to all of the tour participants.  Hand painted commemorative plate  Next it was time to brave the journey back to El Retiro.  We loaded 9 bikes into a team's cycling bus ( 3 bikes went in the SAG SUV) .  Bike Bus to take us back to El Retiro I was pleased to see that the bus had seat belts. The driver  made Pepino's SUV driving look conservative and Pepino's driving according to Pepino is 'bruto"!  Wheels squealing  around every bend in the road we raced  through the mountains.  It was a 5 1/2 hour rollercoaster ride. That night, Manolo's mother passed away and though it was not unexpected, it put us all into a reflective state of mind.  Life is short. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to share this adventu...

Manizales to Alto de Letras and back: 46 miles with 6,817 feet of elevation gain Today's ride was slated to be one of the toughest due to the 12,100 foot summit. Thin air and planning for the extreme weather difference at the summit were factor to consider in addition to the actual climbing. Our morning started with a good breakfast at 6 am. I just love this hotel!  The departure though was rushed. I was just swinging my leg over the saddle when the group took off. As I would later find out, Rafa was not even out of the hotel yet, due to a nature call. I attempted to follow the group as they darted down one of Manizales's steep double digit grade roads, almost going over the bars as I struggled to clip in and at the same time avoid running into the back of the car stopping front of me.  As I waited for the light to turn green I realized that the route did not go down this steep hill and in fact we should have turned right before the downhill section. I watched the group contin...

 Salento to Manizales: 55 Miles with 7,000 feet of climbing Woke up this morning to a light drizzle. A welcome sight compared to the overnight rain! Rain through the night Jose's shouting encouragement on the first wet climb of the day The start of our ride was a bit chilly and wet as  the first 2 miles were downhill. Soon though we warmed up with the first of 4 major climbs.   The roads were smooth abd safe until we rode through the center of Pereira. Flashback to riding through Pereira  There we wrestled with busses and trucks spewing diesel exhaust and motorcycles weaving through traffic. We stayed together as a group and basically took up a full lane which helped a lot. After a short break for a breakfast of eggs with rice and beans at mile 25 we faced the last 2 climbs.  Mike approves breakfast stop A short break before the final climbs The final climb gained 3000 feet in 10 miles which made the arrival most welcome. Photo op at city square We had no troubl...

After a good night rest, those of us that didn't consume to much last night went over to the B&B's restaurant and enjoyed an excellent early breakfast.  Soon we were all together and the twelve of us walked up to the plaza to inquire about finding jeeps to transport us to the park. To my surprise we were told that the twelve of us would fit in single Willy jeep. So we all squeezed in. I chose an interior seat Jose Jairo had fun hanging on the the outside Mike looking pretty serious The ride was quite the adventure. The park was absolutely beautiful. Fortunately the jeep ride out and back had no casualties! Dinner that night consisted of a large mushroom and chicken pizza  that Mike and I shared. The rest of the group wanted something else and wandered around Salento, unsuccessfully looking for a place they could all agree on. As Mike and I were finishing our meal, the rest of the group showed up, frustrated  and resigned to ordering pizza and pasta. We all laughed....

 March 4, 2025 Santa Rosa de Cabal to Salento: 40 miles, 5,153 feet of climbinb I woke up to pouring rain. I nonetheless put on my bib and jersey and wolfed down my cold oatmeal. Juan Jose decided to change the route. Instead of skirting around Pereira, we'd save 5 miles and go right through the center of town. The rain settled into a light drizzle and we set off. As we approached our first downhill, the rain turned into a downpour. I could hardly see, the rain was coming down so hard. I stopped and struggled to put on a rain jacket. I zipped it up and pop, the zipper blew out. So I continued down the hill with my jacket flapping, feeling a bit chilled even though the temperature was in the low 70's. As quickly as the rain came, it went away. Sun came out and my jacket got stuffed in a back pocket. The ride through Pereira was an adventure. Lots of traffic and mopeds zipping in and around us and our group zipping around stopping buses and parked vehicles. Loco-mbia as Jose refe...