Guatape to Bogota
Departed Guatape on the 18th and headed for the small mountain village of Otanche. Most of the day was spent on mountain dirt roads and the going was pretty slow. Took all day to ride 181 miles. By the time I arrived and got settled in it was getting dark, got cleaned up and went to sleep early. The next days plan was to ride to Villa de Leiva. Short distance on a map but the road twists through the mountains and is under construction most of the way. I was told the views are fantastic however it was clouded in all day.
Song of the day: I Shot the Sheriff, Eric Clapton
Water break:
From September 18 -19, 2013
A big muddy river:
From September 18 -19, 2013
Stopped to let some air out of the tires:
From September 18 -19, 2013
Hotel in Otanche:
From September 18 -19, 2013
Looking back on Otanhe the next morning:
From September 18 -19, 2013
The construction zones were crazy, one lane riding on sheets of steel with rocks and construction equipment all along. Some of the areas were closed for a couple hours but they let me through because they figured I could fit. I few times I had to stop and clear a path to get through.
I had to stop and rest after navigating through this area. Back around the corner it was one lane of metal sheets covered in mud, cliff on one side and a
100 meter drop on the other.
From September 18 -19, 2013
A good section:
From September 18 -19, 2013
At the top of the pass, 59 degrees.
From September 18 -19, 2013
Meet this guy on a water stop:
From September 18 -19, 2013
Was about 6 miles from Leiva when a rock punctured my rear tire. Heard that terrible puncture sound and then air escaping. Then came the wobble feeling and warning lights.
Song of the day: Where did our Love Go, Soft Cell
I had passed though a small town a couple miles back so I filled the hole as best I could with plugs and it managed to hold some air, well it was leaking pretty good. I made it to town though and got some help form a couple young guys. I took the tire off and they drove me to a tire shop and we put a patch on the inside. Not such a good patch but it was all he had and I didn't have anything better. The hole was big enough to put my little finger through. Anyway, it was holding air so I put it back on the bike and headed out. I can get tires in Bogota which was about 110 miles from where I was at. Plan, make it to Tunja, 25 miles, today and then if all is good head for Bogota in the morning. As soon as I departed town I entered another construction zone, lots of little rocks, not good. I managed to get through but the patch didn't hold and I was loosing air fast. I had traveled about 5 miles. Luckily, there was a tire repair place within sight and this time he had a good quality patch. Made it to Tunja with no problems and the next morning I rode to Bogota. Didn't realize it was Friday and I wasn't able to connect with tire guy in time to take care of things. I'm here until Monday.
All is good.