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Hello, I am a blogger with a ardour for bike journey. Click on icon to learn extra.
I initially made a reserving to experience Colombia in 2019 however simply previous to that I rode South Africa the place I used to be attacked. After that have I paused and had a rethink of my plans to experience solo in South America. I remained to experience the Andes mountains of Ecuador, Peru and Colombia however not certain about security.
I discussed in my Mexico experience report that I wish to motion as many issues as I can as a result of I don’t know if my most cancers will keep in remission. So this yr I’m making an attempt to deliver ahead a few of these rides. Ecuador is at present in a state of emergency as a result of crime and Peru moto excursions all deal with visiting vacationer websites within the south and never driving the Andes. Colombia regarded the winner.
I desire impartial driving. If I had somebody to experience with then I’d not hesitate to journey these nations independently. I believed I may need discovered somebody with related ardour however alas that also eludes me. Maybe I would like to speak extra bullshit and machismo ha-ha. Anyway ready isn’t an possibility so I’m becoming a member of Mike of Moto Dreamer excursions who I’ve adopted on Instagram just a few years.
From Mexico I fly to Bogota, a metropolis with a little bit of a fame, however I’m instructed like most of Colombia it’s not harmful now. Nonetheless I’m completely satisfied that Mike has his workers meet and switch me to the tour resort. It’s just a little factor however makes me really feel welcome in a metropolis I’m not certain about. Seems the resort is in a upmarket a part of city with designer style outlets and personal safety on each nook so it’s not downside to discover on foot.
I meet a few different riders however am nonetheless exhausted from the Mexico tour so decline to go sightseeing. Really from what I noticed between the airport and downtown I’m not impressed to go outdoors the protected space I’m in. As a substitute I get all my garments laundered and simply taking it straightforward in native cafes. The opposite riders arrive the following day. We’re from UK, Portugal, USA, Canada and one different Australian who’s a moto journalist.
Mike offers us a glorious briefing and explains the insurance coverage. Each are very skilled in comparison with the Mexico tour the place the insurance coverage coverage was not well worth the paper it was printed on. Subsequent we verify over the bikes. I’m driving a BMW 750GS and I’d strive writing a comparability Vs the massive 1250GS I rode in Mexico after this tour. Driving all tarmac on each of those excursions I see no purpose to have a ADV bike however it was not possible to pick another type and I be aware leases of non ADV bikes have gotten tougher to seek out additionally.
Bogota to Honda
Driving out of Bogota was at instances intense however after driving Mexico metropolis I used to be considerably ready. Mid morning we cease for espresso earlier than we begin into the mountains the place the roads are very good for driving bikes. The tempo may be very quick and to be sincere a lot quicker than I experience as of late. I can sustain however drift to the again to sluggish just a little because the male riders on the entrance are driving like in a race with one another.
There have been no picture stops so I get my little Casio digicam out and for as soon as this got here out okay however alas I do have some issues with the little digicam once more after right here.
Todays one and solely picture cease, it’s a spectacular view though not captured so nicely on this picture.
After some very good mountain curves we drop down off the vary into the valley the place the temperature soars to 41 levels. I’m glad Mike stops for a break pretty quickly so I can rehydrate and I down two bottles of Gatorade. I’ve loads of expertise driving in warmth however I see a few of the different riders are usually not fairing as nicely.
Then it’s a excessive velocity sweeping curve street to Salento the place we’re doing 130-160kph, It’s quick sufficient to decrease the true really feel temp however I’m glad for an early end at the moment.
At a stunning boutique resort it’s nonetheless 38 levels so I leap underneath a chilly bathe to decrease my temperature then comply with this up with a few chilly beers.
Honda to Salento
This morning we go to the positioning of small metropolis that was worn out by the eruption of Nevado Del Ruiz volcano in 1985 that created a landslide and lava movement which killed 25,000 folks. Now it’s a ghost city that nature is slowly reclaiming.
After right here Mike takes us over a brand new street that has simply been sealed as much as prime of that exact same volcano.
This street was gravel for years however now could be the brand new premium mountain street of Colombia that ascends to a top of 4100m!
Sorry no pictures on the best way up, the tempo is once more loopy quick till we attain the small nation city of Murillo that for the reason that sealing of the street has been flooded with vacationers, totally on bikes that are extremely popular in Columbia identical to Thailand or Philippines.
From this village at 3000m we climb one other 1000m to the clouds on a street that joins the perfect bike roads I’ve ridden on this planet.
This new street is really very good however very busy on this Sunday. It isn’t so lengthy after opening and actually 1000’s of riders from across the nation have travelled to experience this excessive mountain street. I really feel lucky to be right here. There are even pure volcanic scorching spring swimming pools which are effervescent proper subsequent to the street that some locals have stripped off and are bathing in.
The descent can be good and there’s a aspect street that I’d have liked to {photograph} because it seems to be a mini Transfagarasan move that we didn’t take however it’s already nicely previous lunch and I wish to eat so I comply with the group and we cease half manner down at a restaurant which at the moment may be very busy however serves a hearty scorching meal then we proceed to the gorgeous mountain city Salento on again roads that are curvy however congested.
Mike definitely doesn’t brief change you on inns. Many group excursions (bike or in any other case) attempt to rip you off by charging for 3 or 4 star inns then reserving the most affordable. I discussed beforehand I left the Black Canine Journey membership I rode with as soon as as a result of the organizer did a bait and change on inns and what turned me off group journey once I was youthful was a tour I did with Intrepid which was horrible on many ranges particularly the shitty rooms they offered.
Beers at Salento city sq.. The guides Mike and Heine at rear beside me and three different riders on the tour having fun with some beers on the historic pub on the principle sq. in Salento.
We’re consuming at good eating places every night time however the meals has to this point been barely underwhelming. Colombia doesn’t do spicy meals.
Salento to Cali
This morning we go to a espresso plantation. The declare is Colombia espresso persistently will get rated the most effective as a result of it being all hand picked so solely ripe beans yellow and purple are harvested whereas different nations use machines to select and get some inexperienced beans within the combine.
Yeah I’m doing the complete vacationer factor this morning. I by no means do that stuff when driving solo so it’s a pleasant change, however I’m able to get again on bike after couple hours of this and no need to turn into an everyday vacationer.
