Here's Seth, gasping up the climb towards La Calera (Kelly, as usual is stopped ahead with time to take photos). Every Sunday thousands of people make the climb up to the summit just outside of downtown Bogotá, it's a fantastic scene, young, old, fancy, scrappy, everybody getting their asses kicked for some Sunday fun.
At the top of the climb with Frederik and Diana, an amazing couple we met through our rugby contacts with ArcAngeles, who showed us the way. Diana is a few months pregnant and had never done the climb before but decided to give it a go. Diana stuck on Seth's wheel, decided the pace was very nice, and made it all the way to the top. Maybe the first time the slow ass climbing speed helped somebody else out! Also, arepas con queso, and carrot cake from the summit food stands are wondrous. Worth the climbing just for the food.
Every Sunday Bogotá shuts down hundreds of kilometers of its main streets to motorized traffic for the Cyclovia. Lanes are dedicated for use by cyclists, pedestrians, roller-bladers, and any other human-powered device you can think of. It's eye-opening how many people will get outside and moving when infrastructure and planning make it safe and easy to do so. Portland take note, Sunday Parkways ain't got nothing on this!
Hanging out in the rehab department of ArcAngeles with José Cabo and their lead therapist. They do some amazing work at ArcAngeles for people with disabilities. From initial rehab to social inclusion via sport, employment inclusion, educational opportunities, and cultural outreach, they address the integration of disability into society from every angle. We were inspired to see all the work their doing to help advance disability rights across the Americas. Please check them out at: http://arcangeles.org/
Showing the Colombian national rugby team some Adapt Training warmups. These guys have come a long way since Seth competed against them in 2011.
Scrimmaging with the team. The Maximus project is helping to develop rugby across South America and we're both stoked to be able to link up with some brand new rugby teams in Ecuador, Peru, and Chile and help teach a little about the sport. Rugby can help people with quadriplegia and similar disabilities move towards independence more effectively than just about any government program. Couldn't be happier to do our part to help it spread through the world.
Believe it or not, Seth actually was warning them not to go for the spin as their first look. I know, do what I say, not what I do (unless it's Scott, then spin away).
Making our way out of Bogotá. We had to Climb up above 9,000ft then dropped down about 4,000ft over 15 miles - from pine forests to steamy jungle with huge, verdant mountains and gaping chasms around every bend. Much of the descent was spent mumbling obscenities of disbelief.
Advice for aspiring bike-tourers. When someone tells you it's all downhill to a given place, never, ever, believe them.
We decided that when we're done with this trip we want this vehicle. Land Cruiser with a flat bed, custom hardwood box, and a snorkel! How pimp is that?
Bus station in Girardot (or the humid version of hell). Yes, add a handcycle and that is a lot of stuff to put on a bus.
This lady is rad.
Ibague. Still a lot of stuff to put on a bus, bribing helps immeasurably.
This terrain is amazing. Oh Colombia, if only you weren't so damn hot.
Ever wonder why Colombian bike racers are so good at climbing hills?
Dog on a roof. Very content dog on a roof.
From what we saw, this the what most of the country looks like. Still wonder why Nairo Quintana (2nd in last year's Tour de France) looks like he's out for a trip to the market when he's climbing Alp d'Huez?
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