Cotopaxi Eastside: Bikepacking the Trans-Ecuador Mountain Bike Route Part 1

I’ve been looking forward to meet the Ellises, bikepackers from Alaska, since they landed in Colombia. But they ride past the country while we, as expected, went west to east and back again. Eventually, we did go south but not until after renewing our visa and realizing we’re still halfway to the Ecuadorian border. A…

Loving the cobblestones: Otavalo to Quito

Gone are the throngs of tourists coming straight from Quito to get a glimpse of that Saturday market. As expected Otavalo transforms back to its more tranquil state. We left too but not after a brief bout with some mysterious stomach bug. I guess it’s nature’s reminder as we were a bit careless with our…

A Saturday walk around Otavalo

Market day, that one time of the week when a quiet town comes to life. It’s the polar opposite of what us cyclists always find upon arriving in small towns across South America. Quiet and Tranquil. It’s where locals and tourists play the verbal game of who blinks first lose. You can find weavings, regional…

Hasta Luego Colombia, Hola Ecuador. Ultimo ves en Mundo de Frailejones: Pasto to Otavalo

We finally bid farewell to Colombia, our first South American country. Believe me it was difficult. Four and a half months is not enough but sadly we have move south. Entering a new country masks our sinking feeling because of excitement and apprehension. We’re getting accustomed to the Colombian way and now we’ll adjust to…