Introduction: This is the beginning of a South American bicycle journey. The plan is to start in Lima, Peru and ride through the central Andes to Cusco, spend some time exploring the requisite sites around the region and then continue to lake Titicaca and onto to Bolivia. I will evaluate my options when I am in La Paz, either going to Argentina or across the altiplano of North Chile. This will be an open ended and flexible trip, taking things as they come and remaining open to chance encounters and unforeseeable opportunities.
I flew to Lima, Peru on the 8th of October. Arriving just after midnight on the 9th, after going through the passport control I collected my luggage and went through customs. I was quite exhausted but found a quite corner to unpack my bike and put it together and organize my gear. Opening the bike box after a flight is always a nervous moment, thankfully the bike was still intact and suffered no major damage. I had made arrangements to stay with a warmshowers host and rolled out of the airport at around 7am. Riding to my host's house was crazy as I was very tired from lack of sleep and navigating airports and I did not feel particularly safe as I weaved through early morning traffic, so I was very happy to arrive and had breakfast with my new friends and then went to bed.
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| Mira Flores, Lima |
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| Lima cycling club night time ride |
I spent 3 days adjusting to life in Peru and exploring Lima. one day I rode all around the city and visited some of the major tourist destinations . The traffic and pollution was some of the worst I have seen and did not particularly enjoy getting around by bicycle but it probably beat the other options . My host also invited me to join a night time bike ride with the local cycling club, we rode to the top of a mountain that provides a panoramic view of Lima with an illuminated cross overlooking the city.
The next step of the journey is to make my way out of Lima and climb up and over the mountains on the way to Cusco. Thank you to Cristian Pena and family for all your help and generosity while visiting Lima!
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| Lima inferno |
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| host Christian Pena |
