Cycling In the Cordillera Blanca and Negra!

Nothing like testing your skills on the mountain bike, after a 9 year lay-off, at 4000m. I never thought I would hear myself say this but "the climbing sucks". For the first time in my life I preferred the technical, downhill single track to the climb.



Julio, a pal of Kim's from her trip some 10 years ago, is the local guru of cycling in Huaraz and did a great job of showing us the best of the local riding. The first day of riding we tackled the bigger Cordillera Blanca. We were shuttled to about 3800m before climbing another 200m to the foot of valley....We initially descended a dirt track before hooking up with a series of single tracks intertwined with short traverses and climbs to join the next downhill track. The views of several big peaks towering above us.

 After about two hours of riding Julio asked if we wanted to climb for awhile; of course we said yes...about 45 mins later after a steep technical climb in the easiest "Granny Gear" we arrived at the start of another single track. We descended down pre-colonial foot paths passing several mtn homes and encountering several excited dogs before finally reaching the outskirts of Huaraz; a final 20 mins weaving thru tiny alleys brought us back to Olaza's BandB. The pair of us completely wiped out from a 4 hour ride!

Day two we crossed the river and headed to the ridge line at the top of Cordillera Negra.  We traversed for 45 minutes warming up the legs before descending a short trail and a gravel road.  We were 'rewarded' with another climb - which one could get used to disliking here - that was steep, and rocky.  With the altitude leaving you breathless and legs looking for another couple of easier gears than the cassette had we found ourselves on and off the bike frequently before reaching the next pass.

We had great views across to the Blanca (snow capped) range and we were able to roughly trace out yesterday's ride.  After a grassy, wet descent we found ourselves at the top of a sandstone  rock garden.  Its bark was worse than its bite and we both found the going tricky, but manageable.

Leaving the gardens, our trail snaked through endless farmhouses, descending past gardens of corn, and quinoa, feeding pigs and sheep, and excited dogs intent on giving us a good scare.  Julio gave a few tips to discourage the latters' chase which came in handy more than a few times.

We both found a good groove as the trail kept a consistent pitch that we could manage. Riding ancient trails such as these was incredible.  We laughed at the colorfully dressed farm women who shouted ' Ola, Gringo!' as we passed along with the shocked children, many of whom has probably never seen a bike on the trails.  It was fun to get the adreniline and breath pumping!