On the move at 8;15am in 30 degree weather but once I was moving it was comfortable.....the drive was scenic passing by a number of rice fields....stopping to watch workers kneeling or bending in a foot of water planting the plants. Near Bellavista, another road block....this one with tires and men.....they all surrounded me talking....had no idea what they where saying...closed for 6 hours was my understanding....Por Favor, necesito ir Huanuco volar Lima ahora....was all I could say in Spanish and they relented moving one tire so I could pass. This was the last larger town before I ran into heavy construction on the mountain........it was stop and go from 1pm on.....then 3 I/2 hours with 90k still to go.......30 of that would be course gravel and mud.....which had me extremely tense as I had gone down hard in mud yesterday hitting my head, spraining my wrist and cutting my shin....plus being pushed by traffic.......1 1/2 hours in the dark. I could not believe that they would allow 2 way traffic with single track sections many without 2 way control. A Peruvian biker noted my distress and though we had a language barrier he had me follow him and he guided me all the way to Tocache....I never want to have this experience again of night riding in those conditions. At one point I felt the bike wobble and slide to the right...it felt like it was about to flip....by the grace of God.. I throttled up and the bike righted....I do not believe I played a part in that until after....so strange.
View this morning from the hotel terrace
Breakfast on the terrace
That was close
Road hazard...no earlier warning...do not drive at night in South America
1st stop
Stopped 3 1/2 hours
Mud Ahead
a better section in the earlier riding
Julia letting me know that she has arrived back in Loja and will head for Cuenca today the 21st..........she had major work completed here with new shocks...previously she thought the rough ride was normal...lol
Typing this morning and wondering if I should stay another night as it is raining hard and I have about 6 hours to go with more construction ahead........
Wow Bob you are having quite an adventure but many near misses , time to come home before you really get hurt. Best wishes for a safe return.
ReplyDeleteShould be back on the 27th.....see you at coffee in the pm..lol...get back to the old routine.
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