Day 127/164: La Pesca to Chanco – 115km

Climbing 1140, down 1100

I did not want to leave today, I could have happily have stayed in my sea side cabin for a week or more.

The first 30 kilometres of the ride we were following the sea with rolling hills and great views, but very windy. I stopped for coffee, it is very hard to get good coffee here. The custom appears to be instant coffee with water and hot milk.

We had 16 kilometres of dirt road today, some of it very steep – up to 19% gradient with wet slippery stones. I had to get off and walk a couple of times going up and down really steep bits. I miss the two bottom gears I lost when my cassette was changed from 34 to 32.

It may not look it, but this gravel is 19% gradient and wet and slippery

We are staying at a National Reserve with lots of Eucalyptus trees. When we got to camp the white board said “Please do not buy alcohol and bring to camp”. Ha! This is like saying please shut the gate after the horse has bolted. Everyone buys any beer or wine they going to drink on the way to camp as no one wants to go back out on a riding day.

It was nice and sunny again, so a good chance to dry out the tents and relax in the sunshine.

Drying out our tents

There were hot showers but only 90 seconds of hot water at a time then time delay before it got hot again. Amazing what you can accomplish in 90 seconds.

The food has gone downhill again. It improved with April, and then Mark must have felt some pressure and it was pretty good for awhile.  Tonight dinner was beef stew, which was very liquid and I got two very small pieces of meat with the tasteless liquid runny sauce. One of the new riders took one look at what was on offer for dinner and said “I’ll give it a miss thanks”!

Unfortunately I started a new book which was good, so I ended up finishing it and read till midnight, which will be regretted in the morning.

Day 126/164: Santa Cruz to La Pesca – 130km

Climbing 675 meters, down 675

Nice sunny morning. You know the big steep uphill I was so pleased not to have to ride up yesterday?! Huh, well today up it we went. My legs do not like to go uphill when they are not warmed up. Most of the climbing was before lunch. We got back to the sea today for the first time since Peru. It’s the Pacific Ocean.

Today was long straight roads with no big climbs so it went quite quickly. I stopped at about 50 kilometres for a drink (still have not mastered being able to take my water bottle out, drink, and put it back in successfully while riding, not helped by the fact I don’t like to drink out of the top bit and I take the whole cap off). When I stopped, two dogs came roaring out off the house barking ferociously. They were fenced in so I wasn’t too worried.

Then one of them, the size of a large German Shepard but he looked like Benji my dog, leapt the fence and charged up to me. “Um hello puppy” I managed to gulp out as he charged up, thankfully when he got to me he was delighted to see me and gave me some big slurpy licks – a bit yuck but better than tearing chunks out of me. The house owner came running out behind him, and she looked relieved to see he was being friendly.

The last 30 kilometres was 15 kilometres in to a strong head wind, then thankfully we changed direction. The last 15 kilometres was pine and eucalyptus trees. It was very warm and great to be by the sea.

La Pesca

There was the option of getting a cabin which was 4,500 Peso, which is about $NZ95, a bit extravagant but it had a great balcony to sit on and enjoy the view. Sue came and had a cup of tea and enjoyed the view, and Ray came and shared a wine.

I also had 3 of the camp dogs more than willing to come and keep me company.

The cabin balcony at La Pesca

La Pesca sunset