August 12 & 13, 2017
After taking a days rest in Ayacucho we headed out for what we considered the final push to Cusco/Machu Picchu. After a bitterly cold first night we headed out for what we hoped would be some downhill on the second day.
Cycling Stats
August 12, 2017
Start Point: Ayacucho, Peru
Destination: Wild camp, Peru
68.5 km, 10.5 km/h average speed, 57 km/h maximum speed, 6:29 time on the bike
1900 meters gained, 610 meters elevation descend, 4270 meters maximum elevation
August 13, 2017
Start Point: Wild camp, Peru
Destination: Uripa, Peru
64 km by bicycle, 33 km in taxi
1687 meters gained, 2536 meters elevation descend, 4185 meters maximum elevation
Route Description:
August 12, 2017 We have read there is a paved route out of Ayacucho. We didn’t find it. The first 10K or so were on gravel and steep roads and then we rejoined the main highway. After a small village on the outskirts of Ayacucho there is nothing. No stores, no water, no people; plan accordingly. It is a steady climb on paved road for 38 km. Then you have undulating hills for another 30 km. In total we climbed almost 2000 meters. We had hoped to make the downhill for Ocros but ran out of daylight. I suggest you get water before the end of the climb as there is only small dirty lake water after the climb.
August 13, 2017After where we camped we still have about 6 km of uphill and undulating hills. Then you make a right hand turn toward Andahuaylas and you begin the big 25 km downhill to Ocr0s. We didn’t go into town and stayed on the main road where you will find a store and restaurant. Then you still go downhill for another 55 km to the river bottom. Then you have a gradual up hill for 15km before the steeper climb of 15 km to Uripa. There are lots of towns along the way after Ocros. We took a taxi up the hill as a result of likely over doing it the day before.
Accommodations:
On the first date there are no accommodations on this route. Plenty of opportunities to camp. On the second day in Uripa we stayed at Hotel La Luz for 35 soles with a a private bathroom. It had an awesome hot shower and good wifi with a main floor room that we could roll the bikes into. There are many hotels to choose from in this town.
What happened…
Amanda writes: The day started with tensions high. Not a lot was said and we headed out on the day. We had a big ride ahead of us so I’d like to think we were both quiet just trying to focus our energies on the day ahead. Later in the day I learn that Andrew had changed the configuration of our bags and the things in them. He had moved things around so that if we got separated he would have what he needed. WTF? In the three years that we’ve been cycling not once have I gone the other way or taken off. In my mind no matter what we’re a team. Apparently that trust and commitment is one sided. At the end of the day I wasn’t even mad about it. I was sad. I broke down in tears at the fact that Andrew is in such a bad state of mind that he was preparing for me to take off. Tough times right now.
Aside from the marital drama the ride was beautiful. We didn’t take many pictures but the landscape continues to change with every mountain pass. We had clearly bitten off more than we could chew because we didn’t make it to the place we had planned and pushed a bit too hard. We had a difficult time finding water and set up camp as the sun was setting on the first day. On day two the landscape continued to be sweeping valleys as far as you could see. As we made the turn toward Ocros we had an awesome big downhill that again was paved and super fun. I love just flying down the big hills and need to remind myself it would really hurt if I crashed and so I occasionally tap the brakes.
After the big downhill we blew through the town of Ocros as it was smaller than we had hoped. Then as we started riding along the rivers edge we knew we had yet another climb ahead of us. We both agreed that after our hard day yesterday if we could get a taxi up the hill, we would do it. No point in torturing ourselves. Within 5 minutes of agreeing on getting a lift a taxi pulled up and for less than $10 he would take us and all our things up the hill. And so we headed into Uripa and found a hotel with hot water and got ourselves a nice meal.
The aerial view of our ride:
August 12, 2017
August 13, 2017