What happened…

Amanda writes: After a week off in Huancayo we hopped back on the bikes all rested up. We had already planned to take at least 5 days rest here. I had planned the time off to do some work for a company that I want to be sure I keep a good rapport with. So if there is good timing to need some rest, this was it. It also gave us time to plan our next phase and see what the future holds. I was also able to reflect on the past couple of weeks and my injury. There’s a part of me that thinks that part of my injury is the result of physical fatigue. We have been pushing so hard for a couple of weeks and doing some of the hardest riding we’ve ever done. Our bodies were sore, tired and pushed to the limit. If I think about how your body reacts when fatigued it makes sense. When one part is compromised, other parts try and pick up the slack. And when something is already compromised, maybe it weakens faster than normal. I’ve broken my leg, ruptured my MCL in my knee and as Andrew reminded me its not the first time I’ve rolled my ankle. So put all those pieces together and add some gruelling cycling to the mix; and sure after a 90 kilometre day my body was simply saying “enough!!!!”. As my ankle turns blue and purple and the swelling goes down I’m forced to listen to my body and reflect on the first part of the Peru Divide.

Yes it was beautiful and challenging and remote and I’m so proud we accomplished it. Few cyclists try it and many of those that do; are unable to finish it. I think about people we rode with and others we know that attempted it and I don’t anyone personally who has completed it. Knowing that and the fact that we completed the entire first section makes me really proud. But I wonder at what cost. Andrew is a very unhappy camper. We know of a couple who have been cycling the world for five years and it was only the Peru Divide that ended their tour. One of our friends who has cycled over 57,000 kilometres, visited over 40 countries and cycled in over 30 of those; agrees that the Peru Divide is the hardest cycling she has ever done. Hearing her say that and seeing how it impacts others somehow makes me feel less like a pussy. So while I’m proud of our accomplishment I certainly hope we can recover; me physically and Andrew psychologically.

Okay so the ride today was awesome. It was so great to be back on the road. While we had planned a rest I was a bit stir crazy and eager to get moving. Cycling on pavement was awesome and cycling on the outskirts of a bit city was actually really nice. There were markets in the suburbs, but different from other markets we often see. There were many cars and trucks lined up on the side of the road near a market where farmers were clearly selling their animal skins and meats. There were so many cars lining the highway or driving on the highway piled high with sheep skins. Some loaded them on the roof of the car and others had them spilling out of the trunk of the car. Hundreds and hundreds of them. We’ve seen many fields of sheep and some farmers drying their hides on their fences, but it’s the first time I’ve seen them all skinned and for sale.

The aerial view of our ride:

Today’s Photographs