Did that all really just happen? WOWZA. It was a ride, alright!
This trip in Colombia has been the most significant ride I’ve done since my first multiday trip around 9 years ago. At just under 2 weeks, it can hardly be considered epic. But I did my best to keep it interesting ;).
I didn’t have the trip I planned on having, but I certainly had a big roller coaster of an experience starting the moment I purchased the plane ticket. Making sense of it, which I’m going to attempt below, will take much verbiage. You’ve been warned and I take absolutely no responsibility if you continue to scroll.
I really enjoyed my ride through Europe last summer. However, when I got home I felt it was a little too easy. Maybe not exactly that, but I knew for sure I wanted to do something that pushed my boundaries a little bit more. In this regard, Colombia has been a blowout success 😂.
I wanted to go to a place that was less predictable. In North America and most of the places I rode through in Europe, things generally operate in a way I am used to and understand. I wanted something less like that.
I also wanted the actual riding to be hard. Hills, dirt, whatever, I wanted it to be more work than I am used to. As a way to test my setup, and, even more, as a way to test myself.
But I made too large a leap and chose something I wasn’t equipped for, literally or figuratively. This is a little humbling and has led to a lot of learning.
And of course I created an additional bunch of complexity for myself right out of the gates by making a series of blunders. Iain said in a comment that I am a good problem solver. This is convenient since I am also good at making problems, apparently.
Despite it all, I really enjoyed this trip. Not all of it, no no. I had harder days than I have ever had on a trip, and was ready to call it quits more than a few times. The highs were pretty high, though, and this is an amazing country. I’d like more trips like this, a little better prepared and more realistic next time for sure, but the same general idea.
Note that I have changed the tagline that appears ^ there from A 15 day, ~1500 km (we’ll see) loop emanating from Bogotá, to what really happened. I want the original one here though. As a lest I forgot type thing.
Colombia
First, I am very appreciative of how amazing the people I encountered were. If folks had been indifferent, difficult or unkind, I don’t know if I would have kept going. That people were so warm, nice and accommodating, well, it just made it easier to carry on. People were always smiling and ever ready to help. This makes a major difference.
Colombia is a spectacularly beautiful place, more so than I expected and more than I realized when I was last here. The scenery is my favorite of anywhere I’ve ridden. The mountains, the towns, the vegetation. Unbelievable. Wish I’d seen more wildlife.
Practically speaking, there are restaurants, clean hotels and pretty much everything a cyclist or other simple traveller needs everywhere, including exactly where you’d think nothing would be. And things are so inexpensive outside of the big cities it almost doesn’t feel right. You need cash most places though, bank machines are not in every town and card transactions are uncommon everywhere.
I loved being in places that were clearly untouristed. I am sure I spent a handful of nights in towns that rarely have nonresidents in them. It feels really down to earth to be in places like that. I am also very fond of the central squares that seem to exist in all towns here. These places are community made physical like it should be.
English speakers were very few and far between. I have enough Spanish to take care of very basic needs, and translation apps did some supplemental work. It’s time to learn Spanish though. It would have added a whole extra layer of connection.
In my pretty limited experience, there is a serious respect for cycling here. I got so much support and kudos in so many places from all kinds of folks including truck drivers! That has never, ever happened anywhere else. Usually a cyclist is just a thing in the way. Not so here.
And, again, on my short trip, I got the sense that Colombians love their country and are happy to see foreigners enjoy it. I don’t mean patriotism or nationalism or anything like that, simply that there are special things here and folks take pride in others bearing witness to them. I’m so glad I got to be one of those people.
Touring, bike and gear stuff
- Um, always make sure the equipment is securely attached!
- A touring bike is not a mountain bike. I repeat, …
- Still interested in pursuing more off-road/bikepacking routes, but need to start less ambitiously and ideally with a different bike. Will acknowledge that maybe it’s not for me, though. There is a lot to like about pavement
- Love the handlebar carrying system. If trying to travel lighter, this setup is a great alternative to front panniers. Did not affect steering or handling in any negative way
- Garmin GPS is very useful despite being a not particularly impressive piece of tech. It saves so much power and makes navigation easier. Still used phone pretty regularly to confirm I was on the right track and still got a little lost a few times. Glare is a bit of an issue
- Komoot is a great free route planning app not just because it connects almost seamlessly with the Garmin. It is flexible and easy to use
- Brooks B17 saddle is incredible. So incredible I never thought about it and that’s what a seat should be: something you don’t notice
- Drop bars totally suck on rough roads. Steering, shifting and braking are difficult. Drop bars are also not ideal on long and/or steep descents because of needing to ride the drops for proper access to brakes
- I like the gravel king tires, but I don’t think they were sufficient for this terrain. However I’m a newb, so what do I know.
- My ability to climb without whimpering has greatly improved!
- Two continuing challenges for future rides: extreme heat and fear of heights.
- Credit card touring worked extremely well here and was new to me. Did not camp once. Hotels were very cheap and easy, while campgrounds were quite rare except around Salento and Jardin.
Congrats Kiddo. An amazing trip. I enjoyed reading along.
What can I say….you’re awesome! I admire all you’ve accomplished on your rides, love reading your blogs every night. Very entertaining. Good luck on your future challenges…..but I’ll fill you in on a little secret, I think you inherited your fear of heights from your father-that’s a challenge you might not conquer. 🙄. Safe travels home tomorrow. Proud of you.
As my mother I think you’re required to think I’m awesome. Yeah the height thing may be tough to shake
So enjoyed being along for your incredible journey. Will miss these blogs as part of my daily routine
I’ll miss writing them and the experiences behind
Hey Mr. Chad,
Loved following you along your journey it was a great way to end my winter days here..I would be ok if you extended it for another couple of weeks (another 2000km or so) oh the stories you would tell. Have a safe ride(flight home) .. it’s going to be pretty boring riding here, I hope you can adjust. (we are expecting the sun tomorrow – as a welcome home tribute to you).
ps did you smell any smoke, i kept reading about huge forest fires near Bogota?
Thanks for joining Don! I didn’t smell smoke or even hear of the fires. Haven’t been reading much news.
I lol’d.
What a great write up. You’ve answered a lot of the things I’ve been curious about. It was great to come along virtually on the journey and I’m delighted to hear that it was such a significant trip. It sounds like you had some serious type 1 and type 2 fun 😉
We can chat more on our next ride!
I’m going to miss your interesting and entertaining posts as well as the great photos. It was fascinating to follow you on this trip. Take care, Chad.
Thanks David 🙂
Incredible. Bravo Chad. A trip in technicolor! Lots of new experiences and learning which will for sure be imprinted into your brain and memories for a long time to come. Everything travelling is meant to be, surprises and on-the-fly problem solving included. These were fun (and funny) to read, kudos on this front as well.
We’re looking forward to you being back. Especially Floyd who may be demanding retroactive belly rubs for a couple of weeks. Safe travels home!
❤️ see you soon!
Congrats Chad. Loved being along for your adventures.
Hasta pronto en Samara.
Looking forward to it
Sounds like a great trip all around even with some challenges. I enjoyed following along. Have a safe trip home Chad!
Well, the airport lost my bike overnight but I got it back! Mercury in retrograde or what?
Thanks for bringing us along with you. That was a great read.
So glad you came 🙂