Hammockeering Around: Across Columbia!

Columbia was such a nice place. I visited Cartagena, Medellin, and Pasto along the way. The cities were alright but what really got me excited were the mountains. Finally I was able to climb up and out of the tropical heat. I got to feel small in the landscape.

Leaving Cartagena I traveled through pastures for a week before turning off of a river and into the mountains. It was a pleasant stretch and I camped in the fields with cows or horses most nights. The climbs are long and beautiful. Lasting for hours or even more than a day. The downhills are not so long but exhilarating while they last. I descended 4700 feet in a single 30 kilometers stretch. It was just the greatest. The mountainsides are farmed and the patchwork of colors is wonderful to see across the broad valleys. It was tricky to find camping off of roads cut into steep hill sides but the view was always spectacular when I did.

I met quite a few cyclists this stretch. I went out dancing with a couple in Medellin. They are out on a 6 year bike tour. Two more couple passed traveling north over the next few days. Both of which have been tours g south America for over a year. A day before getting to Ecuador I met 3 cyclists traveling individually. One of them, Don, is out on an 9 month bike tour from Columbia to Bolivia and back. He is traveling solo at age 77. I was impressed.