We were at breakfast when it started at 6:30 but with chatting and this and that we didn't start riding until just after 8.
It was uphill from the time we crossed the river for so many, many hours. 42km climbing 2000m. It never ended. The road was washed out below Santa Barbara which for cyclists is a good thing. Pedistrians, motos and bikes can get through when the heavy machines are not working.
Mike and Alpha were at the top hours before Bob and I crawled in. They met us with water and orange juice.
While we were recovering, Bob noticed a loaded bike at the restaurant next door and went over to say "hi". He came back to the table to report it was a guy from San Francisco. I headed over to check it out and the guy stands up and says, "I know you" and I say "I know you". We had met on the TransAmerica Route 1 and a half years ago. What are the odds?
Albert had been bike touring a large part of the time since I last saw him. Since we were going in opposite directions I told him about the place we stayed and ate at last night. Pretty random!
We began out descent into Medellin and my brakes, though noisy, got me down the mountain.
When we hit the city the guys did not like the traffic. Then I second guessed my route and we ended up going through some dodgy areas. I had gotten us on the wrong side of the airport.
Finally, we made it to the hotel and our bike boxes were here except for Alpha's. The agent in Ibague seemed confused at the time and looks like she was. Best hot shower ever and I used actual shampoo for the first time this trip.
We gathered for dinner and went to Alambique by taxi. We had to wait for an hour. When our number was called, out of the corner of my eye I see a body face plant into the floor and hear a head on concrete thunk. Mike had been sitting in a deep chair and popped up too fast. That caused a faint and the crash. Fortunately, he did not seem too hurt, but he was off his game through dinner. We ordered too much food.
We hailed a taxi out front and ended up with a crazy man. We were tired when we got to the hotel but we were all awake!
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