Los Correos de Huancayo
Huancayo - September 7th, 2010
Up,
up, up...
We left the noisy town of Huanuco 4 days ago. Destination for the day : Cerro de Pasco; 120 kilometer south, and 2300 meter higher. Final altitude 4333 meter!! It is said that Cerro de Pasco is the highest town of this size ( 62.000 inhabitants ) in the world.
The road out of Huanuco goes up, up, up for 120 kilometer. Like a long, slow snake the road winds through the Peruvian mountains. Nowhere steep, but everywhere up, up, up. Gradients of 2, 3 and 4 percent, maybe 5. Not a single spot to let your bike role for a second. Demotivating.
The cyclists are stopped after 30 km by some road constructions. The road workers want to open the road again at noon. It's only 9.30 AM, and the cyclists want to go on of course because the cycling time for the day is expected to be 7 to 8 hours for the fast riders ( and a lot more for most others ).
Even some negotations of the police doesn't bring the road workers on other thoughts. After a half an hour the cyclists sneak between the road blocks and start walking in the direction of Cerro de Pasco. They reach the constructions after a few hundred meters and can continue their way without to much hassle fortunately.
The eucalyptus trees in the valley made place for rocks, dry bushes and yellow grass higher in the mountains. After lunch the temperature drops significantly and it starts to rain. It's bitterly cold. Didier's truck is packed very soon with 9 riders which doesn't continue.
The alpaca’s ( family of the llama’s ) are grazing in the fields above 4000 meters and look with their head full of wool very surprised when cyclists pass by in cycle shorts. This is an environment for warm clothes and wool, and not for thin lycra.
The first riders ( Martin, Peter, Erik and Jasper ) arrive around 16.00 PM soaken wet and bitterly cold at the very basic hotel Wong. Stephan arrives finally at last in darkness just after 19.00 PM. Everyone in Cerro de Pasco walks with winter jackets, ponchos, warm shawls and gloves. Hotel Wong has a friendly owner, but no heating, hot water and now and then flushing toilets ( the best place in town !!! ). The water which comes out of the tap can compete with ice cubes. Not very tempting to warm up. Fortunately Francien’s and Edson's soup is hot and delicious. A memorable day.
Today we have a rest day in a comfortable 3 star hotel in Huancayo after two much easier days of cycling. The temperature is much more comfortable; outside as well as under a good shower.
