Monthly Archives: March 2016

Riding through the vast Peruvian coastal desert

. Our Washington State to Argentina Adventure ., . Our World Tour Adventure ., Peru

Thursday March 17, 2016, 135 miles (217 km) – Total so far: 15,430 miles (24,832 km)

March 17, 2016 We are taking a sick day today as Jocelyn has had diarrhea for the last two days and I got it today. She has been a real trooper cycling through the desert and stopping about a dozen times a day to relieve herself behind a rock or dune. Last night we ate at a truck stop and by 11pm that night I was either throwing up or sitting on the toilet. We were both feeling rather poorly after a brief breakfast as I could only eat a few small pieces of bread. After 2 hours lying in bed we knew we could not make the 100km to the next town. Camping in the blowing desert sands does not seem appealing and the distance between towns is vast. The headwinds have been strong and the number and steepness of the hills increasing as we get closer to Lima which is still about 300km away.

We left the hostel in Huarmey and cycled to another one on the other side of town. To our surprise this new one has air conditioners our first in months! After a visit to a pharmacy for an electrolytic drink we ate soup and spent the afternoon in bed. We are hoping to get going again tomorrow.

Another one of our daily fruit stops.
Another one of our daily fruit stops.
It seems this senora had a rough night or is just bored.
It seems this senora had a rough night or is just bored.
Jocelyn finding our way through Chimbote, Peru.
Jocelyn finding our way through Chimbote, Peru.
These boys should be in school. They are collecting plastic bottles from a roadside dump. These bottles are reused and filled with homemade fruit juice. This could have been what made us sick as I doubt if the bottles are more than rinsed with cold water. The caps are not sealed.
These boys should be in school. They are collecting plastic bottles from a roadside dump. These bottles are reused and filled with homemade fruit juice. This could have been what made us sick as I doubt if the bottles are more than rinsed with cold water. The caps are not sealed.
Working our way towards Lima.
Working our way towards Lima.
Several desert pictures.
Several desert pictures.

P1150640__1280x310_

P1150647__1280x407_

We met this Czech and we talked briefly as he said "My English is poor and Spanish worse".
We met this Czech and we talked briefly as he said “My English is poor and Spanish worse”.

P1150649__1280x370_

P1150653__1280x214_

We found a fan for the night minus the stand so we strapped it on Jocelyn's bike.
We found a fan for the night minus the stand so we strapped it on Jocelyn’s bike.

P1150658__1280x438_

P1150660__1280x337_

P1150661__1280x390_

P1150664__1280x641_

Around lunch time we met Don Clemente who has owned this restaurant for 48 years. When he saw our bikes he immediately took us in for a free lunch while talking about all the world travelers on bicycles, motorcycles, and walking he has met. He has 6 volumes of memories everyone has written to him. Everyone stops at his oasis since it is the only business for miles around.
Around lunch time we met Don Clemente who has owned this restaurant for 48 years. When he saw our bikes he immediately took us in for a free lunch while talking about all the world travelers on bicycles, motorcycles, and walking he has met. He has 6 volumes of memories everyone has written to him. Everyone stops at his oasis since it is the only business for miles around.

P1150671__1280x567_

He also gave us each a numbered patch.
He also gave us each a numbered patch.
The Pacific!
The Pacific!
If this were covered in ice it would look just like Antarctica.
If this were covered in ice it would look just like Antarctica.

P1150679__1280x289_

Cool rocks breaking loose.
Cool rocks breaking loose.
We arrived in the town of Huarmey at sunset. These are long 10 hour days for us.
We arrived in the town of Huarmey at sunset. These are long 10 hour days for us.
It is always fun to watch the Simpsons in Spanish.
It is always fun to watch the Simpsons in Spanish.
I really like these mirrors as they are easily adjusted with velcro and a ball joint.
I really like these mirrors as they are easily adjusted with velcro and a ball joint.
A sick day in Huarmey, Peru.
A sick day in Huarmey, Peru.