Getting sandblasted on the way to Arequipa

Thursday March 31, 2016, 285 miles (459 km) – Total so far: 16,102 miles (25,914 km)

This is our fourth day of riding since Nasca. On the second day we made it back to the beach to once again find strong headwinds that have entertained us for 21 days now. Along the way we have been sandblasted in the heat along with being physically and mentally challenged. Peru has miles and miles of beautiful unspoiled beaches with no condos as in our home state of Florida. We look in awe of all the unridden lefts and rights (surf talk for waves). The towns/villages are spaced apart so it is either camping behind a dune or wall or a small hospedaje.

Yesterday we were barely making headway in the afternoon when a car carrier truck stopped ahead of us. He said that the upcoming 40km is a very dangerous climbing coastal road for bicyclists as there is no shoulder. He offered to load our bikes on his truck for this section at the town of Atico. We said ok as we were tried of the strong wind. I was in shock as we drove the high road with no shoulder. In fact there was only an occasional guard rail when the road was wide enough. Riding south on this road is very dangerous as one strong gust of wind or from a passing truck would easily put you over the side and down several hundred feet to the ocean. It was scary just watching this from the truck as he maneuvered when other trucks were headed north on curves as sometimes we were just inches from the side. North bound cyclists would have no problem. When this section was over we thanked him and continued.

Despite the wind we are making good time through the small hilly terrain while spending the entire day riding. Tonight we are staying in Camana.

I am using Jocelyn’s GoPro for pictures now since my other camera is gone.

20160315_155728-01__1280x720_

20160316_145150-01__1280x720_

20160316_165739-01__1280x720_

20160318_180957-01__1280x720_

A candy and liquor store. We had fun. The senora was adding everything up by hand as in common practice.
A candy and liquor store. We had fun. The senora was adding everything up by hand as in common practice.
A fine store.
A fine store.
Cactus is grown here as a crop for its liquid as water is so precious in the desert.
Cactus is grown here as a crop for its liquid as water is so precious in the desert.

DCIM100GOPROGOPR0421.

Some people really like isolation.
Some people really like isolation.

DCIM100GOPROGOPR0425.

DCIM100GOPROGOPR0462.

DCIM100GOPROGOPR0464.

A fine place to camp.
A fine place to camp.

DCIM100GOPROGOPR0466.

DCIM100GOPROGOPR0471.
DCIM100GOPROGOPR0471.
Sunrise on the Peruvian desert.
Sunrise on the Peruvian desert.

DCIM100GOPROGOPR0482.

A fine breakfast by Jocelyn.
A fine breakfast by Jocelyn.
Our room view.
Our room view.
We passed a olive grove and village so we indulged. Delicious!
We passed a olive grove and village so we indulged. Delicious!

DCIM100GOPROGOPR0495.

I like taking pictures of jury rigging fixes. In this one the faucet is loose so the string tied on to the only remaining part of the toilet paper holder keeping the faucet from moving too far to the left. Although it moves all the way to the right.
I like taking pictures of jury rigging fixes. In this one the faucet is loose so the string tied on to the only remaining part of the toilet paper holder keeping the faucet from moving too far to the left. Although it moves all the way to the right.

DCIM100GOPROGOPR0590.

Fine ocean front home.
Fine ocean front home.

DCIM100GOPROGOPR0598.

I don't know what this creature is.
I don’t know what this creature is.

DCIM100GOPROGOPR0602.

DCIM100GOPROGOPR0607.

DCIM100GOPROGOPR0608.

Starting our day.
Starting our day.
It was another windy and sandy day.
It was another windy and sandy day.

DCIM100GOPROGOPR0630.

DCIM100GOPROGOPR0631.

A fine day for exploring Peru.
A fine day for exploring Peru.

DCIM100GOPROGOPR0635.

DCIM100GOPROGOPR0638.

Roadside memorials are everywhere. Each little house represents one person. A huge family was lost here. Head on collisions are the frequent accident. Peru drivers are the worst we have seen around the world.
Roadside memorials are everywhere. Each little house represents one person. A huge family was lost here. Head on collisions are the frequent accident. Peru drivers are the worst we have seen around the world.
This guy is making concrete blocks.
This guy is making concrete blocks.

Untitled

One thought on “Getting sandblasted on the way to Arequipa

  1. That truck driver offering to carry you and your bikes through the harrowing sand storm was an answer to prayer!!! This must be the most harrowing attempt to cycle so far in this part of the world! God keep you in His care. See you soon. Esther/Nansea/Aja

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *