Del Chaupi a Toacazo

(for english text scroll down)

Se me escurrio el 2013 entre los dedos. Un año cargado de sorpresas, viajes, pedaleadas y montañas. La Marce ya esta de regreso después de terminar sus estudios en Nueva Zelanda y un pequeño/a aventurero de ya 21 semanas va dando forma a una barriga redondita. No hemos pedaleado juntos desde mi regreso y nos pican los pies por salir. 

Nos trepamos a dormir en las faldas de los Illinizas para en el segundo dia bajar a Toacazo y salir a Lasso. Las 11+ libras adicionales que lleva mi compañera adentro suyo parecen no afectar mucho y aunque un poco mas cautelosa en las bajadas, en las cuestas le veo llegar con los ojos encendidos y una sonrisa. Nos damos tiempo para parar a comer, tomar fotos y explorar senderos escondidos que sorprendentemente van tejiendo los puntos a los que queremos llegar. Corto pero sabroso!

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2013 just squeezed trough my fingers. A year loaded with adventures, lots of riding, good long visits to the mountains, and lots of "tent" nights.

Marcela is back from New Zealand after finishing her studies and a little adventurer of almost 21 weeks starts shaping her nice looking belly. We have not ridden together in a while and our legs are itching to go somewhere.

We rode up from El Chaupi to the base of the Illinizas to spend the night up high. The following day down to Toacazo and finally Lasso. The additional 11+ pounds that my riding partner carries within her don't seem to bother at all. A bit more cautious on the downhills, but shining eyes and a big smile at the end of every steep uphill. We take it easy and allow plenty of time for eating, taking pictures and exploring hidden trails that miraculously weave our way out to Lasso. Short but sweet.

-- Ecuadorian cobblestone to start with

-- stone gives up to smooth dirt and sand as we gain altitude

-- Las faldas del Corazon.

-- Camp...

-- some pictures...

-- More pictures...

-- and make dinner.

-- Tortilla, queso y huevos for breakfast

-- followed by trail...

-- some smooth dirt.

-- and fast downhills

-- Working out the many layers as the day warms up.

-- Grass and bikes

-- mmm, ripe quinoa buds

-- The rainbow colors of the quinoa before harvest.

-- Old hacienda chapel

-- Where now?