Day 01
Ride from Quito through Nono and Tandayapa to Mindo
- This morning, we load the bikes onto the vehicle and transfer out of the busy city centre. Only a few kilometres out of the city and a few hundred metres higher, the vast size of Quito can truly be appreciated, as it spreads in a half-moon shape around the mountains.
- Approximately 45 minutes out of town, we leave the tarmac and begin ascending a stony, unpaved "eco road" steeply into the luscious green landscape on the northern flank of the Pichincha volcano.
- Reaching 3200 metres in altitude, we offload the bikes and prepare ourselves for our first ride. This morning's route is predominantly downhill through an incredibly fertile landscape, surprisingly reminiscent of the Alps of France and Switzerland.
- After resting and having refreshments and a snack in the pretty town of Nono, we prepare ourselves for the first serious ascent of our tour. Topping out at 3300 metres, we reach the high point of our day. Of course, we stop to admire the magnificent view and catch our breath.
- We are further rewarded for our efforts by another long, beautiful descent following the course of the Alambi River, on whose banks we will have lunch and relax for a while.
- After lunch, the descent continues through a transforming landscape, and before long, we're deep in the cloud forest among weird and wonderful vegetation.
- Eventually, we reach the small village of Tandayapa, where most of us will be ready to finish our ride and load the bikes back onto the vehicle. From here, we drive for 45 minutes to Mindo and arrive around 4-5 p.m.
Casa Divina Lodge. (B, BL)
