Chomping at the bit-

Some great things up and coming! Key word being- up. Into the Cordillera Blanca! Largest mountain range in South America and second in the world. Needless to say I'm as excited as a pyro in a toilet paper factory.

   So as far as route finding? Its time to give credit where credit is due. Like many of us, I seem to keep finding myself on the path of the greats to come before.
    My maps are vague to say the least. So in finding good off road routes. I peruse an assortment of blogs from other awesome folks who have ridden this way before, seeking out the path less traveled.
    Often its the inspiration of beautiful photos. Places I'd like to smell and vast expanses I'd like to cross.
 
   As all of our journeys are quite different- The memory log is to each their own and taking is what we make of it. The efforts vary in load but the participation, effort and ambition is very much a common bond. All in one for the love of exploring, learning and living lives saurated in experience.

   Cheers to those who plow this wayward field, before or after. Man, thats sounds like a dinner toast... mmm... toast

  Here are to list but a few (the ones I look to for South American info):

   Joe: Pedaling in place
   Anna: Wishfish
   Cass: While out riding
  Sarah and James: Big Sur
  Sarah and Tom: Bicycle Nomad
  Jacob, Goat and Sean: Riding the Spine

  I guess its time I start a blog roll, huh?

A Day....

This is the way I woke up

This was the problem of the day. Though we did just have that bearing cleaning post, still little cartriges after a lot of miles do blow out.

With the help of a trusty tent peg I found at a camp spot on Cotopaxi. I tapped out what was left of the the busted bearing (seen on left) 

But the issue was, I havent been carring a 9mm socket to tighten everything back on with. So I visited this well stocked little bici shed in Humachuco and bought a 3 way socket wrench. 

Then I hung out and chatted about this cargo bike's leaf spring suspension retrofit. A.K.A.- block of wood being installed with a hammer.  And yes, those are brake shoes made from and old tire. I love Peru

A little visit to a work shop

One 9mm socket for pedal fixins. I have no 8mm or 10mm bolts. Why carry more than you need to?

and then I hung out with this dude on my way to get supplies and head for the hills.

Markas and Bambas

Much like villes and burgs. Iv been passing through some large and some small dusty villages with names ending in marka and bamba.

Nothing I`d rather be doing.

Morning coffee walk along the Plaza de Armas in Cajamarka

Climbing to my campspot up near those antenna

Warm and fuzy in a late afternoon sun

A delicious bowl of what I like to call...

Foot Soup

Back to the known...

 I  know computers about as well as Russian Braille. Bike issues on the other left hand...


  When cartridge bearings get nice and gritty (as they all do with use in the dirt). Just like ball and cup style, you can prolong their life with a bit of cleaning and fresh grease.

I don't carry a bottom bracket tool and after searching a few shops with no luck... I went rogue. Street side. You can leave the cups in the frame and tap out the cartridge carefully from the inside.

Pick the seals off both sides and behold the nasty traffic yer bearings have been commuting in.

Scrub 'em out with gasoline in an old ford hub cap with yer favorite toothbrush

Mash in some fresh grease and replace the driving blinders

The important part- yes, as always, it involves a hammer. I found this ancient crown race that is the exact outer diameter of the cartridge. Its best to reseat the press-fit pushing on the outer race of the bearing. Tap that whirly duder back in...

and go have a coffee!

Peruvian Gringo

Back in business! So as my everyday Spanish has come leaps and bounds. It took studying up on a bunch of spanish computer jargon to get the problem explained to a tech. 5 minutes later, photo problem fixed...man.

Grows, harvests, roasts, grinds and sells his own coffee

The first larger village I encountered in Peru. Back in coffee country

copilot

colorful flair to a dusty village

A little road side repair.  

Some friendly and curious friends. The girl in green had no problem digging in my panniers and pulling out what ever she found.

In search of the boat crossing of the Rio Maranon

Right lane may or may not be closed ahead.

Man, I love camping

I also have a soft spot for cable crossings

And socket wrenches made from axles

Siesta

One less to toot its horn at me. Peruvian drivers love their horns.

Add picture rotation to my list of things to learn how to do. Anyways, this is the Museum in Leymebamba. 

squiggles

Lunch break. I wish these huge mango trees were in season.

A 60km decent brought me down to a much drier climate back at the Rio Maranon... And this green tentacle tree 

fresh bit of pavement

MEN WITHOUT HATS back on tour in Peru

I rode a big chunk of this long climb at night. Switchback after switchback. The sky was clear and there were a Gazillion stars. It felt like I was just gonna climb right into them.

Grrr and some good dirt

Sorry folks, Im still having trouble with getting my photos up on here. I some how deleted the DCIM file off my camera card. I cant figure out how to get it back and or access them another way. Though now that Im in a largerish town, my resolve is to buy a new camera card and try not to mess this one up. Thats the Grrr.

  Though on the other lefter limb the cycling, camping, cruzing and peepin has been the better part of awesome. I entered Peru a week er so ago. Im zig zagging along in the meander south. The climbs have been fantastic latley, feeling like I go as far up or down as I do forward.

   Ill get this blog thing back on track soon, I know I say that alot. Damn it, Jim... Im a cyclist not a sorcerer.

Drilling out my panela to save weight...

Ecuador-    A beautiful land of barking dogs, amazing mountainscapes and friendly wrinkled old people 

Chocolate co-op in Salinas Ecuador!  These folks do a pretty good job of explaining the villages thriving artisan cooperative scene 

My plan was to take a bunch of these delicious little chocolates with me to enjoy along the way. They didn't make it far. 

Ecuador has had a long sorted history of trains. Recently they have revamped a section 

The great Chimborazo.

When the outside falls down just build a new inner wall.

This dirt did not do as the sign recommended

Trying to keep the hitchhikers to a minimum 

shit... I hope there is a bike lane?

Im always good with carless roads

 Brewed coffee. A rarity in Ecuador.

Alausi

Jesus would approve of this coffee break

I told you, I'm a sucker

The bike is not the only thing that needs a bit of maintenance

waiting out the rain.

Its been a good run! I know my trip explanations have been short. (people looking at this blog for facts and figures must be furious) Sitting in internet cafes is not my favorite thing. After a round of E-mails, I find my attention span shorter than the life of a cassette CNC'd from a block of cheese. So if anyone has questions on routes and er things? Feel free to E-mail me and I'll do what I can to answer in some semblance of seriousness: bikegreaseandcoffee@yahoo.com    

Just kidding about the Panela