Perú: Húanuco to Huancayo – Surprise finds and even some flat riding!
Leaving Huánuco we spend 30km wishing we were on a bus like Joe, 30km thinking this isn't too bad, then we turn off onto dirt and know that life's good on 2 wheels
We’re back to just us – our ‘five-ness’ was briefly ‘three-ness’ again as we tarried a day in Huánuco. We’ve travelled over 1000km with Joe, and we hope there’ll be many more.
Upstream from Pallanchacra, the sun dips behind gorge-sides. Tent-spots abound and a twisting waterfall prompts uploading - we're set for the nightSometimes it pays to stop and chat - while the sheep enjoy the breadth of the road, Sarah walks for a whileA little bit further up things narrow downAnother corner brings a shrine and grotto - and a local travelling to Lima along with 4 sons of progressively smaller size (the local russian doll series....)
Cerro de Pasco, mines and stark bleakness mark the end of our climb from Huánuco. ‘Cerro’ is reminiscent of Butte (USA), another large hole in the ground with a town perched round it. Not a place to spend time, but some very friendly market stall holders and some of the best raisins we’ve had in a while. There’s maybe even a reduction in the calls of “gringo!”. Either that, or we’ve got used to it :-) The constant is the friendliness and kindness of the people we meet.
We emerge from ravines into flatness - and watch the weather as we fudge a connection of misdirections into a routeWhy carry these if you don't use them - ample opportunity above 4000m with nothing much to stop the wind - Lago JunínHave spanner on multi-tool, will fix single-speed! Flat places breed cyclists and not many gears... (Photo S.Hedges)Somewhere over there, the main road has lots of trucks on it - over here there is peace and a nice dirt roadThere was much excitement when we saw flamingoes near our camp spot - later we realised that we weren't going to have trouble spotting them!
more weather sweeps along the other side of the valley - leaving the flamingoes serenely doing their thingClosing in on Junín and the highway, we're both still layered up to the max. Someone's built an outdoor swimming pool - they're tough round here!A day later, all has changed - fast roads and sunshine. And more mining - La Oroya proclaims itself the Metal capital of the world
Progress feels good – time to plug in and catch up with our spanish lessons and other podcasts that have built up while the riding’s been more all-consuming. The contrast is welcome, but there’s only so much we can take. From Huancayo we’re back onto little roads – maybe we’ll see Joe’s tracks?!
Tom and Sarah! Wow, you two have definitely had the most amazing trip on the radar so far. It has been wonderful to watch and wonder on your progress. Silver City is getting cooler and all is well here. Jamie had a big puppet show/parade downtown around around Halloween.
Best of travels to you both. Take care, Martha and John
It’s been a year since we were in Silver – we have very fond memories of our time with both you two and Jamie. We’re stunned that you’re still following us, but are very glad you like it.
Tom and Sarah
[…] Route I was crying off. However riders from before the Pikes opened up the Great Divide era, Tom Walwyn (Bicycle Nomad) and Sarah and James all raved about the dirt road around the west side of Lago Junin (aka […]
bicyclenomad 
Tom and Sarah! Wow, you two have definitely had the most amazing trip on the radar so far. It has been wonderful to watch and wonder on your progress. Silver City is getting cooler and all is well here. Jamie had a big puppet show/parade downtown around around Halloween.
Best of travels to you both. Take care, Martha and John
It’s been a year since we were in Silver – we have very fond memories of our time with both you two and Jamie. We’re stunned that you’re still following us, but are very glad you like it.
Tom and Sarah
[…] Route I was crying off. However riders from before the Pikes opened up the Great Divide era, Tom Walwyn (Bicycle Nomad) and Sarah and James all raved about the dirt road around the west side of Lago Junin (aka […]