One piece at a time

August 26, 2023

How we deal with the mental aspects of bike-climbing. A strategy is needed, especially since we are currently encountering dozens within a few weeks. We break it up into pieces. From big to small. First piece. One climb at a time. Second. 2000m ascent to 4900 masl? Break it up in 2 days. First day, we ride till just under the top. Second day we summit and drop down to the other side. Third piece. Aimée counts 1 hour per 200m elevation gain. Jaap counts "domtorens"*. Both methods work. Don't focus on the end point, and never rush. Focus on the first hour or the first "domtoren". Then on to the next. Sometimes, when it is really steep, we cut it even smaller. From one corner to the next. Right after Laraos was such a day. Seemingly impossible from afar. One piece at a time we make it again. A climb to remember. While the alpacas and llamas never let you down, they are always there to greet you along the way.

Right after the landscape is changing. Aggressive peaks make room for more gentle slopes and a wider view. The vastness of the country becomes apparent. For a little while, that is... Diving into Huancavelica is again strenuous. But there are waffles and pancakes!! That begs for a rest day, or two!

*A roughly 100m tall tower in the city center of Utrecht, the Netherlands.

Route: Huancaya - Laraos - Acobambilla - Huancavelica