Peru is kicking our butt

August 6, 2023

Another climb. The legs, the legs! They stopped giving. We had a rest day right? Maybe two would have been better. We continue. The climb is steep and the road is dry and sandy. For every five strokes we loose one to spinning wheels in the deep sand. One rides ahead. Stops. Walks back. Helps pushing the bike of the other up. Team work. I guess you'd think we know by now... Peru is kicking our butt. But we kick back! Today's fight won. We reach the camp spot we chose at 4500 masl near a little lake right under the highest point, so that we can pass the day after with fresher legs.

But the morning comes with new challenges... Aimée's stomach takes a turn. No energy, no appetite, no way we cross the pass today. Her body refuses and pushes back on any attempt to provide it with nutrients and water. But this high up there is no help. And staying in the tent with limited amounts of water and comfort feels like no option neither. Aimée manages to get herself and the bike down some ten turns. Tricky, but there is a small farm made up of some bricks and metal plates as a roof. A better place to stay and wait.

Aimée stays, I rush down on my bike to the nearest village where I barge into a hotel and raise some panic in the best Spanish I can muster. Luckily I get help, a place to store my bike, a room for two and a ride back up. Within two hours I arrive back at the little farm. Aimée still there. She got a sheep's blanket to sit on and tea from a little kid at the farm which helped, but she feels misereable still. No time to waste. Into the van, bike on the roof and back to the hotel. In bed the stress starts to fade.

Exhausted, but at least safe and sound under a roof. The next day appetite returns and Aimee her energy starts to flow back slowly. Everything will be alright but it is decided for us, more rest...

Route: Oyon - Oyon