End of Section One

Finished the first stage (out of 9) I've done 985km so far. Had my birthday on a rest day by the sea in Huanchaco. Juber, the Peruvian driver of the lunch truck, family live fairly near here so they visited and made cakes for my birthday. Amazingly there is a vegetarian restaurant Otra Cosa right next to the hotel on the beach front so went there for dinner.

Some more pics

 

Loja

Have now arrived in Loja after 9 cycling days of which I was ill on one so have only cycled 8 days. Cycle computer gives total distance so far of 485km max speed of 81.2kph. On a couple of the days where there was over 2000m climb I got a lift on the fire engine for half the day. So my biggest climbing day so far was 1344m climb over 98km ride. Turns out the Andes are quite hilly.

Here are some pictures...