Leaving Huancayo was pretty simple, although I had to ask for directions in a couple of places. There then began a 3 hour uphill ride.

 

 The road went uphill through a valley of farmland. 

 I cycled by friendly people and through small villages as I reached the top. There then came a great 31 km long downhill section, made all the better by a wonderfully smooth road and virtually zero traffic. 

 The road followed a river flowing downstream, on the opposite side of which were some thermal pools. When I reached the bottom at the town of  Izuchaca, I met another cyclist, who was having some quick repairs done on the side of the road. 

 Agusti is from Barcelona,and is cycling from Lima to at least La Paz in Bolivia, and possibly further to Argentina. I found myself in the unusual situation of my knowledge of another persons language being better than that of their knowledge of mine. It had to happen some time! 

 

The road from Izuchca turned into a dirt road, which it will continue to be for the next few days. Not that it mattered as we cycled up and down the valley, chatting as we went. 

Stunning views, and good company made the afternoon fly by. Coming up to four, we neared a small village, and Agustis chain snapped. As luck would have it, this small village had three places to stay at, although actually getting a room proved to be a long task, only solved 2 hours later by a kid breaking into a locked hostal for us. Sharing a room, at 7 soles each makes it the cheapest lodgings so far!I’m not sure precisely how far we cycled today, although I believe I am at least 20 kms ahead of where I thought I would get today.