Dave's Travel Pages

Greek Island Hopping | Greece Travel Itineraries | Bicycle Touring

Travel Tips, Itineraries and Guides to Greece, Europe and beyond!

  • Greece Travel
  • Greek Islands
  • Athens
  • Santorini
  • Mykonos
  • Bike Touring

Last Updated On August 17, 2022 by Dave Briggs Leave a Comment

Bike Touring Ecuador – Day off to watch England play Football

Whilst bike touring through Ecuador, I decided to take a day off in the town of Ambato to rest the legs and watch England play football in the 2010 World Cup on TV. As you do.

Day off in Ambato

Blog post written in June 2010

I took the day off so I could watch England play football against Algeria, something I hesitated about doing initially, but in a way, I am glad that I did, as it was a very special match. Unfortunately, it was special for all the wrong reasons though.

England vs Algeria 2010 World Cup

If I had been watching a amateur pub league football team, I would be able to understand the shambolic shape and positioning. The only difference would have been that the amateur league team would have played with more passion and interest.

For a team whose alleged marketable value is well over one hundred million pounds, and whose combined weekly salary comes to over a million pounds to perform so badly was remarkable. So remarkable in fact, that the only possible explanation is that they actually TRIED to play that badly.

I think a lot of the problem comes from the success of the premier league. By attracting the best players from around the world to play for the English domestic teams, the English players that play alongside them are made to seem better than they really are.

Anyone remember the “Three lions” song from 1996 ? Just need to change one line..

“44 years of hurt, never stopped me dreaming” – Sing along everyone !!

A new cycling route through Ecuador

On an unrelated to football note, late at night, I worked out another route through Ecuador. Rather than following the main Pan-American Highway, I will veer off and first head to the town of Banos, and then down close to the Amazon.

If the roads connect and are in reasonable order, I should be able to bypass the city of Cuenca altogether (I have been there before), and carry on to the Peruvian border.

It does mean dropping down out of the Andes, and losing maybe 2000 metres, but it will be a lot warmer. I just have to hope that when I eventually have to gain the height again, it doesn’t come all in one day !

Read more about cycling from Alaska to Argentina

  • Previous day of bike tour
  • Next day of bike tour
  • Bike Touring in Ecuador
 

Filed Under: June 2010 Travelogue

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

About Dave’s Travel Blog

Dave Briggs, writer at Dave's Travel Pages

On this travel site, you'll find detailed guides and tips on traveling to Greece, as well as bikepacking blogs about cycling around the world. Dave's Travel Pages is an essential resource for planning trips to popular destinations like the Greek islands as well as preparing for adventures in off the beaten path destinations.

Find out more about Dave Briggs and this blog by clicking here

Recent Travel Posts

  • Can you bring spices on a plane?
  • River Captions And Quotes That Flow Beautifully!
  • What Are Bike Tire Caps And Do You Need Them?
  • Songs About Bicycles

Dave’s Travel Pages has a number of affiliate links placed within the travel blog. If you decide to buy items through these links, you will be helping Dave to fund this site and perhaps the next adventure. More importantly, it doesn’t cost you anything extra. Win win – we like that!

Dave’s Travel Blog Privacy Policy

Read our privacy policy here

You might also be interested in:

  • Travel by Bicycle
  • Travel Quotes
  • Travel to Athens
  • Greece Travel Guides
  • Dave’s Santorini Travel Guide

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • Europe Travel Blogs
  • Asia Travel Blogs
  • Americas Travel Blogs

"Copyright Dave's Travel Pages (c) 2005- - 2022 "