Today I cycled from Tamarindo to Playa Ostional in Costa Rica. A tough section of unpaved road, made harder by heat, humidity, and hills.
Cycling Rough Roads in Costa Rica
Blog post written: April 6th 2010
I knew that today was going to be a tough one, and I was not to be proved wrong !
![Cycling a dirt road in Costa Rica](https://www.davestravelpages.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/dirt-road.jpeg)
Most of the day was spent on rough roads, apart from one small section where there was a most welcomed bicycle path for 10 kms.
![Random bike path in Costa Rica](https://www.davestravelpages.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/ruta-de-bicicletas.jpeg)
With a little air out of the tyres, I made reasonable time over the gravel roads, until the last 50 kms, when the way was punctuated with short, steep ascents and descents.
![A truck turned over on the rough roads in Costa Rica](https://www.davestravelpages.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/turned-over-truck.jpeg)
The hills combined with roads were pretty agonising, especially in the 37 degree sun. For the first time since cycling the Haul Road in Alaska I was unable to cycle up the two last hills, and had to push.
![Another hill to push up in Costa Rica](https://www.davestravelpages.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/hill-to-push.jpeg)
The bike just wouldn't get any traction, and I was unable to get beyond half a pedal turn before the rear tyre slipped from under me.
I wouldn't entirely blame my setup, but it also wasn't the first time I thought that panniers were a much better idea than trailers for bike touring!
Playa Ostional Camping
I eventually made it into Playa Ostional at just gone 13.00 ish, completely in the red zone and utterly exhausted.
I saw a sign pointing towards the beach saying camping, and for 4 dollars, I ended up camping right by the beach.
Pretty much in shit state, I spent the afternoon shuffling around like a zombie, before eventually collapsing into sleep.
Related: Why is my bike hard to cycle?