Dave's Travel Pages

Bicycle Touring and Travel Blog

Adventure Travel Blog

  • Greece Travel
  • Greek Islands
  • Europe
  • Asia Travel
  • Americas
  • Bike Touring
  • About

Last updated on October 12, 2019 By Dave Briggs Leave a Comment

Cycling from Valladolid to Zumba in Ecuador – Bikepacking

I cycled through Ecuador as part of my Alaska to Argentina bike tour, writing a blog post a day. This entry, is the day's ride between Valladolid and Zumba.

Valladolid Bike Touring

Blog post written July 2010

For some reason, I woke up at 04.30, but felt completely refreshed, and with no aching muscles whatsoever. Far too early to get up however, so I put a film on, and dozed until a more reasonable hour.

Cycling on a dirt road again in Ecuador

Leaving the hostal at 07.30, it was basically all downhill to the town of Palanda, and the road remained unsealed.

I stopped off for breakfast at a restaurant, and just gone 09.00, it was back on the road once more.

Again, the road remained unsealed, but was in excellent condition, and far better than the previous day.

The first hour went by just fine, but after that came a short, unexpected, 2km uphill section which altered from between 18-20% which was a bit nasty.

After that, the road went up and down, but was all pretty manageable until the last drop and ascent.

Photo of a squashed frog with butterflies

Weirdest photo. Butterflies having a chat on a flat frog. Only at Dave's Travel Pages !

It's all a bit tough on the brakes

By this point, my brakes were making an all too familiar metal on metal grinding sound, where the quality of a 50 cent brake block was all too non evident.

Removing the offending brake block left me with just one on the back, which was about as much use as a chocolate teapot, especially as a huge downhill section then began.

From the town of Bella Vista/Progresso, the road dropped 385 metres in just 5 km. Making matters worse, I could see on the other side of the valley, that  once I had crossed a river, I would be gaining all that height and more back. Not terrific news.

Crossing the bridge by bicycle at Isimanchi in Ecuador

Crossing the bridge at the small town of Isimanchi, it was indeed time to head back on up.

Researching this section, I had been slightly concerned about what wet weather would do to the quality of the roads. As it turned out, what I should have been more concerned about, was cycling up stupidly steep hills in 30 degree heat.

With gradients of between 18 and 20% once more, I was cycling for 100 metres, before stopping for a much needed breather.

Leaning over the handlebars, sweat would drip from my head, leaving interesting patterns on the dust covered tyres and front panniers.

When I was ready to start again, the next challenge was how to get the 65 kilo D-Train moving again from a stationary position on a 20% gradient.

Repeat that a few dozen times, and it explains why I seemed to move no faster than an asthmatic ant with some very heavy shopping.

In fact, I believe that one and a half hours is the slowest I have ever cycled 7km. I did climb over 560 metres in that short distance though, which may explain it somewhat. I believe it was at this point I finally decided that I would never cycle with a trailer again after this trip.

Looking back on the road I just cycled

I just cycled up that !!

Cycling back at cloud level in Ecudaor

Reaching Zumba, Ecuador

Finally peaking just before the town of Zumba, I glided downhill, and found a suitably cheap at 3.00 dollars a night place to stay.

A cold water shower, but after a day like that, who cared !

It should be a relatively short day in terms of distance tomorrow to just the other side of the Peruvian border, but no less challenging.

The brake block I managed to buy from a small store will have to be fitted in the morning – I am too busy enjoying this cold beer right now !

Read more about cycling from Alaska to Argentina

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

Filed Under: July 2010 Travelogue

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

Recent Travel Posts

  • Naxos to Amorgos Ferry Information: Schedules, Ferries, Travel Tips
  • Naxos to Folegandros: Ferry Information and Travel Guide
  • Naxos to Mykonos Ferry Information: Travel Times, Schedules and Tips

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
  • Greek Island Hopping
  • Dave’s Santorini Travel Guide

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

"Copyright Dave's Travel Pages (c) 2005- - 2020 "