In Pablo’s footsteps (Colombia)
17 October 2017 | By Marieke |
Bertrand is in Colombia after 2 days by boat from Panama. With his bike and STD 100 trailer he tells us his first feelings about the country.
“The first days in Colombia are beautiful. I cycle in little valleys, green pastures, with small palm trees. The roads are easier to ride too, with trees along the way, so I get a little shade. There are little huts everywhere, people smiling, music in all the huts, fruit sellers all the way… There is a beautiful energy…”
Bertrand spends his first night at the fire station : the fire station only has one pick up, a hut with a kitchen and lavatories. They welcome all the kids from the neighbourhood.
On the first day, Bertrand meets Oscar, a baker on a motorbike who offers him some bread and some religious advice.
On the second day, he meets Juan from Bogota. He’s also by bike for one month and he travels to Medellin so they decide to cycle together. This is the beginning of the Columbian mountains.
The road runs along one of the main rivers of the country, the Rio Causa.”It weaves, goes up and down with the river and is lined with little green valleys where cows and horses graze peacefully… This road is so beautiful, I feel very lucky to enjoy it by bike…”
At Medellin, Bertrand is greeted by many of the locals and the last 40km are very slow as everyone wants to offer him a drink. Here, Bertrand will stay for a few weeks to catch up with his family coming from France. He will spend some time retracing Pablo Escobar’s footsteps.
To be continued…
