Cycling from Machachi to Latacunga in Ecuador
Each day of my Alaska to Argentina bike tour, I wrote a blog post. This blog post covers the day's cycling from Machachi to Latacunga in Ecuador.
Eating big meals in Ecuador
Blog post written 16 June 2010
A heavily overcast sky, and the plus 3000 metres of altitude meant a very cold day as I cycled out of Machachi, and slowly uphill.
Peaking at a little over 3500 metres a couple of hours later, I was a little disappointed in not being able to see Volcano Cotopaxi, which I am sure on a clear day, would have looked stunning.
Still, there was a restaurant near the peak, and two dollars fifty was well invested in a huge warm meal.
(Tidying this blog post up in 2019, I actually still remember this meal. Well, more the feeling of it actually. Nothing quite beats hearty, warm food on a chilly day when you're hungry!).
These little restaurants have been a real bonus whilst cycling, serving big portions at reasonable prices. Warmed up at a bit, and with my stomach full, it was a nice 10 km or so downhill glide, before hitting a flat section which lasted all the way into the city of Latacunga.
I had planned to go further, but as I approached the city, the skies opened up, and I considered it better not to get soaking wet without any need.
Hotel Los Andes provided me with a good room for seven dollars including TV and hot water, and with a restaurant and supermarket close by, all my daily routine needs were easily sorted.
Read more about cycling from Alaska to Argentina
Dave is a UK travel writer living in Athens since 2015. With 20 years of firsthand travel experience and over 80,000 km of bicycle touring across six continents, he's been blogging at Dave's Travel Pages since 2005. Every guide is based on places he's actually been.
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