Peru – Exploration notes

Still relatively unknown for cycling, the magic of Peru can within few hours of saddle, take you from the Pacific ocean and its scenic coastal dune desert to the natural border of the Black and White Cordilleras. You can literally cycle from sea level to almost 4,800m a.s.l in a couple of days, getting the chance to acclimatize your legs, lungs and body to the mysterious universe of high altitude.

As you get closer from the high mountains of Peru, you can feel the Herculean strength of nature happening all around you. The most surprising is your body which eventually slowly gets used to work with less oxygen. Legs get stiffer, your breath gets deeper, the experience begins. It turns out that high altitude is a brain challenge which brings a new dimension to ultra distance cycling. A new element like wind, heat or dehydration that only experienced endurance athletes can test their mindset upon.

You have an understanding of what you are capable of doing before this kind of challenge and a power of believing in what you truly are made of, after. Like most life challenges, few are the people to take the lead and attempt them.

There are bicycle explorations that are genuinely capable to change your mindset forever. Peru is one of them for ultra distance cycling. From the saddle of a touring bike or a super light bikepacking bicycle, the experience remains unforgettable. There is this idea you have about exploration cycling before heading there. There is your idea after. It empowers your heart and lungs and gives you the illusion of being unbreakable.

You can eat a ton of “salted beef” anywhere in Peru. This is great opportunity to sit down, meet, discuss and discover the local lifestyle of the Peruvian people, especially in the high mountains. While your favorite rig is parked next to a small local restaurant, you dive into this peaceful people culture and understand how challenging life can be when you breath 365 days a year at 4,000 a.s.l. Peru is among these countries where you might not have a sign on the wall but you’ll find what ultra distance cyclists are looking for: a warm meal and possibly a warm bed if you don’t like wild camping. Open from 6:00am until 9:00pm, fueling is not really an issue.

The most heady experience in Peru is that you will never be alone. Whether you are in the high mountains or on a dirt road without a single soul around, you always happen to meet a shepherd or someone else, also walking on these forgotten roads. A dark stranger who will greet you, as surprised as you will be to meet him/her on the road…