To Nazca

We made an early start from the campsite and set off to compete our penultimate crossing of the Andes. We rode as a 20-strong group, meaning progress was fairly slow - around 50mph. This meant that cars often tried to over take us. At one river crossing a taxi decided it was a good point to go past me, the picture below goes some way to show the volume of water that splashed up over me. Luckily Gortex works pretty well.

Eventually we caught up with the broken down support truck. It was decided to unload as much equipment as possible, it would then limp on to Nazca.

After several false summits we made it to the planes and ultimately started to descend from just under 15,000 feet to Nazca at 2,000 feet. The first stage was lush and green. Despite the high and often unguarded drop-offs I was riding well (for me) and feeling confident. We played leap frog with the damaged support truck as we stopped for food, drinks and pictures - Jim regularly stopping to allow the truck to stop and fill up with water.

After lunch we continued to descend. The greenery gave way to barren rock and sand. I felt tired and started making mistakes, panic braking and no longer making smooth turns. It was a relief to reach the outskirts of Nazca and know we were close to a good hotel, a beer and a pool.

With the high mountains and big drops, I was expecting this to be a tough day. Looking back, it was tough, but well worth it.