Cascadas de la Agua Azul, CHIS to Palenque, CHIS
Posted by scott in Leg 2, tags: Archaeological site, Bird, Mexico, Palenque, Rain, Rainforest, Sauna, Water04/07 Well if I thought yesterday was tough today was like riding a 600 lb bike uphill in a giant sauna. I left at 10am this morning and after riding for almost 8 hours I made it here. My actual riding time was just under 5 hours. So for 3 hours I was sitting under any tree I could find to try to and cool off. If it wasn’t for the trees I would have never made it. Oh and the hills. The climb out of the cascades wasn’t a surprise so when I got to the top I chugged down some cold water from the store and kept going. The 2nd big hill at mile 20 almost killed me. Traffic didn’t help either because at least once every 20 seconds a car/truck would come along which kept me from switchbacking up the steep parts. I’ve never pushed my bike up a hill but I can’t imagine that being any easier.
Not sure if what I’m in yet is rain forest but it seems like it to me. On one of my many siestas I got to see lots of colorful little birds flying around. Not too many pictures today. I had to save my energy. Ran into 4 more “vine-across-the-road” stops staffed by one or more young girls. The first 2 were within 200 yards of each other and I was going downhill (fast) and didn’t feel like stopping. So I kept pedaling and they dropped the vine when they saw I wasn’t going to stop. It wasn’t long after that that I started feeling like a world-class jerk. They lowered the vine so its not like they were going to kill me for not donating a little and we’re not talking about a lot of money. I’m not a fan of their methods but if I were in their shoes I’d probably do the same. So at the next one I stopped and gave up a few pesos. The last one I rode right by because they didn’t hear me coming until it was too late. I turned around and gave them some pesos too.
Palenque is my home for the next 2 nights. Found a place with internet and hot showers (not that I needed it) for US $16 night (Hotel Shalom). Tomorrow I’ll go check out the ruins. I only saw a little of the town so far but it seems a bit rough. The buildings/sidewalks are in general disrepair and the streets are a it of a mess. Kind of surprising for being so close to one of the biggest archeological sites in Mexico.
Feeling a little better. My nose has finally stopped running and the cough isn’t nearly as bad.
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“I’ve never pushed my bike up a hill but I can’t imagine that being any easier.”
Try it sometime! Seriously! If anybody questions your machismo, offer to let them try riding your bike uphill while you drive their vehicle alongside and honk.
My goal is to never push my bike up a hill. A little heat isn’t going to stop me.
Cutting side-to-side across the road sure makes it easier though. You just can’t do it when there’s a lot of traffic or if it’s windy (too loud to hear cars coming). I rode up some wicked inclines on some side streets like that.
You made it! I really liked Palenque (ruins). The “downtown” is ok. It will have what you need. There’s a great little restaurant across from the zocalo. It didn’t look like much but had some pretty tasty Mexican food. The ruins itself were great. Fun place to go exploring.
I thought Palenque was pretty cool too. I actually ended up having dinner with one of the archaeologists who works on the site. It’s amazing the amount of work that goes into restoring/preserving the ruins. I would have tried to get a backstage pass from her but I’m leaving in the morning.
Hey Scott,
We are in Ocosingo I’m still sick, about the kids with the ropes, did you tell them you paid for us too already.:)
It’s good that you are strong enough to be back on the road. Tomorrow you guys get to deal with the little robbers. Maybe they will take some snacks instead?