I’m leaving for sure tomorrow. My Dad’s birthday was 2 days ago and I wanted to be able to call so I hung out. Happy Birthday old man! 
Today is my Mom’s birthday (passed away) so Happy Birthday to her too (was that a weird way to write that? people have to know she passed away so they don’t tell me to say HB to her and then I have to break the news to them and we both get all embarrassed. right? whatever).
I was going to leave this morning but this stupid dog kept barking all night and kept me up. It’s lucky I don’t have line of sight. I tried aerial bombardment using water but the risk of collateral damage is too high.
When it came to planning my trip up into the mountains Google came in handy, mostly. Up until mile 50 the satellite view was detailed enough to spot little villages where I can likely get water. It looks like it’ll be mostly flat until this point. After that the resolution is horrible and I can’t see anything. That kind of sucks because the huge climb to 6000 feet starts at mile 50. The plan is just to bring along a lot of water and see what happens.
There’s no information on the internets about this road except that it’s dirt and horrible in the rainy season (which is now but up higher I think). Nothing on any bike touring sites either which is unusual. Kind of exciting being a pioneer of sorts. If all goes well I should get to Huancabamba in 2 or 3 days.
The FAQ page has been updated.
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hey scott
Don’t go to fast, we are slow too, just wrote you an e-mail.
We maybe take a bus, we just give it a try and if the road is to muddy, we will hop on a bus somewhere. We know that this is “cheating” if you are 50 or almost 50 you are allow to cheat
We know it is too steep, we heard about 20% streches, but maybe as bad as Guatamala, I don;t think there will be any change that it is worser then Guatamala and we also made it
Come on Scott you can do it, we will meet soon, looking forward to hug you
karin and marten
Marten can do it! Just go slow up the hills for him. Maybe coax him along with the promise of some tea or a cookie.
I heard that stretch you guys are riding is hard so take it easy.
Scott, Karen and Marten,
I think you should all go fast, catch a bus or whatever. I want to see you. Still, the rain down here will probably keep me put for a while and I might not continue until the beginning of May. Hopefully you will be in the area by then.
Happy, safe and dry cycling to you
/Hanna
Pioneer indeed!!