Wednesday 28th May 2025 Pasto to El Remolino
Explored the town of Pasto last night, sure that was some sort of stuffing in the good old days, we used to have that instead of a Sunday joint, well Bingo probably had a Sunday joint but not the meat kind, only joking. We both felt a little claustrophobic in the little room, so decided to walk down to the Piazza and see what is occurring, strolled passed the motor mechanics / factories first, must have been 50 odd shops selling parts for all sorts of vehicles, then repairing them on the road, great to see them make do and mend, little thought about our Dad as we wandered through the mayhem. Hit the Piazza after a 10 min walk, what to do, sit in a bar and watch the world go by, really nice, the bartender even put a bit of James and Oasis on for us nice touch, nearly got me singing but wanted a beer so thought I best not. Few beers then went for a bite to eat, as it was getting late, nearly 7 o’clock! Little restaurant just had a tortilla and salad full up from the beer, but still had room for the biggest chocolate cake in living memory, the lovely girl wrapped it all up in a little presentation box, I dived in and ate it on the way home, Bingo just called me a gutsy pig, but it was lovely.

Same routine breakfast in bed, brilliantly prepared by Bingo, it was only in bed as the room was only big enough for one of us to stand up at a time, as we was getting the bikes ready to man handle them down the steep stairs, the lady owner kindly helped us with all the bags, you know me I gave her the heaviest ones, while I looked after the valuable bags, Bingo got the bikes down so good job all around, I did fill the water bottles up so did a bit. We are off the first time we have left before six in the morning for a while just getting light and very little traffic on the road.

Colombia the land of the cyclists, that’s what they said before we arrived, they were not wrong, there must have been over 50 cyclists of all ages waiting on the corner as we wobbled past, at just after 6 in the morning, they all gave us a massive cheer, great. Then one by one they cruised past us as we climbed out of the town, giving us a cheery “buen día”, some of them wanting to chat, pretty difficult when going up a 10% climb, but they managed it with ease. Bingo managed a photo shoot with some of them at the top, I was still lagging behind, taking in the wonderful ambiance of all these cyclist enjoying a pre work ride, so good, just managed to get the last of them when I eventually got over the top, just a nod of the head and a weary smile, that was enough.

What a great ride, both of us getting the legs back, feels good, the scenery is incredible never seen anything like it in all my travels, every corner has a breathtaking vista that you just have to stop and admire, this is going downhill so I am not pulling one of my stunts, truly amazing, we were having the time of our lives (no song intended), every downhill switch back had another amazing view. Stopped for a Colombian coffee and a soft drink, pretty disappointed with the coffee still instant, not in the right area obviously, though Bingo shows his true colours and lets out a girly scream as a little baby kitten try’s to climb up his legs, leaving the tiniest little scratch on his knee, mate you would have thought a tiger had bitten him, talk about a drama queen. We left the little cafe with heads laid low, the little kitten king of the road.

Still enjoying the ride Bingo has forgot about the little scratch (I have not), trying to make amends he get his drone out at the next picture stop, taking an ariel view of the stunning view. All things come to an end as we neared the end of the descent, you could see the road twisting and turning up the other side of the mountain, hey ho just have to ride it. Felt so good to have the legs again as we meandered up the 10 mile climb, with ease, just getting in the right gear and pedal, legs are strong again and lungs full of air, feels good. We stopped just over half way up for no apparent reason just that there was a little cafe and the view was once again stunning, coffee and soft drink, we was going for the hat-trick and have an ice cream, sadly none available, where is Johnny the ice-cream man when you need him! (Aylesham reference, they will know him). All fueled up we tackle the last bit of the climb, just as the first bit steadily up we go, the traffic is pretty light, but what comes past gives us plenty of room and more often than not a toot of the horn or wave, makes you feel like superman or in my case Mr Bean, we watched a cartoon of the said Mr Bean in the restaurant last night, been on my mind all day, so funny, sorry about that just had to put in in somewhere, made me laugh, to my little self.

We came over the brow of the mountain then a little run in to a hostel, that’s right on the side of the road, nothing special just a truckers place, the plan (we never plan) was to glide down the mountain and stop for a little bevvy at some time, try as I might, I could not find a place open, must be losing my touch. The last place we tried was not open, but the peanut farmer next door was. He had his monkey nuts (not sure of the proper name) and it’s not an innuendo) drying out in the sun, he came over as we was just looking at them, gave us a little handful to taste, (still wrong but will carry on) very nice, in response I gave him a chocolate bar originally called a Marathon, which was renamed to Snickers why I don’t know, but over here its called a “Satisfies” like that does what it says on the wrapper! Either way the farmer got the best deal, was quite sad to see my Satisfies go so cheaply for a small handful of nuts.

Soon came to the little hostel, did not look great, so I owned up and said there is another place just down the road, that looks real posh, on we went, sure enough it was posh but looked great so in we went, all booked in with ease, and enjoyed the afternoon sun on the veranda, very nice. Nice afternoon soaking up the truly amazing views, even took a walk over to the bar (so called) over the road, it was not a bar, one of the dodgy places of ill repute, soon came scurrying back, as the lad was shouting me.