Wednesday 4th June 2025 La Pintada to Medellín
Breakfast in the chalet, bikes all packed and ready to go, just after 5:30, early start as we have a 25mile climb straight away, well that was what we thought, first obstacle we could not get of the complex, main gates locked. Bingo went back to find someone who could open them, I looked at the perimeter fence, see if we could get the bikes over it, Bingo could not find anyone, I noticed a gap in the fence so got the bikes through that, then we are off. So we thought, got a bit lost going through the town, ended up on a footbridge over the river, had to take all the bags off the bikes to get through the barriers, we will get going soon.

This time we are off, straight into the climb, both knew it would be about 5 hours climbing, so just get the legs going and pedal, I try not to think of the distance, just keep a steady pace going, in a gear that can handle the incline, easier said than done though, cant help seeing the KM signs as you go up, end up trying to look away when you see them coming, just a little game. Its going to be a tough morning, thats for sure, but still manage to get a few songs out in the early stages, while I am still feeling fresh, blast out a few Doors numbers for my great friend Billy Plews, used to be our go to LP all those years ago, well the Doors and Bay City Rollers, but we tend to keep the latter one to ourself for obvious reasons. First one has to be “Celebration of the Lizard”
The only bits I can remember off the top of my head:

“Let the carnival bells ring
Let the serpent sing
Let everything
We came down the rivers and highways
We came down from forests and falls
We came down from Carson and Springfield
We came down from Phoenix enthralled
And I can tell you the names of the Kingdom
I can tell you the things that you know
Listening for a fistful of silence
Climbing valleys into the shade
I am the Lizard King
Retire now to your tents and to your dreams
Tomorrow we enter the town of my birth
I want to be ready”

Blasting this out, in a bit of a RAP style, as we go up and up, makes the miles slip away, sure I am mixing up the lyrics but who cares, see Bingo in the distance, he has sped away, can’t put up with my singing, who can blame him, but feeling good and the legs working fine. Follow that up with some sort of version of “People are Strange”:

“When you’re strange
Faces come out of the rain
When you’re strange
No one remembers your name
When you’re strange
When you’re strange
When you’re strange
People are strange
When you’re a stranger
Faces look ugly
When you’re alone”

Before I know it we are over halfway, Bingo has the coffee and soft drink ready, as we look out on to the murky, sultry morning, both covered in sweat, but feels good to have got over the hallway mark, then with a hint of irony Bingo casually mentions that’s the easy part done then, not what you want to hear, but the truth needs to be said. Nice little break then off we go again. Yep he is right it does ramp up a bit more, that puts an end to my singing for a while, bit of peace and quite and concentrate on getting this baby over the mountain, probably the last big climb in Colombia. Bingo still ahead, never try and push a big climb, just get on your pace and stay with it

With about 5 miles to the end of the climb, a guy on a motor bike draws level with me, we are chatting, then out of the blue, he says you like a tow, me always up for a laugh goes ok why not (really not one of my best decisions), he ties this bit of rope to the front of my bike the other end to his motorbike, off he went bloody scary as the rope pulled me all over the place, me screaming like a baby stop, Stop, why can’t you remember the Spanish for stop when you are Sxxxxxxx your self!, then I fell off in the middle of the roads, jumped straight back up, really shaken up, got to the side of the road, he wanted to carry on, I basically told him to do one, untied the rope and let him go. Laid on the grass verge thinking to myself why did I do that, not sure, seemed like a bit of a laugh, I can assure you it wasn’t, guy came over the fence, not sure where from, but had a cold drink and obviously had seen it all, asked if I was all right, pride took over sure I am, but thanked him for the cold drink, then started again. My left knee was throbbing and hurt when I was off the saddle, so stayed in the saddle as much as I could, all the time thinking to myself what an idiot.

Seemed the longest 4 miles in living memory, but finally managed to come over the top, Bingo waiting in the bar, with a coffee and soft drink, had blood dripping from my elbow and knee, told him what happened he just replied bloody idiot, but the same driver asked him if he wanted a tow, he did the correct thing and said No, wish I was that sensible, message to self grow up!.

Least it was mainly down hill from here to Medellín, well I hope so, started the descent, knee still throbbing but least I can ride. Stopped for lunch at Caldas, busy little place, next to a bus terminal, only just got seated, when the heavens opened, massive storm blew in, only one thing to do have a spot of lunch, few beers to ease my sore knee and wait for the storm to blow over. Only took about half an hour then all clear again, little skip into the massive city of Medellin. We got split up in the traffic, Bingo managed to find the hotel straight away, I went to the pin drop he had sent before he went to the hotel so arrived about 45 mins later, but all good. Nice Hotel lovely hot shower and wash the kit, before we go out for something to eat.

Well we are crossing the Darien Gap tomorrow, admittedly not how we have liked to, would have loved to cross it on land, but sadly that is at least a 10 day trek, if you can get permission and some local guides. so sadly that is out of the question, next option is to sail around which takes approximately five days weather permitting, also have to organise the boat and arrange for the bikes to be taken with us, from the blogs not the most trustworthy people so have to have your wits about you, and do not hand over the money until you and the bikes are on the boat. So we have taken the easy option and flying from Medellin to Panama City, only a hour and quarter flight, but have to pack up all the bikes, get them to the airport etc, so a busy day tomorrow, sorting out the bike boxes and transport.

Thursday 5th June 2025 Medellín
Big lazy breakfast in the hotel, then head downtown for today’s mission, locate some bikes shops and get a couple of cardboard bike boxes. Nice and easy you would think, had a bit of a runaround but eventually managed to get two boxes, guys in the shop not very helpful tried to get a roll of adhesive tape off them as they charged us for the boxes, only a fiver but they could have given us a roll of tape. Then back to the hotel to pack all the bikes and gear up ready for tomorrows flight, have to cut the boxes down to the regulation size, the airlines are very strict on the size and weight of the boxes. Get them all packed and taped up, size is fine not to sure on the weight though, will find out tomorrow.

Spent the rest of the afternoon looking around the city, obviously ended up in a bar, this tour is either riding or in a bar, good stuff though. Also took the chance to have a massive pasta meal, including starters and pudding, you never know when we will get the chance. Then back to the hotel and a nightcap.