aturday 7th June 2025 Panama City to Coloncito
Well here we are in Panama it some swanky hotel, well its not the swanky smells of a recent flood I think, and they said the swimming pool is out of action, is that just a coincidence. Wake up to the massive bike boxes, let build the bikes before breakfast, carnage in the room, but finally two immaculate touring bikes raise from the phoenix. Breakfast here we come going to beat Linneys boiled egg count, now I have the strength to peel them, he was lucky no boiled eggs, had to settle for the scrabbled, that record is there for the taking.

Well the truth be told my bike needs some more tender care, just the threads stripped in the handle bar, decide to go to the nearest bike shop see if we can get a new stem, so we ride out of the way a bit to a cycle repair shop again, turns out its some blokes house, but he does do repairs, really helpful guy, loads of stems, but all the wrong size, so come up with a good solution, longer cap head screw from my spare collection, all seems fine.

So finally off in Panama, what do I know about Panama, most people will think of the hats, be being a bit off the wall, think about my dear friend David Griffin (Ben to me, named after his great Dad another Aylesham legend), well Ben always liked a Panama cigar, then used to give me a little taste in my younger days, obviously I never looked old enough to smoke them so just used to wet the end, he hated that, but like the great bloke he was, always gave me another chance, what a great Aylesham family, so lucky to live just around the corner from them, love them from the bottom of my heart thanks for the lovely times, thanks guys, be back home for a cuddle with Janice and Maureen before you know it. RIP David, Mick, Ben, and the glorious June, always good for a chocolate biscuit, in the old days.

Well after all that sentimental loving moment, who knows how many miles we have done, but it needed to be said and it took my mind off my dodgy knee, self inflicted I might add, but its feeling better, no pain killers taking after my dad they damage you, but beer does not, still not getting onto the ride, more worried about my self inflicted pride.

Anyway when we got going we crossed the Panama Canal, lovely sight as you see all the cargo vessels, passenger liners queuing up to go through and the massive cranes taking the container off the ships, putting them on the railway to cross the strip off land, then back on a another container ship to deliver the crap from China, just my thoughts sorry. Then the monument for all the Chinese workers who died, constructing the canal, I think because I could not understand the inscriptions.

But we are weaving are way through Panama, hard to say at first, but seems very influenced by the USA, seem more USA fast food places in 10 miles that I have seen in the previous 8000 miles, will not name them until they sort out the global plastic waste, they are who we need to educate, not the poor people they are flood with their crap food, another rant will get onto the proper story soon, but plastic waste is something so close to my heart.

The preaching is over honestly, we just enjoyed the ride, nice to get out of the City, still a busy road, with lanes joining every half a mile, pretty leary at times, but keeping a good line at speed, just riding , what we want to do. The traffic died down slightly, so did the quality of the road, we are here to ride so just get on with the bumpy rides, as we did. As always I was thirsty so called in a stop around the 40 mile mark little village my favorite, country boy at heart, Carretera Panamericana, they did not disappoint ordered a cold beer to start, then a few more, both felt like we should eat, but enjoying the beers, Bingo pulled rank said plate of chips and some cheese things as I was ordering another couple of drinks, all great served with a lovely smile.

Just another 15 mile to go, fuelled with a few beers we steamed it, through a bit of a sexy rain storm, get used to them in the afternoon, airily refreshening, keeps you cool as we push through the miles, soon came to place that Bingo had booked, with the restaurant, hostel was open but the restaurant was not, not a problem for two adventurous athletes, as he had a fridge full of cold beers, all sorted in no time, and a local place to eat down the the road, perfect just what we needed, Great first day in Panama.

Friday 6th June 2025 Medellín to Panama City
Another lazy breakfast then down to the lobby to try and get a taxi to take us and the boxes upto the airport about 30 minutes away. With the help of the porters got both bikes, Bingo and I squeezed in, getting up to the airport very early as it’s always difficult with the bikes.

Not a great start got ripped off by the guy dishing out the trolleys at the airport he run away with Bingo’s change, brave man. Then straight to the Avianca desk, not going good the girl at the desk said we need an outward bound flight out of Panama, before we can board the plane, though she did eventually check the two bikes in, after stringently checking we have paid for both bikes, she had a face like a pickled onion all the time she was dealing with us and we had both had a shower and in are best clothes, miserable git I thought.

Then told us to come back when we had the outward bound flight details. So had to go to the Avianca flight desk, finally go found a helpful guy, he apologised but said if we purchased a flexible return flight, we can cancel it later today at a small cost! So brought the return flights then went back to Madam Butterfly at the boarding card desk, she smuggly gave us the boarding cards and the receipts for the bikes, wow how difficult was that. One more thing Bingo wanted to go outside see if he could find the robbing git who run away with his change, not sure if it was the same guy, but he got both barrels, was lucky he got away lightly as we left, Bingo said he was a disgrace to Colombia.

Least he felt better after that, then through passport and security control with no issues, just have to wait for the flight now. It was delayed by 4 hours, not great, but least we had some beverages to help pass the time, trying to keep positive, enjoy the rest day. Probably not the best place to have a rest day airport departure lounge with the uncomfortable seats, only designed for a couple of hours sitting. Had a joke with the bar man he was finishing his shift and wanted us to settle the bill, only 50,000 Columbia dollars, about £30, he said hope your not here when I return tomorrow, I certainly hope not.

Great we landed in Panama City, straight through passport control with the usual questions, where are you staying, I so want to say I have not a clue mate, but give him the address of the hotel, all is fine, he lets us through with the obligatory half smile or a security guard twitch who knows. Now the exciting part will the bikes be joining us on this part of the adventure / holiday, according to my tag thing its here, yippee ask a guy where the large luggage comes out he casually say here where he is sitting, ask him if we can get a trolley $5 mate, we have not dollar, tough was his reply, finally Bingo gets a $50 note out, his eyes light up, then says he will get some change what he duly does, but then wants a tip! he follows us through the last baggage scan, the lady on the desk was more interested in our athletic bodies than looking at the scan, sure she loved my wavy, curly hair, as I swept it of my eyes posing, or just bored at looking at cardboard boxes all day, probably the latter. Well here we are in Panama, was thinking of unpacking the boxes at the airport and riding to the hotel, but after the delay just got a cab straight to the hotel, with the help of the guy always holding out is hand, Bingo gave it a tight shake as we jump in the massive taxi, that could easily fit the two bike boxes in. Just a 30 min drive to the hotel, both knackered after a non cycling day, sure it is easier just to ride, but hey ho we are in the hotel, book in get a few beers and something to eat then ride in the morning