Wednesday 2nd April 2025 Pucara to Pisac
Rylan’s (Ringo) 3oth Birthday whey ho!

We set the alarm early last night, not only to give Ringo his birthday surprise, but to get an early start we hoped.

Not one of the best hostels we have stayed in smelt of urine all the time pretty bad, definitely in the top ten of worst places I have ever stayed, we tried to make the best of it, giving Ringo his yoghurt and porridge, with a superbly crafted Swiss roll, which I had carried for the last three days. Difficult to enjoy in what can only describe as a room with the ambiance of a public toilet!

Finally got ready to ride just after 6 in the morning, that how much we enjoyed the birthday setting, worst was to follow, it was chucking it down with rain and only just above freezing. Off we went three cheery faces heading into the cold and rain, thinking we have nowhere to stay tonight camping it is or is it. We were all freezing after only doing a couple of miles, team meeting basically sod this, lets go back and warm up, see if the rain stops. So off we go back to seek shelter, in the pretty dismal village of Pucara.

We ended up getting a taxi, with the bikes on the top to Písac, a great guy offered us the lift, he took his wife along with us for the drive , really charming couple, stopped at a few places so we could take a few pictures, made us very welcome. The rain only stopped when it turned to snow, it really was a bleak day, still raining when we entered the hippy town of Pisca. Which is a bit of a stepping off point for Cusco, then on to Machu Picchu, so right on the tourist trail, with its narrow cobblestone streets, full of market stalls selling everything llama orientated, with the extra hippy tack of fair trade, organic, crystal energy stuff at ridiculous prices. Fair play it is a pleasant town with a very nice atmosphere, enjoyed a lovely meal and a walk through the bustling hippy town.

Back to the hotel to sort the next few days riding out, with a view to getting to a lower altitude in the not to distance future.