We left Alausi early and hit the mountain road once more. A scenic journey with the usual array of people and animals along the way. As we passed through a particularly scenic stretch next to a river Drew announced that this was a perfect place to live, when I suggested that she might enjoy living in the Alps her hilarious reply was “oh no I don’t like those mountains they are much too pointy”.
We stopped here by the lake at Colta which had some slightly incongrous American style boats on it. Couldn’t get close enough for a picture and we couldn’t quite work out who they belonged too.
Finally we drove into Riobamba with the beautiful Mount Chimborazo ahead of us. The top was hidden by clouds but it was literally a breath taking site.
Choice of residence for tonight was Hostal Rincon Aleman not an obvious location for a hotel being on a suburban street but magically, inside is a pretty walled courtyard with rooms built around it. The garden is a perfect sun trap and best of all it has a large kitchen so tonight we are eating in for the first time in a few days which is an absolute joy.
This afternoon’s plan was to go to Probici where we met Gallo. He explained in detail everything we needed to know for tomorrow’s adventure, a descent down Chimborazo on mountain bikes. It sounded a little scary but we can opt out of the parts we don’t like as there will be a support vehicle close behind. The most worrying part was the advice on what to do if we encounter an aggressive dog:-
Option 1 – cycle faster than the dog! Option 2 – jump off bike and threaten dog with it.
Guess what my nightmares will be made of tonight!
Pirate Travels 