ECUADOR – APRIL TO JUNE 2007

In 2007 I cycled round Ecuador in South America. Starting from Guayaquil I followed the Pacific coast northwards to Pedernales, crossing the Equator in the process. I had never cycled over the Equator before and was excited about it. Thankfully there was a sign and a yellow line painted across the road. I had always wondered what colour the Equator was.

From Pedernales I turned inland and climbed through the mountains to Quito, the capital. Nine restful days were spent there – much needed because cycling uphill from the coast to a city over 2,000 meters above sea level used up more than a handful of calories! At one point, I realised I had been pedalling uphill continuously for two days.

The Andean chain runs right though Ecuador and I followed this southwards before a glorious downhill stretch to the coast again at Guayaquil.

The total mileage was 1,039. You will be able to read a fuller story of this trip in a cycling magazine, and the link will be entered here soon. In the meantime, I will be happy to answer questions about the practicalities of cycling in Ecuador.