Gone Riden
We made it to about 5000mtrs riding cross-country style up Ecuador's highest peak, but our goal of making the snow line was thwarted by un-navigable terrain.
21

22 Mar 2002 – 28 Mar 2002

Ecudaor

Banos - Guayaquil - Montanita

Trip distance19,051 kmWeek 21 of 32

The modern week-by-week edition

Banos
to Montanita.

From the heights of Banos we headed west and down towards the coast. The motorbike appreciated the high-density air as we got closer to the coast.

Goneriden

This week’s route

Banos - Guayaquil - Montanita

  1. 1Baños
  2. 2Guayaquil
  3. 3Montañita
Week 21 routeEcudaorRegional context
1Baños2Guayaquil3Montañita

Approximate route using modern roads · OpenStreetMap contributors · route via OSRM

Memorable moment

Memorable moment.

After our lengthy stay in Quito, we were convinced that our visit to Ecuador should include a coastal village and, presumably, the nation’s most highly acclaimed surfing beach, Montanita.

Perfect waves and an equally favoured beach, along with reports of lots of bikinis, was a good enough reason for us. Our arrival was planned in time for the Easter weekend, which would ensure a higher volume of tourists, therefore providing a heightened atmosphere.

Although our prediction of population proved to be correct, we were disappointed to learn that after heavy rain the streets turned to a muddy slosh, copious amounts of dead wood and mud had washed down onto the beach, accommodation prices jumped 200% and the mosquitoes were rife - not quite what we had expected.

Our stay was relieved by the company of friends we'd met in Quito, who had also succumbed to the intrigue of Montanita.

Original Week 21 account

Pictures of the week

Three moments from the road

Fearsome rafting crew - beware, we're descendants from Vikings.
The milk man, it gets sold by the cup tipped into a plastic bag. There is also a possibility of buying yoghurt off him in the afternoons if the day is hot enough and conditions right in the buckets.
We made it to about 5000mtrs riding cross-country style up Ecuador's highest peak, but our goal of making the snow line was thwarted by un-navigable terrain.
Quote of the week

"No, we don't have two beds in the same room and we charge by the hour" - hotel owner in an interesting part of Guayaquil

"Babahoyo is that way" - policeman whose directions were a little off

Competition

This week it was our aim to climb the highest point in Ecuador (on the bikes, of course). Not to be stopped by private tracks and numerous gates, we were disappointed to find, level with the snowline, that our destination should be halted by simply no more navigable terrain.

Highlight

After leaving Banos, we were given bad directions from the local law, who actually happened to be directing traffic. However, even though we rode miles out of our way, we ended up passing through the middle of the Andes and witnessed first hand the splendedness of the magnificent mountains.

Risk activity

We were informed that if you survive rafting a grade 6 rapid, then it would actually only be a grade 5 rapid.

After experiencing the grade 5 rapids at Banos for ourselves, we were convinced that rafting professionals were soft.Risk factor1/10

Lowlight

After the application of sun-smart products and the hiring of surfboards, we were upset with the appearance of Ecuador's best surf spot.

Totally psyched at the prospect of showing the locals that we not only ride bikes, we were faced with terrible surf, along with dreeloads of debris and mud washed down from the mountains in recent rains.

Road tally

After foolishly deciding to headbutt Boxy at 65 MPH, a pretty water crane was left in a flurry of feathers, a crumpled mess on the side of the road.

Week 21 photo diary

The week, in event order

The mosaic follows the numbered sequence in date-and-time order. Select any image for its full-screen view and comment.

DSC01066.JPG
Fearsome rafting crew - beware, we're descendants from Vikings.
DSC01068.JPG
Just take another step back, yes, one more....
Boxy thinking about his RAT meal.... OK, it's a guinea pig.
Boxy with his feed of Cuy (guinea pig) - look, they trimmed the nails on this one, hope it wasn't a gerbil.
Just call me Sven, now you said you were walking bare foot through what?
Boxy's plan to tell people he was a mansose backfired.
The bridge had been patched - lots of wood, not so much concrete.
Homemade bridge we had to cross - when buses approached, the passengers disembarked, walked to the other side and prayed the bridge was strong enough so they wouldn't have to walk the remainder of their trip.
We made it to about 5000mtrs riding cross-country style up Ecuador's highest peak, but our goal of making the snow line was thwarted by un-navigable terrain.
DSC01080.JPG
Our high-class hotel, suit laid out for tomorrow's work.
The milk man, it gets sold by the cup tipped into a plastic bag. There is also a possibility of buying yoghurt off him in the afternoons if the day is hot enough and conditions right in the buckets.
Montanita surf conditions prevented us showing the locals up.
Lads discussing philosophy. Some new people we met
Irish lad on the right travelled through Colombia (that we skipped) and their bus got stopped by the FARC. They pass over him when they say he was Irish.
Discussing the plan of attack
Fire - that's the plan of attack
I started with two - where is the other one?
Now he has two and the straw roof is not on fire - good work.
Parking