Day 5 - Nov 19

Today was another tough day.  We did 130 kilometers (81 miles) and the temperature topped out at 97 degrees with very high humidity.  A blistering afternoon to be sure.  The day started out fabulously though.  We did a bit of climbing to start but then we had a 13k downhill on pavement that was a pure delight.  The Australian lady led the way with a fearless assault on the descent.  We were cooking at 70+ kph with leaning in and banking through the hairpin turns and accelerating on the straight aways.  It was beautiful!  It felt so perfect, like fluid motion or flight without wings.  There is nothing more exhilarating than being one with the bike and accelerating to break neck speeds.  WOW, what a blast.  

The afternoon brought on the off road again.  My bike would be perfect for this trip if it only had front shocks, mountain bike gearing and disc brakes.  Other than that, it is a pleasure to ride on the off roads.  :(   Yesterday for instance the red clay slime that was generated by the rain made the braking very difficult.  The brakes didn't really stop the bike, they only slowed it.  I never thought I would say it but discs would have been much better.  

But anyway back to today...  For the first day, there was no rain!  Well there was a sprinkle but no drenching downpour.  It would have been nice to get a drenching cool rain in the afternoon as the temps were brutal.  You would be riding along and feel the heat radiating off the road.  I stopped in a small village and bought a cold bottle of water and just poured it all over myself.  The climbs were very tough with 17% grades on loose gravel and dirt again.  I do think these hills/mountains are tougher than Africa.  If not just because of the grade and the loose gravel.  They add a whole new level of difficulty.  

We are now on the Pacific Ocean.  I took a dip in the ocean this evening, refreshing.  The sunset that just happened was breathtaking.  Here is a pic of where we are now:

We will be crossing the border tomorrow into Nicaragua.  Hopefully all the issues have resolved themselves.if not, patience is a virtue...

Here are some pics from today:

View from lodging this morning.

The Pacific Ocean...

Me at the ocean.  As you can see it is so hot that you are drenched in sweat just walking.

Sunset over the ocean...