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Humberto Rivas Jackson, are advised that should address the 132 unit waiting for you
We are dedicated to promoting cycling as transport in cities, and we are also
starting to make longer trips, taking throughout Venezuela, Making Ecotourism
Enjoying the scenery, enjoying tourist sites, in a conscious,
of an environmentally
And we have more human contact with the people living in these areas we visited
We can come to absolutely any part the country, anywhere in the continent even the world by bicycle
Leave from Caracas toward the Barinas state land for about 7 hours
once in Barinas begin a journey of 94 miles to the highest point of our trip
Mucubají Lagoon at 3660 meters above sea level
then depart to the observatory of the Centre CIDA Astronomy Research only
observatory of its kind in the country, where hope to visit the 4 telescopes and perhaps
see one of them, We will continue our path to the Musuy where
are the highest thermal the country, we will continue down to the
Tabay village where we rest one day and we reabasteceremos to begin the course
three-day walk to Humboldt Peak, the second highest in Venezuela with 4940 meters on
sea level, and its largest glacier the country, passing on the way through the gaps
La Coromoto and La Verde, descend again Tabay's people and then to city
Merida where it will end our trip after having pedaled about 200 km
with more than 25 kilograms of luggage per person.
The cheapest way to travel is by land, yet very few companies
allow transfer express freight bicycles as part of luggage without offering
an economic incentive to the trunks or pay the bicycle as shipping, despite
that these are disarmed. One such express little is at least flamingo
Caracas terminal
Well, Strength
Our bus left wings 11 pm and tried to sleep it more possible because the next day we
waited more than 10 hours of pedaling
We arrived around 5:30 am the state of Barinas where we make again
with all our bikes and bags.
Well since my bike this list as we go, missing 15 minutes to 7 am,
we estimate that we will be leaving at 7, and breakfast at the vial of Barinas that
We are about an hour from here, more or less, one and a half Roman? More or less, depending
how many dogs there are in the road, ah, because now let's move the miles of the
dead dogs, because they get a lot dead dogs on the road
In Barinas bicycle use as a means transport is as common as any
another vehicle, that's why it looks great number of people moving by bicycle
through the streets.
We headed down the road Barinas-Merida through this pathway communicate Plains
Western Cojedes, Portuguese and Barinas, with populations merideñas
Santo Domingo, sidings, Muchuchies, Tabay and Merida
After 30 miles of pedaling in the sun Barinas and over 30 degree heat
Barinitas we stopped to rest, but Jackson could not continue with fatigue
due to lack of rest in the bus the night before, plus the strong
constant heat and balance problems with luggage on your bike. Thus
Thanks to a queue up to wait for us at the population of Santo Domingo, 37 miles
mountain top where we expect to make our first camp.
What is your name?
And that bike? The know handle?
Let's see, and come back. That if you know ¬ °
That if you know ¬ °
While we stood in Jackson Square Santo Domingo tourist town and Agricultural
met a cyclist too kind sir, known as "face" which doing shows
Andean friendly feature, we inn offered in the lounge of a college
where we spent the night indoors with bathrooms and hot water.
These are the smells of the Andes ... spectacular not? Let's tell the sleeping.
Take Paraque you eat breakfast
After a few hours of leaving the village of St. Sunday we stopped at the village of baho
where we met an interesting character Belgian Bike hill challenge organizer
Condor, a major cycling event Annual in Mérida.
I live in Merida, this is my car, this 's my ride, this bike, I have
car, nor want, I have an event which is held annually for 4 years,
called "My challenge to Collado del Condor" from the city of Merida to the Collado
Condor, misnamed the eagle beak 4118 meters, the distance is 72 miles,
and this is characterized as a cycle tourism, which continues to be a challenge, the challenge is
arrive, get to that point and at that distance is a challenge for anyone, I focused on
amateur cyclist who starts late starts 30 40 years to 50 years and really has
enthusiasm and desire to do something important, something you raise your self-esteem, the most beautiful
is that way to meet people, you gives people the freedom to experience, and worth
our social status, despite the bike we have a bike either full iron
or full carbon bicycle, we are equal, That's when we have our partner
next, and we see who is suffering, that is tired, and suddenly we will put
next and say encourage, it is almost as going to get. So I think it is one of
the few sports in which one looks really that fellowship, and suffer the same, and
enjoy the same, the same satisfaction, reach the goal, no matter reach of first
or second, the goal is to attain it. And it's another way to live that tourism is
feel, is to see the detail, is to enjoy it.
After a good meal we return to the way.
Jackson is finished mounting a light because we already have a few hours of light, a
hour and a half more or less
We want to Mucubaji, although not as possible for us to arrive today, but good
I'd get about rhythm at 12 pm, then we will see
far we get.
Yeah well anyway today we take calmly walked out as at 1 and 30 to roll,
ie we have come gradually as 5 miles, and made many photos
causing many environments photographing and good are out at 5 and we
roll about 8 hours until 12 or 1 in the Mucubaji morning to reach or come
as close to go to the observatory tomorrow and then continue to the Musuy, good
nothing more to tell you ... to fix the Bike
It's already 6 in the evening, and good follow up, no full exhaustion, but go for
up "a fire"
Well are approximately 7 pm, 're heading to Merida and here we see
traffic of cars, visibility, not There is nothing, and good in a few minutes an hour
perhaps two hours pedaling and we looking to camp because it is quite
dark, can not see anything, and well, still here on the road pedaling.
Along the way we meet again with Andean kindness, now by
two farmers who were offered a abandoned cabin for the night, the
place was cold and gloomy, but the worn wooden walls of the cabin
promised doorless take shelter of the two degrees or less from the weather temperature.
When we awoke a beautiful landscape that towards the hut saw less intimidating
breakfast, we aseamos, pack again and came up with the brilliant idea
our trip down to the lake we had discovered a few meters and trout fishing
"With Arepa"
met last night after pedaling about people here, â † Merida being offered
stay in a cabin, and stayed in the cabin and now we are exactly opposite
the Gateway Arch Hotel friars, well known, and we are about to
3060 meters above the sea. On morning we started walking to fetch water
and we get with this small lagoon and we realized that there are trout, then
we will try to do the experiment, to see if we can catch trout, brought
an arepa hook, we'll nibble on bits and let's see if we can catch
trout, then stay with us we'll see about three attempt Caracas
Merida catch trout
Well, at Least try.
Reboot your way towards the lagoon Mucubaji, which means Tatuy language
"Magic Place", this lake home Glacier is the state's largest Fourth
Merida and the scientists have more ten thousand years old.
Made it ¬ °
I'm dead, but comes ¬ °
We arrived a few minutes before entering 5 o'clock in the afternoon, when it is closed
to visitors, however we were denied access by staff Inparques
for one reason "not allowed to bicycles"
We see beyond peers on bicycles, rangers here do not allow access
bicycle, but allow entry vehicles.
Good afternoon, How are you? My name is Humberto Oropeza, I belong to CicloGuerrilla
A collective urban ecological environment in which we promoting the bicycle as transportation
in Venezuela and in the cities, we come rolling from Barinas, that is more than 100 kilometers,
this is the highest point to which we will come, last year we had the collaboration
to get up that hill, it can not be come by bike, there is a prohibition
against the bike, something with which I disagree, but last year we
collaboration were not seeing went down to the lake to put the bikes
there, take a picture and leave, then if I provide you this collaboration I was
appreciate it.
can not now, for the people that there is no may
there on that hill, but now, if people there not be, with people there-
can not, but ....
One year ago. Good evening brother as this? Good afternoon comes to camp? The
bicycle access to areas of the park is forbidden, if you want you can put
there, you leave behind the post so 're more comfortable,-Everything okay? 'I'm
commenting to a friend that access down with cycling is forbidden, if you want
I can save the position of where they are the two bikes Inparques
In fact we nothing more ... look at us down, we were nothing more was to take
a picture of the bike, as we come to
Is prohibited, bicycle access in ... bicycle and motorcycle is prohibited
-That chimbo -As I say, I can do that please
the store back there
No, we go, we feel excluded
Well we are here in the lagoon of Mucubaji to 3575 meters above sea level, we
here from Barinas, this is the most higher than we had planned to climb
the road, is the highest place to which were arriving, the strongest increases,
of truth that it is our achievement satisfactory, but we know it exists
Inparques, as many parks that are Inparques controlled by a ban
against the bicycle is a means of transport green, there is a prohibition to the
bicycle, is an environmental crime, you can not go cycling, but we could see that there
inside there were over 200 cars, then we want to make that call, really the bike
is an ecological vehicle, non-polluting and should not be excluded from these assets
natural that we all want to visit
With our visit to Lake Mucubaji frustrated, we headed to the town
of sidings, where we camped in spaces Fire Station Tinjaca Indio,
where despite our unexpected arrival were received with great hospitality, and
allowed us not only camping but also treated us as if we were friends
many years, even participated in a from their usual distractions, "do frost
in a tree "
Well we are here in front of the monument Caraballo Cruz the crazy few meters
sidings, and well last night we got here quite cold and people's body
Indian Merida fire greeted us Tinjaca excellent, we could camp here, spent a
night, too good attention, we have treated too well and we are here
with them, too happy, and as we prepare to go up to the observatory, they helped us,
led to Roman, who raised the route, and we have and are about 8 kilometers
to reach the observatory and enjoy ride that occurs there.
Johanna thank you very much for attention. Come many cyclists over here to do this kind of adventure?
No, but maybe if we see them as they pass, but we have just shared with you,
really we are extremely happy and pleased that they have chosen the station number
8 Indio Tinjaca to spend some time with we as a community and with you, welcome
and when we want to order
What is the invitation that you can do ecological tourists like us who
want to ride their bikes like us to enjoy this nature
From Truth do it, these landscapes are too beautiful and for us it is a pleasure that we
come to visit, they are welcome and increasingly needing some number 8 this season
to your order
Well if you boys, all boys the cycling community really not
will regret, attention here to the Merida people is too good, they're
brothers, we are treated as any member family, have eaten here have shared,
We told jokes, did an experiment ice, people come to take pictures
with the ice we did there, here Mesa who checked really well, shared
with us last night until 12 pm and well, come to Merida, do not miss it,
worthwhile to come and ride this.
we left for the town of Llano herd, where the research center
astronomy, after a journey of GPS measured 8.3 miles last night
when our friends offered firefighters kindly take one of us in
motorcycle to survey the route.
It is better not to rely on the indications of locals or signs, as the distance
you can rarely will indicate real such as this sign, indicating
1 kilometer to the observatory when there are still seven.
The National Astronomical Observatory of Llano Herd is the only professional observatory
the country, and the highest in the world in the Equatorial region. It is open to the public
an average of 180 days a year, on schedule which varies according to the schedule of observations
scientific, so if you want to visit we recommend that you check the schedule before
views of the public on its website.
We arrived well before check in time the public, so while we waited
prepare the lunch by the booth monitoring.
Here, this is Copernicus, this is here
Well if you had heard, but as has physical name, psychologist
No, you said psychologist ... Copernicus, for they know. Ok come here camera camera
for all those people watching This video heads: Find that Copernicus was an
Sociologist Psychologist, which was lacking is a Chinese saying that the oldest Japanese
The tour lasts an hour and a half, begin here with a video, a talk
basic astronomy, and then rise to they know the big telescopes, and
night if the sky is clear you would observe from a small telescope
we have here on the terrace of the museum, it all depends
-Welcome to the psychological center of Copernicus by Jorge ... not laugh? This is your
Well we are in the Research Center .... Astronomy here in ...
-Here give psychology? -If you give psychology here, everything about
with astronomy, psychology, branches related
Proving that it is possible to ride a bike we came from Barinas and one of the goals
was to reach the observatory, we are here Four urban cyclists enjoying the hospitality
Andean CicloGuerrilla Urbana, not for sport is by means of transport.
Of the 4 telescopes that are in the complex only 2 are shown to the public, but
to our disappointment none of these two is placed in service to the public as
is shown in a YouTube video country known TV magazine. In
return, you have 15 seconds to observe the planet Jupiter with a small
telescope from the roof of the visitor center, after 3 hours of waiting between chats
and videos.
Near the 8pm mounted again bikes and started our way
to La Musuy where we camped for the morning next two days off to spend a
simple but comfortable inn run by their own masters, mother and daughter a few
40 minutes walk from the hot springs of The Musuy, the highest in the country.
If you want to stay in this pleasant inn we recommend you do not listen to the neighbors
will surely tell you to get it all the rooms are full.
Villagers in the vicinity of the Waters springs, are profiting from different ways of
tourism that attends, and relentlessly pursue you and us
in the event that you pay for something indigne it should be natural heritage
nation, and instead are lands that belong to a family of landowners.
After a good rest and leaving bags at the inn began to climb toward
the sediment with two of our bikes, ready to do some mountain biking
a narrow path that must be pedaling very careful not to fall down the mountain.
The walk up the sediment takes about 40 minutes, but cycling is reduced
just 20. We arrived and we forget the cold mountain air to dive
in the relaxing hot springs Musuy. At 2800 meters above sea level, in an excellent sediment
completely natural waters ranging 40 degrees centigrade.
After two days in the Musuy continue on the way to the town of tabay where
We expect the pope and Jorge's grandmother, who hosted us and helped with preparations
for our journey of three days to walk to Humboldt Peak, the ultimate goal of our trip
Bags loaded with the necessary back sunburned and bicycles stored
at the home of Jorge potato head towards the Mucuy High where the road before
towards the lagoon of Coromoto must register in the office of park rangers and cancel
20 bolivars per person for each day go to the mountain pass and indicate
where you go and which day you will be back
The first section is rainforest, better road known as nice, and is very nice
due to the limited direct contact with the sun. If you can take good pace near
4 hours to reach Laguna Coromoto, which recommends the first night camping
to acclimate to the altitude.
The time of our trip was over, Jorge classes had started almost a week ago
and was in final exams, so at reach the lake the Coromoto decided not
camping and get that day to Laguna Green, were the 12 noon we had
lunch and there were still six hours of a road that constantly straying through
the moor and large stone landslides and for this we would have very little shade,
Now our only concern was to get before 630 in the afternoon when the sun would hide
We made it in full sunset but before that we could finish up the
camp and was total darkness and an strong seeing that almost hit the roof
tents against forced us to lie down flat to bed without dinner at 7 pm.
The Laguna Verde, about which we we found is the seventh lagoon
Merida state's largest
mainly formed from melted ice Humboldt Glacier Peak
We here beside Humboldt Peak, and to four hours, here we are at a height of 3870
meters above sea level, and the bottom Laguna Verde, I never thought being here,
is one of my best experiences, is something unique, direct contact with nature,
I feel very spiritually and all possible way.
Normally the section we rode yesterday done in two days, we did everything
the tour, began to climb about at 7:30 am and arrived as a
7 in the night which is quite a stretch Forced to those unaccustomed
this type of path is too strong. Not only the ride as strong
such but later during the morning I I was choking, I could not sleep well, I
was giving early mountain sickness, and I imagine it was due to the consequences
have risen so fast the stretch. Walking Normal on the road and since I bought
the bike I have about 2 months ½.
Sometimes I feel like poor hill, and others such as mountain, several peaks.
Sometimes I feel, like a cliff, and in others as a sky blue but distant.
Sometimes one is between source rocks and sometimes a tree, with the last leaves., But
today I am just as gap sleepless, a pier, and without boats, one
green lagoon, still and patient, as with algae, mosses and their fish, serene
in my confidence, trusting that one afternoon, I Stay away and you look, you look at me.
The best practice is to start the attack Humboldt Peak too early to even if the
sun is not out, and crown at midmorning, to avoid the hours with the highest incidence
sun that can cause landslides, more that deadly dangerous in the case of step
ice layer is weakened by heat.
It was almost 11 in the morning, and we continued need to save days of travel, so
after thinking about the risks we begin our Humboldt Peak attack almost at 12
noon, this time without Jackson who was guarding the camp while finishing
get used to the 3700 meters.
And right now we are on the rise the Humboldt Peak is the second highest peak
top of Venezuela, we are in the area and the highest mountains of our country,
and now here I thought my concern for we have about the health of two very
dear to us, I will do a ritual up there on the ice, I'll cut
hair and I'll leave it as an offering to PachaMama to the health of these two
loved ones in the best way flow
After 3 hours of climbing very steep between rocks and landslides had finally
come to the crown of our trip, Humboldt Peak, at 4940 meters on the level
the sea, being the second highest peak of Venezuela and the country's largest glacier.
We thank you Lord for this moment, we thank you for this win this
feat that enabled us to achieve, and in we must now ask for
health of two people God who created or not believe in you put them in your hands God
We thank you very much you Lord, Amen.
Unfortunately this glacier has melted rapidly since the 70s and
is expected to disappear in a couple of decades due to global warming if we do
something about it, such as using the bicycle for transportation in the city.
We were almost an hour on the glacier and we about 6 in the evening to the camp,
where we expected Jackson perfectly acclimatized the height
Barinas - Merida was the best trip bike, something tough but not impossible,
anyone could do it
I hope they can repeat, I hope you can more people come, I hope that we could
last much longer and well ...
Well dare come this is our and is too beautiful and you have to enjoy
Do not think about making a trip like this, just do not think all that
you have to just grab your bag, grab your clothes, grab your bike and go,
do not expect to come to mind things positive or anything, just grab your
things and ready, ruédalo, fire, nothing more, and.
The next day we began our descent to get to the park just at dusk the
Mucuy Alta, where we picked up Dad Jorge
For at dawn walk the few kilometers remaining to Merida where
go back to Caracas after 15 days adventures on 2 wheels.
Moving with the sweat of our brows, with the strength of our legs and hearts,
living in direct contact with each part the road, breathing each breath
cold, but grateful for the human calos found in each and every one of those
We extended a helping hand without expecting anything in return, "Flying between the moor and
Llano "between heaven and earth by to end each meter route, demonstrating
the bike is more than a sport and more a recreational item, the bicycle is
a means of transport, the bicycle is tourism, bicycle
Is Freedom