I just returned from my first out of town bike tour to Pedasi, where I visited good friends and a fellow blogger.
Actually, I started on the bus. The very busy Pan-American Highway is under construction between David and Santiago and it is not safe for a cyclist. I took a bus from David to La Divisa (about 20 miles east of Santiago at the road heading south).
My goal the first day was to bike to Chitre (about 25 miles). I got an early start but the 4 hour bus ride landed me at my starting point around noon, so I was biking in the hottest part of the day. The route started out fairly flat but I encountered more and more hills the closer I came to Chitre. By the time I arrived I was tired, sweaty, and thirsty in spite of drinking almost all of my 5 bottles of water. But, I made it and overall, it was a very good ride.
It was hot in Chitre and the hostel was downtown with a lot of street noise. It was also on the second floor so I was very thankful for a young Irish guy who carried my heavy bike upstairs. The good part was I had booked a bunk bed but I was the only one in the room, and the shower was heavenly!
The city noises woke me about 5AM, so I actually had to wait for it to get light enough to set off for my next leg of the trip. This day my goal was to make it to Pedasi, about a 50 miles.
I was very happy with this ride! There were more hills than I expected, some of them challenging. And, even with my early start it didn’t take long to get hot. But, I arrived in Las Tablas (about half way) feeling better than expected so I biked through and stopped for lunch a bit south of town. I wasn’t especially hungry but I ate anyway, and drank two pitchers of water.
I set out after lunch feeling surprisingly refreshed and energetic, and I enjoyed the two lane, quieter, more scenic road. By the time I got close to Pedasi though I was feeling a bit wilted from the heat and the hills. Imagine my delighted surprise when I saw my friend waiting for me on the edge of town to welcome me and ride in together!
It was a great visit in Pedasi. I stayed with my good friends and was able to see many other friends as well. I’ll post more about that later with photos of the area beaches.
On Sunday I was ready to head home but how? It was very windy and I would have been biking over all those hills again, but this time in a strong headwind. Could I make it to Chitre for another night in the noisy downtown hostel? And, when I reached La Divasa how long would I be standing on the highway hoping for a bus with room for both me and my bike? Would I have to bike on to Santiago on the busy highway? My friends convinced me to take them up on their offer of a ride to Chitre where I could catch buses to Santiago and then David.
This turned out to be a very good decision. In Chitre I had to wait for three buses until one arrived with a roof rack for the bike. Then, in Santiago I had to wait about 1 1/2 hour for another bus with a roof rack. But, I made it back without incident (except for a dent in my bike rack).
I learned a lot from my first bike trip. First, and most important, I am up to the riding! I accomplished a 49 mile ride with hills without a problem, and I felt fine and ready to ride again the next day. Biking for a few hours alone is nice, but biking for a couple days alone wasn’t as enjoyable. I would prefer a companion on longer trips. And, a companion would also help if I need someone to watch the bike, or hold it while I rearrange something. (My loaded bike is too heavy for the kick stand.)
What now? I’m ready to plan a longer trip, maybe to Costa Rica or Nicaragua but I’d rather go with an experience bicycle tourist. I don’t find bus travel as enjoyable, especially with a bike so I’d rather head west. Meanwhile I’ll continue biking around here, and working on more strength for the hills. I must make it to Boquete one of these days!
Bravo Zulu Kris!
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Thanks! It was great to see you and Connie, so glad that worked out 🙂
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Back in ’92 I did a nine-month, single-handed getaway to Mexico, Belize and the Rio Dulce in Guatemala. People often asked me if it wouldn’t have been better to have had a companion along. Well, in some ways, yes. There were certain things it would have been great to share. Like a fantastic meteor shower while anchored out at the edge of the reef in Belize one night lying in my hammock between the mast and the forestay. But the important thing is, I DID IT, AND IT’S BETTER TO HAVE GONE ALONE THAN NOT TO HAVE GONE AT ALL!!!
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Oh yes absolutely! But, between the cyclists we meet through warmshowers and some cycling friends who are moving here soon, I think I have some options.
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And don’t forget us 🙂 We’re so looking forward to riding with you.
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Absolutely not! You have been encouraging and inspiring me for a long time, and I’m really looking forward to your arrival and some great rides together.
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Great Job Chris, 50 Miles in that Heat is Miraculous. Thank God for Friends and Irish Manners
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Yes indeed! Thanks 🙂 Thankfully I am very used to the climate here.
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Really great job, congratulations, Kris! Maybe your husband would go along on one of your trips 🙂
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Thank! He goes riding with me but doesn’t enjoy long rides, and if it’s not fun no point in doing it.
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That is so true! It is supposed to be fun and when it is now, well, just do something else. Cheers!
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I’m so impressed with your adventurous spirit! You rode through some gorgeous country. Anita
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Thanks so much! Panama in general is gorgeous and this area is no exception. Wait until you see the next post with the beach photos 😀
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I expect a blog sometime in the future about biking ocean to ocean, don’t remember when the annual event is but believe from another blog they start in Colon and go to Panama City.
Congratulations, I’m very impressed, signing up for Social Security and biking 50 miles a day, in the same year….😃
Remember “The good thing about hills, is that half of them are downhill” 😉
Glad to hear about the road work, last time we were down there, we blew a tire on a bridge pothole,, went and looked at the hole,and rebar was only thing between you and river.
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Really? I’ll have to hunt for some info on that ocean to ocean thing. That would be very fun.
Thanks 🙂 It’s retirement that does it, and the time to do the things you want to do.
I did enjoy the downhills but I was also thinking about how they would be uphills on the return trip.
I think the road is going to be under construction for a couple years so it’s going to be a mess for a while. When it’s done though it’s going to be so much better!
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Google ” ocean to ocean bike race Panama”, a bunch of stuff comes up, looks like it’s end of March
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I found it! http://www.gfoceanoaoceano.com/2015/ That looks very cool. The half route is well within my range too.
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I am so glad your trip went well. You are fierce, lady! 45 miles and hills. Way to go!
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Thank you 🙂
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Kris ¡hola y bravo! from your future biker trip companion. I will be training for the next 628 calendar days then we can ride together in paradise. You are my motivation thanks for the post.
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That’s wonderful, looking forward to that! By then though you’ll probably ride circles around me so I’d better keep at it. 😀
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We’re still in awe of your accomplishment! Didn’t realize you had a 50-mile day, with hills. That’s fantastic! Good call to take the bus back. It’s your first trip and you proved to yourself you could do it. Well done!!!!
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Thanks! I am catching up with you and your 50 mile rides 😀 By the time you get here I think I’ll be ready to try and keep up with you.
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You are my heroine! I don’t think I would ever be brave enough to try it alone. Way to go, Kris!
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I didn’t feel alone though. It is a busy enough road to have buses and taxi’s and people along the way, and I had friends at the other end who would have bailed me out if necessary.
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