18 Apr Colombian press trip with Cycling-Journeys, a great opportunity to ride on the Andes!
We join forces with Procolombia – Tourism government board – and Matt Rendell – Colombian cycling ambassador, commentator and acclaimed author – to bring out an excellent riding experience on the Andes, loaded with not only cycling and cycling culture, but also Colombian history, culture and cuisine; our guests:
Jean-François Quénet: Ouest-France correspondent since he was 16 years old. He later worked in Belgium for a specialized cycling magazine and then contributed, as a freelancer, to various publications around the world. Perfectly introduced to high-level cycling, he was licensed by the organizing committee of Penn Ar Bed Cycling; he currently maintains the website and runs it for the Tour de France. He is the author of several books on cycling.
Ieda Botelho: Professional cyclist since 1983, she has been the South American Cycling Champion, and twice the Pan-American Cycling Champion. He has been a Sportv commentator for 27 years.
Caner Eler: General Editor of Socrates sports magazine, sports and cycling commentator at Eurosport Turkey, and Euroleague commentator at be IN SPORTS Turkey.
Matt Rendell: ITV Tour de France Commentator, ITV Tour de France Annual Podcast Host, Columnist for Rouleur, Contributor to the Observer, Financial Times, New Statesman, Soigneur, Mondiale, Cycling News and Procycling. He is an award-winning writer, reporter, journalist and commentator on the world of cycling in all its forms. He is the author of 7 cycling books, including two about Colombia: Kings of the Mountains and Colombia Es Pasion! The Generation of Racing Cyclists Who Changed Their Nation and the Tour de France.
Day 1. Riding through green rolling hills!
After a short introduction about Colombia and the security aspects, we did a short drive on the hills above Bogotá – the vibrant capital city of Colombia – once out of the city, our bikes were waiting for us.
Starting with a short descent to warming up at 2700 masl (9000 ft) and then crossing green rolling hills on the way north enjoying the landscape of the Bogotá plateau. Our first stop on la Calera where “the Wilches” were waiting for us. Pablo Wilches Vuelta – Colombia winner at 1987 and many podiums and stage at local and international races including the Tour de France – join us with his family – some of them also professional ciclyst – during our morning ride! After some km we hit a short 3km climb with 5.2%, locally known as Guasquita or Salitre and keep going north. A stop on the way in the town of Guasca to enjoy the local coffee, cheese balls and the famous “agua de panela” (water with brown sugar) very popular among the cyclist as a source of energy but also a hot beverage for the cold mornings. We kept riding passing by the colonial town of Guatavita and finally our last stop for the day, sesquilé, with a beautiful boutique hotel was waiting for us, a nice local meal and a hot shower. Afternoon to enjoy some cycling stories, share a wine and be ready for the next day!
Day 2. El Dorado legend and the salt cathedral
Starting this morning with a hike amidst the mountains of Guatavita and Sesquilé, ascending onto the sacred lake of Guatavita. Once in the place we joined on a guided walk at this sacred site. This is the most popular of all sacred sites related to this pre-Colombian culture because this is where the legendary rite of El Dorado really took place. In that time, the newly named Cacique would cover his body in gold dust to then plunge into the dark waters of Laguna de Guatavita at the same time as gold figures and other objects were thrown into the lake as an offering to the gods. After this magical tour immersed in the story of El Dorado we returned to our hotel. Because of the weater conditions we decided to skip the ride and move by car to Zipaquirá, hometown of 2019 tour de France champion Egan Bernal and visit the incredible Salt Cathedral, an underground Roman Catholic church built within the tunnels of a salt mine, considered one of the most notable achievements of Colombian architecture. After a nice dinner in town, time to load the tank for next day adventure!
Day 3. Riding to Villa de Leyva
After a short transfer in the morning we ride to the beautiful and colonial town of Villa de Leyva. Our ride started next to Fuquene lagoon, our first stop on the way in Chiquinquirá, a big town with and impressive central plaza church, we enjoyed a coffee at town and keep riding, from this point descending and the landscape around us changing from the green rolling hills to a dryer orange color in the mountains. Our next stop the twon of Villa de Leyva were the major was waiting for us to take us around the town and taste some of the local cuisine in the central plaza which is also the largest stone plaza in latin America and is part of the Colombian architecture heritage! At the afternoon we taste also some of the local beers and enjoy again several stories about culture, history and for sure cycling! For tonight we choose a nice hotel managed by an ex-cyclist and professional chef! Who made us a superb dinner at night perfect to recover our energies.
Day 4. Combita in the land of Nairo Quintana
In these mountains many professional riders have been forged. Nairo Quintana, one of the best uphillers in the world trained and raced on these roads; it would be such an honor to ride on the same paths that this genuine “escarabajo colombiano” (cycling scarab). After breakfast, we were transferred by car to the area of Iguaque, a short ride amidst these mountains took us to Arcabuco and we visited Nairo´s Quintana childhood school and even we talked with one of his teachers back in those days! After this unexpected meeting we start to ride uphill on the way to Combita on the same road where Nairo´s first race ever took place! We climbed alto del Sote to finallt reach Nairo´s childhood house a coffee at the place with cheese balls and a stop on the way for a nice lunch at Aminta café in Tunja, the capital city.
Day 5. Last day in Colombia
On our last morning we leave our bikes behind to assist Matt Rendell´s books launch! Colombia es passion, he wrote many good stories on this book and we were very fortunate to share with him this moment, after snacks at place we say good bye to our new friends. We are hoping to see them again cycling around our country!
Thanks to all our sponsors during this trip!
Casa Manoa, a beautiful boutique hotel in Sesquilé, Aminta Café at Tunja for a nice place and attention during our last lunch at the field, Hotel Chef Ricardo in Villa de Leyva and its wonderful cuisine, the Major office at Villa de Leyva, El Capo cycling coffee at Zipaquirá for its wonderful cappuccino, , Hotel Movich Chico 97 in Bogotá and MR Boutique at Zipaquirá and last but not least Procolombia for this great opportunity.
