The Guatemalan Highlands

Crossing into Guatemala

(Photos from Day 1 arrival to Highland climb)

Yesterday, Greg and Pat accomplished a first on the trip.  They climbed more than 7000 vertical feet in one day of riding.  We left Hotel Virginia outside of Coatepeque at 8:45am.  The first 20 miles flew by in a blur of green sugar cane and banana farms.  Even as I trailed them in the SUV I sensed the speeds they were attaining in the long gradual 1000 foot downhill.  It was enjoyable.  By 11am we were at the fork in the road to Quetzaltenango.  To our left (east) the mountain ranges and volcanos of Guatemala beckoned.  To the right (south/southwest) the easy costal plains to Guatemala City.  We've planned the ride through Guatemala to avoid the smog and traffic congestion of the capital city.  We changed a flat tire on Greg's bike that had been punctured with what appeared to be a piece of a stray staple.  By 11:22 the climb began.  All was well at the outset.  No rain, nothing but sun and beautiful vistas all around.  We entered the coffee cultivation altitude somewhere around 3000 feet and continued to enjoy good weather.  Around 1pm we passed an accident site.  The crash had just taken place within the last 45 minutes.  A car, flying around a turn in a downhill busted through a guard rail and flew off the edge of a cliff.  The car was lodged in some trees suspended in the air but the driver and passenger weren't so fortunate.  I would say that they weren't lucky but luck has nothing to do with it.  They weren't wearing seatbelts and flew through the windshield.  End of story.  This only reiterated why we feel so strongly about having the vehicle escort through the roads here in Guatemala.  Unfortunately, people tend to drive like maniacs.  I cannot think of a time I've visited Guatemala and haven't seen a automobile accident.  Yesterday was no exception. 

We enjoyed a fantastic lunch out of the cooler while dangling above a coffee plantation on a suspension bridge. 

That was when the rain started.  The cold too.  Two hours later and we are above 7000 feet enjoying "epic" views of cloud shrouded verdant mountains while cycling through tunnels and along highways hugging the mountainsides.  As I cruised along in the comfort of the chase vehicle I could not help but admire Pat and Greg's fitness.  After 74 days of cross country riding they made this intense climb look easy.  I'm not sure if I could have pulled off just 500 vertical feet on those 7 and 8% grade highways. 

We pulled into Quetzaltenango at 4pm and found a hotel on the central plaza of a place that feels more like southern Spain than highland Guatemala.  A cool spot that we'll barely be able to explore.  Today it's on through the mountains to Chichicastenango.

Hope to have another reliable connection in Chichi but not sure when we will arrive.  It's 8:40am and they guys are still sleeping.  Yesterday really wore them out.

Dave