We started out in good time this morning. We knew we had a huge hill coming out of Playa del Carmen and so we wanted to get that done before the heat of the day set in. We were on the road by 7.00 and happy to be getting moving.
I know everything sounds so exciting and adventurous but there is a lot of down time, well for us there is, and planning. We scour google for accommodations along the way then Bob looks for booking.com or Airbnb to see if there are availability. Then we look at routes.
our first run through is with Komoot.com which shows us the route and the profile. Lately,however we’ve been getting not very good redirections and Komoot takes us through some VERY STEEP and undesirable trails, and pathways. So after we look at Komoot we check the Waze, an app for road travel. It takes drivers through the best way and shows if there is traffic and is updated in real time. By using Waze we found out that there were no bridges along one route.
Then we check in with iOverlander. This is another app that “overlanders” use to update the road conditions. We added the depth of the River and the best places to refill with water for people who are travelling light. It also has wild camping areas if people are so inclined to do that sort of thing.
Once we have all our info then we decide our route and make a plan.
We have been, lately following the main road to avoid river crossings and steep terrain.
our first hill climb of the morning was 240m climb from the beach town of Carmen. Apparently, so we’ve been told they first go power in the mid 1990’s and it shows. The once sleepy town is positively BOOMING.
Playa Carmen
Main Street Playa Carmen
Bob heading into town with Mati to the bike shop. Notice ski goggles and flip flops.
On our “rest”day we went down town in the early afternoon to get our bikes repaired.(Bob had to repackage the bearings) and the downtown street was a construction zone.
But
they keep the traffic moving through the construction.
There was a woman with a stop/go paddle, think ping pong paddle with green on one side and red on the other. She was fanning herself with it while we waited. She pointed at us and told us to go. So we did. We were in the right hand of centre and there was on coming traffic. Thee was a compaction roller in front of us so we pulled out to pass the roller, remember we are on bikes here, and an 18 wheeler loaded with piping comes over the hill towards us so,
we served in behind the roller which started beep…beep…beeping and reversing.
so,
we served again and we passed between an oncoming semi truck and a reversing compaction roller.
just as we passed the roller, an iguana ran out in front of us across the street.
we got our parts and our bikes are maintained after the beach ride and the river crossings.
Heading out
it was hot, so we decided on An early start. It was steep and there was traffic. Of all kinds. Including construction trucks, cement mixer trucks, four wheelers and surfer dudes.
we pushed up, up, up and pulled off the road every so often so
a) I could catch my breath,
b) to hydrate, and
c) let the trail of cars pass.
Còbano
we finished our uphill ordeal and continued on. We landed in Cobano just in time for coffee and a snack at peaceful cafe.
after cycling in traffic for a couple of hours we wanted some air conditioning and a quiet cup of coffee. The noise of the traffic and the speed of the motorcycles is quite astounding. Sometimes it’s a bit frightening when the motorbikes pull out to pass an oncoming truck coming toward you and the motorbike comes really close.
It was lovely.
you are pretty much caught up now.
tomorrow we head to Paquera and then taking the ferry to the mainland