CHAQUIÑAN PART 2

I had been wanting to do the Chaquiñan bike route again on January 1st, but didnt get around to it. So I made it my mission to do so in the first months of the year. The Carnaval holiday was finally upon us and my wife and kid went to visit the inlaws in Ambato and I stayed behind. On saturday while most of the city was recuperating from a hangover I made my way back to Cumbaya to tackle the entire Chaquiñan. If you recall on my first try I made it about 10 km down and back for a total of 20km. But this day I wanted to do it all. All 40 kms!

I began the journey in Cumbaya and Im sure I am in better shape since I didnt get so winded this time around. I made it to the 10 km mark and just kept going I wanted to end up in Puembo for I had heard about some really cool tunnels there. I figured out that the best part of the chaquiñan was just a little further from where I turned around last time. The rest of the way to Puembo is beautiful, you get to see some great sites, you goi all the way down to the river Chiche and then come back up (tough).

Check out this pic of the valley behind me:

view of the valley from atop a small hill on the side of the bike route.

I kept going, seeing the km. marks go by, 12, 14, 18,

Then I finally made it to the tunnel entrance: 

The Wulckow Tunnel. entrance. Awesome!

So, I finally made it to the Wulckow Tunnels, decided to take a pic of them and didnt see the biker coming through fast, luckily he dodged by bike and it was all A.Ok.

This was so cool to see and just take in. It feels old and vintage, you can feel the fact that trains went through here. Inside its pitch black, worse with the bright sun blazing outside and screwing up your eyes. I let my dad know that I went through here and he reminisced on the trips he took from Quito to San Lorenzo on the train. Said that it was pretty cool going through these tunnels. Good memories 

Once inside you feel a cold breeze and a sense of travelling back in time: 

I parked my bike inside next to a #37 sign. You see some light here since there are openings with small balconies coming out of the tunnel. Very cool. 

So there you have it guys, finally finished the route, made it to Puembo, was able to get back and cross the tunnels at lightning speed. For a bit there I forgot to take my sunglasses off and was really zooming through the tunnels blind. Too cool too cool. 

The way back was tough, the sun was blazing and I was sweating non-stop. Excellent exercise, and just a feeling of accomplishment I cant explain. 

Will go back really soon !!!