In 2014, I went on a mountain biking trip across Peru. My mind still races when I think of flying down Olleros, the longest downhill mountain bike trail in the world, from over 11,000 feet up in the Andes to sea level on the shore of the Pacific ocean. In some parts, particularly the beginning, there is no trail. You simply pick a line, go, and hang on for dear life. I lost my brakes about halfway down the first descent. Fortunately, the ridge line I was traveling down was soft sand and I was able to fishtail the bike to slow things before I laid it down. Even more fortunately, I had a guide who was willing to take the brake-less bike down the rest of the way and let me ride his bike down. I’m still not quite sure how he did it, but he certainly earned his tip on this trip.
There were many other breathtaking (literally) rides. A ride through the Patacancha Valley, descending from 14,000 feet (bring your oxygen tank!). Rides around Cusco and the Sacred Valley. Traveling through the rural areas of Peru is like a trip back in time. Part way down the Patacancha Valley, riding on old Inca foot trails, we ran into an elderly woman in full traditional dress carrying a large amount of cargo in a basket on her head. Some children waited trailside with a bunch of handmade alpaca wool items for sale. I bought a beautiful alpaca scarf and took a photo with them. Few places grab your mind and heart the way the backcountry of Peru does.
