I don't know...

 I really don't know how I could enjoy myself more on a bicycle. This last stint of cycling has really just been so eptastic amazing... Its silly.
    I'm kicking the pedals and tackling passes these days with Cass Gilbert. Never before have I ridden with someone so experienced and like minded in the ways of knobby tired travel. We have gotten into some beautiful, ungringified out-thereness! The kind of bike touring that has you bug eyed, grinning from ear to ear and sleeping well at night from the effort.

An unloaded day ride out of Huaraz. 

The crew of traveling cyclist at Joe's Place in Huaraz. This was my send off photo. I left a day before Cass (back row in green) He caught up to me the next day farther South.

A cold persistent rain had us duck into these first class abandon digs for the night.

The next morning loomed bright a sunny!

A very friendly and optimistic woman in Ticllos told us there was a route through to Llaclla. It started out nice and easy.

but soon got a bit trickier

Eventually we wound our way down through the brush. 

After Llaclla, we bumped into this obstacle. A bit swifter than we wanted to carry bikes through.

The next morning we were so nicely guided...

down this trail

To this bridge.

On the other side. We did a little of this...

...

and bit more this

...And rest. Yes, that's my left pedal strapped to the bike. I didn't need it for a while.

Our little lunch pal in Gregorio

We escaped that cauldron of fire and descended the road on the far canyon wall  

Ol' buddy has seen a better day

Two Surlys in the village of Mangas

Why stay to the roads when you don't have too?

Power food for the monster climbs!

Abandon mine on the way to Oyon

Like I said... Just silly!

When darkness catches you on a long climb, sometimes its best to just see what morning brings.

Our last few day have left us grinning like this, most the time.

  We are following roughly (except for our own single track long cuts) a route laid down by the Pikes. Who are just ahead of us, also swooping and grinding these gorgeous Peruvian highlands.