I noticed that my Sigma speedo meter was not working, so I tried several bike shops and watch fixing places with no result. Had a quick wander to the local market where I have tried something sounding like Yava with the usual extras (rice and beans ) and chilli pickles. It was recommended by a local guy sitting next to me. First thing in Costa Rica that has not busted the budget! 700 local with giant coffee (1.5 euro). Needed something more substantial after climbing “Everest “ the day before.
I had only 47kms to accomplish today, so I was taking it easy. The spider sanctuary turned out to be for large groups only (or sod off you poor looking cyclist I cant be bothered with just one person) so I carried on. The crossing over the ridge was more difficult than La Farola (pass to Baracoa) in Cuba. Not an easy place to cycle this Costa Rica. Mountains and rain its not my favourite but it’s amazingly beautiful.
Last 5 km was a deadly downhill in wet conditions (close to sauna temperature) following beautiful humongous American truck with horrible engine noise. Got a bit of turbulence breaking close to town again but managed to improvise ABS system on the rear wheel and it did actually work.
Siquirres is a funny little town with ta rain station (out of order due to an earthquake), a big football pitch and a church in the middle of it all (the town, not the football pitch! Ed.) There were a few old colonial buildings and lots of friendly locals. The rain was pouring crazy every so often and there was a really heavy close feeling (Sauna-like).
The history of this place was interesting - until 1949 the black part of the population were not allowed past this town to the west or north so even the train drivers had to be swapped for Spaniards.
The revolution changed it all but the majority off the blacks remained in this part of the country, hence more problems due to higher poverty levels and Jamaican, African, Chinese and Italian work force when the Costa Rican railways where built .
Found one of not many hotels in town (scabby) for 10 us dollars hmmmmmmm Better safe then sorry.
Far too wet to even think about using the useless children’s garden tent.
I had been warned already to really be careful in Puerto Limon (my next stop), by a random person in town, so I am considering a detour to the little place called Parismina
(…)
Well, just came back from an unsuccessful trip around the town in search for wi-fi. The town is completely flooded with water and it does not want to stop raining. In Europe this flooding would be considered as a national disaster, but here everything seems to be as normal and they have great tips how to avoid getting drenched or quickly drying your umbrellas. Taxis are busy too. They usually have a depot full of them in every town. The depot here is empty.
I had only 47kms to accomplish today, so I was taking it easy. The spider sanctuary turned out to be for large groups only (or sod off you poor looking cyclist I cant be bothered with just one person) so I carried on. The crossing over the ridge was more difficult than La Farola (pass to Baracoa) in Cuba. Not an easy place to cycle this Costa Rica. Mountains and rain its not my favourite but it’s amazingly beautiful.
Last 5 km was a deadly downhill in wet conditions (close to sauna temperature) following beautiful humongous American truck with horrible engine noise. Got a bit of turbulence breaking close to town again but managed to improvise ABS system on the rear wheel and it did actually work.
Siquirres is a funny little town with ta rain station (out of order due to an earthquake), a big football pitch and a church in the middle of it all (the town, not the football pitch! Ed.) There were a few old colonial buildings and lots of friendly locals. The rain was pouring crazy every so often and there was a really heavy close feeling (Sauna-like).
The history of this place was interesting - until 1949 the black part of the population were not allowed past this town to the west or north so even the train drivers had to be swapped for Spaniards.
The revolution changed it all but the majority off the blacks remained in this part of the country, hence more problems due to higher poverty levels and Jamaican, African, Chinese and Italian work force when the Costa Rican railways where built .
Found one of not many hotels in town (scabby) for 10 us dollars hmmmmmmm Better safe then sorry.
Far too wet to even think about using the useless children’s garden tent.
I had been warned already to really be careful in Puerto Limon (my next stop), by a random person in town, so I am considering a detour to the little place called Parismina
(…)
Well, just came back from an unsuccessful trip around the town in search for wi-fi. The town is completely flooded with water and it does not want to stop raining. In Europe this flooding would be considered as a national disaster, but here everything seems to be as normal and they have great tips how to avoid getting drenched or quickly drying your umbrellas. Taxis are busy too. They usually have a depot full of them in every town. The depot here is empty.