Ruta de las Cascadas bike trip

Weather looks good, so after breakfast I meet Patrick and two Germans, Philip and Jonathan. They are all planning to climb Cotopaxi in a few days. We rent the bikes ($5) and head down the road. The route is mostly down hill for 69 kilometers. We plan to do about 19 and catch a bus or truck back up the hill. As we go by the hydro plant, we get our first dose of moisture, but it is artificial so all is good, so far.

We have to ride through the first tunnel, with no shoulder, trucks and buses passing... Then we get to the first attraction:

$10 to zip across the gorge and over the two waterfalls and $15 for both directions or take a cable car back.

I was the first to go, as Patrick watched the setup, commenting "Oh man, that is all that holds you up? I don't know if I can do this...that is really sketchy" But it was awesome and not as scary as it looked. I only have pics of the other guys.

and the cable car ride back

 Back on the route and waterfalls everywhere, each with a zip or a cable care opportunity, but the first was the best. However, one was over a kilometer long zip line.

Some other bikers had a flat and the pumps they were given did not work. Fortunately ours did. But now it was pouring rain. We wait it out a bit and keep at it.

Another zip opportunity at Bridal Veil Falls. This used to be one waterfall until a landslide split it in two recently. Here is another one...

 and a valley shot

 The Devil's Cauldron is a hike opportunity with rickety walking bridges you can pay for to get close to the falls.

 But the rain was becoming a deluge and at about kilometer 18.5 we huddled at a bus stop and flagged the first camionetta to come by. No charge for the ride back to Banos. I think my shoes will never dry out.

Went to a bar to see the Brazil vs Germany game. Nobody around here wanted Germany except my biking buddies (and I don't know where they went), so the mood was rather somber.