The next day we managed to jump on the Toll road without being stopped but had three punctures instead. Hmmmm. The road takes you past the FOX studio where they filmed Pirates of the Caribbean. Once in Ensenada we headed directly to LA CASA DEL CICLISTA where we were greeted by the lovely Delia, her husband and Canica their dog with big ears. Thanks to the amazing generosity of Gerardo Medina, we spent an addition night in Ensenada catching up on sleep and having some much needed time to ourselves.
Leaving the comforts and familiarity of Ensenada, we once again hit the road substituting the urban sprawl and traffic for the mountains and hard climbs. Just a quick question, why do they paint the tree stumps white? In the Town El Rosario we were shocked to meet two fellow touring cyclists, Alisha and Meaghan, who started their journey in Canada. We really though we were the only ones out here. Our cheerful and upbeat evening was to be equally matched by a lousy sleep due to cock – a – doodle - doing all night long. Cycling with the two sisters has been really nice, plus the terrain has becomes less polluted and more scenic. This large desert portion is filled with big rocks, cacti everywhere and large birds soaring high above.
In Chapala we happened to strike up a conversation with Huan Jose who gave us some fanstastic information about what lay ahead (not much), where to go and who to approach for possible accommodations. Taking this advice on board we, all four of us now, battled the intense super duper wind and rain and headed to a prospector by the name of Umberto. Needless to say, he was very surprised and very happy to meet us. Due to a couple of tough cycling days in a row, full bellies from a mega feast and the comforts of a caravan, we all slept like babies.
It has to be said, that the people we have encountered in Mexico have been so welcoming, patient with our fragmented Spanish, incredibly friendly and seem to love stickers a lot. We have probably received more honks, waves and thumbs up from people, than the rest of our trip combined. Maybe it has something to do with the santa hats?
What have we seen on the side of the road?
= Tons of dead dogs with their guts spilling out.
= Thousands of tires, aswell as in the cactus plants.
= One full bottle of Windex and a bottle of dish soap.
= Several car windshields.
= One Hacksaw Jim Duggin 2x4.
= A lot of rubbish in general - particularly plastic drink containers.
= A guy that has been sitting on a rock in Catavina for three years waiting for his royalty payments for: inventing the hula hoop; frisbee; writing the song "you're nothing but a hound dog" and being the little boy on the old movie Tarzan.
Crib Score
Roland 64
Belinda 44