Monday, December 19, 2011

A catch up blog from Nov. 22nd

Total miles since Bellingham 4717
Miles today 88.5

Left our plush digs in Huehue after a noisy night of attempted sleep. Once again Jim proved to be the master navigator and led us out of town without a hitch. Amazing in that he seemed to completely ignore the directions two people gave us.
Passing the scene of yesterday road block Jimi raised his fist into the air we are back on the road, yeah! Some of the bus drivers from the blockade recognized us giving us a wave and a blast from their horn.
We are back in the high country again today, beautiful sweeping vista's, high peaks in the distance, pine forest and the steepest hillside farming I've ever seen. Not sure of the crops other than corn yet it's all hand worked.



The first half of today's ride was 4 lane divided highway, CA 1, beautiful smooth pavement minimal traffic, temps in the 60's, great riding.
We made the turn to Lake Atitlan and we're back to a two lane road with varying surface conditions, challenges abounding.



After the above view point the road deteriorated, the turns got even tighter and we started to drop down, way down, towards the lake. About a quarter way down my rear brake quit working as I found out in the middle of turn in a sandy part of the road, crap. First gear and feathering the front brake got me through. Thinking of everything that could be wrong and all the fixes I would need to make occupied my mind for the next couple of miles. We stopped in small town to get our bearings and I gave my rear brake a quick once over. No obvious problems and I had brakes again. Jim later explained that as the rear brake fluid gets hot it thins and you lose braking. Now I know.
Arrive in San Pedro on Lake Atitlan, cruised town and found a place for the night.
All the bikes are running great. Altitude is effecting Max's and mine a touch, but nothing major. Today's high point 8000 some feet.
Time for a shower and food.
Dinner at the Budda Bar, great place, so so food, lots of English being spoken with various accents including Milwaukeezee. Packer Fans are everywhere. Felt right at home.
RMUTF-MF


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Huehuetenango to San Pedro, Guatemala

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