Road to Machu Picchu – Day 3 – Chincheros to Cusco

I started the day in full rain gear, there were dark clouds off in the distance and I was not going to get caught this time. As I climbed further into the mountains sure enough the rain started. The road was a mess and the rain meant that the road was turning to mud. It was a difficult road to navigate, narrow, a cliff to my left and many potholes. I rode in and out of the rain. When the rain stopped the views were amazing, but few places to stop for photos.

The rain started hard again and turned the road completely to mud. Then came my first accident. Staying away from the cliff and to the inside meant no fear of falling to my death, but this is also where the mud was the thickest. I started to lose control and slipped right off the road and  right into the embankment. Fortunately no damage and I was able to pull the bike straight and drive it back onto the road way. My fall was at low speed so no damage to me either.

About 30 minutes later came my second accident. This road I was on is fairly well travelled at times, minivans, cars, delivery trucks and 18 wheelers. As I approached a bling corner around came an 18 wheeler at a high speed. He did not slow down. I risked getting hit by his trailer and had to move closer to the ditch. The bikes back tire hit loos mud and knocked me down just as the trailer was passing. The bikes rear tire was deep in mud that I could not move it myself. Luckily for me some people came buy quickly and helped my tow the bike out of the ditch. There was some damage to my side boxes, which should be able to be fixed easily. I hit the ground hard on this one and was sore for most of the day.

I looked at my watch and it was only 12:30, still had not had lunch yet.

The rain finally stopped and after an hour I reached pavement. It was smooth riding the rest of the way to Cusco. I am going to take today to rest, arrange for a tour of Machu Picchu and find someone to help with the repairs to the side boxes (I might need to strengthen them).

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6 Responses to Road to Machu Picchu – Day 3 – Chincheros to Cusco

  1. Jane Rose says:

    Yes, Save Yourself is a good motto when an 18 wheeler is headed in your direction at speed, etc. Your morning was packed with…. um…. adventure and harrowing riding. However, people always are around to come to your aid, so that has worked out. We wondered how many miles or kms you get per tank and how far spread are gas stations. The countryside looks so desolate, but stunningly beautiful. Thanks for having the presence of mind to take the photos – keep them coming! The magnificence of the mountains …. don’t know if I’d understand without the pix.

  2. Hilton says:

    Brings back memories of the Dalton and the Dempster. (shudder) Mud is the same all over the world. Stay safe and keep the pics coming.

  3. Pete Chester says:

    Hi Greg. Crashing suchs for sure. Your tires are not the best for mud like that, but mud can make even knobby tires slide. On your left case was it the case rack that broke or bent or was it the case attaching points that failed?

    • greg says:

      The cases just bent, all is ok now as they are easy to bend back in shape, but I now have a “left” and “right” lid, supposed to be interchangeable.

  4. Cycle Heart says:

    Nice weblog here! Also your web site so much up fast! What host are you the use of? Can I am getting your associate hyperlink to your host? I want my site loaded up as fast as yours lol

  5. paul says:

    that varadero is holding up well, take care of the bike and it will take care of you

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