February 6, 2020
Barranquilla
Very busy, work a day town. Got warned several times about being robbed while ridding into town. Oh, yea there was the process of getting into town. It has been very hot and I knew I had a long ride so I told my hostess I needed breakfast at 6 am. She said she would prepare a couple of sandwiches and some juice for the morning. When I got up, I went into the kitchen to make my coffee and get the sandwiches. Took them out of the refrigerator and put them on the counter. Went about making my coffee. Went back to my bedroom and when I returned, she was up and had put my sandwiches on the grill. She was fascinated that I had all my coffee fixings and watched me carefully as I used my French Press.
After breakfast I quickly loaded up and left. It
was already almost 7. It would get hot around 9 and I had
almost 80 km to go today. A long crossing of a land bridge
across lagoon with no services, was most of the day. As I
entered the road I noticed that my speed was up around 24 km.
Wow, I was hoping for a tailwind but this was way more. I
was up in my big gears and just flying. I had forgotten that
I had such gears. From my first day of pedaling in Colombia I
have not used these gears. Almost always I have been pedaling
in the only gears I thought I had brought, the small ones used
when things point up steeply. See, even when it is flat, I
get to talk about hills.
All day dead flat, wide shoulder and a tail
wind, YES! Well, I should say all morning, because that was
all it took before I saw the bridge across the bay and the end
to pleasure.
The bridge had a very nice bike lane next to a
wide sidewalk. All the way for the 2 or so km. Sure, a
climb, but nothing, really. Then down following the bike
lane. Then, Then, or no Then!
The bike lane ended in construction. I mean ended. Nowhere to go, just trucks and cranes and half-built bridges and part built roads, everywhere. I asked the construction works, “what the heck?”
They discussed how I could get to El Centro. An
argument ensued. I should go back and use another road. No, I
should go across the dirt hills and find the road on the other
side. No, I should find a way to the other bike lane. What
other bike lane? The one on the other side of the six-lane
highway running alongside where we were standing. The one
with the 4-foot wall and another 4 foot wall in the medium
strip. Right, that was an option.
When you are traveling by bicycle surprise is
always an option. Did I say option? Well, maybe an
opportunity. After a while I noticed a dirt path that seem to
go in the right direction and thanking them rode off. Soon I
came to another very nice bike lane. Ok, this is it until I
get into to town.
But opportunity had more in store. There in
front of me was a large hole. I mean 50 feet across and maybe
400 feet long. Now I want you to think about this. A
brand-new sidewalk, road and bike lane, paint almost still wet
and they are digging it up!
I have been riding next to the 4-foot wall and
the super highway for a little while. I stop again and ask
more construction workers where can I go? I do see a dirt path
leading to a neighborhood street and ask about it. NO, very
dangerous! Many robbers, they will stab you and take
everything. The first workers had warned me as well. Maybe?
Ok, what do we do?
I look down the expressway and saw that it ended and became a big street. What about me using the highway? No, the police will arrest you. I thought, no they will not. How can I get my bike over the wall? I cannot take off the bags and then put them back on, on the fast road. I grabbed the bike and walked toward the wall. The workers followed and when we got to the wall three or four of them took the bike and lifted it over the wall, handing it to a couple of others who had climbed over. I then asked for a photo which as you can see were very enthusiastic about. I rode off knowing I had a good story.
Stopping at a gas station for a cold drink I was
warned again about robbers. Wow, this town must be bad.
Tonight, walking around I saw this was a busy
place, but I did not feel unsafe. Will see tomorrow, but I do
wonder why so many workers feel their town is so dangerous.