The strike affected more than the trains going to Machu Picchu. The protesters were blocking roads too. We still had 2 days of riding left in the Sacred Valley in our itinerary, but wouldn’t be able to access either of those rides during the strike due to road blockages… so our guide did some quick thinking and took us instead on an amazing DH trail (which is part of Big Mountain Bike Adventure’s DH Peru trip) called Mega Avalanche. We shuttled this trial twice, the first time stopping a lot to take photos, and the second time we ripped it!
road blocked from protesters
view of our shuttle road (at least it was paved this time!)
top of the Mega Avalanche Trail
Ready to drop into the Mega Avalanche Trail
Mega Avalanche Trail
Mega Avalanche Trail
Mega Avalanche Trail
Mega Avalanche Trail
More than just the roads were blocked….
Group shot! Running for the 10 second timer…
Mega Avalanche Trail
Riding back into town to find out shuttle van
the town of Ollantaytambo
loading up at the end of the day
our lodging in the Sacred Valley
our lodging in the Sacred Valley
our lodging in the Sacred Valley
our lodging in the Sacred Valley
our lodging in the Sacred Valley
After 5 days of riding, I was totally wiped. I needed a rest day. Unfortunately I’m the type of person that requires 8 hours of sleep each night, and if I get less than that for too many nights in a row, then I get sick (head cold, sore throat type stuff). I hadn’t had an 8 hour sleep since arriving in Peru (the schedule each day is jam packed!) so a couple of us took a day off to sleep, relax, and wander around Ollantaytambo. Here are some photos of the riding that I missed:
Patacancha Trail
Patacancha Trail
Patacancha Trail
Patacancha Trail
Patacancha Trail
Patacancha Trail
Finally it sounds like the strike is over and we are able to go see Machu Picchu tomorrow!
