Cycling The Globe

A Cycle Touring Expedition Around The World

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Day 1554, Quito – Cayambe: Crossing Equator!

Posted by Thomas Andersen Posted on Jan - 08 - 2015

Distance: 93.22 km
Ride time: 6.17.19
Average: 14.82 km/h
Max speed: 52.18 km/h
Total: 32331 km

The rest day in Quito had been nice and needed, but something inside me wanted to go to Colombia. I was on the bike early once again. Leaving Quito is a good example that such a thing as a flat road doesn’t exist in these parts. I left the capital at 2800 m, rolled all the way down to 1900, then straight up again. I guess I’m riding myself into the best shape of my life…

The one and only goal for today was to reach equator! It was back in 2011 that I last crossed the equator on a boat between two Indonesian islands – almost can’t believe I have spent 3 years in the southern hemisphere. Now I was about to come back where everything is more normal; where winter is actually winter, and summer is actually summer.

At the end of the day I reached the Middle Earth monument near Cayambe. I had a big smile on my face as I went around to take a few photos.

Despite having already cycled more than 90 mountainous kilometers I managed a respectable jump. Yes, I was happy!!

After the photo shoot I was riding the last 5 kilometers into Cayambe. Not unsurprisingly the road was still climbing, but I was standing up in the pedals going full speed. Having crossed that magic line certainly gave a lot of extra energy. What a way to finish the day!

Categories: Ecuador
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6 Responses so far.

  1. Stefan DL1ELY says:

    Welcome back on the dark side. We have cookies! 3 years on the southern side? Incredible.

    As usual, the german text on the sign is translated badly and the capital K in the middle of the word is wrong, but hey, there is a german text ;-).

    vy 73 de Stefan

  2. Danke Stefan! Well, yes at least there is a German text. I will have to look a long time to find a Danish text in such a place 🙂

  3. Robert Tailleur says:

    Hi Stefan & Thomas.
    The french text is not better, kind of google translation. The main thing is that Thomas is in great shape and have a great time. Ride safely.

    Ruth & Robert

  4. Yes, español is the language that rules down here, and nothing else 🙂 The grammar on that sign might lack a few twists, but the meaning is nice enough though…

  5. Tony Graham says:

    Thomas, how dare you, suggesting the Southern Hemisphere is not normal 😉

    I am getting ready for my next little ride soon myself: https://www.flickr.com/photos/nztony/15668592234/

    When I did my Auckland to Wellington ride last year, knowing I was riding at the sametime you were riding felt pretty cool, so I’ll be doing that again soon – I’ll tweet you “from the road”

  6. Haha, you are right Tony – I guess it depends on your perspective, although celebrating Xmas in T-shirt and shorts will never feel right to me 🙂 Love your setup with the yellow colors. Looking forward to follow your ride!