Distance: 111.9 km
Ride time: 5:12:59
Average: 21.5 km/h
Max speed: 56.9 km/h
Total: 35944 km
I was expecting another super hot day as I left Leon and headed inland. And heat was what I got. As usual I was surrounded by volcanoes. Today my view the right consisted of Volcan San Cristobal – a beautiful companion.
The road was rather flat and I was able to keep a good speed towards Somotillo, the last border town before reaching the border with Honduras.
Over a very local lunch I was discussing the border crossing with a truck driver. “Nicaragua is safe but Honduras is very dangerous” was his conclusion – a story I have heard before, these negative thoughts about neighbor countries. On the other hand, Honduras certainly wouldn’t make it to a Top 10 of the safest countries in the world. In fact I think they have the world record in homicides per inhabitants. I’m quite excited about what I will find over there when I cross the border tomorrow morning.
It was not only the wind that kept the speed up today. In the afternoon dark clouds were forming quickly, and I was trying to make it to Somotillo before the big show began. I made it just in time!
In Somotillo I found the only hotel in town and settled in for the night. At 8 pm I was getting hungry and had a quick look around town. Almost all the shops were closed and people seemed to have retreated indoor. I wonder if this is what Honduras will be like.
Looks like a cracker of a storm, that was brewing!
Hey Thomas,
Great blog, as always!
I was wondering what kind of maps you used, electronic or paper? Do you buy them from country to country as you go? What scale of maps do you use?
I’m planning on cycling from Geneva to Istanbul, and I’m wondering what kind of paper maps I should use.
Thanks for keeping us up to date with your travels!
Best of luck,
Jean
Hi Jean! Thanks, I’m happy that you like the blog. I’m only using Google Maps these days – from my mobile phone. Well, the phone can run out of battery, but it is really very simple to navigate the countries here in South America. Usually there is only one main road through the countries 🙂 In Europe it is more complicated. You can buy maps at almost any gas station that you pass on the way. Afterwards you can change them with cyclists coming in the other direction.
That’s an excellent idea with the maps exchange! Thank you 🙂