My name is Ann Gregson and with my husband Steve we have started a big adventure in Colombia. For two weeks we will be travelling across the country by bicycle, from the border with Venezuela in the north, to the border with Ecuador in the South. During this incredible trip we are trying to find the source of the Magdalena river, an area very difficult to reach because of treacherous country lanes in the mountains.
I have very kindly pledged any sponsorship money to Friends of Colombia for Social Aid.
Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Friends of Colombia for Social Aid gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.
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A few notes from Colombia:
The big hurdle, how to get our bicycles to Colombia during a Bicycle air travel embargo, was in the end overcome by splitting them down to a bare frame without forks ( disguised as a jig-saw puzzle ) and the wheels and all the other parts in a separate cardboard box. Check-in desks at Heathrow, Newark and Bogota did not blink an eye.
Had we forgotten how welcoming, kind-hearted and lively were the people of Colombia?
A taxi to a Bogota hotel at mid-night and the naxt day, a coffee and lunch with our cycling friend Padre Rozo to celebrate his 80th birthday and then meet our friend from Southend Spanish Circle to fly together to Bucaramanga for what remained of Christmas and then New Year. Boxing Day was un-Boxing DAy and the puzzle that that was 2 bicycles re-built in a day with a beautiful lunch of Yuka, papaya and deliscious mondongo( tripe ) at the home of Ann's friend from our days in the Rio Magdalena hot oil town . Invited to the highland area outside Bucaramaga, time was spent at a beautiful old finca with antique furniture , lovely food and still-life paintings of the owner. The Angaritas , Melba Abril and Padre Rozo had all been a big help with arrangements.
Bicycles OK so off we go over the Andes to BarrancaBermeja where we lived and raced from 1977 to 1979. A long hot day with lots of climbing but what excitement when we arrive, Henry of Henry's cam running when he saw Ann, a lot greyer than when he was our club chairman! Great to see all the old cyclists who all get to know on the grapevine, turnng up at the hotel or at various bike shopsetc. Back over the Andes for New Year"s Eve and a lovely stylish family party with Ann's friend and family, me having to do the Rhumba for all the favours they had done for us! I believe the photos must be destroyed. An unforgettable ride home from the party at 1a.m. on lit streets with lots of Feliz Annos to the outdoor parties.
A package of 'spare' money etc left in the Barranca hotel, oh heck we realise this on the way back over the Andes- not to worry, a phone call and the package safe and sound with the receptionist.
On Jan 1st, it was an early start on quiet roads over the Andes again to meet the other 2 cyclists and travel to The Guajira to start long 14 days in the saddle¨:
To Codazzi, views to the north of the Sierra of Santa Martha- the snow covering reminding us of home.
To Curumani, 39C in the shade and 46C in the sun( that's us for 8 days.) Painfull feet .
To Aguachica, another simple hotel but airy, secure and clean with the important ventilator- dries our clothes in hours!
To Lizama, by now in the routine of awakened at 5 a.m., off at 6, a couple of hours cycling and then breakfast ( soup, eggs, coffee).
To Pto. Arauco, Lunch, a beer or maximum two, evenings quiet, write up diaries, have a stroll etcetc.
To Pto Boyaca. En-route Ann and I fall off in the rain outside barracks, attended to by military medics.
To Mariquita where we decide to abandon the rest day in view of the very hilly last days.
To Cajamarca, a long 97 miles and we arrive after dusk, tired but with half the 40 mile long La Linea climb conquered.
To LA Paila, completing the LA Linea climb up to 10000 feet and a chilly 9C at the top.
To Pto Tejada, Using the new road to by-pass Cali, we eventually look for somewhere to stay at the sugar cane town but we were beaten back by ( unmentionables ) and retreated to the outskirts of Cali.
To Popayan, what a beautiful old, historic centre, wish we had more time here but at least its the 3rd time we have been .
To El Bordo, lots of downhill but nice and hot. We thought we had a quiet hotel until theearly hours when we realised the spare ground was a lorry control park.
To El Tablon, not knowing about hotels between Popayan and PAsto we are pleased to find one every 15 miles or so but they are not the Ritz.
To Pasto, we are there, success and a celebration dinner. Still not more than 2 beers! Padre Rozo at 80 and Ann with a very bruised arm have done marvellously well to get there. We visit straight away the Hospital of the Infants Los Angels which has recieved X-Ray equipment and incubators which are shown to us by the Gerencia and medics.
The next part of the Colombia trip is to visit San Agustin and get as far as we can to the source of Rio Magdalena as we lived on the banks of the river from 1977 to 1979. It is in our hearts. Then ride back to Bogota via Neiva and following the Rio Magdalena as near as we can..
Ann is riding for www.friendsofcolombia.co.uk Check their website for an update or donation details. There should also be some photos appearing. She is cycling 1000 miles in their name.
Steve Gregson
'Manager, mechanic and pacer'.
