This is a catch-up post because, riding from Taraza to Yarumal, I hit a rough stretch of potholes, and my phone flew off the holder and mashed on the highway. Goodbye, phone. So, I had a few days where I was out of touch with the world. $400 repair bill later, I am back on the internet. 

The day to Yarumal was 118k and 3250 m. It was a long day, and to make matters worse, google took me to a road under construction and about 30% grade. You could not ride because of construction, so you had to push your bike up the hill. It was challenging, even in walking mode, as my heart rate soared. 

The first 40k was flat, then a long, long climb of 60k, with most around 6 to 8% but a few times into double digits. We climbed up and through the cloud layer, where visibility dropped to zero meters. I stopped and waited for the clouds to clear before continuing the journey. Of course, the temperature dropped and forced me to wear my jacket. 

On my right, for 30 or so kilometers, some small waterfalls and PVC pipes were coming down the mountain. I assume to prevent mudslides. The locals used the water to wash trucks and for their homes. There was plenty of water pressure. 

After 11 hours on the road and finding we had no reservation at the hotel where we ended up, we got to the correct hotel, and they had the electric water heater on the shower head where I could get my first hot shower in 7 days. What a treat.