We're off to Cali!

Eager to ride and make up some lost time, we left Bogotá at 5:30am headed for Cali. It was a grueling 11 hour day -- but who's complaining? Not us! Yes, it was a tough day but we're glad to be rolling. The traffic leaving Bogotá was horrendous. Over 30 minutes to claw out our first 5km. The traffic never seemed to let up until we reach the top of the summit at La Línea cresting at 3265m (10,711 ft)! You'll get to see it in the next video published this weekend.

We got a little bit of everything thrown at us on the first day - cold (well, 47F), hot (again, 88F, but humid), sun and rain. We had some snacks along the way but no breakfast or lunch. The total distance was barely 430km (270 miles) but it took us all of 11 hours! I wish I could capture the various ways people transport things on their little motorcycles - dogs, cats, children, propane tanks - you name it.

I should mention way up high in the mountains were groves (field, plantations - I don't know what to call them) of banana trees. You could literally see the bananas on the trees from the road. Sorry, I didn't stop to take a picture, we had to make Cali before dark.