Friday 9/5/08 Ayacucho, Peru
I want to send a HUGE thank you to my sponsors!! When my parents met me in Lima, they brought a few supplies from the U.S. that different sponsors had sent me. Thank you!!!
Big Agnes, the Colorado-based company that makes my tent, sent me a new tent pole free of charge. Their customer service is exceptional (thank you for your help Chris!), their email responses come quickly, and they make high-quality products. Thank you Big Agnes!
Once again, Herb at REI’s Marlton store has saved me. He sent a box of bike supplies down with my parents that helped me spruce the bike up like new. This is the second box of bike stuff that Herb has helped me with (I picked up the first box in Costa Rica). Without people like him helping me out and supporting me back in the states, this trip would be 10 times harder. Herb, thank you! REI Marlton, thank you!
Copper Bottom Sales, a new outdoor supply company based out of New Jersey, sent me a compass and agreed to help me out in the future with clothes, should I need them. Joe Rand, the company’s founder, supports climb-for-charity events and is an avid climber. If you are an outdoor retailer looking to purchase gear from a grass roots company, check them out. Thank you Copper Bottom Sales!
*****
After four long days on the bike, I am now in Ayacucho, Peru. The roads between Huancayo and Cusco are mostly dirt and will take me over a few 4,000+ meter passes (and down into a few 2,000 meter valleys as well). I have been off the bike now for seven weeks and my legs and butt are definitely out of shape. Although I know that the next week of riding will be some of the hardest on my trip, I’m hoping my body will quickly adjust to the bumpy roads and hard cycling routine.
I’m trying to upload almost all of my pictures from my parent’s visit today. Obviously, though, I won’t post the majority of them to this site because it’s too time consuming. To view all of my pictures, just click the Flickr strip of pictures to the right of this post.
Again, thank you to the various people and companies who have sponsored me on this trip so far. Your support not only helps me materially, but you give me a big boost in morale as well. Thank you!
