38 kms. 1349 vertical meters. All day in the smallest gear, everage speed all over app. 7.5 km/hr. Beautiful scenery, although we did not see it before noon. We left at 07.00 hrs in the mist and light rain, temp. app. 20˚C. The change of climate that we hoped for has indeed become reality, but a bit overdone. Sometimes the view was less than 20 mtrs. At the first pass at alt.2008 we had a long stop with some drinks and food. That was at 12.00 hrs and the sun came through the clouds. In steep climbs we always make a short stop at every 100 altitude meters, just a few minutes for a sip of water and a little recuperation. App. 15 minutes intervals. We made another longer drink stop at a small dairy farm, reached the pass at alt. 2470 and a coup[le of hundred meters after that is a restaurant. I felt hollow and needed food. Because the discussion about what we would have was a bit diffuse, we got way too much. But the staff was so kind that we did our best to do them right. So with very full stomachs we finished the last 3 kms to Yarumal, which presented itself beautifully when we turned a corner. We checked in at Hotel Panorama, at the main plaza right opposite of the rather big cathedral. A fine room, hot water, a balcony with a view of the square, kind staff, wi-fi. All we need. We will stay an extra day to have some rest after 9 long and hot cycling days.
Yarumal is a busy market town, again with tremendously steap streets. Yesterday till late in the evening the square was lively with people, food and drink stalls, taxis coming to and fro, people sipping drinks at the small cafés, which have the title “centro social” here (you cannot deny this, can you?) and music coming from many open windows and bars. This morning it was dark and cloudy, we went out with an extra vest.

Pics since Caucasia: click here.
The track: Download 20100204vald_yarumal.gpx