El Reto De Los Misioneros, Chanchamayo Peru

 In it’s quest to find “Epic” mountain bike races around the world, Team Monavie-Cannondale journeyed to the central Jungle of Peru for the 3rd year of El Reto De Los Misioneros. After spending a week enjoying the beautiful countryside and hospitality of the Peruvian people, the Team agrees it stumbled upon one of the hidden gems of the Earth.

Day 1: SLC-Lima

The nice thing about traveling to Peru for a bike race is the time change is minimal and South America makes for an exotic and economical vacation spot to bring the family! We stayed a night in Lima (population 10 million) before  heading East over the Andes into the Jungle.

Organized chaos

Churo bike

Day 2: Lima-Chanchamayo by van

What is the highest elevation above sea level you have experienced? For most the Monavie crew, the drive from Lima to Chanchamayo over a 16,000 foot Andean pass set new personal record.

10 people, 7 bikes, and gear

New wildlife and new foods would become a theme of this trip…

Everything East of here drains into the Amazon.

Day 3: La Merced and San Ramon-gateway to the central jungle…

Perched on the bank of the Rio de Chanchamayo, San Ramon and La Merced are the principle towns leading into the wild jungles of Peru. The tropical heat, lush fauna, and jagged topography are in stark contrast to the Andean highlands we crossed in our travels and provide perfect terrain for great mountain biking.

Our jungle bungalo at Gad Gha Kum, paradise!

The backyard

While exploring the local trails we stumbled upon one of the top 5 trails any of us had ever ridden, anywhere!

 

Post ride snacks

The thing that amazed us most throughout the trip was the passion and excitement the people had for the race and their community. We spent hours everyday doing radio interviews, posing for pictures, and being invited into homes for dinner, the hospitality is unlike anything we have ever experienced!

Good thing Alex speaks fluent Spanish!

Pictures at the bank

More food- fried yucca’s

 A pre-race meeting without native dancing is just not complete.

Day 4: Stage 1 from Momabomba- La Merced (65 km)

The drive to the stage may have been as exciting as the stage itself!

 

Countless little jungle villages lined the course which included steep double track climbs, long descents, numerous river crossings including one requiring a belay and safety rope, all finishing in the central plaza of La Merced.

Tinker and Alex finish 1st and 2nd, Bart rolls in 3rd, and Matt wins the Masters!

Recovering for the afternoons 2nd stage…

And more picture taking…

 Stage 2 from La Merced-Villa Rica (50 k)

The 2nd stage of the day turned out to be crux of the event. Although shorter than the other stages it was mostly uphill with the last 20k a sustained steep jeep road to the beautiful coffee meca of Villa Rica.

Tinker put on a clinic in the jungle heat and solidified his place at the head of the general classification.

Alex rode strong but bonked his brains out on the long climb and was reportedly scouring the jungle floor for edible plants and animals.

Bart enjoyed an adventure all his own as he flatted twice  and ripped a tire on the gravel road approaching the long climb. This lead to a search for a rear tire in a small jungle village where he found a local rider who volunteered his rear tire and tube. Bart was able to finish but not without experiencing his own life altering bonk on the 20k climb. Later Bart returned the tire and made Jesus and honorary member of Team Monavie-Cannondale.

*Now is a good time to mention that this is the 2nd flat Bart has experienced in 2 years of epic racing around the globe. Team Monavie-Cannondale has found Stan’s Notubeswheels and Kenda tires to be the fastest most durable combination on the planet.

Thanks Jesus, you saved my race!

Matt had a stellar afternoon and after driving the group on the early pavement sections was able to climb to a strong 5th place overall.

Ultimately it was the crowds at the finish the overwhelmed Team Monavie-Cannondale. The mayor of Villa Rica reported that every resident of the town was at the finish line that night and he had never seen an event bring his town together like this bike race.

We stayed late into the night posing for pictures and even had to buy clothes at the local store to get out of our chamois.

And the photos just kept going late into the night, we meet thousands of the most gracious friendly people…

Day 5: Stage 3 La Merced- San Ramon (83K) “The Passage of the 3 Mountains”.

Long climbs through pineapple and coffee farms split the field into individual races of truth. I think everyone will agree that a highlight was the feed zone where a farmer was using his machete to cut fresh pineapple off the plant and dice it up for the passing racers.

Tinker and Alex again rode off the front on the 2nd long climb and Alex was able to take the win in the streets of San Ramon. They were followed by the top Peruvian climber and Bart hot on his heels. Matt again had a great day dropping his group on the last downhill to win the Masters.

This day was hot beyond words…

Best course markings we have ever seen!

The hills are alive with supportive farmers

Party in the streets of San Ramon went on and on…

 

Day 6: Jungle Vacation!

So much to do…

Day 7: Back to Lima

Tough to leave all our new friends, but will be back!

Day 8: Lima

So much to see…

Day 9: Peru-home

Possibly the ultimate bike racing vacation! A big thanks to Ronald, Rosio, Sam, and the rest of our new friends in Chanchamayo! We look forward to next year and plan to bring a big crew to enjoy “Epic Racing Around The World” at it’s best! 

Stay tuned for info about next years event and how you can experience a bike racing vacation in Peru.