From Peruvian Andes

April 28th,2009

Author: Feargal O'Nuallain
Final Year: 1999
Biography: Last November, Simon Evans and Fearghal O'Nuallain (1999) began the first Irish circumnavigation of the globe by bicycle and boat. Their unsupported expedition will cover over 30,000km, passing through 30 countries and some of the highest, lowest, driest, coldest, warmest and loneliest places on earth. In doing so, they will be promoting the positive contribution that cycling can make to mental health and the environment, raising €100,000 for Aware and highlighting climate change.
URL: http://revolutioncycle.ie/

Puquio-Peru

Tomorrow we begin the, much anticipated, descent to the Pacific. We've been living at over 3,000m since January. That's been nearly 3 months feeling unfit, like an asmathic with lessened appetite. Up here there is less oxygen so its easier to get out of breathe, stairs are particularly bad for me often I have to stop and have a breather like a granny, sorry gran. Digestion also takes longer with the lower oxygen levels, so its a push to finish what would usually slide down the trap in no time. Lastly, but not suprisingly, our time in the Andes has been plagued with hills? Constantly up, down, and around beautiful peaks unfortunately placed between a and b.

So, as you can imagine, breathlessness and a diminished appetite, and lots of hills don't really make for the most comfotable cycling. Hence we've only managed about 3,000km over the last 3 months. If we were on a cycling holiday this wouldn't be a problem, but as we're doing a circumnavigation we have to cover over 29,000km we're keen to get going. Anything less than 29,000km and it would be a circumsicion….. badum tish : )

Seriously though, I'm really looking forward to seeing the sea, getting my appetite back and breathing lungfulls of oxygen rich salty air. Being up here is all to reminiscent of being an asmathic child.

Tomorrow we begin our last climb, up and over 4,000m to our last pass then the road points down for a luxurious downhill when we get to loose over 3,000m in 60km… I'll bring a spare pair of pants for that one.

On the coast we will have to contend with 40 degree heat, deserts and onshore winds. And, no doubt once there we'll be longing for the cool andean hills, but for the moment the grass is definitely greener.

We'll be mapping our descent using Sanoodi's excellent SMAP application and our trusty Blackberry.