Intro

Day 205, and a welcome pause from the saddle. This leg of the journey has brought me deep into the Yawa Jee Reserve, trading kilometres for footsteps and the hum of tires for the symphony of the jungle. My mood starting out was one of quiet determination, ready for whatever the forest held, a different kind of challenge entirely.

Ride Overview

Today was not a cycling day. Instead, it was a long, immersive trek through the jungle, covering 6.54 kilometres on foot. We navigated a mix of dense jungle track and occasional stretches of good gravel. The elevation gain was a modest 45.72 meters, with a loss of 26.81 meters, but every step felt earned. The sky was partly cloudy, providing a welcome reprieve from direct sun through the canopy, and our expedition lasted a full 317 minutes.

Highlights

My guide, David, and I set off with purpose. Our first destination was a massive sacred tree, a true titan of the forest, which we reached after about an hour. Beside it, David and his siblings were constructing a small shelter, marking the burial spot of their father. David invited me to share my deepest wishes with the tree, a powerful moment of connection, while he spoke to his ancestors. It was a profound glimpse into local reverence and personal grief.

Later, heading southeast from the tree, the distant barks of our dog cut through the jungle’s ambient sounds. David recognized the urgency – it had found something. We doubled back, then veered northeast, cutting our own path through the thick bush. There, we found the dog and an armadillo. The scene was raw, primal. David quickly wrapped the prey in broad leaves, securing it in his net bag, the strap resting on his forehead, a picture of ancient efficiency.

We continued, carving our way towards the river, eventually finding a more defined hiking trail. Checking the traps we’d set days ago was next. The ratite trap was still active, and the funnel in a small river cascade was empty. Even without a catch, there was satisfaction in the process, the careful observation. David, ever attuned, literally tasted and felt the jungle, identifying fruits, leaves, and bark with an innate wisdom that felt deeply humbling. We hung the armadillo bag in trees whenever we paused, a practical solution for the humid weight.

Back at the home base, David and his wife Carmen began the meticulous process of cleaning and preparing the armadillo. I watched closely, documenting the intricate steps, seeing the internals of our prey. It was a vivid lesson in subsistence. The day concluded with Carmen patiently teaching me how to weave a canaster from thick, green palm leaves after dinner, a skill passed down through generations. And a small, but significant, act was collecting the few pieces of trash we encountered – an empty crisp bag and a discarded battery.

Lowlights

There were no significant lowlights today, no real struggle with the elements or mechanicals, nor any dip in morale. The physical exertion of cutting through the dense jungle was constant, requiring focus and effort, but it felt like a purposeful challenge rather than a hardship. Every moment was too engaging to be considered a low point.

Overnight

I stayed at the Yawa Jee Reserve, a simple, yet comfortable, shelter that has been my base for this jungle immersion. It’s more than just a place to sleep; it’s a temporary home, a nexus for learning and experience, providing essential shelter from the elements and a place to process the day’s profound encounters.

Reflection

Today solidified my understanding of the deep, intricate relationship between the people of this region and their environment. It confirmed that true connection often comes from quiet observation and shared experience, far more than from speed or distance. Stepping off the bike for these ten days has been an invaluable part of this journey. My quiet takeaway is the profound respect David and Carmen hold for the jungle – not just as a resource, but as a living, breathing entity that provides, demands, and teaches.

Route summary

• Date: 10.02.2026 09:55
• Distance: 6.54 km
• Elevation gain: 45,725 m
• Elevation loss: 26,81 m
• Duration: 317 min
• Average Speed: 0 km/h