Intro

Day 214 dawned, a steady hum beneath the surface of what had become an extended journey. Each morning now feels like a familiar unfolding, though the landscape continually surprises. Today was another climb, linking two points on a map between Limon and Gualaceo, promising both effort and unexpected moments.

Ride Overview

The day covered a modest 20.25 km, but don’t let that fool you; it was a grinder with 982.8 meters of elevation gain and only 386.9 meters of loss. The average speed hovered around 7.4 km/h, a testament to the steep grades. The weather was partly cloudy, offering a pleasant mix of sun and shade, and the surface was entirely paved, thankfully. This stretch of road felt like a deliberate ascent into the clouds, with views that opened up slowly as I gained altitude.

Highlights

Crawling out of my tent into the tiny dining room of Cafe Alegria Tradicion, which had been my shelter the night before, I was met with silence and a breathtaking view. At around 1800 meters, the low-hanging clouds in the valley below created a panorama that left me speechless. I savored breakfast – bread rolls with cheese, marmalade, and peanut butter – and stretched, soaking in the quiet beauty before a brief, friendly chat with a couple who arrived just as I was ready to roll.

Later, I spotted a sign for a hike, and despite a little mishap, the waterfall was truly impressive. Water cascaded over several steps, dropping perhaps 60 or 70 meters, a powerful display of nature’s force. My bike, locked to a guardrail, waited patiently for my return. The unexpected kindness of strangers continued when a man in a jeep pulled over and, with a warm smile, handed me a single dollar, saying he “wanted to help me in some way.” It was a small gesture that felt incredibly large.

Reaching Restaurante el turísmo around 5:30 p.m. felt like arriving at an oasis. A much-needed shower washed away two days of sweat, and they graciously allowed me to pitch my tent in the far end of their dining room. Soon after, a family of five, led by Darwin, stopped for a meal. After a friendly conversation, one of his daughters, with an earnest look, offered me some homemade tamales they’d brought along. They were still frozen, but the restaurant staff later warmed them for me, a truly heartfelt gift.

Lowlights

Around halfway through the planned ride, I decided to take a detour for the “7 Palmas” hike to a waterfall. The trail, however, was in rough shape – handrails hung precariously, posts rotten and covered in moss. I pressed on, perhaps a little too stubbornly. Eventually, I encountered a bridge no longer connected to the other side. Taking a cautious step, I slipped, tumbling about a meter into the pond below. Luckily, I only sustained a few scratches to the face, but my Google Pixel 8, already sporting a broken replacement screen, got soaked. It seems to work mostly, but occasionally shuts down, and condensation inside the lenses means no photos for a while.

Just a kilometer before the restaurant, I passed a Centro Operativo Tinajillas. I remembered a similar facility in the Paramo Angel where I’d found shelter. Hopeful, I walked up, seeing they had houses that could accommodate me. But alas, there was simply no one there to receive me. It was a brief, quiet disappointment before continuing to the restaurant.

Overnight

I stayed at Restaurante el turísmo, a beacon of hospitality on the road between Limon and Gualaceo. The ability to take a hot shower after two days of riding and sweating was pure bliss, a simple luxury I craved. Being allowed to set up my tent in a sheltered corner of their dining room provided a sense of security and comfort that a roadside wild camp could not. It was a place where kindness flowed freely, making me feel welcome and cared for.

Reflection

Today confirmed that the generosity of strangers is a constant companion on this journey, appearing in the most unexpected forms. From a dollar to a warm tamal, these small acts of connection are the true fuel for the road. It also confirmed that I need to be more cautious, especially when a trail looks questionable. My phone, a key tool for navigation and memory, now serves as a tangible reminder of that lesson. Yet, despite the minor setbacks, the day ended with a feeling of deep gratitude and resilience.

Route summary

• Date: 20.02.2026 10:12
• Distance: 20.25 km
• Elevation gain: 982,808 m
• Elevation loss: 386,906 m
• Duration: 426 min
• Time in Motion: 163 min
• Average Speed: 7,44 km/h