Intro

Day 213 unfurled itself with a gentle, satisfying hum, a quiet counterpoint to the long journey that stretched both behind and ahead. My mood at the start was one of contentment, a feeling buoyed by the unexpected twists that morning had already brought. It felt like a day to embrace whatever came, a day to simply be on the road.

Ride Overview

Today’s ride covered 31.34 kilometers, a modest distance but one that packed a punch with 1370.51 meters of elevation gain against only 318.50 meters of loss. The surface was a good paved road throughout, which was a blessing given the consistent climb. Cloudy skies dominated, eventually giving way to cold, wind, and rain as the day progressed. My average speed of 7.37 km/h tells the story of the steep inclines and the numerous stops for conversations and unexpected detours.

Highlights

The day began with an utterly charming surprise. Just as I was packing up my bike at the polideportivo, the local school kids burst out for their break. Before I knew it, I was being politely invited to join a game of soccer. I’m no great player, but how could I refuse such earnest requests? For thirty minutes, I was the goalkeeper, mostly watching as my enthusiastic teammates, clearly inspired by some distant football hero, kept the ball firmly in the opposing half. The rain had just started to patter on the metal roof, a soft rhythm accompanying our game, and it miraculously ceased the moment the final whistle blew and the children scurried back to class.

Later, as the landscape tried its best to hide behind a curtain of trees, a splash of color pierced the grey. A rainbow, faint but distinct, arched in the distance. It appeared just as the road pitched upwards into its steepest final four kilometers, a small, beautiful affirmation that lifted my spirits and made the burning in my legs a little easier to bear.

At lunchtime in Limon, a thought sparked: Why not push a little further? I decided to aim for Cafe Alegría Tradición, another eleven kilometers up the road. A quick call confirmed they could accommodate me, their voice warm and welcoming. Arriving hungry, I was served food within three minutes – a true blessing as the weather outside began to turn wild, cold wind and rain lashing down. The hot chocolate with a cheese-stuffed maiz tortilla was exactly what I needed. After my meal, I tentatively asked about staying overnight. The dining room, separate from the kitchen, seemed a possibility, but it lacked a lock. They deliberated aloud, weighing options, but as the rain intensified, they finally agreed. Clearing tables and chairs, I set up my tent inside the dining room, a quirky but utterly necessary measure against the building’s less-than-perfect rainproofing.

Lowlights

I rode a little too hungry twice today. The first instance was around 11:30. I passed a rather fancy-looking restaurant, deciding to push on to the next one I’d spotted on Google Maps. By the time I reached it, my hunger was undeniable, but the place was unfortunately closed. I had to press on to Limon for a much-needed Encebollada. The second wave of hunger hit about four kilometers before my final destination, precisely when the road became brutally steep. With light rain beginning to fall, I simply didn’t want to stop and fumble with an apple or anything else, so I pushed through the discomfort.

My damp clothes, still carrying the faint memory of the carnival two days prior, continued their stubborn refusal to dry. At lunch, with the sun momentarily high, I’d hoped to air them out, but once again, the time wasn’t enough. They remain a constant, slightly clammy companion.

Overnight

I stayed at Cafe Alegría Tradición, a place I’d only decided upon a few hours before. It mattered immensely because it offered a timely refuge from the increasingly wild weather outside. The warmth of the food and the unexpected, if somewhat improvised, shelter felt like a lifeline. Setting up my tent in their dining room, surrounded by neatly stacked chairs and tables, was an unusual but deeply comfortable end to the day.

Reflection

Today confirmed something I often feel on this journey: the most profound comforts often arrive in the most unexpected forms. From the impromptu soccer game that started my day with laughter, to the rainbow appearing on a tough climb, and finally, to the impromptu shelter and warm food at Cafe Alegría Tradición. It’s a testament to the kindness of strangers and the subtle wisdom of intuition, pushing me to extend the ride just a little further, arriving just in time. Sometimes, the greatest blessing isn’t a grand plan, but the simple grace of a dry, warm place to lay your head when the world outside turns cold.

Route summary

• Date: 19.02.2026 09:49
• Distance: 31.34 km
• Elevation gain: 1370,508 m
• Elevation loss: 318,502 m
• Duration: 512 min
• Time in Motion: 255 min
• Average Speed: 7,366 km/h