Yesterday, on my way to Bajos del Toro, following Waze, I did this loop. 😂
I don’t understand what happened. The second right was a very narrow mountain road. On my way back on the correct route, Waze once again directed me to take the same right, but I know what insanity is. 😂 (Yeah. Doing the same thing and expecting a different result.)
My lesson is to listen to myself and check the map rather than following what Waze says when it does not make sense.
It was, however, interesting. 😃
I rarely use Waze because it takes me through funky neighborhoods and has even taken to dead end streets (in Nicaragua). Plus, I will never forget the terrifying uphill trail it took JAS Riders on up to Altos de Santa Marta. 😬
Nevertheless, next time I go to Bajos, I will enter this route, then go left to discover that route. I love new routes. So all was not lost! Only a bit of time.
I took Calle Trojas up to Alto Palomo, which connects to my usual route 708. I have ridden it about four times. This is a picturesque, nicely paved road with nice views of the close mountainsides. I recommend it.
It does have a sharp, surprisingly steep right turn at the end, right before connecting to 708. I was prepared for it this time.
I continued down the foggy, wet, supposedly-steepest road in Costa Rica.
I met my friend Alex in Rio Cuarto. He had work in Las Catalinas and did not want to ride there alone, so I agreed to go with him.
We rode on the lovely, curvy road around Lake Arenal and had lunch in Liberia. No traffic!! Perfect.
For me, it continues to be odd to ride on roads that are paved, which I first was on when they were gravel and in the middle of nowhere. How fast things change and are changing! Like my aging body. 😳😂
I myself don’t care much for pre-planned communities. It seems “forced” (though I suppose they do have their charm). They are just not for me. I prefer wild settings. You can Google Las Catalinas to find out more about this area.
On Sunday morning, I enjoyed a ride partway up The Monkey Trail, checking out different beaches, and simply relaxing on Danta beach while Alex worked. I ended up liking Las Catalinas, especially because there were few people there.
We came home on Monday on all the boring straightaways rather than along the coast because the skies threatened rain in that direction. Luckily, there was very little traffic, and I did enjoy the tree tunnels through Barra Honda. The last part from Esparza to Atenas was lovely, as usual.
Oh, how I often want to just keep riding on and on and on and never stop. LOL
RIDING IN COSTA RICA: FEEL THE BEAUTY. KNOW THE LOVE.
Date of ride: Saturday and Sunday, May 14 and 15, 2022
Riding in Costa Rica 
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