On Saturday, August 26, despite having only my XPulse, little Anansi, since my 500X is at the mechanic, I spontaneously decided to join my good friend Fabricio from Turrialba on one of his riding adventures. He organizes fun riding camping trips to this and other areas.
We met in Curridabat, then first rode to Cot and up past Cerro Pasqui. Such a fun and beautiful route! It is quite picturesque, partly paved and partly dirt/gravel, with a few tight turns.
We then took route 417 from the foothills of Irazú Volcano to the Turrialba volcano.
This is a narrow, winding route with lots of potholes and with stunning views. The best part is finally seeing the Turrialba volcano. Always a thrill.
It was a great team!
We had breakfast at restaurant Agua Dulce in Pastora where people paraglide. Great views! There were three friendly Colombians on the team. Being the country of my home birth, I am considering going in November. Fingers crossed. I hope they invite me to ride with them someday. 🙂
Immediately after this restaurant, there is a gate that has a route that winds down to Aquiares.
It twists and curves and is quite rocky, but fun. There are about three gates, probably to control the cows.
We continued on more fun, curvy, loose gravel routes!
I was glad to be on little Anansi. She did well and was easy to manage around the tight curves. She did, however, slide a bit going uphill on the loose gravel. Not sure if that was the tire or my choosing first gear. In any case, we went up and down and all around with no problem.
Then came the crazy part! Hahaha! At a curve Fabricio said he was going to take my bike down. I said OK. He wanted to avoid any possible falls.
Part way down, I got back on the saddle again. I was glad to make it past the part where there was a ditch. Considering some of the routes I have done, it is possible I might have done the whole rough downhill part just fine. But I am also grateful when people take care of me. 🙂 Thank you, my friend.
Here is a video clip of the last part down. Bajada Cafetal. At 10 and a half minutes or so, Luis give me a compliment. Hahaha! I will take it!
We continued on a part I had done previously with Sahara, through more lovely coffee fields. The BEST!
I was happy to meet another Biker Chick: Monica Lerici. She painted her Honda CRF Rally black, and it looks great! She is brave, beautiful, and strong!
Though I had come prepared to spend the night, I didn’t have a dog sitter. Sadly, I left the group to return home. Oh well.
What a fabulous adventure with such riding pros! MARVELOUS! Many thanks to Fabricio and El Doncito Pulpería for organizing it and letting me crash the party by surprise!
RIDING IN COSTA RICA: FEEL THE BEAUTY. KNOW THE LOVE. LIVE THE POWER.
Song: Move it on Over.
“Move it on over, rock it on over
Move over little dog, the big old dog is movin’ in
… Move it on over, move it on over
Move it on over, won’t’cha rock it on over
Move over cool dog, the hot dog’s movin’ in
Riding in Costa Rica 
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