Week in Ecuador

Wallycostanza · 11-27-2012, 06:24 AM

Howdy folks,
Flew down to Ecuador for a week long ride on a KLR650 from Freedom Bike Rental. Like just about everyone else has posted on here, nothing but nice things to say about them. The bike was in great shape, they assisted me in programming interesting routes between the hostels I had booked, and provided me with tools and a first aid kit.

First a bit of disclaimer...I had a 650GS when I signed up for this forum...I've sold it and have a Harley Road King now. So, take everything I say with a grain of salt, as clearly I am a person of limited insight...hell, I may not have even gone to Ecuador, just might be confused again. Anyway...

From Quito, headed south on the Pan-American to somewhere north of Latacunda...turned right towards Sigchos. Great road through the mountains. Started off paved with lots of curves and switchbacks, changed to cobble stone and then to dirt/rock for about 25-30 miles towards Chugchilan. Stayed at Mama Hilda's Hostel for the night.

After a great dinner, good nights sleep, and breakfast the next morning. Headed back towards Latacunda. It was Saturday, and the town was very busy. I suppose a big market was going on or something. After getting through the traffic, took the Pan American down through Riobamba and on towards Tambo. Checked in at the Posada Ingaprica, right near the Ingaprica Incan ruins. Unfortunately no pictures of the ride along the Pan-American this day....but I assure you, it is not to be missed. All paved, with crazy elevation changes and switchbacks. One of those places where you think you have a sense of where things area..."OK, i'm on the side of this mountain, there is the mountain I'll be riding up in a little while, and there is the valley floor". Then you go around a curve and see, "oh crap, the valley floor is like 3000 feet further down!

I'll post some more later today. Ride back across mountains, and to the coast. Suppose I should get back to work for now.

Wallycostanza · 11-28-2012, 10:55 AM

Continued from Ingaprica across the mountains and into the low lands. Passed through some very dense clouds/fog on the way down in elevation. About an hour or riding windy roads with very limited visability. Mostly 20-25 MPG. Luckily, only once did I come around a corner into a short straight away and see two headlights turn into 4 headlights.
Once out of the hills, passed through several little towns surrounded by banana farms. Went throught he port city of Guayaquil, lots of traffic. But it all worked fairly well. On to the coastal city of Puerto Cayo. Found a restaurant with a room and a parking lot and checked in for the night. Great dinner of pan fried fish and some sort of coconut/rice/shrimp dish.
Few more pics below.

motoged · 11-28-2012, 11:33 AM

Loving it....more, please.

I am taking notes...

Wallycostanza · 11-29-2012, 02:34 PM

From Puerto Cayo a fairly short ride to Canoa. Great ride along the coast. Spent two days in Canoa. Met lots of folks there, Americans, Chileans, Australians, British...all had one thing in common - they came to Canoa and couldn't bring themselves to leave. What a great little town. I've never been in a place where people were so content to just hang out.
A few pics of Canoa.

whizzerwheel · 12-03-2012, 04:04 PM

What were the dates that you were there? Thanks for posting.

lennyledoux · 12-03-2012, 07:33 PM

I know well what you mean about the 35 from Quito to Canar and Ingapirca. Of course I continued on to Cuenca where I live but most of the trip was at night so I can't such much about the scenery. But I concur with your observation regarding quality of the highway. It is certainly no Interstate but it is every bit as good as US Highway standards for two lane major road. I chuckle at your comment regarding traffic in Guayaquil, it is pretty crazy to say the least. Hopefully you will be able to take in Salinas as well as Loja on your trip. Or the next one:)

atravlr · 12-03-2012, 09:36 PM

Where did you stay at and how long did you stay?

Wallycostanza · 12-04-2012, 05:53 PM

Sorry, got back into work mode...forgot I was posting pics. I'll add the rest tomorrow.
I was in Ecuador the week before thanksgiving, til the day after.
In canoa, I stayed at hostel Baloo. Great place, towards end of town, so quiet. But 3 minute walk to bars and restaurants. Just for two nights

miguelitro · 12-04-2012, 06:09 PM

glad you had a great trip down here! I kind laughed about your canoa comment as i am just too big of a woosie to live there(lived there for 8 months)! 2 hours to get to a real supermarket was to much for me

cant wait to see the rest!
Mike

agent of orange · 12-12-2012, 08:59 PM

amazing pictures!! The idea of flying in and renting a ride looks very interesting. Would one say it be a good idea to do something like this as a first motorcycle adventure in foreign country? well something other than north america or europe.

atravlr · 12-12-2012, 11:03 PM

Thats where I stayed. I also rode solo for 2 weeks in Ecuador this past Feb.. I cant wait to go back but this time with my own bike

CourtRand · 12-19-2012, 06:27 AM

Great pics and report so far. Looking forward to the rest - your ride to Otavalo...

Thanks for the nice words about us, too!

11-27-2012, 06:24 AM	#1
Wallycostanza ^OP n00b Joined: Jun 2012 Oddometer: 6	Week in Ecuador Howdy folks, Flew down to Ecuador for a week long ride on a KLR650 from Freedom Bike Rental. Like just about everyone else has posted on here, nothing but nice things to say about them. The bike was in great shape, they assisted me in programming interesting routes between the hostels I had booked, and provided me with tools and a first aid kit. First a bit of disclaimer...I had a 650GS when I signed up for this forum...I've sold it and have a Harley Road King now. So, take everything I say with a grain of salt, as clearly I am a person of limited insight...hell, I may not have even gone to Ecuador, just might be confused again. Anyway... From Quito, headed south on the Pan-American to somewhere north of Latacunda...turned right towards Sigchos. Great road through the mountains. Started off paved with lots of curves and switchbacks, changed to cobble stone and then to dirt/rock for about 25-30 miles towards Chugchilan. Stayed at Mama Hilda's Hostel for the night. After a great dinner, good nights sleep, and breakfast the next morning. Headed back towards Latacunda. It was Saturday, and the town was very busy. I suppose a big market was going on or something. After getting through the traffic, took the Pan American down through Riobamba and on towards Tambo. Checked in at the Posada Ingaprica, right near the Ingaprica Incan ruins. Unfortunately no pictures of the ride along the Pan-American this day....but I assure you, it is not to be missed. All paved, with crazy elevation changes and switchbacks. One of those places where you think you have a sense of where things area..."OK, i'm on the side of this mountain, there is the mountain I'll be riding up in a little while, and there is the valley floor". Then you go around a curve and see, "oh crap, the valley floor is like 3000 feet further down! I'll post some more later today. Ride back across mountains, and to the coast. Suppose I should get back to work for now.

11-28-2012, 11:33 AM	#3
motoged Studly Adventurer Joined: Feb 2006 Location: Kamloops, BC Oddometer: 528	Loving it....more, please. I am taking notes... __________________ Ged Schwartz Kamloops , BC '96 GS 1100 '04 450 EXC '09 690 EXC Baja '05 Baja 06/07 Baja 08/09 BC Alpine Single Track

12-03-2012, 04:04 PM	#5
whizzerwheel Using Occam's Razor Joined: Aug 2006 Location: Settled In Oddometer: 1,023	What were the dates that you were there? Thanks for posting. __________________ Costa Rica ride report: http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=532923 A Weekend Bagel Tour: http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=568464 WR's in NH and Maine: http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=733821

12-03-2012, 07:33 PM	#6
lennyledoux Adventurer Joined: Feb 2011 Location: Cuenca, Ecuador Oddometer: 10	Bienvenidos a Ecuador! I know well what you mean about the 35 from Quito to Canar and Ingapirca. Of course I continued on to Cuenca where I live but most of the trip was at night so I can't such much about the scenery. But I concur with your observation regarding quality of the highway. It is certainly no Interstate but it is every bit as good as US Highway standards for two lane major road. I chuckle at your comment regarding traffic in Guayaquil, it is pretty crazy to say the least. Hopefully you will be able to take in Salinas as well as Loja on your trip. Or the next one:)

12-03-2012, 09:36 PM	#7
atravlr Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2010 Location: Arizona Desert Oddometer: 131	Canoa? Where did you stay at and how long did you stay?

11-28-2012, 10:55 AM	#2
Wallycostanza ^OP n00b Joined: Jun 2012 Oddometer: 6	Continued from Ingaprica across the mountains and into the low lands. Passed through some very dense clouds/fog on the way down in elevation. About an hour or riding windy roads with very limited visability. Mostly 20-25 MPG. Luckily, only once did I come around a corner into a short straight away and see two headlights turn into 4 headlights. Once out of the hills, passed through several little towns surrounded by banana farms. Went throught he port city of Guayaquil, lots of traffic. But it all worked fairly well. On to the coastal city of Puerto Cayo. Found a restaurant with a room and a parking lot and checked in for the night. Great dinner of pan fried fish and some sort of coconut/rice/shrimp dish. Few more pics below.

11-29-2012, 02:34 PM	#4
Wallycostanza ^OP n00b Joined: Jun 2012 Oddometer: 6	From Puerto Cayo a fairly short ride to Canoa. Great ride along the coast. Spent two days in Canoa. Met lots of folks there, Americans, Chileans, Australians, British...all had one thing in common - they came to Canoa and couldn't bring themselves to leave. What a great little town. I've never been in a place where people were so content to just hang out. A few pics of Canoa.

12-04-2012, 05:53 PM	#8
Wallycostanza ^OP n00b Joined: Jun 2012 Oddometer: 6	Sorry, got back into work mode...forgot I was posting pics. I'll add the rest tomorrow. I was in Ecuador the week before thanksgiving, til the day after. In canoa, I stayed at hostel Baloo. Great place, towards end of town, so quiet. But 3 minute walk to bars and restaurants. Just for two nights

12-12-2012, 08:59 PM	#10
agent of orange Adventurer Joined: Oct 2012 Oddometer: 17	amazing pictures!! The idea of flying in and renting a ride looks very interesting. Would one say it be a good idea to do something like this as a first motorcycle adventure in foreign country? well something other than north america or europe.

12-12-2012, 11:03 PM	#11
atravlr Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2010 Location: Arizona Desert Oddometer: 131	Baloo Thats where I stayed. I also rode solo for 2 weeks in Ecuador this past Feb.. I cant wait to go back but this time with my own bike

12-19-2012, 06:27 AM	#12
CourtRand Adventurer Joined: Jul 2009 Location: Quito, Ecuador Oddometer: 77	Great pics and report so far. Looking forward to the rest - your ride to Otavalo... Thanks for the nice words about us, too! __________________ Ecuador Freedom Bike Rental Motorcycle Rentals, Guided and Self-Guided GPS Tours of Ecuador Quito, Pichincha - Ecuador +593(0)98-176-2340 http://FreedomBikeRental.com court@freedombikerental.com

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