We had some strong riders and they were more than ready to go when the group wanted to hammer and could sense when and who needed to slow the pace and enjoy the scenery. Because we had 2-3 guides and 2 cars we were able to break up the group and manage different paces.
Yves managed a great trip. We stayed in 5-star hotels, eating there as well. This helped build camaraderie with our fellow riders, but we might have missed out on some of the local cuisine and ambiance.
I had been really interested in visiting Colombia and getting to ride in what I heard was a cycling mecca, It did not disappoint.
The country welcomes cyclists on the roads. It seems everybody rides and they have a real appreciation and more importantly respect for cyclists. The roads through the villages and into the mountains were epic. The small towns, with their ubiquitous but locally unique town squares, were always welcoming with coffee and pastry shops along with the requisite imposing church. The locals were fantastic and very friendly.