Day 17 - Chiquimula to Jalapa

A very hilly day with 7,400 feet of ascent over 50 miles. Started the day climbing through pine forests which became rainforest / jungle higher up as we looked across the valley to the volcanoes rising out of the mist. Air temperature was thankfully cool due to the altitude. There is a lot of rubbish all along the verge and no rideable hard shoulder for when traffic does get heavy.
We stopped at a petrol station and while Catharine is standing outside the petrol station guarding the bikes while john is in the loo, a convoy of military vehicles pulls up and a load of soldiers jump out with rifles and establish a perimeter with rifles at the ready ! Rather concerning until Catharine manages to speak to the man in charge and he tells me it was routine and nothing to worry about 😥
John goes into the shop to get a coke and there are about half a dozen heavily armed military, the store guard with a shotgun - and John !
Back on the road and we come across Sally who has hit the kerb and nosedived into the undergrowth. John fixes her bike while the medic deals with her cuts and grazes.
As we head through a little town we spot a great looking coffee shop and bakery. We have the most fantastic cortado with a hard but tasty biscuit. Catharine chats to the girls who are in their early twenties and they ask for photos, want to connect on Facebook and then hug us all when we leave !
There are some very steep climbs that go on and on - 15% gradients - and it is hot and the sweat / sunscreen stings the eyes.
Hotel is in a large-ish town which we have a walk around before dinner.Lue lisää