Vacation: Medellin, Colombia

"No, no, no, don't ride there," they said. "It's not safe. I don't even ride there." ​

Back in Medellin, Colombia, we were struggling. Pico y Plata, a new driving restriction policy in Colombia (aimed at reducing traffic congestion), kept us from driving our truck between 6 and 9am, and 5 and 8pm on various days, making it difficult to travel outside of the city. Inner-city, traffic was so heavy that it would take an hour to go 2 miles (via car). Locals instructed us that many inner-city tracks were unsafe as they ended in the ghetto, or started in a sketchy area of town where we were told "I've been mugged there twice -- my bike was stolen, and everything of value on me." Needless to say, we weren't super inspired to check out the tracks. 
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We knew there was good riding in the area, and upon reaching out to the local riding community, got lucky and linked up with Sueltele Bike Tours of Medellin, as well as local ripper, Daniel Arredondo for a few days of shredding. 

Turns out a a handful of other EWS athletes had the same idea, and we had ourselves a fun shuttle posse for a few days. 

A few Kiwis, a few Canadians, a Colombian and some Americans at the top of a mountain...

Freestylin' Traida 1 & 2 ...."Aim for the house at the bottom of the hill!"

Somewhere near Medellin in your typical Colombian Terrain....

Creek crossing anyone? Just in time to wash off the cow-pies!

In the middle of the Colombian jungle...

Finishing up the Colombian National DH Track....

Don't forget your aloe vera...Dakine Grippers make good aloe holders.

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After a couple days of riding, we decided to cap off the trip with a spontaneous 24 hour trip to  Cartagena, because when in Rome... (not to mention round-trip flights from Medellin were $40). And... we needed to do some proper South America coffee and food R&D. A whirlwind of a day treated us to the best ceviche we've ever had, some beautiful architecture and lots of history. 
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Back to Medellin to pack our bikes, and it was back to the States! 

See you in the PNW,

​The Hardins

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