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La Gran Vista to Playa Hermosa

Day 10 – March 26

Mountain bike – 31.7 km (19.7 miles), 867 meters (2,844 ft) elevation gain, 1,562 meters (5,124 ft) elevation loss.

Up the Valle General
Up the Valle General

There was a relaxed feel about the ride today.  We knew it was all downhill (except for the uphill parts) and there was a beautiful beach (literally Playa Hermosa – one of a half dozen in Costa Rica) waiting for us at the bottom.  We had a swimming pool, hammocks, a couple of cabins and family waiting at Hacienda Barú just up the coast and Jack always has cold beer in the fridge.

Dropping into the Río General valley (aka Río Pacuar where we crossed) was like a trip down memory lane through the Costa Rica of decades ago.  Small farms and ranches between tiny communities with a pulperia, church, bar and soccer field.

And that, as they say was the end of that!
And that, as they say was the end of that!

There was some whooping and hollering as we rolled down the last hill.  We dropped our bikes under the palm trees and ran out to dive into a Pacific wave.

And that, as they say, was the end of that.

Go to Another Day
Caribbean – 0 – 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – today – Pacific

Photo Gallery Day 10 – La Gran Vista to Playa Hermosa – The Pacific

Each of the images below is linked to a larger version with a detailed description

Contemplating the Pacific in the distance from the patio at La Gran Vista - Day 10 the final day of our trans-continental adventure
Patio at La Gran Vista
Breaking camp at La Gran Vista the morning of day 10
Breaking camp
Breaking camp
Breaking camp
Down to the General
Down to the General
There were some really steep sections that we had to walk but everyone was absolutely determined not to bail into the sag wagon this close to the finish
Steep
Flying along
Flying along
Crossing the Rio General
Crossing the Rio General
Up the Valle General
Up the Valle General
Waiting in the shade
Waiting in the shade
One last break to cool off in a stream along side the road
One last break
Grinning like a fool because I'm pretty sure this is the last hill I'll have to push my bike up before coasting to the beach
The last hill
The ocean has to be downhill... doesn't it?
The ocean has to be downhill… doesn’t it?
Savoring the view of Playa Hermosa for a few minutes before cruising down the last hill
View of Hermosa
View of Hermosa
View of Hermosa
Reach the beach
Reach the beach
Justin's head
Justin’s head
And that, as they say was the end of that!
And that, as they say was the end of that!

Go to Another Day
Caribbean – 0 – 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – today – Pacific

Ray & Sue

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