Coffee plants growing on a steep hillside above Boquete, Panama
After months of sea-level riding and walking with some small hills, I hiked and rode up and down some very long, very steep hills near Volcan Baru, a volcano last active about 500 years ago.
The 13-kilometer trail to the peak of Volcan Baru
The trail above is the beginning of the 13-kilometer hiking trail to the top of Volcan Baru. I made it to an overlook two kilometers up the hill. The grade is 23%. The descent was more difficult than the climb on loose gravel and rocks.
The view from Volcan Baru
From Boquete, I rode past streams and waterfalls toward one of the peaks. Several times I walked on grades that exceeded 20%. I turned around at a point when I could not pedal and could see a half kilometer of very steep road. Total climb was 700 meters.
The descent was slow. The road was narrow and had delivery vans, minibuses and taxis climbing and descending. The road was occasionally smooth, but would suddenly be broken and gravel-strewn.
After a week of hikes and bike rides, I was very tired.
Here is one grade I rode and walked up:
