Around the Volcano

Rob announced that despite the pouring rain, he was planning on biking around the volcano today. (Amy: note, I am using the voice we reserve for reminiscing about the time we went around the cathedral to find our way back to our hostel in Rome). The Nicaragua guidebook said this bike ride would take approximately 6 hours. Alvaro (the field station manager) estimated more like 4 hours I think, and he cautioned Rob to walk the bike on the steep, slippery, rocky downhills. Rob was back home in less than 3 hours, having traversed the whole thing. And of course, he did not walk the bike on the downhills. I think the ride was something like 33 km, but the more impressive aspect of it was the elevation changes. He’s got the whole thing mapped out on the GPS, complete with elevation charts. Just ask him, if any are interested in seeing this. I’m including a picture of our volcano (Volcán Maderas), just to give you an idea of what it was he rode around. And also a picture of muddy Rob, as he finished the ride.