I knew I had a long day ahead of me; over 500 km between Popayan, Colombia and Cayambe, Ecuador. At least 7-8 hours, plus a border crossing. What I underestimated was how spectacular the ride would be, how much I'd want to stop and take pictures or just slow down and take it in. Still, in the end that didn't slow me down half as much as the horrendous road conditions going through the desert between Popayan and Pasto. Pot-holes like empty graves, just waiting to be filled by unsuspecting motorcyclists... It had been cool in the morning when I left Popayan, so I was enjoying the desert heat at first, but soon I began to bake as i sped through the dry, choking, windless heat. I hadn't been through terrain like that since Chihuahua in
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