Its been 8 days since we left and finally after 5 flights, a day on the train and one on the bus; a few nights out drinking; a days white water rapiding and a day at Machu Picchu, we have arrived in Hunkayo for the start of the´race´with one day to spare (or so i thought when i wrote this on my BB).
Arrived to official welcome from major and received gifts on stage in the main square of old note pad and biro from representative of local community. Then had hilariously amateur and lethal fireworks display that maimed several of the locals.... had to be seen to be believed.

Will spend the day attempting to modify the ´brand new´bikes with bits of the local market to make then actually work.

Major probs with the bikes after inital test drive on a local football pitch were:

1.) they dont steer...i managed to crash one into a goal post on an empty pitch while traveling at walking speed.
2.)They tip over very easily.....even lloyds mass didnt keep the back wheel down on a gently slow left turn.
3.) they dont reallly start and then stall very quickly afterwards which will be fun at traffic lights amongst other drivers here.
4.) the suspension is so hard that the bolts rattled loose in 10 mins on flat grass.

5.) they are fast enough for the handling and braking capability but painfully slow...top speed 30mph.

Reason for the above is that 3 peruvian mechanics put 61 bikes together from scratch in 48 hours flat!!!


We have been advised that we are likely average 20 mph at best inc minor breakdowns. We have approx 14 days to travel 2500 miles.
Therefore if we drive 9 hours everyday then we will make it...Doable i reckon although unlikely to be in any shape to ever drive or maybe even walk again!

Honestly, i´d rather be tackling this journey with one rollerskate than this 3 wheeled bag of bolts!!

Saying all of that, im looking forward to a massive serving of tragic comedy when 60 mototaxi´s are abandoned not 30 mins outside of Huancayo when it finally gets off the ground.......in which case it looks like i´l be doing the bloody marathon next year:(