If we had to talk about a lost country on the Pacific coast of South America, it certainly would be Ecuador. This unknown and rarely visited country offers incredible natural wonders.
In fact it is one of the most peculiar places of the world because in only a few hours by bus we could go from the Amazon jungle to surf beaches all while passing through snow-capped volcanoes that rise to over 5,000 meters!
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| Sea lion in the Galapagos |
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| Cuervo at the top of the DH |
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| Up to 4'000 meters |
If we are to talk about the riding, there are many possibilities and it is all varied. To begin Quito offers excellent possibilities and it is quite possible to focus only on the spots around the city itself. If you've only got one hour you can go to the Carolina Park. The park offers a beautiful BMX track that is well maintained and is less than 10 minutes away by bike from your hotel. Otherwise, Quito’s cable car is one of the few lifts in South America. The trail starts at 4000 meters and offers a breathtaking view of the city which could certainly represent one of best moments of your trip. More so, the 15 dollars for the whole day means that it's an attractive price. There are two trails, El National and another one that has no name. The latter is the best one, because it is well maintained and the access is easier.
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| Alban Aubert, DH teleferico |
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| Top of the Gondola (4'000m.) |
There are also some other trails in the city such as Ungui and Coturco. The first one is punctuated by large gaps, but you need to shuttle each of these. Out of the city the country is full of spots, almost each city or village in the Andes has its own DH. Banos has the biggest choice. In competition terms, La Classica de Cantuna in without a doubt the best MTB event in Ecuador, which is completely organized in Quito´s downtown.
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| Classica de Cantuna |
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| Alban Aubert, DH trainings in Ibarra |
For pure freeride there are The Cotopaxi volcano and The Chimborazo which offer some reasonable slopes and a ground made of lava reduced into small balls, where you can really have a great freeride session. You will be able to choose your line without being dependent of a trail. Here the word freeride makes sense!
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| Rainforest |
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| Lama & Inca ruins in Ingapirca |
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Shops :
The Bike ShopCiklaAbout the riding in Eucador :
Afuera.comBicicleteros.comIf you need a guide,
LFA is the best solution (Volcano riding for example)
