Rob and Finn Iles meet up with Chagra cowboys at a street festival to better understand the secrets of how to conquer Ecuador’s highest volcano, Cotopaxi. The duo then visit a Shaman to protect themselves for the journey to come before escaping the hustle and bustle of the city to ride the local mountains of Quito. But altitude sickness hits Rob, putting the whole trip in question – will they reach their destination and tame the mighty Cotopaxi?
Rob Warner " i never been this high" i was thinking are you sure mate lmao. Excellent video love the content of culture and riding, Finn is such a talent! thank you for the video !!
Rode some of Cotopaxi a few years back with one of those dodgy uplift tour companies operating out of Quito.
Scariest bit wasn't the active volcano and altitude but the crappiest rental bike ever. Bald tires, non-functioning v-brakes a rusty frame and a completely non-suspending suspension fork.
Still it was a better mountain experience than the 'con' that is the Bolivian road of death on a Stinky. That's a bit like doing the Galloping Goose on a V10
Rob is starting to become my hero... he's awesome.
He was at an XC race i raced once, only as a media person etc and giving out prizes but i didn't speak to him at the time, i must admit i have a pang of regret about that decision now.
Was there for a week a year ago with a group of buddies. it was awesome. there is so (so, so) much riding there. this didn't even brush the surface! those were two awesome rides though... I wonder if there's more in the archives?
At any rate, I recommend Ecuador as a riding destination to anyone thinking of going. Having a guide that can take you where conditions are good at the time is very useful. And taking the time to do some acclimatization rides is also critical...
Rob is a special person, from the DH commentary to the redbull spinoff shows. Hope we have him for many more years. "kidney too" lol that lady knew his past alcoholic life.
Biggest volcano is still in Ecuador and not in Peru as mentioned by Matt Jones in the video. It is called Chimborazo. It may be possible to go down, however it may require building a line from scratch.
I didn't know that some Christians rub themselves with rodents to cast out spirits, probably a local practice and all with the nice minister lady spitting on them. I'll accept your nice pamphlet but "I'm not interested".
At any rate, I recommend Ecuador as a riding destination to anyone thinking of going. Having a guide that can take you where conditions are good at the time is very useful. And taking the time to do some acclimatization rides is also critical...