Video: Rob Warner and Finn Iles Meet Cowboys and Shamans and Ride Ecuador's Highest Volcano

Nov 27, 2019
by James Smurthwaite  
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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?

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Cotopaxi

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Member since Nov 14, 2018
1,770 articles

56 Comments
  • 19 0
 Bros dudes if anyone wants to go to ride ECUADOR contact Mateo (chairlift guy) at rideecuador Instagram
  • 7 0
 Yup @mateo5 is very professional, knowledgeable and shreds. His website is ridecuador.bike
  • 2 0
 I’d love to one day! That trail looked rad
  • 4 0
 Mateo is the man!
  • 1 0
 @Bigwill13: and there are waaay more epic trails close to quito.
  • 3 0
 If Rob had some gold chains he'd have the hard geezer/Russian oligarch gangster look downpat.
  • 14 1
 Had no idea Rob Warner went bald haha. Kept that one under the rug (literally)
  • 5 0
 That was the reason for this trip, to find a charm to get his hair curly wurly again
  • 9 0
 @bok-CZ: guinea pig wig
  • 7 0
 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 !!
  • 5 2
 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
  • 5 0
 I like how Rob has an upside-down cross on the back of his t-shirt when they go visit the Shaman...
  • 4 0
 Like You've never been stripped, sprayed with grain alcohol, directed to perform a specific action with a pig, and asphyxiated
  • 2 0
 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.
  • 6 2
 This format is great! Maybe bring Claudio and Peaty to round out the Top Gear-ness!
  • 2 3
 Some say he has a third leg that he can't fit it in the SWAT box. All we know is, he's called Swiss.
  • 4 0
 Make that Cedric and Peaty!
  • 2 0
 good idea
  • 1 0
 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...
  • 4 0
 Hell yea Mateo and @rideecuador!
  • 4 0
 Good video with good vibes!
  • 2 0
 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.
  • 1 0
 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.
  • 2 2
 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".
  • 3 0
 Is that Mr. Bigglesworth with tattoos?
  • 2 0
 Suckers! They don't make you strip to boxers for this ritual! HAHAHAHAHAHA She just wanted to see some Finn (sorry Rob).
  • 3 0
 I got altitude sickness once,now my wife cleans the gutters.
  • 2 0
 that living room in the hacienda looks dope!
  • 2 0
 I was there last week. El Tambo is such a special place. We didn't get the singing though...
  • 3 0
 Horse did a bunny hop.
  • 1 0
 Lost it when he said that.
  • 2 0
 Ive never seen someone use a guinea pig as a washcloth before. wow
  • 1 0
 Teleferico! awsome place, I had to rent a bike but it was awesome to ride there!
  • 2 0
 This was really cool. Why have I not been following this series more???
  • 1 0
 It's just come out, was on red bull tv for awhile and only just now on YouTube I think. NZ episode is really cool too.
  • 1 0
 @kevin267: I'll have to have a look thanks.
  • 2 0
 Chimborazo is Ecuador's tallest volcano. Cotopaxi is second tallest.
  • 1 0
 that's right. It will take something to go down from there.
  • 1 0
 @Ferno17: FREERIDE
  • 1 0
 @tacoman93: Indeed
  • 1 0
 How bloody good was that! Great combo Rob and Finn! Ecuador looks incredible!!
  • 1 0
 Nice one Rob and Finn!! The one with the Guru was very good too!!
  • 2 0
 Grande mateo!
  • 1 0
 Increible video, muy bueno.
  • 1 1
 Fin, no that Beanie on top of the hood is not going to catch on......looks up on head......dang it!
  • 1 0
 Black Sabbath T with an upside down cross on the back...love it!!!
  • 2 0
 Rob needs a sock sponsor
  • 1 0
 "i've never been that high in my life" ( ⚆ _ ⚆ )
  • 1 0
 I never watch pb videos but i really enjoyed this
  • 1 0
 That was pretty epic. I did like the mix of riding and local culture.
  • 1 0
 okay, that actually was "Epic"
  • 1 0
 CERO, ROB!!!!
  • 5 5
 Smoke the toad Finley!
  • 1 0
 Should be mandatory!
  • 1 2
 That was great! Def needs a Jamaican trip...where i am now...suckers Wink







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