Riding in Colombia

[Martin318is]

{Brought across from another thread}
....
For me the really sad part is that when I was in Colombia the first time I would have loved to ride in the mountains or enter a local race but didn't feel safe to do so.

 

[Berzin]

Fair enough.
For me the really sad part is that when I was in Colombia the first time I would have loved to ride in the mountains or enter a local race but didn't feel safe to do so.

Not to get off-topic, but when and where was your first trip to Colombia, if you don't mind me asking?

The reason I ask is because now it's a bit different. I firmly believe that anyone who loves cycling should take a trip and ride in Colombia. If not you will be missing out on a truly amazing experience. Granted, the logistics must be set and you must have contacts withing the cycling community, but that's not difficult to do.

The country and the people are worth taking a trip to do so, if only once.

 

[Martin318is]

2003-2004 New year period for several weeks (Bogota (main base), Paipa/Boyaca, Villavicencio, and a few other places)

Jan 2008 (Bogota, an Island off the coast of Cartagena, Bogota)

Probably going back this year.

 

[Escarabajo]

Fair enough.
For me the really sad part is that when I was in Colombia the first time I would have loved to ride in the mountains or enter a local race but didn't feel safe to do so.

OT.

Me either. Now is safer. But now I live here in the USA. All around me is flat.

When I lived there I used to ride all around the Sabana de Bogota. It was very fun and pretty. Now I do it by car.

 

[Martin318is]

I know the perception is that it is a lot safer now than it was even 5 years ago but there is a degree of instability that makes it a little unpredicatble.

Back in 2003 the city roads were astonishingly bad and it seemed that every car I saw was dented and/or had broken suspension. Locals were patching roads by throwing half-bricks into the large holes.

When I was back there in '08 the roads were MUCH better and the place felt really relaxed and comfortable.

But then, the situation in Bogota over the course of the New Year this year when the government just kind of 'went away' for a while. (this is a MASSIVE oversimplification of what happened but it probably makes sense to those that know about it). At the time, locals were at serious risk from criminals who noticed the police were off the streets - a 6ft white Australian such as myself is in a whole different category of risk.

 

[Escarabajo]

I know the perception is that it is a lot safer now than it was even 5 years ago but there is a degree of instability that makes it a little unpredicatble.

Back in 2003 the city roads were astonishingly bad and it seemed that every car I saw was dented and/or had broken suspension. Locals were patching roads by throwing half-bricks into the large holes.

When I was back there in '08 the roads were MUCH better and the place felt really relaxed and comfortable.

But then, the situation in Bogota over the course of the New Year this year when the government just kind of 'went away' for a while. (this is a MASSIVE oversimplification of what happened but it probably makes sense to those that know about it). At the time, locals were at serious risk from criminals who noticed the police were off the streets - a 6ft white Australian such as myself is in a whole different category of risk.

It is safer but you could be an inevitable target on the bike.

When I see Americans or Europeans that want to enjoy Colombia to the full extent I tell them to dye their hair and not talk at all.

These problems usually come from the weak economy that even if the Country is doing all the right things there is still some risk associated with regular crime.

 

[Martin318is]

My wife has always said that Colombia is generally clear - you go where people say its safe and you avoid where they say not to go. Just after I got home the first time, a few Australians were kidnapped by FARC because.... they went hiking in a known dangerous zone. Not only that though, they got let go because they were stupid enough to be hiking in the mountains in strappy sandals and when the shoes started to fail, the kidnappers got annoyed at them being so slow, and dumped them.

Anyway, I do have dark hair and a smattering of Spanish, but I found that in Bogota in particular, I was that one head that bounces over the top of the entire crowd. I'm not that tall but I am wide across the shoulders and I stood out big time.

Looking at the mountains there, I wish it was like Treviso or somewhere where you could safely ride whereever you wanted...

 

[Ildabaoth]

Most people are overreacting. Kidnapping was very serious in the 80's and 90's. There were several years in which there were more than 3000 kidnapped persons. But right now this is not the case. For example, between january and july 2010, only 3 foreign persons were kidnapped in Colombia. In that same period, more than 700.000 foreing persons visited Colombia (I assume that because between january and june there were 678.177). That is, the odds are less than 0,0005%). 2 of the 3 kidnapped persons were released in the next few days by the police. The other one was a millionary japanese guy, who was kept for almost 5 months by common criminals who later delivered him to the FARC and it was probably paid a huge ransom for him to be released. I don't have more recent data, but I don't think things have worsened, considered that the kidnapping values have been decreasing.

I have myself voyaged around the country with quite a few european friends, even to regions considered somewhat dangerous, and nothing happened. Not to suggest you to go to the worst areas in the country, but it is pretty much safe. Actually, the drivers are quite more dangerous. They can be real jerks. One of them ran over Soler last year (or 2009, I don't remember), in what could be considered the only accident in which Soler was involved but wasn't caused by him.

 

[595RED]

Most people are overreacting. Kidnapping was very serious in the 80's and 90's. There were several years in which there were more than 3000 kidnapped persons. But right now this is not the case. For example, between january and july 2010, only 3 foreign persons were kidnapped in Colombia. In that same period, more than 700.000 foreing persons visited Colombia (I assume that because between january and june there were 678.177). That is, the odds are less than 0,0005%). 2 of the 3 kidnapped persons were released in the next few days by the police. The other one was a millionary japanese guy, who was kept for almost 5 months by common criminals who later delivered him to the FARC and it was probably paid a huge ransom for him to be released. I don't have more recent data, but I don't think things have worsened, considered that the kidnapping values have been decreasing.

I have myself voyaged around the country with quite a few european friends, even to regions considered somewhat dangerous, and nothing happened. Not to suggest you to go to the worst areas in the country, but it is pretty much safe. Actually, the drivers are quite more dangerous. They can be real jerks. One of them ran over Soler last year (or 2009, I don't remember), in what could be considered the only accident in which Soler was involved but wasn't caused by him.

I went there twice in 95 for racing, may then September, we had armed police everywhere we trained, the terrain is unbelieveable and the climbs go on forever through areas you would not think possible. If you can put together a trip with some relative safety, ie cycling with local clubs it would be well worth the trip.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

if you consider mexico or south africa to be save then you can definetely go to colombia I've heard.

 

[Escarabajo]

Most people are overreacting. Kidnapping was very serious in the 80's and 90's. There were several years in which there were more than 3000 kidnapped persons. But right now this is not the case. For example, between january and july 2010, only 3 foreign persons were kidnapped in Colombia. In that same period, more than 700.000 foreing persons visited Colombia (I assume that because between january and june there were 678.177). That is, the odds are less than 0,0005%). 2 of the 3 kidnapped persons were released in the next few days by the police. The other one was a millionary japanese guy, who was kept for almost 5 months by common criminals who later delivered him to the FARC and it was probably paid a huge ransom for him to be released. I don't have more recent data, but I don't think things have worsened, considered that the kidnapping values have been decreasing.

I have myself voyaged around the country with quite a few european friends, even to regions considered somewhat dangerous, and nothing happened. Not to suggest you to go to the worst areas in the country, but it is pretty much safe. Actually, the drivers are quite more dangerous. They can be real jerks. One of them ran over Soler last year (or 2009, I don't remember), in what could be considered the only accident in which Soler was involved but wasn't caused by him.

+1. Agree on everything.

Foreigners still have to be careful because regular crime will never go away. There is crime almost in every country, and it could be worse if the economy is not as strong as in the first world countries. So if you are blonde (or light brown hair), tall and have a heavy accent that could be a trigger for regular robbers.

I am dreaming of going to my country again and ride my bicycle everywhere I can. I was going to do a trip by car around the whole country with my family back in 1995-96, but then things got very nasty on the roads with the "Pescas Milagrosas" and decided not to do it.

 

[overgeared]

i feel obliged to contribute on this one on the basis that my other half is colombian, grew up knowing some of the current pros, and i've spent a fair bit of time over there myself.

the key here is to take a balanced view and be comfortable where you stand on the spectrum of risk versus reward. colombia isnt the most dangerous place in the world, but it's a long way from the safest. driving standards can be reckless, it's an attitude problem especially prevalent in the cities, and drink driving is far more prevalent than it might be in a more regulated country. on the other hand if you can find some quiet roads in a less populated area, the riding is world class.

as regards violence it is of course a poor country and this can always spell trouble. what wouldnt you do to a strange *** if it paid to feed you for 3 months? the key is not to carry or display any sort of wealth. guerillas & paramilitaries, the 2 sides of the never ending political conflict, you do want to avoid so it's essential to know that the place you're going isnt a hot area. consult a decent travel guide like www.paisatours.com

 

[Michele]

Personally I would be very tempted to go to Colombia for a cycling holiday let's say in winter, but sounds like you'd have to use an old bike/clothing and most importantly some connections among the colombian cycling community which not everyone has.

 

[riobonito92]

I spent 3 weeks riding round Colombia on my own in 1995. It was a fantastic experience. Everywhere I went I was was welcomed and did not feel unsafe. The terrain is fantastic - some of the best climbing and descending I have done.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

I spent 3 weeks riding round Colombia on my own in 1995. It was a fantastic experience. Everywhere I went I was was welcomed and did not feel unsafe. The terrain is fantastic - some of the best climbing and descending I have done.

how is descending there because they don't use hairpin curves right?? just straight big roads up and down