Final ride of the tour

Great final ride. 57kms through the mountains east to the town of Minatitlan. Very scenic, different in character from most of the previous rides, but lots of climbing, probably over 3000ft. While climbing the main ascent I was stopped by two machine gun armed police/antidrug guys and asked a bunch of friendly questions about the trip, where we were from, etc. In Spanish of course. Then they left but when I (I was a couple of minutes behind most of the rest of the group by that time, I'm slow on hills!) got to the top of the climb they were waiting for me on the side of the road and gave me a police escort, holding back other traffic, coloured lights flashing, as I whizzed down 1000ft of downhill the other side. Pretty much unnecessary, the traffic was one car, who would be unlikely to go faster through the twisty downhill curves than a bike, but still, very fun. Yes, I did get my brakes fixed from yesterday.

Followed by lunch sandwiches in front of a Pemex gas station then shuttle bus back to Manzanillo, and into the ocean back at Playa Santiago. Half a dozen hardy types did this shuttled part (another 60kms) on their bikes but I passed! Still lots of climbs despite the overall loss of altitude. A lot of fit cyclists in the group though.

Great trip, probably 5-600kms or so of varied cycling for me in all. On the bus to Puerto Vallarta tomorrow to pick up Cathy at the airport there in the afternoon. Not sure yet what we are doing here for a wrap up tonight.