Cycling in Sierra (Andean Highlands)

Ecuador's Andean Sierra is volcano country. Climb and trek the Avenue of the Volcanoes, mountain bike high paramo and raft nearby rivers, with guides and centres on Adventuro.

Overview

Cycling is one of those rare things that works at every level. A quiet hour on the flat is as valid as a hundred-mile day in the hills, and both leave you better than when you started. The only real decision is how far and how hard.

Road riding is about smooth tarmac and covering ground. Gravel takes you onto tracks and quiet back lanes. E-bikes flatten the hills and bring longer rides within reach for everyone. Whatever you ride, the social side is half the point, and most groups are friendlier than their lycra suggests.

The guides and coaches on adventuro run led rides, skills sessions and tours for all abilities. They will sort your position on the bike and your confidence on the road, which makes the miles a lot more pleasant.

FAQs

Not always. Many guided rides and tours can provide a bike, including e-bikes. Check the session, and bring a helmet or ask if one is included.

It scales to you. Pick a ride that matches your fitness, and an e-bike makes hills and distance easy if you are starting out.

No, and anyone who says so is usually being left behind. They let more people ride further and keep groups together, which is no bad thing.

Either. Gravel and quiet lanes feel safer away from traffic, road riding suits covering distance. Try both and see what you enjoy.

Comfortable, close-fitting clothes and a helmet. Padded shorts make a bigger difference than you would expect on longer rides.

Skills sessions teach road positioning and confidence, and many routes stick to quiet lanes and trails. You choose how much traffic you want.

Further than you think, especially with an e-bike. A relaxed first ride might be 15 to 25 km, building from there.

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