Jenny Sky Is The Limit

Last weekend afforded me the privilege of embarking on an exhilarating mountain biking adventure alongside friends and family. An outing that I named “The Neusa Challenge”.

The inspiration for this idea struck me while scrolling through my favourite social media channel, Facebook, and witnessing the infectious grins on my cousin Victor’s face as he joyfully navigated muddy hillsides in tandem with his adventurous partner in crime, Gaby.

Being in Bogota to visit family this month presented the perfect opportunity to organise various side activities, including “The Neusa Challenge,” with the expertise of Victor and Gaby, of course. The goal was to curate a moderate cycling route, allowing us to experience the scenic beauty of Cogua, Cundinamarca, while simultaneously fostering quality family time and engaging in a healthy dose of exercise.

Victor’s suggested route for “The Neusa Challenge” was a 31 km trail circling the Neusa Reservoir, catering to a target audience of moderately fit individuals, a category I optimistically hoped to belong to!

Located 67 km northwest of Bogota, between the municipalities of Cogua and Tausa, The Neusa Park and Reservoir provided the idyllic setting for our adventure. To reach this destination from Bogota, the recommended route led us through the main north highway, passing through La Caro, Briceno, Zipaquira, Choconta, and finally onto the road leading to Tausa.

With all logistics in place, a date was chosen, and a well-timed schedule was established. Invitations done through a Facebook event, my preferred method for organising gatherings, with the plan to kick off the challenge promptly at 7 am from the designated meeting point.

Embracing the Colombian tradition of fashionably late arrivals, our “Neusa Challenge” officially commenced around 9:30 am. Despite our efforts to leave Bogota at 6:30 am, the 62 km car journey to our designated meeting point, Restaurante la Parrilla del Neusa, was expected to take only 1 hour and 30 minutes according to Google Maps. However, our punctuality was put to the test as we navigated through amusing situations involving borrowed cycles, the logistical puzzle of loading them into the cars, Waze-induced navigation challenges, and a few comrades grappling with unexpected tummy sickness.

In the end, the challenge commenced a mere 2 ½ hours later than initially planned, a minor setback considering the hurdles faced. After all, as the saying goes, better late than never!

The group ended up being comprised of 18 people, a vibrant mix of Victor and Gaby’s cycling companions, along with members of my extended family, friends, and even some non-biking peers who joined us in the car and later at the restaurant. A special thanks to my sweet nephew Tomas, who ensured I had a bike for the challenge. The bike proved its worth admirably, especially on the flat terrains. However, when it came to tackling the hills, I found it to be quite a challenging task.

This is where the comical twist in the tale unfolds: a little over an hour into my personal challenge, fuelled by a touch of overconfidence, I “forgot” to use the brakes while navigating some rocky terrain. Predictably, this oversight landed me in trouble, and I found myself tumbling over the rugged, muddy landscape, executing an odd flip-flop in the process!!. The brunt of the fall was taken by my right hand, resulting in some wounds and a touch of dizziness .. ouch!

While not a major setback, it did manage to delay me by over half an hour. With no internet access during the cycling route, marking it on my timeline was impossible. Nonetheless, the journey took me over 5 hours to complete, allowing for some scenic stops. Our first pause was at Tausa, where we gathered for a group picture.

Following our group picture in Tausa, we continued our journey and made a captivating stop on the shore, offering one of the most breath-taking views of the Neusa Reservoir.

Thanks to my crazy older brother, who accompanied us with a car for half of the journey, which led to some amusing episodes, as the guys had to ingeniously clear tree branches along the route to create sufficient space for the car to pass. Beyond the laughs, it provided much-needed relief for some of the participants, including my dear friend Josesito, who was unable to continue the cycling journey.

Fortunately, during this stop, I seized the opportunity to switch to a more suitable cycle for hilly terrain, a decision that proved beneficial for the challenges that lay ahead.

The journey proved to be quite a challenge for me, and while it took nearly twice as long as I initially intended, the sense of accomplishment was immensely satisfying.

The views of the Neusa Park and Reservoir are truly breath-taking. Spanning over 3700 hectares of pine, eucalyptus, and other native forests, it stands as a true haven for nature enthusiasts, offering a wealth of opportunities for water sports, sailing, and mountain biking. The journey through this natural gem was well worth the effort.

The Neusa Reservoir serves as a vital water source for the towns of Cogua and Zipaquira, providing drinking water and acting as a flood regulator for Bogota by managing peak flows in the river basin. Initiated in 1949 and completed in 1952, the construction of the reservoir plays a crucial role in regional water management.

Today, the reservoir and its surrounding park have become a renowned tourist destination, attracting nature enthusiasts with its scenic beauty and recreational opportunities.

Returning to the restaurant at 2:40 pm, a sense of accomplishment and a trove of new travel adventures filled me. Heartfelt gratitude to all the participants, with special thanks to Gaby and my dear cousin Victor, along with his cycling friends.

A big shout-out to my mother, brother, sisters, and the rest of the family for supporting me in this endeavour; your presence truly kept me smiling throughout this wonderful adventure.

Thank you all for making it an unforgettable experience!

“May your trails be crooked, winding, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.” – Edward Abbey

Love nature

🌳

Jenny