Riding at altitude: fear not!
One common question when joining our bike tours is, “How is it riding in the altitude?” It’s a valid concern and when your think that Bogotá, the main entrance point sits close at 8000 ft is even more daunting. But fear not – we’ve got you covered. We have put a lot of thought into our itineraries to make sure that your body can cope with the challenges that each tour presents.
Acclimatization is Key
The biggest challenge riders face at altitude is the shortness of breath. Just getting to your room in the first hotel in Bogotá can be a surprise how much more air do you need for common tasks! But rest assured, your body is remarkably adaptive. Our tours are designed to not burn all the matches in one go, and raise the bar for challenges as we move along, giving your body the time it needs to adjust. If you are climbing the Alto de Letras sure this tips will become helpful, and probably is already in your mind how is your body going to react.Taking More Breaths:
- While the initial shock of shortness of breath can be daunting, your body and mind will adapt fairly quickly.
- Your body will naturally crave more oxygen, and you’ll find yourself taking deeper breaths without even realizing it.
- It’s common to experience a contradiction between your body and mind. Your body may signal the need to stop, while your mind insists that you can keep going.
- This mental battle is normal and something many riders experience. It’s all part of the challenge of cycling at altitude.
What to Expect
During the first few days of your tour, you may notice some initial discomfort as your body adjusts to the altitude. You might feel a bit more tired than usual, and the air may feel thinner, making breathing a bit more challenging.- Our experienced guides will be there every step of the way to offer support and encouragement, always dial your expectations about performance, you will do great! It’s not a race.
- If the climbing becomes too much, take a deep breath and enjoy the view, take your time, take a picture of the stunning scenery without feeling overwhelmed. You will make it, just give yourself a brake.
- Everybody reacts differently, so you might just be one of the lucky ones who altitude doesn’t really do nothing to their body, by for the most part expect some decrease in your performance.