Riding in the 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

• 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.

Long term benefits

The upside is that with all the riding involved in our tours is by the time you go back home you will be ready to take a hit at your personal PR in your local climb! It will be like attending a professional high altitude camp. 

Conclusion

Riding at altitude may seem daunting at first, but with the right preparation and mindset, it’s an achievable challenge. Your body is capable of remarkable adaptation, and with our carefully planned itineraries and expert guidance, you’ll soon find yourself conquering the Andes mountains summits and enjoying the thrill of cycling in Colombia’s high-altitude regions.