Bogota day 1

I was afraid that I was going to be cold last night. I did wake up one time to put on socks. (I have habitual cold feet). After that I slept comfortably all night. The bed came with a sheet and comforter.

I am really looking forward to the cooler temperatures and bike riding here in Bogota. Already this morning I have updated my Tembici public bike acccount and bought a plan to last for the whole time I am here.

It  is now about 8 am. Breakfast is included with the daily rate here. It opens at 8:30 at a restaurant next door. I'm interested to see what it includes. 

There is a small kitchen  and I have instant coffee with me, so in future days I may make myself some pre-breakfast coffee. I seems they really done incourage cooking though. The kitchen has a apartment size refrigerator, 1 coffee cup, 2 or 3 pans and a total of about 10 assorted knives, spoons and other cooking utensils.

I need to do updates and amendments for the blog for the last few days. I will try to do that today now that I have a better internet connection.

I thought the breakfast was served at a restaurant next door. It was actually down to the corner, turn left and down a half block on the left. I went with another guy staying at the hostel. We had to bang on the door a bit to be let in.

The breakfast wasn't big, just some scrambled eggs, a tasty roll and a mini cup of coffee. 

I didn't stay long a the hostel when I got back. It was time to get a bike and ride. Lucky for me there is a bike station just across the street.

I signed up for the monthly plan that cost all of $8.00 usd. This will let me take out bikes for 60 minutes each ride with a maximum of 4 rides per day. I won't be here that  long but it will for sure be less expensive that renting per ride which is a little over a dollar. Either way, really cheap. I have never had a bad bike with this sytem.  

I unlocked a bike and headed out without any particular destination in mind. 

Bogota is a very bike friendly city with alot of dedicated bike lanes. Some are one the roadway separated by plastic curbs, others with just painted as dedicated bike ways, others painted on some the wider sidewalks completely separated from traffic. Many on busy thoroughfares, but also some in very beautiful tree lined residential neighborhoods.

This is an interesting map. I am not sure it is completely up to date. It shows 2 things. The lines are dedicated bike routes. The other interesting this in the color coding indicates the economic status of the areas.

My sense of direction is not very good, actually it is quite bad. Even with google maps I get turned around and get lost. Today's ride was not unusual. This screenshot of my ride today is evidence of that. My only destination in mind at the start of the day was to visit Simon Bolivar Plaza. I am not really sure why, it just seemed that if I was in Bogota, I should visit the plaza. This is a return trip to Bogota for me. I was here a couple years ago on my first strip to the Amazon. On that trip I stayed not far from the plaza and visited it several times.

I finally did make it to the plaza. I didn't stay long. by that time I was hungry and looking for a place to eat. Another one of my not so good decisions. Most eateries close to the plaza are touristy, more expensive restaurants. I walked away from the plaza and did find a place that had a fixed daily menu. I had been riding and walking a lot so it was nice to sit for awhile. 

My ride did take me through and past several parks and tree lined avenues. They were always a nice break from busy streets that were most of my ride.

Yes, past more beautiful churches. I have visited enought now on this trip, I didn't need to go in to see any more inside. (Sorry about the finger).

I had already used up 3 of my 4 rides for the day and I was quite a ways from the hostel. I check google maps and it looked like a pretty straight shot with little chance of getting lost.

I found another bike station, got a bike and headed back.

The weather is Bogota is perfect for walking and riding when it is not raining. Cool but not too cool. I went out today with only a light shirt and it was perfect. By the time  I got back, it was just about time to add a jersey. 

I picked up my first bike at before 11 am and docked my last bike at about 4 pm. So, I was biking and walking for close to 4 hours with only minimal stop for lunch. A good day of exercise. About 3 hours of biking and close to an hour of walking.