Bike to Honduras | The Phoenix Projects

Between 11th and 15th August and 18th and 22nd August, we will be biking the old railroad between Guatemala and Honduras. The cost of the challenge which includes food, tents, bikes, guides and transport is $775 and we would like challengers to fundraise $1,000 minimum for the projects, so set your fundraising target at $2,000 and everything is covered, plus a bit extra!

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Día 1 - 47kms

We head out early from Antigua in the loaded vans to the other side of Guatemala City where we gear up, mount the bikes and set off along the old railroad which traverses the country, over some pretty spectacular bridges.

A modest climb before lunch as temperatures near 40 degrees, though thankfully the afternoon is downhill trail as we camp just before dusk in the gardens of a finca on the railside – 47kms down.

Day 2 – to Cabañas

We rise early, pack up and continue along the line, reaching a monster bridge which needs to be traversed on foot. Not for the faint-hearted or those scared of heights. More of these are to follow through the day as the trail descends further into the valley.

All safely across, we skirt around Sanarate, on trail and a bit of road which climbs into Cabañas, where we pitch tents on the banks of the Montagua river – another 48km down with the first milestone in sight.

Day 3 – through the desert

At dawn we stock up on water for the day ahead, a gruelling trek across the desert and passing the 100km mark, skirting the Montagua and a great lunch at the old railstation in El Rancho.

In the afternoon the sun beats down and the temperatures soar over 40 degrees as we continue through the arid desert, reaching our goal of the campsite past Zacapa, and more kms to our names!

Day 4 – in the canyons

Canyon day, and some of the most remarkable scenery in Central America. After breaking camp, we head through deep canyons, with the river idling by, tempting us to jump in! At times, the trail has been washed away, so we carry our bikes and traverse the sides; at others, the trail was so narrow that it either has to be walked, or biked very slowly!

After eating ice-pops in the only village in the region, we climb out of the canyons and head out once again along the lines and bridges, past Chiquimula and to a lush campsite in farmland.

Day 5 – into Honduras

After breaking camp we set out on the final leg – the border with the Honduras, which is also the 200km mark, and then on into Honduras where we arrive mid-afternoon, exhausted though elated that we had made it.