It is the fastest growing adventure sport in the country. It began to be practised in Peru in the mid eighties. Since then it has not ceased to expand, regarding the number of participants and the quality of the circuits as well.

It is known as mountain bike or mountain biking around the world. Nowadays, its thousands of adepts ride their light bikes through whatever creek and track road exist along the geography of Lima.

Actually, almost any spot of the Peruvian territory, save the coastal desert and the Amazonian plain, is fit for the practice of mountain biking.

However, according to its difficulty and logistical requirements, the circuits can be grouped into three large categories:

Category A: Considered suitable for beginners. It comprises routes with gentle slopes and hard and compact terrain.

Category B: For bikers with some experience. It includes circuits which develop over zones with moderate slopes that imply a certain level of risk.

Category C: Reserved for experts only. It is characterised by the steep terrains and soft and extremely slippery grounds on which it is practiced. They involve a high level of risk and often imply reaching high altitudes.

To start an adventure on a bike in Lima is simply hallucinatory.


PRACTICING PLACES

PACHACAMAC

At 31 kilometres of Lima's Historic Centre, going through the former Pan American Highway. It is the most important destination for bikers in Lima. A series of circuits can be accessed from the former Hacienda San Fernando, which is located east of the town of Pachacamac:

La Chacra (A), on the route to Cieneguilla.

El Manzano (B).

El Cardal (B).

El Chirimoyo (C).

El Lúcumo (C).

Las Lomas (B), amongst others.

The season goes from April to December.


SANTO DOMINGO DE LOS OLLEROS - SAN BARTOLO
(The steepest downhill of the world)

Approx distance: 104 kilometres
Time of the ride: 6 hours
Required experience: Beginners

This route offers two circuits. Both run through the upper part of the valley of the Lurín River.

The first circuit starts with the ascension of the deserted ravine of Tinajas up to the zone called Repartición, at 3000 metres above sea level.

From there begins an abrupt descend to the zone of El Huayco, to end - through 30 kilometres of almost flat terrain - on the beach resorts of San Bartolo or Chilca, whichever the rider chooses.

It is a route reserved for experts only (C). It is recommended to carry abundant water and to have the backup of an expert in the route. It is run between the months of May and October.

The second circuit requires ascension as well. This time by bus up to the town of Santo Domingo de los Olleros, at 3000 metres above sea level, which is inhabited during the month of August only, for the patron festivities?

From there starts a pronounced descent at the edge of the abyss. It is a vertical 3400 metre fall towards the beaches of the Pacific. The beach of San Bartolo is usually chosen, wherein the rider can taste an exquisite grilled fish as a party ending.


LOS PLATANALES OF TOTORITAS

Totoritas is a beach resort that is located in the neighbouring area of the locality of Mala, 81 kilometres south of Lima. It has become one of the most popular of the coast during the last years.

Its routes, which congregate an ever increasing number of bikers, run through farmed fields and have been included in the international circuit of mountain bike rallies.

Here, as at Pachacamac, there are various types of routes:

Los Platanales (A).

El Mirador de Azpitia (A).

La Antena (B).

El Canal Madre (B), amongst others.

They are run during the southern hemisphere's summer (December to March)

OTHER CIRCUITS

They are very close to the capital. They are the routes of Alto Cañete, specially the one comprised between the towns of Vilca and Alis; the zone of Huarochirí, and the upper part of the department's sierra, between the town and lagoon of Marcapomacocha and the valley of Santa Eulalia.