Bike race: Mariela, Bryssa, Alandra, Adriana, Marcos, and Laura

The girls have tasted the freedom of bike wheels, and they cannot get enough of it. We usually ride along the bike path that begins near Corazón del Pastor and runs 9 miles through the north of Cochabamba to Lagune Lalay. Their enthusiasm for biking is infectious. The younger and less experienced riders practice in the park near the home. Marcos has been learning to ride on Saturdays while he is visiting his sister. It can be frustrating learning a new skill, especially when most of the other kids can already do it. But Marcos is determined to learn and is getting the hang of biking “solito” (on his own).

Bryssa and Evelyn snacking on mulberries in the park.

While resting in the park, Mariela and Karina flocked to the pacay tree to scavenge fruits.

Laura is quite the little monkey.

The girls have been gaining endurance and confidence maneuvering traffic and abiding the rules of the road. Last Sunday, Evelyn, Paty, Jhoselin, and Laura road all the way to and around the Lagune (a total of 22 miles!) The final 5 miles required lots of fuel and water, and they returned home exhausted but proud of their accomplishment.

Biking around the Lagune has been in the back of our heads for months–since we began to talk about our exercise goals. The girls have worked hard, slowly but surely building up their strength, and working towards this goal. This is no small feat. I am so proud of them!!!

Weary delirium after their 4-hour ride.