Pro Bikes by José, Guatemala City, Guatemala

The folks at Pro Bikes by José in Guatemala City, Guatemala. Best bicycle shop in Guatemala City.

So I worked out a deal with Pro Bikes by José. They gave me parts at cost in exchange for some English lessons in the form of MP3s, plus some publicity work including putting them on Google Maps, publicizing them on my blog and letting people know about them in the Lonely Planet forum.

Milk Goats in Parque Central, Guatemala City, Guatemala

Update

I am in Guatemala City, staying at the offices of Sister Parish (family connections); I am learning that it is an excellent organization connecting parishes in the US with ones in Guatemala and El Salvador, creating solidarity, cross-cultural understanding, and exchange of ideas and resources.
My objectives here are to replace a few parts on my bicycle: front derailleur, tires, new rimstrip in the front. I have had fun biking around the city, visiting bike shops in search of the derailleur. Finally found a shop that has it, Pro Bikes by José, and I am currently in the process of proposing an exchange of help: I give them positive publicity and some recorded English lessons, and they give me the spare parts I need. I will report back later on that.
It is nice to be in a place with all the products and services I could ask for; I am rather confident that nowhere else in Guatemala has the replacement bike part I need, and conveniences like reliable, high-speed internet, grocery stores, cafés, etc. are abundant here.
Once I obtain the parts I need and the bike is ready to go again, I plan to head back to Antigua, then to San Andres Itzapa, home of Maya Pedal, then to San Lucas Toliman on Lago Atitlán, and then to Esquintla, San José (beach), along the beach and then into El Salvador, taking a coastal route. Such is the current plan. Hilly territory ahead, most of it paved, then then it is downhill to the coast, followed by relatively flat terrain for awhile.

Antigua and Guatemala City

Guatemala City Palace

Outside the Church in Antigua

Playing Puppies, Antigua, Guatemala

At Asistur, the Tourist Police free campground

Road leaving Antigua

Chicken Buses, Guatemala City

Photos from Semuc Champey, Entre Rios, Raxruja, Alta Verapaz

Guy from Entre Rios, Peten, Guatemala tries out my Surly Big Dummy fully loaded.

I gave a 5 km ride to this Kekchi Mayan lady and her two daughters on the road from Sayaxche to Raxruja, Peten, Guatemala

Tire blew on a very hilly, rough section of dirt road between Sebol and Campur, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala. Took a 5 km ride to Campur to obtain replacement tire and tube.

One of the spectacular views obtained after climbing massive meters of mountainous terrain. Near El Pajal, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala.

Group of us from El Retiro Lodge who went on the Cave and Semuc Champey tour.

View of Semuc Champey from above. My face has the orangencoloring from the seeds of a local Mayan plant used for face-painting and perhaps dying textiles.

Chilling at Semuc Champey, one of my favorite places in the world. Sweet swimming, sliding, jumping and diving.

Semuc Champey river swing, Guide Elvis backflips!

Cowboys driving calves down the road, near Santo Tomas, Peten, Guatemala

In Raxruja, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala. Went to Cuevas de Candelaria yesterday. Thinking of going to Lanquin and Semuc Champey today and tomorrow. Been away from internet access for some days until now. The internet service is very poor; hence my post is very short.

Sayaxche, Guatemala Surly Big Dummy 5 kids around park

This was last night.
I don't care what Lonely Planet and everybody else says about Sayaxche; I love it! The vibe; it is right on the river, lots of people and activity. People are very accessible, approachable easy to talk to. I already made friends with the professional, division 2 soccer team; the folks at the pousada I am staying at are very warm and talkative, and the place is beautiful (Hotel Yaxkin).
So yesterday I biked from Flores to Sayaxche, 65km. Today I shall bike to Entre Rios, where the Belgian cyclists are now. The town, I just found out, was set up as sort of a refuge and rebuilding place for folks who were displaced in the civil war. The ride should be about 70km.

My plan is to ride again today! South from Flores to a small village called Entre Rios La Renita, near El Ceibal and Sayaxche. Relatively short distance-wise, I think 50km/30mi max, though on mostly dirt roads. The motivation is to meet up with some fellow cycle tourists I met in Flores; they are from Belgium and started in Mexico City, destination Argentina. Unfortunately, they were relieved of their bikes shortly after starting their trip near Cuernavaca. I have suggested that they obtain replacement bikes at MayaPedal, near Antigua, Guatemala; the shop uses donated bikes and bike parts (and some new parts) to create refurbished bikes for sale as well as "bicimaquinas", which are pedal-powered machines to do any number of tasks including pump water from a well, blend ingredients to make soaps and shampoos, produce electricity, mill and grind grains, etc. They had planned to buy replacement bikes in Costa Rica; I believe they can obtain a better, more eco-friendly product, pay less, and support a great organization by going through MayaPedal. We plan to meet up there in the next couple weeks. Today, I would like to see the small village where they have been doing community service.

Isla de Flores, Peten, Guatemala. One-legged, one-handed local dives off dock into Lake Peten. The dock is the gathering place every evening on the island.

Photos from Flores, Guatemala

Just got word that the glasses should be here within three days. That opens the window to continue cycling by this weekend!

So, life in Flores continues. Los Amigos Hostel. Lots of travelers from all over the world come through here, but those from Australia, Germany, Finland, and the US stand out. The island is quite small and comfortable. It is surrounded by Lake Peten, which is pleasant to swim in. The docks on the West side attract swimmers each afternoon and evening. The sunset is nice to watch from lakeside each day.
As I wait for the package to come in the mail, I am studying Spanish and Portuguese, and I applied for an online tutoring position in Math, English and Elementary Science; eventually, I will add Chemistry, Physics, and Biology--I just have to take and pass the tests. The application process will include a mock tutoring session and a test about using the application interface they company uses. If I get this job, it will be a nice way to earn a bit of income on the road. I will have to make sure I arrive at a location with internet access in time for my tutoring appointments; this should not be an issue as long as I stay near civilization, sticking near at least small-sized cities.

I met some other touring cyclists here. One Anna of Melbourne, Australia who has been traveling and touring on bicycle for the last year and a half. Her blog, full of great photos and commentary, is wishfish.org. Another couple of travelers, Vinko and Colette, are exploring eco-lodges, and their blog is: roundthbendproject.org.

I am in Flores, Guatemala; I am here to wait for a package to come in the mail--a new pair of sports glasses, prescription, so I can play soccer along the way during my trip without worrying about them getting smashed. I can use them while cycling, too, and they protect against sand, dust and wind. The glasses should arrive in the next few days, hopefully. In the meantime, I am staying at Los Amigos Hostel, which costs 35 quetzales, or $4.50/night.
I visited Tikal a few days ago; the ride to it is pretty hilly. Mostly uphill there, downhill back.