Biking (Road) 7:12:00 [2] 106.0 km (4:05 / km) +3800m 3:27 / km
From Mariquita to Manizales, up and over Alto de Letras, one of the longest road climbs in the world. Left right after it got light first thing in the morning. Already it was humid, and we were aiming to time things so that our elevation would cool things off as the heat of the day increased. We could see the volcano in the distance, kinda cool. Met some local roadies on the way. We stopped in Fresno and Padua for snacks and drinks.
As we climbed higher, the grade got steeper and it got misty. Eventually, the mist turned to rain. My biggest day of climbing but the angle didn't get too severe so I was able to keep it at a steady rhythm most of the way (mostly in granny gear). Still felt decent at the end, except that we got poured on for about the last hour and everyone got really cold. At the summit, we stopped into a little eatery for hot chocolate and warm food, and they let us stand by their stove to try to warm up. We weren't really getting any warmer, so when the rain let up, we went for it and did the final 25 km down from the pass. We had even contemplated getting taxis and loading the bikes, but there weren't any convenient taxi options, this summit is kind of in the middle of nowhere.
Unfortunately, the summit isn't very scenic, no big open views and not much for monuments to celebrate your accomplishment of the summit/pass, but I would still come and ride this climb again (especially if I somehow knew it would not rain).