Panama City + Trip Stats

As I was patting myself on the back for making it across the canal and to my destination, I wasn’t really expecting much from Panama City itself. But while rolling through and catching a glimpse, I knew that it required further exploring… plus trip stats.

The city is mostly comprised of two distinctive parts when looking at it from a distance — 1. the crusty and colorful older neighborhoods lined with beautiful colonial architecture and remnants of retro Panamericana; and 2. the massive business district skyline. We decided to spend our time in the older parts of town and wander the colorful, cultural maze of people, food and bustle. I figured we were out of the tourist zone when within two blocks I was propositioned by someone I wasn’t sure was a man or woman, and we were told by a bum, ‘I wouldn’t go down that street.’ Walking another 3 blocks, we were comforted by expensive cafés and water front shops. That is kind of how Panama City is… many faces and an ever-changing landscape of sights and experiences (see photos below).

Also, here are some trip stats:

  • Total Distance:4,617.68 km / 2,869.29 m
  • Total ascent (climbing): 101,027 ft (prior to losing altimeter in Northern Costa Rica)
  • Biggest climbing day: 7,024 ft ascending
  • Longest day: 125.8 km / 78.2 m
  • Shortest day: 9 km / 5.6 m
  • Top speed: 68.4 km/h / 42.5 mph
  • Falls: 21
  • Flat tires: 14
  • Most food eaten in 1 day:I think this did it.
  • Other touring cyclists we met: 16

Panama City - Bike Touring Blog
The city skyline from the walkway along the water.

Panama City - Bike Touring Blog
Some interesting street art.

Panama City - Bike Touring Blog
The skyline from an overpass.

Panama City - Bike Touring Blog
A post-ride street snack of yuca and chorizo drizzled with homemade hot-sauce.

Panama City - Bike Touring Blog

Many of interesting people with many of hints of America.
Panama City - Bike Touring Blog

Panama City - Bike Touring Blog

Panama City - Bike Touring Blog
Not sure what this guy was setting up for, but he didn’t mind having his picture taken.

Panama City - Bike Touring Blog

Panama City - Bike Touring Blog

Panama City - Bike Touring Blog

Panama City - Bike Touring Blog
This gentleman was selling the local lottery tickets.

Panama City - Bike Touring Blog

A group of indigenous Panamanian women.
Panama City - Bike Touring Blog
Believe it or not, it’s hard to find bananas here, but there are plenty of platanos.

Panama City - Bike Touring Blog
I think this guy was going to attack me.

Panama City - Bike Touring Blog

Panama City - Bike Touring Blog

Panama City - Bike Touring Blog

Panama City - Bike Touring Blog

Panama City - Bike Touring Blog
Panama City - Bicycle Touring Blog
Graffiti in pencil.

Panama City - Bicycle Touring Blog

Panama City - Bicycle Touring Blog

Panama City - Bicycle Touring Blog
In the Mercado de Mariscos.

Panama City - Bicycle Touring Blog
I wonderful lunch of lobster cocktail and shrimp ceviche.

Panama City - Bicycle Touring Blog
Panama has the most colorful and decorated buses… by far.

Panama City - Bicycle Touring Blog
A model of the dredging boat used in the construction of the Canal (at the Panama Canal Museum).

Panama City - Bicycle Touring Blog
Amodel of the new dredging boat being used in the new Panama Canal.

Panama City - Bicycle Touring Blog
A cruise ship entering the Miraflores locks.

Panama City - Bicycle Touring Blog
The locks at Miraflores. Pretty amazing that the Canal has 2 sets of locks to manage the tidal surges – one on the Pacific side and one on the Atlantic.

Panama City - Bicycle Touring Blog
Bonvoyage to the cruise ship passengers.

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