Mountain biking in the shadow of Cotopaxi. Photo by Biking Dutchman . For most people, the extreme cycling environment of the Andes is best enjoyed going downhill. The Andes create a playground of huge vertical descents and gut-wrenching climbs at altitudes where the snow line and the equator meet. The world-class descent directly down the slopes of Cotopaxi Volcano, the technical descent down Pichincha Volcano, and trips that take riders from the heights of the Andes to the Amazon Basin are all highly recommended.
Careful planning is key.
Don't bet your life on directions given by locals, as they'll send you off on a wild goose-chase rather than admit that they don't know which way to go. The lesser-traveled back roads make the best routes. Avoid the Inter-American highway, and most other paved roads in Ecuador, as you will encounter reckless truck and bus drivers that are not used to seeing bicycles on the road. Most parts of Quito are extremely biker unfriendly, and should be avoided like the plague. Traditional cobblestone roads will rattle your bones loose.