Mountain biking in the andes, pedaling through inca trails
Your body feels the change immediately at 11,150 feet above sea level. Every pedal stroke demands extra effort, the air thins out, and a gentle slope becomes a real challenge. Your muscles cry out for oxygen and your heart rate jumps without warning. Cusco sits deep in the Andean mountain range, former capital of the Tahuantinsuyo. Its main appeal for mountain bikers lies in the trails that cross the region. Paths built over 500 years ago by pre-Columbian cultures, still used today by communities that speak Quechua as their everyday language. Adapting to altitude The city sits at 11,150 feet. To put that in perspective: Mexico City reaches 7,350 feet, Denver hits 5,280, and most cities worldwide stay below 1,640 feet. Physical adaptation isn't optional. Initial symptoms appear quickly: moderate headache, general fatigue, and shallow breathing. Altitude sickness affects virtually all visitors coming from
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