No, it’s not about a salsa — the name comes from the willow tree, “sauce” in Spanish. One of Tarapoto’s main tourist attractions can be reached by bike, though it takes some effort, especially once the sun decides to join the ride.

Back then, cycling in the area was still rare. There weren’t many riders to ask for advice, so our spirit was simply to explore and figure things out. We studied maps, learned a bit about local transport, and thanks to the generosity of the great Carlos González (RIP) from Puerto Palmeras, we had a couple of bikes to set off on our adventure.

We left Tarapoto early in the morning, full of energy. But as expected, the sun quickly began to beat down on us. Before it drained us completely, we flagged down a tuk‑tuk, loaded the bikes, and got dropped off near the Colombia Bridge — saving ourselves a long, hot stretch before crossing the mighty Huallaga River.

On the far side, there was no help waiting. Just us, the road, and the sun overhead trying to wear us out. The climb was steady and relentless: a direct 9K ascent 600mt positive with no shade, no stops, and nowhere to buy supplies. Still, we pushed through, and eventually reached our destination.

By the time we were ready to head back, the day was slipping away. Riding all the way down to the river meant risking being stranded without transport, with night falling fast. So we did what cyclists often do when the road demands improvisation — we flagged down a station wagon, loaded the bikes, and let it carry us as close as possible back to Tarapoto.