What would be the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear Colombia ? Something negative or bad? Almost sure white powder or violence, that paint of portrait of a country that couldn't be further from the reality .

Hopefully this small article can give you a grand idea of one of the most unfortunate countries in Latin America . Colombia is the place where I spent one of the best months of my life, among its big cities, small towns, the heights of the three mountain ranges, and the lows of its majestic valleys, no matter where I was I always seemed to be among its wonderful people. Colombia is a place of great variety and true intensity where everything seems to look and taste sweeter than any other.

I have never felt so welcome anywhere as I did in this wonderful land where you constantly reminded that good things can always come from bad.

The riding scene is big, much larger than I ever imagined. In Bogotá there is big flat scene, where a small Red Bull comp, that I helped organize, brought out almost 100 riders. Generally the public is interested in the sport, and is still relatively unknown among everyday Colombians. Bogotá, Colombians capital, is more than 2.5000 meters above sea level, so takes a little getting used to specially when riding. On Sundays, the city closes its two largest freeways and opens them to bikes. Thousands get out and enjoy open lanes by bike.

Medellín, the second largest city in Colombia , is famous for its crime, among other illegal activities. The neighborhood of “El Envigado” is where the well known Pablo Escobar was based.

There are a lot of riders in Medellín, and have the local support of the local sports complex, where flatlanders have a consistent place to ride. There is also a strong street scene, but good ramps are hard to come by.

Next was Cali , another place well known for its crime and illegal happenings. While I was there I never once saw any drugs or violence. Cali lies in the valley of cauca , where it is much more tropical and humid. Alejandro Caro was the reason why I went to Colombia and exceptional host. We met up in Manizales , high in the central range home to the world's best coffee growing. We did a number of amazing small trips just outside of Cali , up into the mountains of Bug. Also floating down a river on a bamboo raft near Pereira .

In Cali there is not much of a flat scene, but the dirt scene is unreal. There are really good dirt jumps and world-class dirt jumpers. We took a day trip into the mountains near a town called Buga, where Alejandro has a country house. It's complete with trout pools, banana, coffee and Lulo plantations. Also is bike friendly with two big dirt jumps, one into a huge foam pit.

Watch out for the bmxarmy once their papers are in order. Even if you have money it can be very hard to acquire visas to travel to Europe or the US .