Small wheels in a big world
We took the bikes at noon to the bus station, as the clerk told us yesterday we´d better bring them some hours before departure time. The bus („Chevallier“ company) left at 4 o´clock in the afternoon and we had a very convenient trip with food and drinks served by a stewart-not to compare with the ride to „Chilecito“ at the beginning of the journey.
„Zapala to Buenos Aires: No problem taking the bikes on the bus“ weiterlesen
Wednesday January 30, 2013, 60 km (37 miles) – Total so far: 1,612 km (1,002 miles)
We had a breakfast like the royal family: with cheese, fruits, fresh bread, juice etc. etc. As soon as we were pedaling out of the village the road was rising up very steep and on top of the mountain like so often, there was waiting no real downhill. The road was going a little bit down and then up again, and it kept on going like this.
Tuesday January 29, 2013, 96 km (60 miles) – Total so far: 1,552 km (964 miles)
We didn´t get to much sleep that night. Not because of our „beds“, but because some dogs were barking all night long and the cocks did their „cock-a-doodle-doos“ at 4 o´clock in the morning already. So we started as soon as the day broke, taking with us the food that was left from yesterday. In „Chorriaca“ there is no possibility to buy something least of all at this time of day.
Monday January 28, 2013, 76 km (47 miles) – Total so far: 1,456 km (905 miles)
We left early in the morning, and the road immediately was climbing up. „Chorriaca“ lies almost 500 m higher than „Chos Malal“ and so we expected some climbs anyway. The road was o.k. just a lot of ups and downs all the time and the weather looked like it could be raining. Beside the road we saw a small cat someone surely had just left there, and it was crying so loud and desperately that one´s heart could brake.
„Chos Malal to Chorriaca: Lost village on Ruta 40“ weiterlesen
Sunday January 27, 2013
There is nothing special to say about this day. We slept until 12 o´clock, got some food,had a siesta and in the evening went to the main square where some live acts were playing traditional folk music.
Saturday January 26, 2013, 92 km (57 miles) – Total so far: 1,380 km (857 miles)
Buta Ranquil is quite small and when we left at 7.30 am, we hardly could find a store open. So we just bought some sweet stuff to eat during the day. No chance to get some bananas, which serve most to give you energy and don´t make your stomach feel filled up with food. Some water and on we went.
„Buta Ranquil to Chos Malal: Climbs,wind and thirst“ weiterlesen
Friday January 25, 2013, 67 km (42 miles) – Total so far: 1,288 km (800 miles)
We took it easy in the morning and started after having the argentinian breakfast at about 10.30 am. People already had told us about the bad condition of the road after the first 65km of pavement. We pedaled easily at first as there was no wind like yesterday, just a little breeze-nothing.
„Bardas Blancas to Buta Ranquil: Kamikaze hitch-hiking“ weiterlesen
Thursday January 24, 2013, 68 km (42 miles) – Total so far: 1,221 km (759 miles)
As soon as we started the wind was blowing in our faces. From the beginning it was hard to pedal and the wind got stronger and stronger and always contrary-well at least the landscape was beautiful. The road in general was climbing up with a lot of little downhills in between, so we did a lot of height meters before we reached the altitude of 2000m.
„Malargüe to Bardas Blancas: Fighting the patagonian winds!!“ weiterlesen
Wednesday January 23, 2013
We had that typical argentinian breakfast which doesn´t take much time, and went to find a place where we could wash our clothes. As everything was closed because of the week-end (one of the few argentinian towns where people respect the week-end!) we ended up having a milk shake in a small cafe beside the main road.
„Malargüe chilling: Meeting the Malargüe policewomen“ weiterlesen
Tuesday January 22, 2013, 165 km (103 miles) – Total so far: 1,153 km (716 miles)
At 6.45am we were leaving already. Our plan was to stop in „El Sosneado“ after 110km. The road was easy, all paved, but always slowly climbing up. After an hour I had to fix a flat tire on the roadside, which cost us a lot of time, but still it was early.
„Nihuil to Margüe: No way to sleep in El Sosneado“ weiterlesen