On the road . January 2010 . Chile and Argentina
Camping Los Coihues [website] Bariloche, 27-02-10
To a capital of friends
16 kilometres after La Cebada - Santiago de
Chile
(6 cycle days; 1 rest day; 384km; 4063m)
16 km> La Cebada to 9 km>
Huentalauquén (70.00km; 828m)
9 km. after Huentalauquén Sur to Los Molles (66km;
697m)
Los Molles to 5 km. after La Laguna (73km; 952m)
5 km. after La Laguna to Valparaiso (63km; 358m)
Valparaiso to 6 km. after Curacaví (66km; 763m)
6 km. after Curacaví to Santiago (46km; 465m)
Against the force
After a sunset view through barbed wire and toasting
the New Year in somewhat early, January the first is
nothing special. Its the same occasional glimpse of
the coast, same boring scenery with the same fenced
off landscape of cacti and brown earth. Headwinds pick
up and the hills roll to the same intensity. We also
have the similar problem of finding a decent spot to
pitch the tent for the night. One could easily go insane
in these conditions, but you find ways around it: singing
or listening to music helps; designing the inside of
a bus for your next travelling adventures is definitely
therapeutic; or even pretending you are being interviewed
...
Tip of the month: Propel
bottles beat any plastic bike bottle we've ever used!
These Propel bottles were bought in the
US at a local supermarket filled with flavoured
water way back in the middle of October
2008. They cost just US$1.79 each. They
also fitted perfectly in our bike cages
and looked sturdy enough for the endurance
of cycle touring.
And with Ali's getting
the first hole just a little over one year,
one month and one week later, that was proven
correct. Besides their see-through nature,
which means you can tell when they need
a good clean, they have been tough and excellent
value for money. Whether the company still
produces the same bottle or not we don't
know, but if you stumble upon them, then
we suggest you purchase a couple. They are
superb touring bidons!
near La Cebeda (Chile) - Barancas (Argentina)
Kilometres: 1311 km & 50 m
Riding days: 18
Alti meters: 12,160 metres up
Weather: sunny and hot again and again
Best accommodation: Hostal Forestal in Santiago. Cool hostel with extremely
friendly staff!
Special thanks to:
Didier for visiting us at the hostel and reunite! • Hiro for many pleasant beers
and meals in the Santiago afternoon. Hope
we meet again real soon! • Karsten
and Ingrid for catching us at last miniutes notivce in
Santiago and the wonderful night out • Cuchi Leandro and partner who
sent photos of us from along the famous Ruta 40 • Belastingdienst (tax-office)
in Nederland (not!!): this is getting repetitive!
Adriaan for his continual correspondance and
paitence due to the Belastingdienst's incompetent
processing and system • Staff at Hostal Forestal for their friendliness • Carlos and Karlos for a fabulous
time out and instant friendship • Gustavo for his kind and inspiring
words • Richard for his kind and inspiring
words • Benja
and Natalia for the pisco sour evenings; remeniscent talks
and exciting plans for the future, but above
all for surprising us with an invitation to
their wedding in the Chilean Lake District.
It will be an honour to attend guys!
Breakdowns:
03: flat tyre (Son)
23: flat tyre (Son)
25: flat tyre (Ali)
