taking the 40 south
 

Hi guys,
Sorry for late reply. I saw your note a while back and wanted to reply later but just kept heading south taking advantage of the weather and no time for internet. 2 days of non-stop rain (got soaked, nothing is waterproof, GotTex or other) but the rest were sunny.

In Calafate now. Made it through the tough part... The Patagonia 40 is horrible *only* when the wind joins the party. I had 1 day of calm which was actually not bad riding, I saw worse. And I enjoyed the views. But then in the next afternoon, got whipped. The wind lashed me the whole day. It's so tiring to try to keep the bike on the narrow lane (the one with less gravel). Unfortunately, nearly at end of my day, on a downhill, I got my baptism. Blown away on the side gravel, fish tailed left, right, and stupidly, but really stupidly, I front braked... ouch. Yeah, don't say it. My turn signal got the worst of it: my side bag got loose and the harness took part of the signal with it. It's now taped but still working. Otherwise, my crash bars worked like marvel. As for my pride, it will take a few more days to heal ;)

Couple of advise:
- it's getting cold. I got frost all over my bike yesterday morning. Ushuaia is worst, I was told by tourists it actually snowed at night last week.
- Stock on gas in Perito Moreno for 500Km. Otherwise, it's a luck game. On my way down, Bajo Caracol was out of gas (3 days wait) and Tres Lagos was a 1 day wait. I managed to buy 5 liter of gas (all I needed I also had spare) from a tourist driving his car northbound and I was fine.

Keep in touch, I am taking my time in the area hiking then to Ushuaia (in 10 days), and back up (slowly) to warmer weather. Probably in BA in 20 or so days??

Note: I found a mechanic in Iquique, named Pepe, I think on O-Higgins maybe 10 blocks up from the down town area. I'll keep looking for cell # and address and forward. He was just great and helped with fixing my bike.

Ciao

Hi Vroum,
fortunately you didn't get hurt! thanks for the info.
I am in Salta right now and tomorrow will continue south, any information regarding hostels or camping areas would be greatly appreciated, the idea is to go through Ruta 40.
Lets keep in touch and see if we meet somewhere in the route
Saludos,
Fernando
Email: ho7127@hotmail.com

Ferry to TDF
 

Hi Fernando,
Thanks. Yep, I am fine so is the bike but in BA it will need a full review, all the gravel roads shook the hell out of everything.
I guess by now you passed Mendoza? I know this great hostal I stayed at which garded my bike while I climbed Aconcagua.
As for me, tomorrow taking the ferry from Punta Arenas to TDF, hopefully reach Ushuaia the same day, although it will be tough, might stop in Rio Grande. It's very cold here and my finger are freezing even with liner gloves. In Canada, I never had this...

I'll pass you all the info on my route, if anyone else wants it, just ping me.

Ciao