From Lima to Ushuaia departing in one week...
 

Hi, I should be leaving Lima by March 8th or 9th to start a trip to Ushuaia...anyone in Lima in those dates?
Fernando

I am in Iquique, Chile. Should be departing on the 18th (or about), so depending on your speed, the timing may work out. Keep in touch.

Hi guys,
Greenthumb, if you end up leaving earlier, we might meet.

Fernando, will you be crossing from Chile to Mendoza and heading 40 south? I'll be ariving in Bariloche on the 16th, where I'll be changing tires (already ordered). Probably heading south to Ushuaia around 18-March?

If you guys are in or around this time, drop me a message, would be great to head down in group. Beside, I wouldn't mind waiting in El Bolson ;)

Ciao

Unfortunately I am taking a course here and it finishes then, so I highly doubt I will be leaving earlier.
Group ride would be nice since I have yet to meet a partner the entire trip!

Hi, unfortunately I still have to finish some papaerwork in Lima, and I think I will be leaving by the 15th or 16th march...my idea is to cross into Argentina through Jama, but its not for sure. I definately want to avoid getting into Santiago...

Where are you riding now?
 

Hi Fernando, Greenthumb,
So I took my time heading down, visiting and enjoying beautiful Argentina. I now estimate to be in the city of Perito Moreno on Saturday 3-Apr or Sunday.

How´s your ride down and where about are you guys? wonder if you guys caught up to me. Might be able to meet up after all.

Ciao

Hi Vroum, I am still in Lima, and should start the trip this saturday...some problems with the bike...lets be in touch and see if we meet somewhere in Ruta 40...
Saludos!

in Lima tomorrow for day or two, then south
 

anyone want to get together for a beer or ride some together towards Cusco, etc. let me know

Larry

Im still in Iquique. I have been planning on leaving 'tomorrow' for over a week now. I have gotten into the sport of paragliding and am finding it difficult to stop. I can't say when I will actually be on the road again, but probably soon.

My planned route is still a rather direct path to Buenos Aries, but that too is up in the air. :mchappy:

Hi Greenthumb, I should be in Iquique next Tuesday, in which hotel are you staying? Saludos,
Fernando

up in the air, haha. I did parasailing from a boat and some parachuting, have not jumped off a cliff yet. Flew an ultralight weight-shift with a motor a couple times and survived. Sounds like fun, what is it, a groundschool, dual training, then solo? How much and how long?
Where the hell is Iquique? It is good to get caught up in things like that, can't just ride all the time.
I am in Lima and checking out central, Barranca, Callao...
From here I am going to Cusco/MP, then Puno, La Paz? Chile, Argentina, maybe a taste of Uruguay and Brazil (Porto Allegra...where they also have paragluiding), then flying to Toronto with bike from BA May 19.
Cheers

Larry

Im staying at the flight park (paraglide school). It is at the very south end of town and is good place to stay even if you're not flying. cheap, clean and very secure, but it is not within walking distance to any services. I can get you some coordinates if you wish.


Iquique is about 500km south of the Peru/Chile border or 450km north of Antofogasta. It is the only city between Arica and Antofogasta.

The full course is 2 weeks, everyday. The entire course is done solo, starting with kiting (ground skills) and progressing to short flights after a few days. the cost depends on the number of people - about $1200 by yourself and significantly less with 2-3 people. Even at full price, its about half the cost as it would be in north america. Iquique is also unique in the weather and geography makes it one of the beast places to learn in the world.

Hi greenthumb, I should be in iquique tomorrow...do you know where may i fina da rear tire for my klr? thanks,
Fernando

hmmmmm, enduro parts are short here. I don't know your size, but there is a tire shop at the zofri that stocks a few.

Yes they have told me to look in zonafri...I am going today...do you have any contact number or email, may be we can meet today..I should be leaving Iquique tomorrow, I need to plan my route to ushuaia...

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