Travellers Stories

South American Journeys

For many years, I had a dream, I wanted to travel in Patagonia by motorcycle. Like many dreams, I did not know if it would ever become true. Somehow I was waiting for an opportunity, or a good reason to realize my dream.

At the Tesch Motorcycle Travelers meeting in March 99 I heard about a Millenium motorcycle travelers meeting in Ushuaia. Ralf, Klaus and Ralf had the same idea and eventually we were 6 motorcyclists who went together to Ushuaia. I prepared my Transalp with some heavy duty parts. Technoflex shock, Continental TKC80 Tires and a good motor protection shield. All three parts proved to be absolutely necessary and durable.

Our KTMs, XT, Africa Twin and Transalp were flown to Buenos Aires, where we picked them up easily with the help of our motorcycle friends Gabriel, Claudia and Diego, who helped us all the way through Buenos Aires. Although we had to wait for one day, as the Lufthansa cargo plane was delayed, we had a smooth process with very helpful staff at the customs office.

Werner in the desert near Arica, Chile.
Photo by Stephan Solon.

Buenos Aires is a giant city with some 12 million inhabitants. Huge freeways with up to 20 lanes crisscross the city and fan out into the suburbs. Even city streets have up to 12 lanes one way. Gabriel invited us to a typical Argentinian asado at his fathers house. The BBQ lasted almost all night with many different kind of meat and sausages.

With our bikes ready to go, we could not wait to head south. We said goodbye to Gabriel, Claudia and their friend Diego and left for Ruta 3, the main highway to Patagonia. The Province of Buenos Aires is mostly flat, with big farms and green pastures. After 500km we crossed the Sierra de la Ventana, where we encountered the first curves since Buenos Aires. It would be the last ones for more than 2000km....

Los Alerces NP, Argentina

The story continues with great photos ...

Patagonia - where the neighbor lives beyond the horizon

Zwick's Home

Stories and Photos -2000-1
Patagonia -
where the
neighbor
lives
beyond the
horizon
Northern
Chile
/Bolivia -
The Land of
the Condor
Peru -
Colca Canyon
and Machu
Picchu
Ecuador -
dream roads,
volcanoes and
the equator

More to come...