tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33458920375552728422024-03-13T12:11:01.318-07:00Take a deep breath South America, here we come.Tales from the saddle.I've always had a passion for cycling since I was young child. I've been fortunate to travel to many places through racing and touring over the years. I recently completed a 4 month tour of Eastern Europe with my good friends Peter Felvus and Len DeMoss, now it's time to take on South America. On the 28th July 2014 I will ride over 11,000kms to reach the bottom of the world. Come along and join me on another amazing journey.cairo to capetown 2011.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13067572990582063027noreply@blogger.comBlogger457125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3345892037555272842.post-32022855393276355462015-06-25T01:33:00.002-07:002015-06-25T01:33:31.938-07:00eXsight Tandems Illawarra. Bicycle riding for those who need a little help.<h1>
<span lang="EN">Exsight Tandems Illawarra:
eyeing up a bicycle ride for two.</span></h1>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /><!--[endif]--></span></div>
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Joint
venture: Geoff Stratton pedals while Pamela Dunn keeps her eyes on the road on
their tandem bike ride at Barrack Point. Picture: SYLVIA LIBER</div>
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<span lang="EN">Geoff Stratton cannot see the
coastline when he's on the back of a tandem bike but he can feel the sunshine
on his face, smell the salty air and hear the waves crashing onto the sand.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN">The 71-year-old's love of cycling
is not diminished by the fact that he lost his sight at age five and he's
helping other vision-impaired people saddle up through his group, <a href="http://www.exsighttandems.org.au/" target="_blank">Exsight Tandems
Illawarra</a>.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN">The group pairs people who are
blind or have low vision - as well as those with other disabilities - with able
cyclists on rides throughout the Illawarra.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN">"Sight is such a powerful
sense that it often overtakes other senses - so if you have low or no vision
you experience those other senses much more keenly," Mr Stratton said.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN">"You can hear the leaves
rustling in the trees or the cars on the street; you can feel the bumps in the
track or the way the bike
turns; you can feel the wind or the sun - all these things help to build a
picture.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN">"You still get that
adrenaline rush when you go down a hill; you still feel that exertion when
you're climbing up a hill; and you still get that uplifting feeling that you're
connecting with nature."<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN">The tandems ridden by Exsight are
synchronised, so both the "captain" at the front and the
"stoker" at the rear have to work together to keep moving. It's great
exercise for both, and can be a way to meet like-minded people.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN">"You might go for a ride,
then stop for a coffee and a chat, before continuing on your way," Mr
Stratton said. "We often go on group rides and so you get that benefit of
socialisation, too. A couple of people who come along have said that the rides
have made a real difference to their lives, and have lifted their depression at
losing their sight."<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN">Mr Stratton was born with
retinablastoma, a childhood cancer. Surgery saved his life at five years old,
but took his vision.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN">"From the day I was born I
had low vision and then at five the lights went out," he said.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN">"In this day and age those
born with the condition can usually have their sight saved, but back in those
days the laser technology was not around."<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN">It was in 2008 after enjoying
tandem bike rides with a friend, that Mr Stratton decided to create the group.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN">"The group aims to get those
who wouldn't be able to cycle on their own onto a tandem bike and out enjoying
the wonderful environment here in the Illawarra," he said.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN">The group is always looking for
captains - visit exsighttandems.org.au to register.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<br />cairo to capetown 2011.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13067572990582063027noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3345892037555272842.post-11460947408607832072014-12-20T20:37:00.001-08:002014-12-20T20:37:51.641-08:00Meeting Author Mark Morgan prior to his book launch. RATOON, THE NEXT GENERATION. Absolutely brilliant reading.Every now and then I get to meet someone famous. During my ride through South America this year, I met the famous Buck Benson and now I've got to meet Author Mark Morgan.<br />
<br />
The book titled <b><i>RATOON, THE NEXT GENERATION </i></b>is one of those books I had to keep reading. I read some pretty good books whilst on holidays, but this one is up there with the best. The official launch of the book is early 2015, but Mark has allowed me to invite my readers to grab a copy prior to it's launch.<br />
<br />
The brief story is that in 1964 Michael Lamond was ten years old and surfing was the last thing on his mind. He lived a dull and stifling existence on a sugar cane farm in remote North Queensland , Australia, and until his parents bought a holiday house on the coast he had no idea at all what life had to offer.<br />
<br />
During the family's first summer holiday a sequence of events was triggered that would forever change and influence Michael's life. Through new found friendships he soon discovered a natural affinity with the ocean that allowed him to do things on a surfboard that no- one else had ever imagined possible.<br />
<br />
Michael's surfing adventure almost ended before it began and his journey to the final of the local surfing competition takes him through the highs and lows of family conflict, tragedy, romance, and adventure, with plenty of surfing thrown into the mix.<br />
<br />
Living and surfing in the 60's, that was the life.<br />
<br />
Now after reading the book I put a couple of questions to Mark about what happened to a certain character mentioned throughout the story. His replied with a smile and waited for a moment and said,<br />
<br />
<b><i>'You will have to wait Terry for the sequel, and that might explain everything, but don't hold me to it'. </i></b><br />
<br />
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The photo above shows myself receiving the novel RATOON, THE NEXT GENERATION, from Author Mark Morgan. I asked Mark could he kindly sign my copy, and below is what is now and forever inscribed at the front of my book.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9ckgP854caU/VJZInKjFkdI/AAAAAAAAEFE/epAnZ0wDVEc/s1600/DSC_2199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9ckgP854caU/VJZInKjFkdI/AAAAAAAAEFE/epAnZ0wDVEc/s1600/DSC_2199.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>NOT FUNNY MARK.</i></b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">If you would like a copy of the book I've attached a list of contacts. I personally recommend this book to people of all ages.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>Available now in paperback and ebook format through:</i></b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Amazon -<b><i> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ratoon-Mark-Morgan-ebook/dp/B00PYURBE4/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1418810984&sr=1-2-fkmr0&keywords=Ratoon+-+The+Next+Generation" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Ratoon-Mark-Morga…/…/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2…</a></i></b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Barnes & Noble -<b><i> <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ratoon-mark-morgan/1120799308?ean=9781742844589" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ratoon-mark-mor…/1120799308…</a></i></b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Bookpal -<b><i> <a href="http://my.bookpal.com.au/Bookstore/b/10769-Ratoon" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://my.bookpal.com.au/Bookstore/b/10769-Ratoon</a></i></b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Angus & Robertson - <b style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;"><i><a href="http://www.angusrobertson.com.au/books/ratoon-mark-morgan/p/9781742844589" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.angusrobertson.com.au/…/ratoon-m…/p/9781742844589</a></i></b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;"><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Until tomorrow, safe riding.</span></div>
cairo to capetown 2011.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13067572990582063027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3345892037555272842.post-13396423297931420292014-12-12T13:16:00.000-08:002014-12-12T13:16:05.964-08:00Homeward bound. All good things must come to an end, and so must this holiday. I've had an incredible time and am very grateful that I had the opportunity to travel from the equator to the end of the world on a bicycle. I've passed through 5 countries, each unique and rich in culture and history. Beautiful people, lovely smiles, and always a handshake and a thank you. The people of South America welcomed the cyclists with open arms and for that, I'm truly blessed. I never felt in danger at any stage of the trip, although sometimes I did go far too fast down mountains as if I was 21 again.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GQGSy8iNzPQ/VIozfGZRoiI/AAAAAAAAECE/juVroba_RS8/s1600/flag%2Bof%2Becaudor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GQGSy8iNzPQ/VIozfGZRoiI/AAAAAAAAECE/juVroba_RS8/s1600/flag%2Bof%2Becaudor.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i>Ecuador</i></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WuFgod-aSto/VIoziyqUdnI/AAAAAAAAECM/Jqx-BfElqL4/s1600/flag%2Bof%2Bbolivia.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WuFgod-aSto/VIoziyqUdnI/AAAAAAAAECM/Jqx-BfElqL4/s1600/flag%2Bof%2Bbolivia.bmp" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i>Bolivia</i></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g4DOZ_1l0Bg/VIozlt4wpXI/AAAAAAAAECU/U7tb5xxWmSY/s1600/flag%2Bof%2Bargentina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g4DOZ_1l0Bg/VIozlt4wpXI/AAAAAAAAECU/U7tb5xxWmSY/s1600/flag%2Bof%2Bargentina.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i>Argentina</i></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OIUuygJ1rjM/VIoznHUqglI/AAAAAAAAECc/-HpWoabpVrI/s1600/flag%2Bof%2Bperu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OIUuygJ1rjM/VIoznHUqglI/AAAAAAAAECc/-HpWoabpVrI/s1600/flag%2Bof%2Bperu.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i>Peru</i></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L5GwNdI8e5g/VIo0Bp52gmI/AAAAAAAAECs/rnbwiC0sA3k/s1600/225px-Flag_of_Chile.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L5GwNdI8e5g/VIo0Bp52gmI/AAAAAAAAECs/rnbwiC0sA3k/s1600/225px-Flag_of_Chile.svg.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i>Chile</i></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
These are the National flags of each countries we visited. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
I started this holiday with one very important person, Barry Buckley. We had a great time and shared some memorable moments on and off the bike. He is a fierce competitor on the bike and loves to ride all day if given the chance. Barry will ride into Ushuaia as I'm flying over the Pacific Ocean back to Sydney, Australia, I will miss the ride into Ushuaia with all the other cyclists, but family will always come first, end of story.</div>
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The photo above was taken on the 1st August 2014 when we arrived at the equator in Ecuador. What a journey.<br />
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The above photo was taken 3 days ago on the morning we rode to Punta Arenas, the end of the road for me. But not the end of the journey. A quick 11 hour bus to Ushuaia and I'm the first cyclist to reach the end of the world. Although I did cheat.<br />
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That's Julia (L) myself, Roberto the driver, and Carmen who came out to see me off as I head up town to the bus station.<br />
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<b><i>Now the final blog on my journey from the Equator to the end of the world.</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
I got up early with all intentions to go for a ride but had an issue that needed to be sorted out, so I missed the ride with one of the local guys and instead went for a walk to the 'Maritime Museum of Ushuaia, Ushuaia Jail, Military Prison and finally the Antarctic Museum Jose Maria Sobral.<br />
<br />
After looking at ships from the 18th Century through to the 20th Century, prison cells, fury penguins, a very old train, naval clothing and more, I was ready to leave after spending 3 hours walking around this fascinating museum. The Museums go through the history of the shipping industry, trading up and down the coast of South America, and the whole history of prison life.<br />
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I still had a lot to do so I headed back to the apartment to pack my bike away. As I made my way back up the road I could see fresh snow on the mountains, the wind was getting stronger and it's a place I can't wait to leave. It's just too cold for me.<br />
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The train above was the first train used to transport the prisoners in this part of the world. The train originally ran on wooden tracks. Now the train has been remodeled and called the 'Tren' train which is dedicated to tourists.<br />
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The only difference between this prison and many I've seen over the years is the this place is about 30 degrees C, cooler than the rest. This place would be like living in a refrigerator. <br />
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You can see in the photo fresh snow on the mountains overlooking Ushuaia. It's a real shame I won't be riding in these conditions with the other cyclists on the 14th December 2014. In all honesty, I wish each and everyone of the cyclists and staff of 'Bike Dreams' a safe journey to the very last km. Well done.<br />
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And the final photo for this journey is ME, with the Aussie flag at the end of the world, Tomorrow I catch the plane to Buenos Aires then onto Santiago and then onto Sydney Australia.<br />
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I hope you enjoyed following me from the Equator to the end of the world. It's been a fantastic journey and I wouldn't change one thing.<br />
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So, what's next? I haven't got a clue.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Until tomorrow, safe riding.</i></b></span></div>
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cairo to capetown 2011.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13067572990582063027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3345892037555272842.post-15857858319960067162014-12-11T12:38:00.001-08:002014-12-11T12:38:36.612-08:00You would never believe who I met today.After settling into my apartment located 1 block away from the main street in town, I finally fell asleep around midnight. I managed to get about 6 hours sleep before I woke to a rainy and bitterly cold morning.<br />
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By the time I had breakfast and got dressed, I hit the road around 8am in drizzling rain for a short ride out to the entrance to the National Park. On the way I got to see the most southern golf course in the world, followed by the famous Tren train which has a motto of 'the train to the end of the world'. Well I've been on the Machu Picchu train and that was incredible, so in this weather, I didn't think much of it. It was back down the mountain and into town.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In town I checked out the Plaza Islas Malvinas which is a monument dedicated to those who gave their life in the battle of the Falkland Islands in 1982. There is no need to go into how many died because in the end it was another war, and another needless loss of human lives. The monument is quite nice with a flame burning in front of the many names inscribed in the granite block. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CpnbYlJ8Nn0/VIn59mOXg8I/AAAAAAAAEBA/oBpNiqlknJ0/s1600/IMG_1801%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CpnbYlJ8Nn0/VIn59mOXg8I/AAAAAAAAEBA/oBpNiqlknJ0/s1600/IMG_1801%5B1%5D.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> The photo above show the temperature at 8.30am today at the entrance to the National Park.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_xeHVdlzZgI/VIn6Bm0qnWI/AAAAAAAAEBI/kfRuxYdX5NA/s1600/IMG_1805%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_xeHVdlzZgI/VIn6Bm0qnWI/AAAAAAAAEBI/kfRuxYdX5NA/s1600/IMG_1805%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> The photo above shows the Falkland Islands with the Argentinian flag in the background.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PiVbohpCD5g/VIn6Kg1NzUI/AAAAAAAAEBQ/9oo_3p0qHlc/s1600/IMG_1808%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PiVbohpCD5g/VIn6Kg1NzUI/AAAAAAAAEBQ/9oo_3p0qHlc/s1600/IMG_1808%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> The photo above is of the Argentinian army getting ready to head to battle. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XZdDEVYPoTc/VIn6TidMINI/AAAAAAAAEBY/PkdU9G7KAd8/s1600/IMG_1809%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XZdDEVYPoTc/VIn6TidMINI/AAAAAAAAEBY/PkdU9G7KAd8/s1600/IMG_1809%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> In every armed service around the world, there is a job for someone. These 2 young men carry their brooms as if they were rifles. Probably going to clean up the mess left by the Brits.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-15DD-F1r-E4/VIn6Ybqv9NI/AAAAAAAAEBg/uan9TH8IlC0/s1600/IMG_1803%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-15DD-F1r-E4/VIn6Ybqv9NI/AAAAAAAAEBg/uan9TH8IlC0/s1600/IMG_1803%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">You can see the flame and the granite block showing those perished in battle for their nation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>Now the next part of my day relates to who I met.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I walked over to the Tourist Information Office to get a better map and to see how I could visit the Martial Glaciar tomorrow on my bike. I left the office and sat on the step checking out my map when I saw a man taking photos,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I said, 'hello you ass hole'. I think this man was taking back by what I said. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">He said 'what did you say mate', </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I said, 'are you deaf, I called you an asshole'? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">With that the man approached me and said, 'bullshit, bloody Terry Wall, what are you doing here'? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">A moment later another bloke walked around the corner and I called him some rude names, and his reply was worse. We had a laugh and sat down on the steps and spoke about why we were in this part of the world. So where do these 2 chaps come from? The best place in the world, Wollongong. They live about 15 kms from my house. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fxBokhbGuAo/VIn88MflU-I/AAAAAAAAEBs/OIIScppAz7Q/s1600/IMG_1810%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fxBokhbGuAo/VIn88MflU-I/AAAAAAAAEBs/OIIScppAz7Q/s1600/IMG_1810%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The photo above is of Bob Burridge and myself sitting on the steps outside the tourist office in Ushuaia.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m7bPcCJMtEY/VIn9ExY1xeI/AAAAAAAAEB0/WmgOkFJlh3g/s1600/IMG_1812%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m7bPcCJMtEY/VIn9ExY1xeI/AAAAAAAAEB0/WmgOkFJlh3g/s1600/IMG_1812%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The photo above is of Neil Harris and myself on those famous steps. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Bob Burridge and Neil Harris are 2 of the nicest men you could ever meet. They are both retired police officers and were highly respected in their senior positions in the service. I prosecuted many of their cases and shared many stories over the years. Bob and Neil had had just got back from a 10 day cruise of Antarctica. After looking at their photos I'm now thinking that I might have to go and visit the place one day. At $1000 per head per day on the cruise, that's a bargain. I think I might stick to bicycle tours.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The afternoon was getting on and I hadn't really done that much. I went and checked out one bicycle shop and they wanted to sell me a cardboard bicycle box for $6 US. That's bullshit, they only throw them out and he wanted money for it. I politely told him what I thought about the offer and where that offer should be filed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I found another bike shop and bought a really cool long sleeve cycling jersey which will certainly have me standing out in the crowd when I get back to the GONG.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I ended up walking to the address that Rob the Boss had given me and got a bike box there. From the hundreds of trophies all over the shelves, this place is full of crazy keen cyclists. With the purchase of a roll of tape, it all looks good for packaging that bike away tomorrow.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I wanted to go and see 2 museums today, but that didn't eventuate. I'll do that tomorrow after a bike ride.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Until tomorrow, safe riding.</span></div>
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cairo to capetown 2011.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13067572990582063027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3345892037555272842.post-57663192704712925182014-12-10T17:30:00.000-08:002014-12-10T17:30:15.311-08:00Punta Arenas to the end of the world. By bus, but still the first cyclist to get here.<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i><b>Wednesday 10<sup>th</sup>
December 2014. Stage 104. Punta Arenas to Ushuaia, the end of the
world. </b></i>
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<i><b>Cyclists head off
for the next stage of the tour whilst I bus it to the end.</b></i></div>
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After finishing my riding at Punta Arenas I had a rest
day yesterday which I spent with Barry and Buck. We did the usually
stuff like eat and drink coffee, have a look at a couple of shops and
that was about it. I met up with Carmen and Julia for lunch and we
had a good time reminiscing about the holiday and the laughs we
shared. I wanted to have dinner with the 2 people who made my holiday
a fantastic experience, that's Barry firstly followed by Buck. I rode
with them and hung with them the most on tour. There were others
which I've mentioned throughout my journey which will be friends
forever, but when it came to riding the bike, they were No.1 & 2.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x34iaxQrbsE/VIjuobo80CI/AAAAAAAAD_g/m7i0uy_KuKM/s1600/IMG_1788%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x34iaxQrbsE/VIjuobo80CI/AAAAAAAAD_g/m7i0uy_KuKM/s1600/IMG_1788%5B1%5D.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
That's my good friend the famous 'Buck Benson'.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_CsWlwHfF3Q/VIjuxmFA8UI/AAAAAAAAD_o/NE-7mGt9hCU/s1600/IMG_1789%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_CsWlwHfF3Q/VIjuxmFA8UI/AAAAAAAAD_o/NE-7mGt9hCU/s1600/IMG_1789%5B1%5D.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
The photo above is of Roberto our truck driver. Fantastic chap and had some good times together.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V0wOXTIBC88/VIju9zvkidI/AAAAAAAAD_w/6NdXfzyYZfs/s1600/IMG_1790%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V0wOXTIBC88/VIju9zvkidI/AAAAAAAAD_w/6NdXfzyYZfs/s1600/IMG_1790%5B1%5D.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
That's Viv above. She's a New Zealander (loves sheep) or possibly a Brit. Can't really work that out.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oeS9YwEzTYk/VIjvKmeywII/AAAAAAAAD_8/t6biXT0ICOU/s1600/IMG_1793%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oeS9YwEzTYk/VIjvKmeywII/AAAAAAAAD_8/t6biXT0ICOU/s1600/IMG_1793%5B1%5D.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
The photo above the other truck driver, Walter. Walter also prepared our lunch each day. He is a really nice man.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S-1POzEfWZo/VIjvJeuOxuI/AAAAAAAAD_4/fZuLs0c7cMU/s1600/IMG_1794%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S-1POzEfWZo/VIjvJeuOxuI/AAAAAAAAD_4/fZuLs0c7cMU/s1600/IMG_1794%5B1%5D.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
The photo above is Rob the Boss. He helped me get to the bottom of the world and for that I will always be indebted to him for that.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7bCZ3OsARzs/VIjvOXygE2I/AAAAAAAAEAI/7H5JiOWXTdg/s1600/IMG_1791%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7bCZ3OsARzs/VIjvOXygE2I/AAAAAAAAEAI/7H5JiOWXTdg/s1600/IMG_1791%5B1%5D.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
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The last photo above is of our Dr.
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<i><b>Now for today.</b></i></div>
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I woke up nice and early and headed off to the hostel to
catch up with a couple of cyclists before I went to the bus station.
I said farewell to Barry, Hilde, Kristin, Jan and Reinhardt before
going up to the other hostel. Once at the main hostel it was a quick
bite and catch up with Buck. I took a couple of photos of some of
people who meant something to me and helped me have a wonderful time.
I'll post those photos below. I thanked Robert the Boss for a great
holiday. I know there are those who had complaints about certain
aspects of the tour, and there are some who will never be satisfied
with the holiday. All in all, my goal was to go from the Equator to
the end of the world and I made it because of 'Bike Dreams'. Would I
recommend them in the future? YES.</div>
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I felt sad saying farewell to the famous 'Buck Benson',
and I could tell through his eyes that he felt the same way. I met
some pretty special people in my Cairo to Capetown trip in 2011 and I
keep in touch with some of them, I put Buck in that category of a
special friend. Now Barry is a different story, it would have been
pretty special to ride into Ushuaia with him after starting in Quito
together over 4 months ago, but I'm sure we'll have a good laugh when
we get together again upon his return back to the greatest place on
earth, THE GONG.</div>
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I left the hostel and balanced my enormous bag on the
handlebars of my bike and carried the other bag on my back and made
the 2 km ride back up into town to the bus station. Finding it was
pretty easy and getting my bike in the cargo section of the bus was
straight forward. The bus is ready to leave in 5 minutes, I have my
seat and I'm ready to be warm,comfortable, watch a movie, whilst the
riders freeze their asses off in this windy and cold part of the
world. Do I care? No way, I intend to be the first cyclist on this
tour to reach Ushuaia.
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The ride took me out of town exactly the same way I came
in 2 days ago. It always give you a different impression when you are
in a bus instead of doing it on a bike, I do prefer the bike.</div>
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Once out of town we turned off onto a dirt road, yep
more dirt road, and ended up at a small harbour where the bus went
onto a small ship that took us to the other side of the mainland. The
trip only took 20 minutes across the straits of Magellan and it was a
smooth trip considering the wind was once again blowing like crazy.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sbLLMK6QclM/VIjxQcmXt4I/AAAAAAAAEAU/mYn_dLgJ3_U/s1600/IMG_1797%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sbLLMK6QclM/VIjxQcmXt4I/AAAAAAAAEAU/mYn_dLgJ3_U/s1600/IMG_1797%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
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I took the photo as we neared the shore and commenced our 300 km drive on dirt roads.
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Once back on dry land it was a trip of nearly 300 kms
along dirt roads exactly the same as we've ridden over in the past
couple of weeks. Heaps of rocks, heaps of sand and very strong winds
to add some excitement to the ride.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wmTniww58eI/VIjyFxQ1kZI/AAAAAAAAEAc/ruSjvbUGHtY/s1600/IMG_1798%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wmTniww58eI/VIjyFxQ1kZI/AAAAAAAAEAc/ruSjvbUGHtY/s1600/IMG_1798%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
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That's my bus taking a lunch break on the dirt road. Bike Dreams lunch is much better than the crap this place dished up.
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We arrived at the exit post for Chile and had to go
through a quick process before being allowed to continue on the
Argentinian border post arriving at 3.30 pm. I have no idea how far we
have to go before Ushuaia but this is going to be a long afternoon.
The scenery is mainly flat roads, very little vegetation, some sheep
and even 1 lonely Guanaco. We finally hit the pavement after 400 kms
of smooth cruising<span style="font-size: x-small;">. </span>
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It's so much different watching the countryside go by as one sits in the bus. As we got closer to Ushuaia the snow capped of huge mountains loomed in the distance. The rain started to fall and the fog crept in. We rolled down into Ushuaia at 7.30 pm, over 11 hours after leaving Punta Arenas. </div>
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Eventually I caught up with Tony and he took me to the apartment I've booked for the next 3 nights. Tony was really helpful in pointing me in the right direction for shopping, which is a must tomorrow, the supermarket and which is the best road to go for a ride on.</div>
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I've just run the bath, got the WiFi running hot, and I'm going to lay in the bath and soak an hour away. Now that's better than that shitty tent for sure.</div>
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Until tomorrow, safe riding.</div>
cairo to capetown 2011.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13067572990582063027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3345892037555272842.post-13828709143206169412014-12-08T11:48:00.003-08:002014-12-08T11:48:53.697-08:00Torres de Paine to Punta Arenas. 2 stage wins this week ends my time with bike dreams.<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><i>Friday 5<sup>th</sup> December 2014. Trekking to the 3
Torres in Torres del Paine National Park Chile.</i></b></div>
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Today is the day we make the 10km trek up into the
mountains of Torres del Paine National Park to see the famous 3
peaks. The weather was overcast and slight rain was falling when we
finally hit the trail at 9.15am. We were told it could take anywhere
from 5 hours to 9 hours to complete the walk.</div>
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With the huge mountains looking rather daunting, the 3
of us headed off over the flat plains and straight up to commence the
climb. The path was a rocky baron track that hundreds of tourists
take each day and also is the track that the local gauchos take to
haul goods up and down the mountain to the to the small huts you can
stay at, if you can afford it.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YZcT3E_vty8/VIX3u_WW54I/AAAAAAAAD9Y/4GIrNrH_XAY/s1600/IMG_1721%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YZcT3E_vty8/VIX3u_WW54I/AAAAAAAAD9Y/4GIrNrH_XAY/s1600/IMG_1721%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
The photo above is the trail we took to reach the viewing area of the 3 Torres.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YlOtJw9rgZQ/VIX4GqwE2aI/AAAAAAAAD9o/HVCV_nOET8A/s1600/IMG_1723%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YlOtJw9rgZQ/VIX4GqwE2aI/AAAAAAAAD9o/HVCV_nOET8A/s1600/IMG_1723%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
The 2 ladies above are Carmen (L) and Julia (R) who were my trekking buddies for the day.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SjJAewp81Gw/VIX4FOF9j0I/AAAAAAAAD9g/OendNq9wz2o/s1600/IMG_1724%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SjJAewp81Gw/VIX4FOF9j0I/AAAAAAAAD9g/OendNq9wz2o/s1600/IMG_1724%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The scenery above is what we trek with all day. It certainly is a beautiful place to go for a walk, if you like walking that is.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The narrow path took us high with some pretty scary drop
off we if we manage to get our footing wrong. At times we would walk
through beautiful rain forests reappearing on the other side to
incredible snow capped mountains and the 3 Torres getting every so
closer.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We walked 5 kms to reach the first hut and took a nice
break from walking up and down dale. The rain was starting to fall so
it was time to put all my wet weather gear on. I could see hundreds
of walkers up ahead, some young and some old. I think I fit into the
old category.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We passed a couple of bike dream cyclists who had
reached the summit and got some great shots of the 3 Torres and that
what we were hoping for. With 3 kms to the summit the track climbed
through a rocky section that was really hard on the legs. As a
cyclist, walking is not our favourite past time. We kept going up and
up over rocks, over boulders, along beautiful narrow paths whilst
searching ahead for that once in a life time photo.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
As we crested the summit and turned the corner, all we
could see was the 3 Torres covered in clouds. The crystal clear
turquoise lake beneath the peaks was just as impressive. We found
Buck, Deb and Brian and took up a seat on the rocks with them waiting
for the clouds to disappear just for a moment. Unfortunately luck was
not on our side today. With light snow falling it was time to get out
of the region and start the 10 km trek back to the campsite.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J_a-0YkS_oY/VIX5SQaWl1I/AAAAAAAAD90/qvQ9QHiAG0c/s1600/IMG_1730%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J_a-0YkS_oY/VIX5SQaWl1I/AAAAAAAAD90/qvQ9QHiAG0c/s1600/IMG_1730%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
The photo above is what greeted us, cloud and rain covering the 3 Torres. It didn't matter as it was a good trek to the viewing point.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--zj7cF5jLWk/VIX5uss6BfI/AAAAAAAAD98/siNZa-_4uCM/s1600/IMG_1736%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--zj7cF5jLWk/VIX5uss6BfI/AAAAAAAAD98/siNZa-_4uCM/s1600/IMG_1736%5B1%5D.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
And that's a photo of myself standing in front of the lake beneath the 3 Torres.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oMDUTSbUurg/VIX5uoEAO4I/AAAAAAAAD-A/eoU146HoTXY/s1600/IMG_1732%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oMDUTSbUurg/VIX5uoEAO4I/AAAAAAAAD-A/eoU146HoTXY/s1600/IMG_1732%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The photo above shows the famous 'Buck Benson' and the rest of the crew taking shelter from the rain and freezing conditions at 3 Torres.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Walking back down the rocky path was quite dangerous
with the lose gravel/sand scattered everywhere. The temperature was 4
degrees and the wind was now belting us from all directions. I had my
face scarf on, beanie, long pants, long jacket and wet weather gloves
on, and felt perfect. We made our way back through the forest and
reached the ½ way point within 1 ½ hours. That was 50% quicker than
the trip up the mountain. We sat down on the benches and took out our
salad, bread rolls, biscuits, ham, cheese and fruit and had a nice
lunch. I really needed to get off my feet and give my legs a break. I
starting to think, 'I hate walking'.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The weather was turning again and we needed to press on
down the mountain. The view along the mountain, down into the river
and into the valley 10 kms away was incredible. The clouds, the rain,
the sun trying to break through every now and then made the journey
worthwhile.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Once we reached the last section of the mountain, the
path finally went downhill. It was here where 3 gauchos and their
horses passed us. The horses were carrying gas bottles, litter and
other goods from the ½ way point back to the hotel below. We stopped
heaps of times taking beautiful photos and slowly clawing our way
back to our campsite. By the time I made it back to 'Tent Hilton' I
was stuffed. My legs, ass muscles, back muscles ached with pain. I
have no idea how I'm going to manage 135 kms on dirt tomorrow. We
arrived back in camp at 5.30pm. That makes it a very long day out in
the mountains.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Dinner was a nice meal in the hotel and the most
expensive on tour thus far. Compared to back home it was still cheap.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The wind has now picked up and I'm laying in my tent
wandering whether I'm going to lift off. This is the strongest wind
I've felt in the tent on this tour. It's now 12 midnight and the wind
is going crazy outside. A bad night's sleep is coming my way.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i><b>Saturday 6<sup>th</sup>
December 2014. Stage 101. National Park Torres del Paine to Puerto
Natales. 134 kms, paved 13%, climbing 1256 metres, summit 300 metres.
Gale force winds puts many on truck.</b></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I finally got about 5 hours sleep last night due to
horrific winds and constant rain. Thankfully my tent is waterproof.
We rolled out of camp at 8am for the long ride to Puerto Natales.The
first 8 kms was a walk in the park and then the shit hit the fan as
they say in Australia. We were hit by a force 10 gales right in the
face. For the next 15 kms it took us 2 ½ hours due to being forced
off the bike and into the dirt on more times than I care to count. We
had bike riders scattered all over the road, struggling to walk their
bikes and struggling to keep upright.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
This wind is the strongest wind I've ever been out in,
in my entire life. It got so strong there was Brian, Deb, Carmen,
Barry, Kristin, Hilde and myself sitting behind a clump of dirt to
get out of the wind. The other problem was that the wind was so
strong it was forcing the gravel off the road and belt into our legs
and face. I had to put my leg warmers on as the gravel was hitting so
hard it was painful.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We waited behind the clump of dirt from 11am to 1pm
before the fire engine came back to pick us up. Hilde and Marius
attempted to ride again but were stopped about 2 kms up the road. It
was lifting water off the lake and blowing it straight across the
road an onto the riders. This is just downright dangerous and not
worth taking any risks by riding in these conditions.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SaFC6uQ_0AA/VIX7a_s0kEI/AAAAAAAAD-Q/c3Zfqo55VBw/s1600/IMG_1753%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SaFC6uQ_0AA/VIX7a_s0kEI/AAAAAAAAD-Q/c3Zfqo55VBw/s1600/IMG_1753%5B1%5D.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
The photo above is of Kristen getting ready to head off on her birthday in ferocious winds.<br />
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During the ride out of Torres del Paine we had to push our bikes because of the crazy winds.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oU518N8dS1Q/VIX8PrDYKfI/AAAAAAAAD-Y/vHv7CF_GGCQ/s1600/1900393_858155974237402_8711491458413149366_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oU518N8dS1Q/VIX8PrDYKfI/AAAAAAAAD-Y/vHv7CF_GGCQ/s1600/1900393_858155974237402_8711491458413149366_o.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The photo above gives you a better idea of how crazy it was out there riding. When you see the water being whipped off the lake high in the mountains, you know you are in a serious situation.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We arrived at the lunch stop and found about 8 other
riders taking shelter in the office of the National Park Service. The
next decision was who was going to take the lunch truck back to the
camp and who was going to wait behind for the other truck to come
back and get us. If there can be one good thing to come out of all
this, the National Park office had heaters, and WiFi to keep us
company.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Barry, Carmen, Leyte, Brigit, Dr, and myself stayed
behind and waited till 6.30 pm for Roberto to come back. We made it to
camp at 8.30am very tired. The wind is still force 10, my tent is up,
I'm too tired to have a shower, and I only rode/walked 23 kms so I
don't care.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Tomorrow is a long day and I hope the winds are
favourable. We're staying in a bush camp so that could mean anything.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Until tomorrow, safe riding.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i><b>Sunday 7<sup>th</sup>
December 2014. Stage 102. Puerto Natales to Bush camp Villa
Tehuelches. 148 kms, paved 100%, climbing 1124 metres, summit 345
metres. 2<sup>nd</sup> last day on tour and 8<sup>th</sup> victory
comes my way in gale force winds.</b></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
After arriving in camp so late and getting to sleep
close to midnight I wasn't really in the mood for a race. We rolled
out of camp at 9am on the dot and commenced a long gradual climb out
of Puerto Natales. By the time we reached the top of the climb there
was only Alfred, James, Reinhardt and myself left at the front of the
riders.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The tail wind was already force 10 gale and we were now
screaming along and couldn't see anyone behind us for miles. I told
Reinhardt that we should not get involved in the race between James
and Alfred as they are about 1 hour apart at the top o f the rankings
on tour. We both sat back and watched Alfred time after time make
strong surges up all the climbs trying to dislodge James. No matter
how hard he tried he couldn't drop him. I didn't have a problem
staying with them and kept out of the fight for the majority of the
day. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vuJItQdVAYw/VIX91BPFXoI/AAAAAAAAD-0/aLrgV0JLPKc/s1600/IMG_1767%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vuJItQdVAYw/VIX91BPFXoI/AAAAAAAAD-0/aLrgV0JLPKc/s1600/IMG_1767%5B1%5D.JPG" height="534" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
During the ride the other day I manage to get a photo with JR. He's one of the great guys on tour.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
With tailwinds pushing us along at 50 kph it didn't
require much effort. Actually its quite frightening how dangerous
these winds can be to a 70 kg cyclist. For the ride to lunch we had a
strong a tailwind and were waiting in anticipation as to what the
afternoon would bring us.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The lunch truck was at the 65 km mark and we arrived
there at 11am. Since James is leading the race there was no reason
for him to do any work on the front of the bunch, it was up to Alfred
to break James and win the stage today. We rolled into lunch and
filled up our bottles, and got some fruit and hit the road again. No
sooner had we hit the road and we were flying along. We were hitting
speeds over 60 kph and still being forced faster and faster by the
ferocious winds.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
With 40 kms to go we could see a dust storm up in the
distance. It was at this point the road turned south and now the wind
was hitting us directly on our side. As we entered the wall of brown
dust it was very very dangerous not being able to see more than 10
metres in front of you. At one stage the wind was so strong James was
blown completely across the road and then a car sped by. He was so
lucky not to be cleaned up. Reinhardt had the same problem trying to
keep on our side of the road. Alfred was having all sorts of problems
due to riding on knobbly tires which are terrible on the road. For
the next 10 kms we literally rode at a 45 degree angle to the road.
We had to lean over like a motor cyclist does going around a bend to
keep the bike on the road and us on the right side of the road. It
was a fight of skill and mind to keep upright.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
After 10 kms of fighting the wind, my arms and neck were
hurting, my face was covered in dust and I was in the lead with James
behind, followed by Reinhardt and I couldn't see Alfred at all. I
felt sorry for him as he was struggling in the wind and losing
valuable time to James in the race to the end of the world.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Since I had a lead I kept pushing along until James
caught up. I sat on the front and James got a good ride off me. I
helped Alfred earlier on in the tour and now I thought I should do
exactly the same for James. I could see Reinhardt about 200 metres
behind, so I upped the pace as I wanted this to be victory for both
James and myself. I pushed harder and harder sometimes dropping
James, so I slowed down to make sure he was with me to the end. I
know there are those who say I should not have helped him, but then I
say, Joost has helped Alfred on many occasions, so I was doing
exactly what has been going on from day 1.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
At times we were being belted by the side winds but I
kept on the front driving hard. With 10 kms to go I turned around and
couldn't see Reinhardt anywhere. I wasn't going to let up and kept
fighting the bike and the wind all the way until the road turned in
our favour and dipped over a crest to reveal the small town of Villa
Tehuelches. I can tell you it's a good feeling when you know you did
a good job for a friend. We rolled into town and made it to our
campsite just as the express fire engine pulled up. We arrived 10
minutes ahead of Reinhardt and about 30 minutes in front of Alfred.
James was very happy with the outcome and came over and shook my hand
thanking me for the work I did today.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I helped unload the truck and set up 'Tent Hilton' for
the last time on this tour. Tomorrow we head to the town of Punta
Arenas where we are staying in a hotel for 2 nights. As soon as I
arrive tomorrow, Roberto and myself will head for the bus station so
I can purchase a ticket to Ushuaia. I will not be riding the last 5
days with bike dreams but will be flying out of Ushuaia on the 13<sup>th</sup>
December 2014. The cyclists will be arriving on the 14<sup>th</sup>
December 2014.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I had a great day today, and tomorrow will be much of
the same, strong winds and rain.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We had a secret Santa tonight where all the cyclists
purchased a small gift for one of their fellow cyclists. Each person
was allowed to spend no more than $10 US and had to write a short
poem.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I got a great book called, Che Boludo. Basically it's
Spanish for dummies. The poem goes like this;</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i><b>I pedal for
adventure,</b></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i><b>I pedal for the
thrill,</b></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i><b>I've pedaled my fat
arse</b></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i><b>Up every bloody
hill.</b></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i><b>From Ecuador to
Argentina,</b></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i><b>I've seen some
amazing sights,</b></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i><b>and now my journey's
nearly ended,</b></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i><b>I've got to catch a
flight.</b></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The wind is now dying down and the temperature is
hovering around a cool 1 degrees. It's time to jump in the bag and
get a good night's sleep and enjoy my last cycling day with 'Bike
Dreams' and all the friends I've made on this amazing tour.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Until tomorrow, safe riding.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i><b>Monday 8<sup>th</sup>
December 2014. Stage 103. 101 kms. Bushcamp Villa Tehuelches to Punta
Arenas. Paved 100%, climbing 558 metres, summit 230 metres. 9<sup>th</sup>
Tour victory ends my time with Bike Dreams. </b></i>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
After watching episode 3, season 5 of 'The Walking Dead'
I was ready to get a good night's sleep. The wind was still blowing
the tent all over the place but I was too tired to worry about
anything. Thank God I don't have to sleep in that bloody tent again.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Because I'm leaving the tour in Punta Arenas I had to
get up a little earlier to organise my papers, passport, any money I
had left in the 'fridge', tires and my carry bags. It's obvious I've
got too much stuff with me and will have to ditch some before I catch
the plane out of Ushuaia on the 13<sup>th</sup> December 2014. With
all my gear ready and a belly full of corn flakes and a banana I was
ready to roll out of town with the group and have an easy day to
celebrate my last day of riding with the group.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aTZ99o7WiV4/VIXyPmHnKhI/AAAAAAAAD9I/RTa2MNs-lA0/s1600/photo%2B(5).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aTZ99o7WiV4/VIXyPmHnKhI/AAAAAAAAD9I/RTa2MNs-lA0/s1600/photo%2B(5).JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The photo above is of myself with Michelle on my last ride day. Michelle is a young lady from Brisbane, Australia and perhaps the winner of the ladies section of the tour in 5 days time.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
With the wind at our backs, and a fast smooth road a group quickly formed up ahead. I decided to tag along for the ride to see what eventuates. As soon as we hit the first hill, Lupcho attacked and went off the front of the peleton and created a gap of 20 metres. I immediately chased him and so did Diderick and Jan. We pulled away from James, Alfred and the rest of the group pretty quick, as we built up a lead of 30 seconds within 2 kms. After smashing my legs yesterday I was intending for a nice cruise to the end of my tour. Once you've raced a bike, you can never get it out of your system. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I started doing work at the front of the group but Jan wouldn't help. I attacked again and Jan went off the back. Soon it was only Diderick, Lupcho and myself working hard to stay away from the chasing peleton. On the next climb I attacked again and Lupcho went off the back of the group and chased for a km to get back on. I then started doing small turns at the front of the bunch. Every now and then I'd have a look behind to see if the group was closing in on us or the gap was widening. After 10 kms I couldn't see anyone, it was now up to us 3 to ride to the end or drop someone else.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
My legs were still burning from the 148 km ride yesterday and I didn't know whether my legs would hold up to another day of severe cross winds and high speed riding. With 10 kms to go Lupcho dropped his pump. Diderick and I kept going and that was it for Lupcho. The next time I saw him was pulling into the lunch stop.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GQQwU1AXSCs/VIX-r4nPO_I/AAAAAAAAD-8/KYwJwXgpabk/s1600/IMG_1777%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GQQwU1AXSCs/VIX-r4nPO_I/AAAAAAAAD-8/KYwJwXgpabk/s1600/IMG_1777%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The photo above is of Barry and myself ready to start my last day of the tour. We started together 10,000 kms ago and have had one hell of an experience. I'm indebted to him for his friendship.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Diderick and I kept sharing the workload and pushing hard all the way to the end of the stage. We pulled into the lunch stop at 60 kms with 1 hr 30 minutes on the clock. Now my legs were well and truly stuffed. Other riders started arriving a couple of minutes later to relax over a nice lunch. It was freezing cold and hanging around was not on the menu. We quickly ate and got back on the road for the final 50 km push to Punta Arenas. We all made it in one piece and found our hostel. Barry and I are staying around the corner at another hostel which is pretty nice. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
It was so nice to have a shower, put some kind of clean clothes on and head back to the other hostel for some lunch. By now all the riders were arriving and starting to go to hotels in town and off their respective hostels. Barry and I went for a ride up town and located the SUR bus ticket office. I bought a ticket for the 10th December 2014 for Ushuaia. It looks like everything is now going to plan and I should arrive at the 'end of the world' first, beating all the other cyclist who will be pedaling there. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
It's now time to clean my bike, put some good tires on the bike and throw out the ones with 10,000 kms on them.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Tomorrow will be a day of eating and catching up with the other cyclists and saying goodbye.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Until tomorrow, safe riding.</div>
cairo to capetown 2011.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13067572990582063027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3345892037555272842.post-45868946189746221892014-12-04T15:33:00.002-08:002014-12-04T15:33:27.358-08:00From El Calafate, Argentina to Torres del Paine National Park, Chile. Time for a rest.<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i><b>Tuesday 2</b></i><sup><i><b>nd</b></i></sup><i><b>
December 2014. Stage 98. El Calafate to Bush camp. 30 kms short of
Tapi Aike. 132 kms for the day. Paved 55%, climbing 1403 metres,
summit, 1140 metres. A nice day to start the 3 ride stretch to Torres
del Paine. </b></i>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
After a long day yesterday, it was time to get back on
the bike and start the 3 day stretch to the National Park Torres del
Paine. We arrived back at the campsite to meet up with all the other
riders around 8.15am. Some were still having breakfast and others
were talking about the glacier they visited yesterday. If you're ever
in this part of the world you must go and visit the Perito Merino
Glacier, you will not be disappointed.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-33U4HrjZCis/VIDspHdhVjI/AAAAAAAAD8Q/knaXIjHRPpc/s1600/IMG_1694%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-33U4HrjZCis/VIDspHdhVjI/AAAAAAAAD8Q/knaXIjHRPpc/s1600/IMG_1694%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
I took the above photo as we started the 10 km climb and slowly watched the valley disappear.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0f5P17cr7Qg/VIDssa1sKWI/AAAAAAAAD8Y/p4GuVOBoWuQ/s1600/IMG_1705%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0f5P17cr7Qg/VIDssa1sKWI/AAAAAAAAD8Y/p4GuVOBoWuQ/s1600/IMG_1705%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
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Next time I do a tour it will be on a motorcycle like above. As I've got further south I'm seeing more and more motorcyclists touring Argentina and Chile.
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Now we all like to watch or participate in a bit of
dancing, but the South American people love to 'Tango'. The Tango
arose in the brothels, bars and port areas of Buenos Aires, where
waves of Europeans poured into the country mixing various forms of
music. The result, tango, came about as a fusion of disparate
influences including;</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Old Milonga-songs of the rural gauchos</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Habanera-Cuban music.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Polka an Mazurka-Slavic music.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Contradanse-Spanish music.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Flamenco-from Andalucia.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Italian folk music.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Now you have all the information you need to know about
how the 'Tango' came into existence.</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We rolled out of camp at 9am on the dot. Our route would
take us back 32 kms along the road we had to battle to get to El
Calafate 2 days ago. Now we would head east and have the benefit of a
roaring westerly wind. I rode with Barry from start to finish and we
had a great day.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
As soon as we got to the outskirts of El Calafate the
wind seemed to hit us hard in the back forcing us along at speeds
around 40-45 kph. We didn't have to do much other than steer the
handlebars in the right direction, the pedaling was pretty easy.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
When we start riding each day it's always a good feeling
to see all the cyclists scattered all over the road in front of us
and behind. Today we would have the majority of riders in front of
us. We both decided that today was going to be an easy day. After 45
kms we hit the first climb for the day. Just as we were about to
climb the 10 km mountain we got to see a Guanaco standing on a small
mound of dirt all on his lonesome. I did read that the male is known
to be a loner and only comes in contact with the other guanacos
during the mating season. How cool is that?</div>
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</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We started the climb and watched the valley slowly fade
into the distance. We did see some very nice homesteads during the
climb which obviously meant that someone in this area is rather
wealthy indeed. We tapped away for just under an hour stopping often
to look in amazement at this beautiful land we were riding through.
Once at the top we were on the flat plains for the rest of the day.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Lunch was at 70 kms and we were sitting down eating away
before midday. With sun shining down and the lunch stop well
protected from the wind, we took ½ an hour to devour our rolls,
fruit, biscuits and drink. This is the time of day I really enjoy,
sitting down and relaxing and not busting my ass out on the road into
the headwind.</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Barry and I got rolling again and the wind was still
favourable. We continued on and soon we were at the 94 km junction
which meant it was time to hit the dirt for the rest of the day. The
road wasn't that bad, but still we had to work hard on finding the
best track to take. Now the wind had changed and we were riding into
the face of a stiff southerly breeze. You have to ask the question, '
how the hell can the wind changed from westerly to southerly in the
space of 10 minutes'?
</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We kept pedaling along the rocky road for the next 40
kms till we found the fire engines parked down on a nice grass area
in a small valley. The last 40 kms was a landscape of lunar
appearance, small thick clumps of grass and nothing else. At times it
looked like the rolling hills had been hit by a lawn mower they
looked so smooth and green. I'm sure my grass will look like that
when I get home in 2 weeks. NOT.</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Once in camp it back to the usual stuff of building a
home, a quick wipe over and off for soup and bread. I went for a walk
on my own up along the road to see what I could find. I ended up
finding a piece of 'Andesite', a rock for Ashley, some sheep in the
distance, some Rheas, and about 5 dead cows, 4 of which were floating
in the creek close to the camp. Not a bad afternoon of sightseeing.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mLUGSgsmFlM/VIDtmw68OtI/AAAAAAAAD8g/RdPCVWiSWvA/s1600/IMG_1708%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mLUGSgsmFlM/VIDtmw68OtI/AAAAAAAAD8g/RdPCVWiSWvA/s1600/IMG_1708%5B1%5D.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
The photo above is of Julia, one of the nice people on tour. Julia comes from Brisbane Australia.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRtaJruH3lQ/VIDt8jwgJ7I/AAAAAAAAD8o/GQy3s6AIDg4/s1600/IMG_1714%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRtaJruH3lQ/VIDt8jwgJ7I/AAAAAAAAD8o/GQy3s6AIDg4/s1600/IMG_1714%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
The above photo was taken today with the Torres del Paine 3 peaks in the distance. This is one spectacular place to ride in.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UaxuEIZipxs/VIDuCX6zAUI/AAAAAAAAD8w/5XiFco-Vr9I/s1600/IMG_1719%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UaxuEIZipxs/VIDuCX6zAUI/AAAAAAAAD8w/5XiFco-Vr9I/s1600/IMG_1719%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Slowly but surely we made our way around the lake and onto our campsite in the Torres del Paine National Park.
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We ended up riding 30kms shorter than expected and
should have reached bush camp Tapi Aike, but because we all went
trekking yesterday, Rob the Boss decided that we could start at 9am
instead of that terrible time of 8am and would therefore cut the day
to 132 kms. The only bad thing about that is that we have to do those
30 kms first thing tomorrow. Who cares?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I'll be in 'Tent Hilton' nice and early tonight and
reading another good book, 'My name is Malali'. The book is the true
story of the young Afghani women who was shot in the face in 2012 on
her way home from school. She was 15 years of age at the time and
came from the SWAT valley. The other 2 books I've read lately which
are both brilliant are; The Lone Survivor, and The Man Who Broke into
Auschwitz.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Tomorrow is going to be a long day on the dirt roads of
Argentina as we cross back into Chile. Not sure what tomorrow will
bring other than tiredness by the time it's over.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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Until tomorrow, safe riding.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i><b>Wednesday 3<sup>rd</sup>
December 2014. Stage 99. Bush camp to Cerro Castillo, 92 kms. Paved
43%, climbing 618 metres, summit 645 metres. Back to Chile and
freezing cold weather.</b></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Sleeping in the small valley 30 kms away from Tapi Aike
was pretty cool, actually it so was cool that inside my tent at 4am
the temperature was 5.8 degrees C. Thankfully I was nice and warm in
my duck down sleeping bag listening to the frogs in the river, the
sheep in the meadow and the birds putting their 2 bobs worth of calls
out to the world, otherwise I woke refreshed and ready for another
day of riding.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
With an 8 am departure it was back up to the road and
start heading south for 35 kms of rocky roads. The scenery of vast
valleys and rolling green hills, and one lonesome Condor flying
overhead was just like a 'National Geographic' moment. I had seen a
couple of Condors flying overhead when we were walking on the ice in
Perito Merino the other day, but today was the first time I got to
see one so close. The wing span on these birds is close to 3 metres
and they have these fingers at the end of their wings which make them
stand out from the rest of the bird life in this part of South
America.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
When we got to the town of Tapi Aike all we found was a
closed service station, a closed shop and 2 sheep eating grass at the
front of the school. I think this place must open up when summer gets
a little closer. What we did notice this morning was the temperature.
Although it was cold in the tent last night, whilst eating breakfast
the temperature rose to 7 degrees and we hit the road at 8 degrees.
For the majority of the day the temperature sat between 8 and 14
degrees C.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Everywhere you looked, all you could see were those
beautiful green pastures and once again snow capped mountains far
away in the distance. The Patagonian winds were still quiet early in
the day and only started to awake around 11 am. Once at the deserted
petrol station it was back onto the pavement for the run into the
lunch truck at the 65 km mark. I rode with Barry and JR (who I've
given the title of my own photographer for the rest of trip),
stopping to take photos and just enjoying the limited time I have
remaining on this holiday.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Now people say to me, 'how can you call what you do each
day a holiday'? Simple, I love cycling, I love an extreme challenge,
I don't have to carry my bags, someone cooks for me and cleans up
after I make a mess, I'm told where I can put 'Tent Hilton' up, shown
where I can go to the toilet, I can wear the same dirty smelly
clothes each day, and I can go as fast or as slow as I like all day
everyday, and I don't have to work, so I must be on holidays. Yes,
it's tough both physically and mentally, but anyone can do this if
they want to, it's just how bad do you want to experience one of the
greatest cycle journeys on earth? If you're answer is 'Yes', then
this tour is for you. Remember it's one of the toughest holiday's you
will ever endure over 4 ½ months of your life.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zozd3mSDoqU/VIDvAlcPjFI/AAAAAAAAD84/Mlrscw1rHzQ/s1600/IMG_1720%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zozd3mSDoqU/VIDvAlcPjFI/AAAAAAAAD84/Mlrscw1rHzQ/s1600/IMG_1720%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
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The above photo was taken from the campsite inside the National Park today.
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We rolled down to the lunch truck which was set up near
a nice wind break. Walter had the fire going and was toasting bread
and some food left over from last evening's meal. I had my bread roll
with salad and that was enough for me. I found that lately I've been
eating less for lunch and dinner. I think my body doesn't require as
much food now as it's use to the enormous load I'm putting on it each
day.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
It wasn't until we stopped for lunch that we realised
how cold it really was. I had every bit of cold weather gear on and
still I was freezing. All the other riders also complained on how
cold it was. Although we've ridden in colder weather I think the
westerly winds coming off the snow capped mountains were causing all
the damage. We didn't hang around too lunch at lunch as we had to
cross into Chile today and sometimes these border crossings can be a
pain in the ass.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
About 20 kms after lunch we made a right hand turn and
got back onto the dirt again. A short 8 km ride got us to the
Argentinian border control. Just as Barry and I pulled up, a bus load
of German tourists walked into immigration before us. About 30
tourists had to be processed whilst we were waiting outside in the
cold. Eventually we got to the counter to be told to fill out a form.
So out we went again and completed the form and returned for the
stamp that allowed us to continue on.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The dirt road was pretty good all the way to the 90 km
mark and the Chilean border post. There is absolutely nothing between
these borders posts that resemble civilisation. A couple of cows, the
odd Guanaco running around and that's it. We were told we had to get
rid of any fruit we may be carrying before entering Chile, so whilst
completing the forms I devoured my banana and ate the 1 remaining
fruit bar. The Chilean border control was straight forward and within
5 minutes we were back on the pavement and heading the 2 kms down to
the campsite. Our campsite is situated in the backyard of a family
home. They have kindly allowed us to set up home and use some of
their facilities for the evening.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
After cleaning up I went for a walk with Carmen, Julia,
Brian and Deb up to the cafe near the border post. They had a lot of
souvenir shirts, mugs, caps and maps for sale but so expensive. They
wanted $25 AUS for a T-Shirt. There was no way I was going to pay
that much for a T-shirt. We all had a drink at the cafe and spent the
rest of the afternoon doing very little.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
By the time we got back to our campsite it was time for
dinner. After dinner I heard some men calling out from behind our
property. It was a group of men training their horses how to work
with cattle. Since Julia is a keen horse rider we went over and
watched for while. It was quite amazing to see how one horse would
put it's chest into the side of the cow and steer it around whilst
the other horse would push the cow along. It's the first time I've
ever seen a horse go so fast sideways.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Today has been a really good day, even considering how
cold it was.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Tomorrow we head to Torres Del Paine National Park, and
the following day is a rest day. I've decided to change my mind and
go on the 5 hour walk to see what has been described by Rob the Boss
as the best National Park in Chile. As if I need anymore exercise on
a rest day.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Once again, it's time to go to sleep and get ready for
more riding on the dirt.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Until tomorrow, safe riding.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i><b>Thursday 4</b></i><sup><i><b>th</b></i></sup><i><b>
December 2014. Stage 100. Cerro Castillo to National Park Torres del
Paine. 64 kms, paved 27%, climbing 857 metres, summit 391 metres. A
great ride to our next rest day. </b></i>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Today was a great day, I got to sleep in till 8am for
the 9am departure. I stayed up really late last night to watch
episode 1, season 5, 'the walking dead'. Now that's a top show. I
ended up crashing at 10 pm, and still managed to be woken by all the
noise around the campsite at 7.15am. Plenty of time to pull down
'Tent Hilton' and get my act together.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We rolled out of camp at 9 am for the 20 km ride on
nice pavement over rolling green valleys till we came to the junction
where the dirt began. At this junction we made a left hand turn and
headed to the famous Torres del Paine National Park. But first we had
to stop and watch the local Gauchos rounding up the cattle in the
nearby field. I always love to watch these guys working their horses
around the cattle. It was onto the dirt road for a jaw jarring 40 kms
till lunch and the entrance to the National Park.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Today the scenery is just as magnificent as every other
day on the tour. The morning started with very little breeze and nice
clear blue sky. I did get to see another Condor close by, and watched
as it appeared to hover overhead waiting for it's next victim.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We rode around the famous Lake Nordenskjold, which gave
a great shadow of the '3 Torres' peaks towering before us. This was
one of those moments where you get off your bike and take some photos
and try and take in the grandeur of this region.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We pulled into lunch and this time we were the
attraction. There were heaps of tourist buses coming and going at the
entrance point to the park and many of the tourists wanted to get
their photos taken with us. I thought they must have known me.
Obviously not.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
With the clouds now setting in, the top of the 3 peaks
disappeared. It was time to get back on the bike for the final 8 km
push to our campsite beneath the peaks. It was a comfortable ride
today and we only got a couple of drops of rain. Our campsite is
perfect and we have all the amenities we need.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Tonight Gurdy our chef will prepare dinner and tomorrow
we have to look after ourselves. I've booked breakfast for 9.30am
which seems more realistic and sensible. It's then off for a 5 hour
walk to see the '3 Torres' up close and personal. That is what I'm
doing on my rest day.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The time is now racing away and I have 3 more days of
riding left. My last day of riding will be the ride into Punta
Arenas, but first I'm going for a long walk.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Until tomorrow, safe riding.
</div>
cairo to capetown 2011.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13067572990582063027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3345892037555272842.post-38086522735750115142014-12-02T02:05:00.003-08:002014-12-02T02:05:45.425-08:00An amazing day at the Perito Merino Glacier.<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><span style="color: #252525; font-weight: bold;">T</span>he Perito Moreno Glacier</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"> i</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">s a</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"> glacier</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">located in the</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"> Los Glaciares National Park</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">in southwest</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"> Santa Cruz province, Argentina.</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"> It is one of the most important tourist attractions in the Argentine</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"> Patagonia.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">The 250 km</span></span><sup style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 1;">2</sup><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"> (97 sq mi) ice formation, and 30 km (19 mi) in length, is one of 48 glaciers fed by the Southern Patagonian Ice Field located in the Andes system shared with Chile. This </span></span><span style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">ice field</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"> is the world's third largest reserve of fresh water.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Perito Moreno glacier, located 78 kilometres (48 mi) from El Calafate, was named after the explorer Francisco Moreno, a pioneer who studied the region in the 19th century and played a major role in defending the territory of Argentina in the conflict surrounding the international border dispute with Chile.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0GrG_37bTn8/VH0PRgtsuJI/AAAAAAAAD7Y/mUSiW3_mZ90/s1600/IMG_1665%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0GrG_37bTn8/VH0PRgtsuJI/AAAAAAAAD7Y/mUSiW3_mZ90/s1600/IMG_1665%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
I took the above photo as we were getting close to the area where we would commence our ice trek.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ojuGjhBSSms/VH0Pb9pXg6I/AAAAAAAAD7g/mUbQpYq3W9I/s1600/IMG_1680%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ojuGjhBSSms/VH0Pb9pXg6I/AAAAAAAAD7g/mUbQpYq3W9I/s1600/IMG_1680%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
And that's me of course ready to be an explorer for the day.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wbURvzDSYkE/VH0PkVtC_MI/AAAAAAAAD7o/chzwiKyeoQY/s1600/IMG_1691%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wbURvzDSYkE/VH0PkVtC_MI/AAAAAAAAD7o/chzwiKyeoQY/s1600/IMG_1691%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
At the end of the trek the company provide a shot of whiskey as a reward for making the trek. I had a nice glass of very chilled water.<br />
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The photo of our group walking the ice.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bf9T7j0yJIA/VH0P6IWYhOI/AAAAAAAAD74/J5xm5-pn07o/s1600/IMG_1683%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bf9T7j0yJIA/VH0P6IWYhOI/AAAAAAAAD74/J5xm5-pn07o/s1600/IMG_1683%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
Looking at the face of the glacier from ground zero is when you really appreciate the magnitude of this ice field.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zDtDu2xv950/VH0P9uyYfdI/AAAAAAAAD8A/FZs23STzh4s/s1600/IMG_1676%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zDtDu2xv950/VH0P9uyYfdI/AAAAAAAAD8A/FZs23STzh4s/s1600/IMG_1676%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
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That's Carmen in the white top walking towards the starting point of the ice trek with the rest of our group.</div>
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Now for the story of trekking the ice.</div>
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Today is the day I go and visit the world famous Perito
Merino Glacier about 80 kms away from El Calafate, and I'm going there with Carmen and Julia. We were picked up from our hotel around 8.30am
and then spent half an hour driving around to other hotels picking up
clients who were coming along for the trek of the glacier.</div>
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Once we were on our way we travelled out along the lake
foreshore and then entered the Los Glaciares National Park. We had to
pay an additional fee of 215 Pesos to enter the park on top of the
tour cost of 1100 pesos.
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Next was the boat trip across the lake which took about 20 minutes belting head on into a ferocious headwind. No one was allowed to stand outside because of the spray coming all over the boat and it would have been far too dangerous.</div>
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Once we arrived at the glacier the sight of this
enormous ice wall was breathtaking.</div>
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We put our crampons on and headed off along a boardwalk and up the ice. We tried to get over the ridge and the top of the ice field but were forced back due to the high winds. We waited for 20 minutes then attempted again, and this
time were successful. The view of the ice and it's caves and crevasses
were eerie so close up. I now have a better understanding when I read about those explorers who slip into a crevasses, it would almost be impossible
to get them back out. </div>
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After the trek we then went back to the resting area for lunch and sat
watching these massive walls of a glacier slowly grow 20 cms a day
and break off with tremendous noise as blocks crash into the waters
below. </div>
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We were called to get back onto the boat to go back across the lake for the next part of our tour, walking the board walk to give us a different angle of this massive ice berg.</div>
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After that we were all beat, we had a long day and it
was time to get back on the bus and go back into town for dinner.
Once dinner was over and the purchasing of 2 nice T-shirts, followed
by an ice cream, we finally made it back to our hotel to get our gear
ready for tomorrow.</div>
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Tomorrow we start day 1 of 3 on the road to Torres Del
Paine. This also suppose to be a spectacular place for hiking. I'm
not sure about hiking on my rest day again. I think I'll lay in my
tent and do nothing all day.</div>
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Until tomorrow, safe riding.
</div>
cairo to capetown 2011.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13067572990582063027noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3345892037555272842.post-36681355711495202292014-11-30T16:38:00.000-08:002014-11-30T16:38:35.750-08:00Camping Hotel La Leona to El Calafate. 107 kms, paved 100%, climbing 820 metres, summit 726 metres. Day 9 of 9 completed on the road to El Calafate.Today is the day we make our way to El Calafate on Lake Argentina. The wind was howling all night and the trees rustling in the wind could be heard for miles. With my ear plugs firmly jammed in I had a great night's sleep and wished it went on longer when I heard my neighbour rustling his tent at 6am. Time for me to start getting dressed and pulling down the tent. I will be glad to reach El Calafate and take a much needed rest.<br />
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This week I've had to contend with coming off into a guard rail, being blown across the road 10 times, catching the flu, burning lungs and legs, but shit I'm having the time of my life.<br />
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Now for today's ride.<br />
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My goal today was to get Barry up to the front and stay there all day, or at least to the lunch truck at the 70 km mark. The wind from roaring from the west which meant we would be fighting cross winds all morning and headwind in the afternoon. The afternoon didn't worry me because we probably would have a group to ride the last 40 kms to the end of the day.<br />
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It was a fast pace with Joost, Alfred, James, Reinhardt, Diderick, Barry and myself in the front group. I had decided to ride the entire day with Barry regardless of whether he stayed or not with the group.<br />
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To cut this story short and to protect all riders privacy, 1 rider collapsed on the bike and hit the deck. All dazed and not responsive, the rider was taken to the lunch truck by a passing motorist and then later conveyed to hospital for a CAT scan. The rider was cleared to leave after several tests and will be taking it easy during his rest day.<br />
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That is all I'm prepared to say on today at this stage.<br />
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We made it into El Calafate after fighting bloody hard headwinds around 2pm. We ended up at our hotel for the next 2 nights, made a mess of the room as boys know how too, and headed off into town to check out this place.<br />
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I've booked the Perito Merino Glacier mini trek for tomorrow which I'm really looking forward to. I'm going with Carmen and Julia and Barry's hanging around town, shopping for me. We get picked up at 8.30am for the trek and should be back 9 hours later.<br />
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Thank God it's a rest day.<br />
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Now I've posted some photos covering the past 5 days of no internet access. I hope you enjoy.<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rCLaEmPDjfo/VHuos_5d_TI/AAAAAAAAD54/Evv9eFRBWiE/s1600/IMG_1609%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rCLaEmPDjfo/VHuos_5d_TI/AAAAAAAAD54/Evv9eFRBWiE/s1600/IMG_1609%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a><br />
The photo above shows the riders all rugged up ready for the long day ahead.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iRK2uDuzRZg/VHupVisZOaI/AAAAAAAAD6A/BiUF2nmXsGw/s1600/IMG_1614%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iRK2uDuzRZg/VHupVisZOaI/AAAAAAAAD6A/BiUF2nmXsGw/s1600/IMG_1614%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
The photo above was the starting point for the 2 person team time trial about 3 days ago. We set a new record.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yOkOrettQEA/VHupeoBneXI/AAAAAAAAD6I/xFrnJcqrJwo/s1600/IMG_1624%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yOkOrettQEA/VHupeoBneXI/AAAAAAAAD6I/xFrnJcqrJwo/s1600/IMG_1624%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
The photo above shows my team mate Joost shortly after winning the time trial. He's s slightly taller than me.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AbFq-Vpv-6o/VHupiK4dzHI/AAAAAAAAD6Q/NzfdTA0Q6mk/s1600/IMG_1636%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AbFq-Vpv-6o/VHupiK4dzHI/AAAAAAAAD6Q/NzfdTA0Q6mk/s1600/IMG_1636%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
The photo above is Barry in the middle and 2 ladies who I hang with on the trip. Carmen on the left from Italy. That's the one who can talk under water with a mouth full of marbles. Julia is on the right of course and lives in Brisbane.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iyjNNTnU8EM/VHuqAI2P8BI/AAAAAAAAD6Y/H9M6DQvmBkA/s1600/IMG_1633%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iyjNNTnU8EM/VHuqAI2P8BI/AAAAAAAAD6Y/H9M6DQvmBkA/s1600/IMG_1633%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
The photo above is of my Garmin showing the record achieved during the time trial.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4lZacG_KlHA/VHuqHU92qJI/AAAAAAAAD6o/b0W6c2JctE8/s1600/IMG_1635%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4lZacG_KlHA/VHuqHU92qJI/AAAAAAAAD6o/b0W6c2JctE8/s1600/IMG_1635%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
I took the above photo whilst walking around one of the properties we were camping at 2 nights ago.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M7oEQypvy3g/VHuqAom5RKI/AAAAAAAAD6c/ODFBYQCbgFs/s1600/IMG_1640%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M7oEQypvy3g/VHuqAom5RKI/AAAAAAAAD6c/ODFBYQCbgFs/s1600/IMG_1640%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
The photo above is what we've been riding in along the Pampa region of Argentina.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K2DDOmn1BE8/VHuqhLffykI/AAAAAAAAD6w/SxEt-pgxuWY/s1600/IMG_1650%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K2DDOmn1BE8/VHuqhLffykI/AAAAAAAAD6w/SxEt-pgxuWY/s1600/IMG_1650%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
During our tour of South America everyone gets the chance do help with kitchen duties. I always do the wiping up as I hate getting my hands wet.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qlmf_jzv3qc/VHuqnWb6qAI/AAAAAAAAD64/SxUOojQb9xo/s1600/IMG_1651%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qlmf_jzv3qc/VHuqnWb6qAI/AAAAAAAAD64/SxUOojQb9xo/s1600/IMG_1651%5B1%5D.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
The above gentlemen is wearing the typical clothing of men in the Tres Lagos region. He remembered the tour coming through his home town 2 years ago and wanted to come down to our campsite and say hello.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-__coj44Ed-M/VHuquTPrqTI/AAAAAAAAD7A/tIiLDcWHeZw/s1600/IMG_1653%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-__coj44Ed-M/VHuquTPrqTI/AAAAAAAAD7A/tIiLDcWHeZw/s1600/IMG_1653%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
These 2 young boys were my English students for the afternoon. It's moments like these that remind me that it's not about the bike, it's about meeting beautiful people.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-giLGhYjO9RY/VHuqze6DnhI/AAAAAAAAD7I/02q_m3tJ2po/s1600/IMG_1658%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-giLGhYjO9RY/VHuqze6DnhI/AAAAAAAAD7I/02q_m3tJ2po/s1600/IMG_1658%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
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The photo above is the camping ground and our vehicles from last night. Those trees were blowing crazy all night.</div>
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Tomorrow is a big day and I need to get to sleep. It's now 9.30 pm and still light in this part of the world. </div>
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Until tomorrow, safe riding.</div>
cairo to capetown 2011.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13067572990582063027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3345892037555272842.post-26435203765543029532014-11-29T12:04:00.001-08:002014-11-29T12:04:38.385-08:00Back from the wilderness and looking forward to El Calafate. Day 8 of 9 completed on the road to El Calafate.<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i><b>Monday 24<sup>th</sup>
November 2014. Stage 91. Perito Merino to Bajo Caracoles, 131 kms,
Paved 100%, climbing 1359 metres, summit 1048 metres. This was one of
the toughest yet on tour.</b></i></div>
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Today was a 9 am departure on a day that could be nice
or extremely difficult. We all rolled out of camp right on time and
started to head in a southerly direction with a nice tailwind from
the north pushing us towards Bajo Caracoles where we'll be camping
tonight.</div>
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The sun was out, so that was a bonus and the road was in
perfect condition. Quite surprising at the lack of traffic in this
part of the Argentina. I rode with Barry, Buck and Jurg all morning,
and we all took our share of work at the front of the peleton. The
scenery consisted of rolling hills, beautiful green fields, and
perhaps 1 or 2 shacks all morning up to the lunch stop.</div>
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By the time we had 2 hours up we had already made 50
kms. We were expecting the lunch truck at the 60 km mark so I ate all
my food and finished all my water at 55 kms. It was at this moment
the wind decided to take a dramatic turn for the worst. The wind
changed from a northerly wind to a southerly wind. The wind was now
belting us in the face, and it was so strong our speed dropped to 8
kph. Over the next 2 & ½ hours we covered 30 kms, that's how
strong the wind was. You got very little assistance sitting directly
behind the person in front because the wind would also come from the
west and push you right across the road. If a car or bus was coming
as one of us got pushed across the road, we would have been road
kill.
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I forget to mention in yesterday's blog that I saw 2
condors, about 3 Armadillo's, and 2 dead sheep on that rocky road.</div>
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As we pushed on past 60 kms we were starting to question
whether we had missed the lunch truck. We were all getting hungry,
frustrated at the strength of the wind, and travelling at 8-10kph all
over the road was just down right stupid. I should have just got in
the truck and enjoyed the day. I was not enjoying my riding for
perhaps the first time on the tour. I didn't have to prove anything
to myself or anyone else by riding in gale force winds.
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After the 70 km mark, we notice the wind was getting
stronger and stronger, more so from the west now. This was probably
the hardest wind to ride in because you couldn't hold a straight line
or a constant speed. I stopped looking at my speed and I also stopped
glancing over at Barry's speed because it was doing my head in. I
knew it was going to be another hour to lunch travelling at this
speed and there wasn't a darn thing I could do about it.</div>
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At the 80 km mark we finally saw the lunch truck in the
distance. We were all tired and hungry, but at least we only had 50
kms to go in the afternoon. It was down to the creek bed, full up my
plate and take up a seat to eat like a king. As I sat in the chair
and looked at the other cyclists around me, I could tell they all
looked dejected, perhaps close to even being beaten. The wind was
causing havoc out on the road, and there were those riders who are
EFI, (that means they've ridden every km of the tour) who have to
ride, there obsessed with not getting on the truck.
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After lunch we rolled up a 4 km climb and turned south.
Well, if you've ever stood close to a jumbo jet engine and felt the
force of the wind coming out the rear, well that's exactly what it
was like when we crested the mountain. I have never in my riding or
racing life ever come to a complete standstill because of the
ferocity of the wind. Our speed dropped from 20 kph climbing the hill
to 0 in a matter of metres.
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We pushed into the wind for the next hour covering 8
kms. I'm not one to be mentally cracked by pressure, but this was
giving me all sorts of problems. One moment I was going straight, the
next my front wheel was pointed across the road. Barry and Jurg took
their turn at the front of the bunch and they were copping it just as
bad as Diderick and I did. Even sitting at the back of the peleton
there was very little respite for us. We were later joined by Jan and
Michelle, but extra numbers didn't help on this windy day.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
On one descent, I was riding behind Michelle and we got
hit by such a strong side wind, it blew us completely across the road
and I went flying into the guard rails. I lost my front wheel in the
gravel and went 'arse over head'. I was so lucky not go over the
guard rail. Michelle went over and just getting the bike back to the
correct side of the road and get going again took all our energy.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I could see the time getting on in the day and we still
had 25 kms to go. At this rate we won't be getting in till 6pm. We
were finding it hard to sit on 10 kph, and that was using all our
strength. It wasn't a case of having an easy day and doing what's
necessary to get to the finish, it was a case of that's as good as we
could deliver on the road.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Everyone was getting tired and cranky, the wind was not
letting up, the lunch truck had passed us, so we had to ride this day
out. We had one big climb left to make before the descent into Bajo
Caracoles. As we were climbing the hill with Barry and myself sitting
on the front setting the pace, Jurg says, 'do you know the road turns
east when we get to the summit'? Well, he couldn't told us that the
last 10 kms would be a walk in the park about an hour earlier, that
would have made me feel a lot better.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
As we reached the summit the road did turn 90 degrees
and we finally got to get some speed from our bikes. We roared down
the mountain, along a short flat section and found our campsite for
the evening. We are camping in the back of someone's yard for the
night, and the wind is still crazy.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Tomorrow we have another hard windy day. Day 3 of 9 is
completed, but damn it nearly cracked me.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Until tomorrow, safe riding.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i><b>Tuesday 25<sup>th</sup>
November 2014. Stage 92. Bajo Caracoles to Bushcamp Las Horquetas.
109 kms, paved 100%, climbing 551 metres, summit 1089 metres. Too
windy to ride, so I've decided to take the truck.</b></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Well it's been a long time since I've got on the truck
and the last time I did it was because I was sick. After getting very
little sleep due to the winds, I could see no intelligent reason to
ride in horrendous conditions. I put my bike on the truck and caught
a lift all the way to our bush camp at Las Horquetas for the evening.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
As the riders took off all rugged up, I never doubted
for one moment should I or shouldn't I have ridden the bike today.
After we packed the express truck, the 8 of us non cyclists jumped
onboard and took an option for which we all had our own personal
reasons for not riding. Some were sick, some were tired, and others
just couldn't see the sense in riding in those conditions.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
No sooner had we gone 2 kms up the road and we saw
Kristin standing there waiting to be picked up. She also had had
enough and wanted to get on the truck. She had called it quits
because of the strong side winds. We loaded her bike onto the roof of
the truck and pressed on. It wasn't long and we were passing riders
and slowing down to talk to them. Each rider said the wind was
favourable from the start, and that they were having a good time. I
can tell you, no one had a smile on their face as we passed. It was
cold and windy and obviously not enjoyable.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We pulled into the lunch stop and had a quick bite and
hit the road again. It wasn't long and we were in the campsite for
the evening. It's blowing an absolute gale right now and I've got my
tent pitched in the perfect position. I suppose there has to be
benefits by catching the express truck to camp.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I now have the entire afternoon to have a nap and take
it easy. Tomorrow we have the 50km 2 man time trial which I'm riding
with Joost. Should be a good day and I should be nice and fresh for
it.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Until tomorrow, safe riding.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i><b>Wednesday 26<sup>th</sup>
November 2014. Stage 93. Bushcamp Las Horquetas to Estancia La
Angostura. 84 kms, paved 58%, climbing 100 metres, summit 780 metres.
2 person 'Team Time Trial' brings 6<sup>th</sup> victory on Tour.
Average 51 kph for 49 kms. Race record.</b></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Before I get into today's ride I should let you know I
finally got to sleep at midnight. I think the 1 & ½ hour nap I
took in the afternoon was the problem. I have also developed a runny
nose and sneezing since I got off the truck around noon. Probably
caught it off one of the people on the truck yesterday who was
sneezing and coughing.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
What I do find annoying on this tour is that the same
people help load and unload the truck of bags and sleeping gear.
Yesterday when we arrived one female decided to watch and do sweet
bugger all whilst others help unload the truck and also unload her
bag no doubt. The three females on the truck were Leyte, Brigid and
Viv. To make it easy on who the culprit is all the time, it wasn't
Viv.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Now for today.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I was awake at 5 am due to my tent flapping around. I
tied all the ropes down but the wind never let up all night and was
blowing just as hard when I got out of 'Tent Hilton'.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I laid in bed and finally got my act together around
6.15am. Now you know what I do in the afternoon but not necessarily I
the mornings. So this is how it goes. First I sit up and get out of
my warm duck down sleeping bag. Then I undress, get my cycling gear
on, stuff my sleeping bag away, roll up 2 sleeping mats, pack my day
bag and exit the tent. The next step is to pull down the tent and
roll up the blue tarp I have under the tent for protection.
Protection is very important. Once the tent is packed up I then put
my tent, roll up mat and sleeping bag into another bag. I then drag
the day bag, tent bag and extra roll up mat to the back of the truck
for packing after breakfast.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Before
I start breakfast I fill up my bottles and get some food for the
morning ride. Now I can go and eat breakfast. Once breakfast is
complete it's time to pack the trucks and get ready to ride. Now I'm
ready for the 2 person 'Team Time Trial' race. Today's race is over
50 kms of flat paved road. I'm riding with Joost. We are the 9<sup>th</sup>
team to start. There are some riders who elected not to participate
and would rather cruise along and take photos and take in the amazing
the scenery. Like I've said before, when you race you see nothing
other than the tarmac under your wheels.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
With 8 am approaching and the wind screaming down the
road, I went for ride in a westerly direction. It was so hard into
the wind and although I usually complain about wind this was going to
blow us in an easterly direction, the way we were racing today.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Joost and I went for a warm up and waited for Rob the
Boss to call us to the starting line. I felt pretty good even though
I hadn't had much sleep last night. We had 8 teams in front of us
all separated by 1 minute intervals and we were on our way.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I
had talked strategy with Joost before the start and agreed I would
lead from the beginning. We took off and immediately went to 48 kph.
I held this speed for the 1<sup>st</sup>
km and then the big man took over. Immediately he took the speed up
to 52 kph. With the wind behind us, and on mountain bikes with aero
bars, it was tough going. After 5 kms it was time for me to come
around and hit the front. I was doing 2 km turns on the front and
Joost was taking 3 km turns for the first 25 kms.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
At times I had questioned myself as to whether I could
sustain this intensity. We powered along for the next 10 kms sitting
on 52 kph. With 15 kms to go I came up beside Joost and told him,
'it's time to go harder'. I took over and sat on 58 kph for 1 km and
we alternated like this for the next 15 kms to the finish line.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
What was good was flying past the other riders on the
road. After the race Michelle said she was surprised we caught her so
quickly. At over 50 kph, we were mowing down the opposition and our
legs and lungs were screaming at the same time.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
With finish flag in the distance we went as hard as we
could. I stopped the Garmin as we crossed line for a distance of 48.7
kms at an average speed of 51.04 kph. Now the recent cycling world
record was set at 51 kph, so us 2 old men (which I have been
described as on this tour) didn’t do a bad job at all, and we had
mountain bikes.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Both Joost and I were elated at the result, but couldn't
have done it without the wind at our backs. We waited for all the
other cyclists to arrive and sat down and had some lunch at 9.15am.
Everyone was amazed at our speed over the distance and congratulate
us on the win.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The next part of the day was the 40 km ride to Estancia
La Angostura on a dirt road which wasn't that bad. Although we were
heading south the westerly wind had died down enough not to blow us
across the road. A rocky, bumpy road on a beautiful sunny day was
just perfect conditions for riding. I had a great ride in the morning
and was enjoying the last 40 kms to finish our day.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We arrived at the estacian at midday and now had the
entire afternoon to relax at a beautiful homestead. The tent was
erected, some food was taken and a nice hot shower and shave to feel
like a million dollars.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I went for a walk with Julia and Carmen for 1 & ½
hours out into the fields. A lot of the riders laid back on the grass
and took in some sun rays. I prefer to get out and have a look
around, I spend enough time in a campsite as it is.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
With dinner approaching I was getting pretty hungry. I
was tempted to have a sleep earlier on but decided against it in case
I was up to midnight again. Tomorrow is a short ride on unpaved
roads.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Day 5 of 9 completed on the road to El Calafate.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Until tomorrow, safe riding.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i><b>Thursday 27<sup>th</sup>
November 2014. Stage 94. Estancia La Angostura to Estancia La
Siberia. 67 kms, paved 0%, climbing 555 metres, summit 620 metres.
Finally got to Siberia. Cold setting in.</b></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Yesterday there was a disagreement between Max and
Michelle about how close he put his tent to hers. Now he had a
similar problem with Leyte last week which was not dealt with in an
adequate fashion. Sometimes on this trip issues arise and are not
dealt with swiftly enough. If the same issue had been addressed
correctly last week we would not have had the situated repeated 7
days later. Eventually Michelle moved her tent and Max was spoken to
by Rob the Boss. Discussions went on for quite some time between Rob,
Gurdy, Max and others, when it should have been dealt with in 1
minute. I suppose that comes with years with dealing with conflict.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I should get on with today's story.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I slept well last night and although we were allowed to
sleep in for the 8 am breakfast I still woke at 6am. Now that really
sucks. I laid in bed until 7.30am and then started the daily ritual
prior to getting on the bike. I woke to a beautiful sunny sky, not a
cloud to be seen and the fields were full of birds and a couple of
flamingos in the distance. Today was a race day but myself and Joost
were happy to cruise and get into camp Siberia nice and fresh.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We
hit the dirt road at 9am and had to take on a short climb and head
back the way we came yesterday to the T junction at 4 kms. Once at
the junction we turned south and kept going for 60 kms. The road was
fairly flat but full of rocks and lose gravel. I could see the road
rising in the distance which meant we had a climb. The climb wasn't
that tough and when we reached the summit I got to see a spectacular
open valley before me. The green fields went on into the distance for
miles. Our road would now take us down to the valley floor where we
would continue for 35 kms till we reached the lunch truck at 40 kms.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The road got worse as the day went on. The final 10 kms
to lunch seemed to take forever, and I could see riders way up in the
distance and with the side wind now blowing strong, this was going to
be a long day in the saddle. I was riding with JR today and we
stopped plenty of times for photographs along the way.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
You can see in the title of the story today the word
Estancia. Estancia is the Spanish and Portuguese word for the North
American term ranch. It describes a large rural estate. The term is
used in Argentina, southern Chile, Uruguay, and Paraguay. The
equivalent in other Latin American countries would be hacienda or
fazenda ( only in Brazil).</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
While I'm on the topic of enlightening my readers, there
is another animal I've seen recently which I haven't discussed.
Yesterday and today I've got the chance to see a herd of Guanacos.
Guanaco is a camelid native to South America that stands betwwen 107
and 122 cm at the shoulder and weighs about 90 kgs. The colour varies
very little, ranging from a light brown to dark cinnamon and shading
to white underneath. Guanacos have grey faces and small straight
ears. They are extremely striking with their large, alert brown eyes,
streamlined form, and energetic pace. The name guanaco comes from the
South American language Quechua word “huanaco”. Young guanacos
are called chulengo(s). These animals are native to the arid,
mountainous regions of South America and found in the altiplano of
Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, Chile and Argentina.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Back to riding.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We arrived at lunch and sat around for about 15 minutes
with the wind blowing dirt all over me and my bread roll. It wasn't
the best place for lunch but in this open landscape the only
protection was the side of the truck. The area in which we are riding
over the past couple of days is more commonly known as the Pampa. The
Pampas are the fertile South American lowlands that include the
Argentina provinces of Buenos Aires, La Pampa, Santa Fe, and Cordoba,
most of Uruguay, and the State of Rio Grande do Sul, in the
southernmost end of Brazil covering more than 750,000 sq kms. This
land is very flat with the occasion hill but nothing of any real
significance.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
After lunch JR and I continued our ride taking photos
and dodging rocks. Once again we have to constantly search for the
best track to take on these roads. Going from one side of the road to
the other in search of the perfect stretch of dirt. The wind was now
hitting us hard on our sides and in lose gravel was becoming hard to
stay upright. Some of the riders fell during the day, but JR and I
managed to stay upright.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Towards the end of the ride we came to the huge and
spectacular lake, 'Lake Lago Cardiel'. A huge turquoise lake with
snow capped mountains in the distance and green sloping hills running
down to the shore of the lake which made for a spectacular time out
from riding. JR and I sat on the side of the road and chatted away ½
an hour about life, and how we could conquer the world when we get
home. Me personally, I'm going to the coffee shop to catch up with a
couple of mates over a nice cappuccino. I'm sure they will shout the
coffee as there is no doubt they would have missed me immensely over
the past 5 months. I'm done with conquering the world, JR can have a
crack at that one.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
From our time out it was 5 kms to Estancia La Siberia,
our camping ground for the evening. It's basically a huge homestead
on the side of a hill with a couple of run down cattle yards and
nothing more. There is a walking track of 5 kms down to the lake but
there's no way I'm walking 10 kms in the afternoon, I'm staying out
of the sun and wind and taking it easy. As my good friend Sam says,
'you're on holidays Terry, take it easy'.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I found a good place to pitch the home out of the wind
and am in the process of doing nothing all afternoon. I'm going to do
nothing tonight and hopefully sleep like a bear. Tomorrow is around
95 kms of the same dirt and rocky road as today.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Until tomorrow, safe riding.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i><b>Friday 28<sup>th</sup>
November 2014. Stage 95. Estancia La Siberia to Tres Lagos. 93 kms,
climbing 559 metres, summit 789 metres. A cold day in the saddle on
the road to El Calafate.</b></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I put my tent up away from everyone else and out of the
wind, the only problem was I could smell cow dung all night. Because
the flu is now taking hold of me it didn't worry me that much. My
nose is sore, my lungs hurt when I cough, but I'm a male and
indestructible, or stupid, so I'm riding today.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Getting myself organised today was a little longer than
usual, the sun was out, the wind could blow a dog off a chain, and I
could already hear people coughing 50 metres away. Some people on the
trip have terrible coughs, and cough every morning and some continue
throughout the day. Once packed, it was time for breakfast which
consisted of 'French Toast', a bowl of corn flakes and a banana,
sprinkled ever so lightly with sugar. Now that's a meal fit for an
athlete. I did take a Codral cold and flu tablet that Julia gave me
last night to dry up my cold, but all it did was give me some crazy
dreams. I don't like taking drugs but I can't afford for the flu to
get any worse, as I want to visit the Perito Merino glacier down at
El Calafate in 3 days, and I need to fit and not sick. This glacier
excursion is suppose to be up with the best glacier walks on the
planet and it's a highlight I've wanted to see since leaving the Salt
Plains at Uyuni.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I suppose it's time to get on the bike and start the 93
km ride to Tres Lagos. It was a short ride from the Estancia La
Siberia and back onto the main dirt road. The first section of the
ride took us up a 5 km climb on nice hard pack dirt road. We rolled
along a plateau for a couple of kms taking in the amazing view of the
valley which run either side of the ridge we were on. Occasionally an
Armadillo or a Guanaco would run or crawl past us in their endeavours
to hide from the Gringos.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We started riding at 8am this morning and already the
wind was howling from the west. The Patagonian region of Argentina is
famous for it's strong winds and on occasions have been known not
only to push cyclists across the road and into metal barriers, but
also to turn large trucks over.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
During the 55 km ride to lunch the dirt road was perhaps
the best we've ridden on thus far on tour. About 15 kms before lunch
we came across the new pavement which lasted for about 1 km and then
went to large rocks. This section caused us to ride at 8 kph and the
game of dodging boulders began. This on and off pavement and boulders
lasted for the next 1 & ½ hours till we finally made it to
lunch. The only saving grace was the wind in this section was not
that bad.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Barry and I made lunch by 10.30am and left around 11am.
I really don't like hanging around lunch for too long, as I find it
hard to get going once I've cooled down. The lactic acid that builds
up in my legs after 30 minutes of resting burns like hell when I
start to turn those pedals again and takes a good km before the legs
come good, and it's got nothing to do with being 54 years of age.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
With 40 kms to go we were back on the bike and riding
with Joost, Michelle, Jurg and Barry. The dirt road was not letting
us down today and soon we were back on the pavement. I was still
coughing a lot and my chest was hurting, I had plenty of warm clothes
on and a neck band that Kristin put me onto. It's a cotton band that
goes around your neck and stops the wind from going down your chest
or back. You can also stretch it up over your head to cover your
ears. It's the best thing I bought on this trip or cycling so far.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Each rider took their turn at the front of bunch pushing
into the strong westerly winds. We are still riding the Pampa and
enjoying the rolling hills, and a landscape void of vegetation, only
for the guanacos and the slow moving armadillos. The temperature
today ranged from 8 – 14 degrees C.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
With 10 kms to go we came across a nice new section of
pavement which had my name written all over it. Now if anyone can
find freshly laid pavement, it's me. I actually thought the pavement
would stick to the road as I rode over it and not flick up off my
tires and land on my bike, all over my back, all over the back of my
legs and in my hair. I had this stuff everywhere. I then decided to
ride on the lose gravel just off the pavement which made it worse.
Now I had fresh tar with tinges of brown lose gravel over my bike, my
back and also my legs and hair.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
With Tres Lagos appearing in the distance I was
wandering how on earth am I going to get this shit off me. I pulled
into camp pulled out my tissues and tried to wipe some of it off my
legs. All I ended up achieving was spreading this tar to more parts
of my legs. It was just a mess. I put up my tent and went and had a
shower and the soap had zero affect on my legs, arms or my wet
weather jacket. Now I've I got something else to throw in the ocean
in Ushuaia which won't be coming home, 1 good wet weather jacket with
tar spots on the rear.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I asked Walter the truck driver if he had any cleaning
products to get the tar off, he gave me some soap and pure alcohol.
Neither did a thing. The only liquid that helped clean my legs was in
fact olive oil. It got a lot of the tar off my legs, but my jacket is
destroyed. All I can do with that is wear it to the end and leave it
behind.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I went for a walk up to the shops with Carmen and Julia
and found a little shop which had 4 nice lounge chairs right in the
front window. The young boy Allen made us a cup of coffee and we sat
around chatting and bitching about others on the tour. Later on 2
young school boys came in the school across the road and starting
talking to us about our home lands, and what we were doing in their
part of the world. One of the boys had an English learning book with
him so I decided to give him a free lesson on English. Since I'm
qualified at teaching English as a second language, we had great time
laughing and trying to get the boys to understand the basics of the
English language. Carmen made it more difficult telling the boys
Barry and I spoke Australian and that's not real English. Carmen can
speak Spanish, Italian and French can also talk underwater when
called upon. I pity her partner Robby back home in Milan.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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We headed back to our campsite which isn't bad at all.
The wind is blowing hard but we're protected well by the huge trees
and large fences surrounding the property. Tomorrow we start day 8 of
9 on the road to El Calafate and although it's only 60 kms, Rob the
Boss expects the ride to be one of the hardest on tour. We will be
heading directly into the wind for the entire day, a day which could
take 4 hours of hard riding.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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Until tomorrow, safe riding.</div>
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</div>
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<i><b>Saturday 29<sup>th</sup>
November 2014. Stage 96. 58 kms. Tres Lagos to Camping Hotel La
Leoan. Paved 96%, climbing 270 metres, summit 400 metres. Riding the
Pampa on an angle.</b></i></div>
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Sleeping in the confined quarters of the camping ground
wasn't that bad at all. We were all stacked on top of each other and
you can hear everything, snoring, passing wind, coughing, rolling
over on the sleeping mat, opening and closing tent zippers. Otherwise
I slept like a bear.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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Breakfast was 8am and departure was 9am. We rolled out
of camp across the rough road for about 2 kms till we reached the
smooth pavement of the R40. For once I wasn't the last one to leave
the camp and found myself at the front of the peleton with Joost,
Alfred, James, Ben and Barry. Like usual Joost decided to up the
tempo and we were off racing. I told Barry to hang on and do nothing
other than keep out of the wind and try and last out the race of 58
kms.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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The race would take us through the Pampa and a desolate
region just north of Lake Argentina. Rolling hills, was causing gaps
in the bunch because Joost and I would put the pressure on and try
and start dropping some riders. The wind was strong and blowing head
on into us, and driving along at 28 kph was pretty hard. Some riders
when they hit the front dropped the speed down to 23 kph which wasn't
a problem but gave me a good insight as to who we could shelve on the
next climb.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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After 20 kms done we hit a long gradual climb and I went
to the front of the bunch and pushed hard. It wasn't long and James
and Alfred were off the back and struggling to keep up. I made sure
Barry was still with us which meant we now had 4 leaders, Joost, Ben,
Barry and myself.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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Joost is a powerful rider and sometimes gets a little
excited and pushes too hard for some riders. On the next climb he put
the hammer down and by the top of the climb Barry was off the back
and was not coming back to us. Now it was up to Joost, Ben and myself
to continue on to the finish.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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The lunch stop was at 30 kms and I totally missed it, I
had my head down at the front of the bunch and worked hard at keeping
a straight line. I told Joost I wasn't going to stop on such a short
day and wanted to have a hard day all the way to the finish. Ben was
doing his share of work and there was no way we were going to break
up our group.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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Joost and I kept doing turns all the way to Camping
Hotel La Leoan to take my 7<sup>th</sup> victory on tour. Ben did
mention after the race that at times he thought he was going off the
back of us, but there was no way we would let that happen. We were
all doing our work and we all deserved the group win. At times the
wind was so hard we were busting our gut to go over 20 kph.
</div>
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<br />
</div>
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Most of the ride we were sitting on 25-28 kph, trying to
keep a straight line. Most of the time I was on an angle leaning into
the wind and not going across the road.
</div>
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<br />
</div>
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With 5 kms to go we could see the hotel in the distance
and just cruised on into camp. We had covered the 58 kms in under 2 ½
hours in pretty tough conditions. We arrived at camp at 10.30am and
now have the entire day to catch up on some sleep, have a shower and
do nothing. We haven't had WiFi for about 4 nights, so all the
cyclists from 'Bike Dreams' have now saturated the net. I'll upload
the photos tomorrow when we get into El Calafate and enjoying a nice
hotel. We have a rest day El Calafate and will be travelling out to
visit the world famous Perito Merino glacier.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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I now have 7 more days of riding to end my tour. During
my time in El Calafate I'll provide an update on why I'll be coming
home early. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Day 8 of 9 completed on the road to El Calafate.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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Until tomorrow, safe riding.</div>
cairo to capetown 2011.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13067572990582063027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3345892037555272842.post-79501687902913081712014-11-23T12:48:00.000-08:002014-11-23T12:48:21.513-08:00Stage 90, Puerto Ibanez to Perito Merino, 112 kms, climbing 1228 metres. What a cracker of a day.To cut this story short as I only have 10 minutes to type it up as I have to be back for dinner at the camp. So this is it.<br />
<br />
We left the camp at 8am to head down to the Chilean border post. After the trucks got through we had to then ride the 20 kms to the Argentinian border post. The road was up a huge mountain 10 kms long on shocking roads. The only consolation was the view back down to the lake.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eygjZ0FgXVk/VHJENRsvMMI/AAAAAAAAD5Y/-KtF760UT_A/s1600/IMG_1599%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eygjZ0FgXVk/VHJENRsvMMI/AAAAAAAAD5Y/-KtF760UT_A/s1600/IMG_1599%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
The photo above is Hilde climbing one of the paved sections with the lake in the distance.<br />
<br />
We had to ride 20 kms to reach the Argentinian border post which I think doesn't get much business at all.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xnPCSkQnMNM/VHJEpIy-lCI/AAAAAAAAD5o/nZAU3GUeBPg/s1600/IMG_1606%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xnPCSkQnMNM/VHJEpIy-lCI/AAAAAAAAD5o/nZAU3GUeBPg/s1600/IMG_1606%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
The photo above is of the Argentinian border post. A small house and that's it.<br />
<br />
From the lunch stop at 45 kms to the end of the day we had a huge wind pushing us along. We still had 60 kms to reach the town of Perito Merino and it on terrible roads, full of rocks and sand.<br />
<br />
It took us 4 & 1/2 hours to ride 45 kms in the morning and it took 3 & 1/2 hours to do the 60 kms in the afternoon.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WaGZIKk3g_c/VHJEnVOOKNI/AAAAAAAAD5g/iJIXz30W_Zk/s1600/IMG_1605%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WaGZIKk3g_c/VHJEnVOOKNI/AAAAAAAAD5g/iJIXz30W_Zk/s1600/IMG_1605%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
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The photo above is looking back down onto the lake. The view was pretty nice all day.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We had a really tough day today on the bikes today due mainly to having thin tires on the dirt. We needed fat dirt tires which would have made the world of difference. </div>
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We made it to camp at 3.30 pm and were glad to get off the bikes. Tomorrow we have another long hard day. I deal with that at 8am tomorrow.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Until tomorrow, safe riding.</div>
cairo to capetown 2011.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13067572990582063027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3345892037555272842.post-28946572505789417312014-11-22T15:15:00.001-08:002014-11-22T15:15:41.183-08:00Saturday 22nd November 2014. Stage 89. Coyhaique to Puerto Ibanez. 120 kms, 100% paved, climbing 1989 metres, summit 1420 metres. A long slog in the coldness of Chile.One thing about sleeping in an apartment in Coyhaique is the bed. I love sleeping in a good bed instead of 'Tent Hilton'. I think it has something to do with the odour.<br />
<br />
With breakfast completed we went out the front of the complex and waited for our taxi to take us back to the campsite to meet up with all the other cyclists. All we had to do was throw our bags on the truck, add some water to our bottles and get some snacks for the 62 km ride to lunch.<br />
<br />
Today we hit the road at 9am and started the 120 km ride to the lakeside town/village of Puerto Ibanez. Barry and I rode off with the group, but like usual on the first climb the bunch split to pieces. It was my goal to sit on the back of the bunch and listen to music all day. I had purchased a set of ear plugs after breaking 2 set already. In total I think I rode about 110 kms on the front of the bunch all day.<br />
<br />
The first part of the ride was on nice pavement with gentle undulating hills, full of cows and good looking pastoral fields. The snow capped mountains would continue with us all day, and I have no doubt as we get higher it's going to get seriously cold. I've got my cold weather jacket on, leg warmers and booties. I love having warm feet when on the bike. After 2 hours of riding we had climbed 600 metres. The wind off the snow was bitterly cold and some of the riders only had short gloves on, whilst I had my winter gloves on. My hands were as warm as toast.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U4y70nV5R4U/VHEOd-e-GwI/AAAAAAAAD4w/AJXdzosWFQc/s1600/IMG_1585%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U4y70nV5R4U/VHEOd-e-GwI/AAAAAAAAD4w/AJXdzosWFQc/s1600/IMG_1585%5B1%5D.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
Those 2 cyclists are Barry and Jurg.<br />
<br />
I was getting pretty tired as we got close to the lunch stop, and I don't know whether that had anything to do with a lack of sleep over the past 2 days. I know I should have gone to sleep earlier, but I'm on holidays and staying up late is part of the game.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XOdjV-yJXVs/VHEOMR4wnsI/AAAAAAAAD4g/gRUSrOUM8Bw/s1600/IMG_1588%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XOdjV-yJXVs/VHEOMR4wnsI/AAAAAAAAD4g/gRUSrOUM8Bw/s1600/IMG_1588%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
The photo above was taken by Jurg on the way to our lunch stop today. I never get bored at looking at these mountains, and when I ride I'm always glancing around and taking in the amazing scenery. I do pay attention to the holes in the road at the same time of course.<br />
<br />
As we rolled into lunch it was very cold. We had dropped of rain all morning and I was not going to sit around talking when I should keep warm and get back on the bike.<br />
<br />
After lunch we were joined by Diderick and we both sat on the front for the next 40 kms. We still had another 1300 metres of climbing before we started the descent down onto the lake. The climbs were much better in the afternoon, long drags, but not steep. The wind was now changing and I could feel it pushing into my back and making the climbs much easier.<br />
<br />
Still the rain was coming down, but this time I was getting drenched. My clothing is pretty good for light showers, but when it pours, I get drenched. We turned east at the 93 km mark and now we could fly. The wind was blowing a gale and we had 30 kms to go over rolling green hills with very little traffic.<br />
<br />
I wanted to get to camp before 3 pm so I could pull out my tent and try and dry it out. It was still wet when I rolled it up the other day. All my clothes had been washed in Coyhaique which I think was a waste of time and money. Give them 2 days and they will stink and look terrible. I'm going to throw most of my gear in the ocean at Ushuaia because that's all there good for.<br />
<br />
We finally crested the last climb for the day and could see the twisted road before us. The photo below shows the road we roared down at crazy speeds trying to be the first to the bottom.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SgfUyaatjdI/VHEOPt_Qf6I/AAAAAAAAD4o/pm-xFzf9WLw/s1600/IMG_1589%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SgfUyaatjdI/VHEOPt_Qf6I/AAAAAAAAD4o/pm-xFzf9WLw/s1600/IMG_1589%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
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The photo below was taken from the top of the mountain looking down into the lake that surrounds Puerto Ibanez and also borders Argentina where we are going to tomorrow.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6jFBGk950Dw/VHEOefyoHnI/AAAAAAAAD40/f5xt9s8ODbU/s1600/IMG_1587%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6jFBGk950Dw/VHEOefyoHnI/AAAAAAAAD40/f5xt9s8ODbU/s1600/IMG_1587%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
Once at the bottom of the climb it was an easy ride in to the camping ground. I had a boiling hot shower to warm up and also took in some food. It was off to the centre of town to check out this place. I found a little cafe down on the lake with a couple of cyclists already inside having a beer. I went in for a nice cold drink and too the photo below looking down the shoreline to the boat that can take you across the lake and onto Argentina. We don't have the luxury of the boat tomorrow, we have to ride around the lake.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2oEL2G8MfIU/VHEO-dmDzOI/AAAAAAAAD5A/D0n3CXhIAVg/s1600/IMG_1592%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2oEL2G8MfIU/VHEO-dmDzOI/AAAAAAAAD5A/D0n3CXhIAVg/s1600/IMG_1592%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
The Chilean border control point is 2 kms from our campsite and then we have to ride another 20 kms to reach the Argentinian border control. Although we have the hassle of crossing borders tomorrow, these posts have very few tourists passing, so we should get through straight away.<br />
<br />
It will be an early night tonight in 'Tent Hilton', and an early rise tomorrow, 7am breakfast, 8am departure. I'm now nice and warm back in my tent and looking forward to day 2 of 9 on the road to<br />
El Calafate.<br />
<br />
On a side note I received an email from my good friend Mr Geoffrey Hunter of the mighty GONG. Geoff had organised the TRN company to sponsor eXsight Tandems of the Illawarra. They made a significant donation to the charity that goes a long way in paying for the maintenance of the bikes and many other ares of business.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kedXt3G15AM/VHEPCIxx77I/AAAAAAAAD5I/GSYJClgxKjM/s1600/IMG_1594%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kedXt3G15AM/VHEPCIxx77I/AAAAAAAAD5I/GSYJClgxKjM/s1600/IMG_1594%5B1%5D.JPG" height="418" width="640" /></a></div>
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The photo above shows Mr Geoff Stratton presenting a representative of TRN with the framed jersey in appreciation of their support of eXsight Tandems Illawarra. Geoff is wearing the eXsight jersey in the photo and president of eXsight. I look forward to getting back on the tandem in 2015 and going on my Tuesday rides again.</div>
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Time to turn off the light and sleep.</div>
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Until tomorrow, safe riding.</div>
cairo to capetown 2011.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13067572990582063027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3345892037555272842.post-58140743286560168712014-11-21T12:09:00.000-08:002014-11-21T12:09:37.706-08:00Lago las Torres to Coyhaique, Stage 88. 137 kms, paved 100%, climbing 1380 metres, summit 710 metres. 5th victory on Tour.As the yesterday evening came to a close the clouds were still hovering overhead and and I was hoping the sun would be out come 7am when I had to open the flap of 'Tent Hilton'. Well, I managed to drag myself out of a coma and greet a morning full of chill, mist, and all clouds.<br />
<br />
Today I decided to race with the big boys and see how I fared against big Joost. This guy is one big powerhouse when he open up the engine and drives that bike along. Everyone rolled out of camp at 8am on the bell, we rolled off slowly and had to wait for James to catch us before the race could start.<br />
<br />
Once James joined us, Joost took off like he had a man possessed. It took Alfred and myself a good km to catch him. I had to finally bridge the gap to Joost and we started working together. We went past everyone at 50 kph. James couldn't stick with us and was dropped right from the start. Although James is very strong, it's his top end speed which is the problem. I still have to take my hat off to the chap as he is still leading the tour.<br />
<br />
As we pushed along I would lead the bunch up the climbs. On the first climb Alfred went off the back by about 10 metres. I slowed down for him to regain contact with myself and Joost. Another 2 kms, we hit another climb and led the bunch up the mountain. By the time I got to the top Alfred was about 100 metres behind. I turned and asked Joost if he wanted me to slow down and wait for Alfred, but he said, 'keep going, it's our day today'.<br />
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I drove on harder over the crest and down the other side into a valley of beautiful purple, yellow and grey flowers. A valley with mountains covered in cloud, but surely also covered in snow. The temperature was perfect for racing, and even though I had my leg and arm warmers on, and a vest, I was nice and war in these conditions.<br />
<br />
For the next 40 kms we took turns into a headwind with Joost doing the hard work on the flats and myself doing all the work on the climbs. He had me struggling on the flats, but I had him dangling on the climbs. We pushed each other as hard as we could over every kms till lunch. The lunch stop was at 65 kms and that's where the race ends for the day.<br />
<br />
With 5 kms to go the road tended to go flat and I couldn't see any big hills on my Garmin. If I wanted to drop Joost and come in on my own it would have to be over a significant hill. What was my greatest fear was if Joost decided to hit the power button, he could put me into a bit of bother.<br />
<br />
With 2 kms to go I could see the fire engine in distance. As I was on the front I did not want to see Joost attack from the rear and leave me stranded. I pulled up and said to him, 'well done, we did it, there's the lunch truck'. On a downhill run there would be no way I could out sprint him, he's just too powerful for me. If it was an uphill sprint I would have challenged him.<br />
<br />
We ended up rolling in together and were both awarded the victory. He was pretty happy and later told me I had hurt him on the climbs at the end. Now it was time to sit down and eat. We covered the 65 kms in 1 hr 58 minutes, and climbed over 800 metres.<br />
<br />
I waited for Barry to arrive as we wanted to get to camp together, get our gear and head into town and find a hotel for the next 2 nights. I had pushed myself nearly to the limit and still had another 75 kms to go to finish the day. My legs will be stuffed by tonight.<br />
<br />
After an hour of freezing at the lunch stop, we headed off with Max, Jurg, Brian, Deb and Buck. Buck told us to go ahead as he wanted to take it easy this afternoon. We kept a good pace and with a strong tailwind we made it to Coyhaique by 2pm. We first had some soup and snacks and got our gear ready. A cab was called and we were in the centre of town in no time. We eventually found the Hotel San Rafael which is pretty good for 75 US a twin room. The room is excellent, with TV, fridge, WiFi, and breakfast. I won't be getting out of bed early tomorrow.<br />
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Tomorrow is our rest day and I intend to do some walking to try and stretch my legs.<br />
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I've taken some photos of some nice people on tour to add to today's story.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dEBXPnYzjn0/VG8iqkMdVoI/AAAAAAAAD3Q/Lxf0daAvlMY/s1600/IMG_1506%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dEBXPnYzjn0/VG8iqkMdVoI/AAAAAAAAD3Q/Lxf0daAvlMY/s1600/IMG_1506%5B1%5D.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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The supreme elderly athletes are L-R. Jan Willem, JR, Dr Carroll, Lupcho, myself and Barry.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dInFU2pbMkk/VG8ivC3k5vI/AAAAAAAAD3Y/NDp0sLrybFw/s1600/IMG_1543%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dInFU2pbMkk/VG8ivC3k5vI/AAAAAAAAD3Y/NDp0sLrybFw/s1600/IMG_1543%5B1%5D.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
The photo above is the guy I speak about quite often in this blog, Rob the Boss.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Eh3pvLmPdTE/VG8jB1DyzVI/AAAAAAAAD3g/0Y5H6Pm4TsM/s1600/IMG_1551%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Eh3pvLmPdTE/VG8jB1DyzVI/AAAAAAAAD3g/0Y5H6Pm4TsM/s1600/IMG_1551%5B1%5D.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
The photo above is of my good friend Jurg.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oMMMYp7S6dQ/VG8jMvqRyhI/AAAAAAAAD3o/UTgWOfUnJNo/s1600/IMG_1534%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oMMMYp7S6dQ/VG8jMvqRyhI/AAAAAAAAD3o/UTgWOfUnJNo/s1600/IMG_1534%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
The photo above is of Brian and famous 'Buck Benson'.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-obO4mgAzsLY/VG8jadAwUQI/AAAAAAAAD3w/6NrmDEkBlrw/s1600/IMG_0441%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-obO4mgAzsLY/VG8jadAwUQI/AAAAAAAAD3w/6NrmDEkBlrw/s1600/IMG_0441%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
The photo above is of Barry and a couple of kids we came across one day in Peru.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DG4DKW4njEI/VG8jt2pURLI/AAAAAAAAD34/Y_sCq7pVm90/s1600/IMG_0615%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DG4DKW4njEI/VG8jt2pURLI/AAAAAAAAD34/Y_sCq7pVm90/s1600/IMG_0615%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
Another photo of Barry and some kids in Bolivia.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LaNJJt3ntXY/VG8j6Kp4bcI/AAAAAAAAD4A/vfyEjrIvVIM/s1600/IMG_0945%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LaNJJt3ntXY/VG8j6Kp4bcI/AAAAAAAAD4A/vfyEjrIvVIM/s1600/IMG_0945%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
I found the above kids in a very small village we stopped at in the mountains of Bolivia.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qCkW1fKF0H8/VG8lG82k9fI/AAAAAAAAD4Q/Xh6eCI770XQ/s1600/IMG_0941%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qCkW1fKF0H8/VG8lG82k9fI/AAAAAAAAD4Q/Xh6eCI770XQ/s1600/IMG_0941%5B1%5D.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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The above lady was my dancing partner at a local festival the day before we entered Bolivia. We had such a blast dancing with the locals. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1etT9wkQ_uA/VG8kGFmfMRI/AAAAAAAAD4I/lfo2wOe2JJ0/s1600/IMG_0756%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1etT9wkQ_uA/VG8kGFmfMRI/AAAAAAAAD4I/lfo2wOe2JJ0/s1600/IMG_0756%5B1%5D.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
The photo above is of a gorgeous young lady I met in Peru.<br />
<br />
My rest day was non eventful other than eating and resting.<br />
<br />
Tomorrow we start the first of nine cycling days in the Andean Mountains before our next rest day. Over 800 kms of dirt, mud, back into Argentina and sleeping in 'Tent Hilton'. But I'm still having fun.<br />
<br />
Until tomorrow, safe riding.<br />
<br />
<br />cairo to capetown 2011.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13067572990582063027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3345892037555272842.post-34846412752569229842014-11-20T16:24:00.000-08:002014-11-20T16:24:11.409-08:00This is what I do on my holidays.<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i><b>Monday 17<sup>th</sup>
November 2014. Stage 85. Futaleufu to Villa Vanguardia. 107 kms,
paved 0%, climbing 1208 metres, summit 495 metres. Another day of
playing in the dirt.</b></i></div>
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Last night we had salmon, mashed potatoes and salad for
dinner at the hotel we are staying at. Since we were suppose to
bushcamp last night and instead were provided with a nice hotel, we
were then required to look after ourselves for dinner. Rob the boss
had organised a special meal provided by the hotel at a reasonable
price and I think all the cyclists took up the option. It was a super
meal, with desert and coffee thrown in.
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After dinner I went down to the plaza with Carmen to see
if I could get on the net. In so many towns in South America the
local plaza has free WiFi. I managed to get on to finish my blog, but
there was no way I could upload photos. They will have to wait till
we get a strong signal or the rest day in 3 days time. I got back to
the hotel around 9.30pm and crashed out. I was pretty tired after a
long day yesterday.</div>
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We had the usual for breakfast provided by the hotel.
Fresh bread rolls, cheese and processed ham. Now I never eat
processed ham or meats at home, but here, you have to eat what you
can, and burn it off out on the road.</div>
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We all rolled out of Futaleufu at 9am. Yep, sleep in
today, 8am breakfast.</div>
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The pavement in the town lasted for about 500 metres and
then we were back on the dirt again. Today our ride was similar to
many others, but still the scenery is never boring. When I'm riding I
always love to glance up at the mountains and admire the snow caps,
and wander whether those birds flying high above the peaks might be
my first sighting of a 'Condor'.
</div>
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Both Barry and I decided not to take arm, leg warmers or
jacket. We started in beautiful sunny conditions and I thought it
would continue all the way to Villa Vanguardia. Slightly wrong on
that one.</div>
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Our road would take us up and down small climbs all
morning, some steep to climb and some steep to fly down like a mad
man. I managed to get a spare bottle off Kristin after losing 2
yesterday. I'll pick up another one at the next rest day. As we
rolled along in a small group, dodging rocks and deep sand, we were
now coming across more traffic. Some times as the cars, trucks and
buses passed, I couldn't see up the road because of all the dust. I
was caked in dust in every cavity of my body (that was exposed) and I
could taste it in my mouth. I think that shower yesterday was a
complete waste of time, I'm dirty and my clean cycling outfit is
filthy.</div>
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We hug the side of the mountain for many kms this
morning on a road that overlooked Lake Yelcho. This lake was like
yesterday with snow capped peaks running down into the water, casting
a silhouette of it's features right across the lake. It's moments
like these I wish I brought my super duper camera to capture these
images in style and not on an Iphone.
</div>
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</div>
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On one occasion I was going way too fast down a mountain
and when I was near the bottom I realised it took a sharp left hand
turn. On the gravel and large rocks on the bend I had to take my left
foot out of the pedal and brake hard and slide my bike around the
corner. I was waiting for the back of the bike to slide completely
out and for me to go for a roll on the dirt. It was pretty stupid the
speed I was going, but without road signs I will have to slow down a
bit or my holiday will end sooner rather than later.
</div>
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I made it around the corner and down over the bridge to
see a raging river below. There were 2 rafting groups just putting
their gear away after playing around in the rapids. Man, that water
must have been freezing cold for those rafters.
</div>
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The river below us was the Futaleufu River which is fed
by the lakes in the Los Alerces National Park in Chubut Province,
crossing the Andes Mountains into Chile and opening into the Yelcho
Lake. The river is known for its deep blue waters created by glacier
till deposited in the river, and for its white water currents., which
attreact rafters and kayakers from all around the world. The Chilean
government has recently proposed creating a hydroelectric dam, which
may jeopardise the free flow of the river in the near future. Today
we got to see so many rivers of glacier ice running down the mountain
into the fast flowing Futaleufu River.
</div>
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<br />
</div>
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I should mention that one of the new riders, Tim, had
his bike on the roof of the truck which struck power lines on the way
into town last night. Result, one shattered seat stem, broken forks
and a bike that needs urgent and costly repairs. Tim is riding the
spare bike today left by Herman who crashed on the first day of the
tour and had to go home because of his injuries.</div>
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Things got worse for Tim today as he fell off twice
before lunch and Deb also fell in front of me around a steep rocky
bend. It's pretty easy to lose the front wheel from underneath you on
this rough surface. I made it to lunch in one piece with Barry, Jurg
and Buck and took up my position at the table and loaded the plate
full of good food. A couple of sandwiches, fruit and a drink, and I
feeling pretty good, although cold. I should have brought some arm
warmers at least with me, because the wind was picking up and I could
feel the chill off the snow biting into me. I told Barry that I
couldn't sit around any longer and had to get on the bike to try and
warm up.</div>
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I headed off with Jurg at a steady pace running
alongside the deep blue lake taking it easy until Barry caught up to
us. We climbed some steep hills in the afternoon and estimated the
final 55 kms to camp would take us about 4 hours on these roads. Some
of the climbs were 18% gradient and required the 'Granny Gear' to get
up. That's an old bike riding term for the easiest gear on the bike.
</div>
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As the afternoon progressed the traffic picked up and so
did the dust. I was covered from head to toe in deep brown dust, and
since tonight is a bushcamp, it's going to be pretty hard to get it
all off. Especially with a face cloth and some water in 'Tent
Hilton'.
</div>
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</div>
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We kept pushing along, feeling a couple of rain drops
every now and then, hoping the rain would hold off at least till we
pitch our tents. With 30 kms to go the road turned west and we hit
brand new pavement. I got the chance to put the foot down and really
get some pace going. I was sitting on 52 kph with Barry and Jurg
behind. I had a slight tailwind and the road was silky smooth to push
us along. After 15 kms of speed we came across some road works which
slowed us down as we had to climb another one of those 18% gradient
climbs. The road workers all look at us like we're idiots. When you
think about it, who would pay nearly 10,000 Euro to put themselves
through this kind of stuff each day for 4 & ½ months. I would,
this is fantastic fun.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRmfyDd3wI4/VG59d_Q2KmI/AAAAAAAAD1U/0jUC_qD1lsg/s1600/IMG_1517%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRmfyDd3wI4/VG59d_Q2KmI/AAAAAAAAD1U/0jUC_qD1lsg/s1600/IMG_1517%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
That little house in the field is suppose to be the house where 'Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid' once lived.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RJYPEfPw16s/VG59sAosieI/AAAAAAAAD1c/atPK1mmOuyE/s1600/IMG_1523%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RJYPEfPw16s/VG59sAosieI/AAAAAAAAD1c/atPK1mmOuyE/s1600/IMG_1523%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
That tent is the famous 'Tent Hilton'. Notice I put it right next to the caravan so I wouldn't be blown away in the middle of the night. That was the worst wind my tent has gone through.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tltaa9jUjdU/VG5-EyyflbI/AAAAAAAAD1k/iF3lqtau5DA/s1600/IMG_1519%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tltaa9jUjdU/VG5-EyyflbI/AAAAAAAAD1k/iF3lqtau5DA/s1600/IMG_1519%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
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The photo above was looking out from my tent the other day. Although it was really cold at night, the noise of the river slowly passing bye helped me go to sleep straight away.</div>
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Back to the pavement after a short stretch of dirt and
back up to full speed. I ended up covering the last 30 kms in 47
minutes. This took us to the campsite in a town that has 5 timber
homes and nothing else. The timber home that sells the beer is not
open today, so we've got some disgruntled riders who won't get their
daily fix of 'Cerveza' (beer).
</div>
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I quickly put up the tent as the rain started to fall.
I've got this tent erection technique down to a fine art. I can get
it up in about 3 minutes now, whereas at the start of the holiday I
fumbled around for 10 minutes and didn't achieve much at all.
</div>
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With a quick wash and putting on warm clothes,it was
time for soup, coffee and a chat with the other cyclists. Michelle
had 5 punctures today and managed to ride the entire day. Buck had 2
punctures and got the truck to the finish.</div>
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I'm spending the afternoon in my tent typing and
reading. I'm on kitchen duty tonight and I'm wearing warm clothes
this time. There's a story in that, but I'll leave it till the end of
the trip. All my toys are being recharged and I'm taking my Gopro out
tomorrow to play in the dirt and hopefully get some great footage.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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After I finish washing up tonight, I'm off to bed to
crash. I've just finished Day 4 of 7, and need to sleep.</div>
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Until tomorrow, safe riding.</div>
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<i><b>Tuesday 18<sup>th</sup>
November 2014. Stage 86. Villa Vanguardia to Camping Glaciar
Collante. 109 kms, paved 0%, climbing 1259 metres, summit 210 metres.
From dust to mud. </b></i>
</div>
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</div>
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From the time we arrived at camp yesterday till the time
we left this morning, it rained and rained. We managed to have dinner
and breakfast in a small hut which was perfect and kept us all dry.
Packing up a dripping wet tent was not in the travel brochure, and
that means I've got a wet tent to put up when I get into camp later
on in the day.
</div>
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Many people got drenched in their tents last night,
including Barry, Diderick, and a couple of others . Barry and
Diderick decided to catch the express fire engine today so they could
get into camp and get their stuff dried out.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6TM3zQ-CRqM/VG5_jy84iCI/AAAAAAAAD1w/3bXinUgrHvs/s1600/IMG_1558%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6TM3zQ-CRqM/VG5_jy84iCI/AAAAAAAAD1w/3bXinUgrHvs/s1600/IMG_1558%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
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That's Hilde and Barry riding on the muddy road. Everyone had their wet weather gear on today.
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
With breakfast done, and all my wet weather gear on, we
hit the road at 8am for the long wet ride to Glaciar Collante. That's
a National Park with the famous 'Hanging Glaciar' that people travel
from all around the world to see. We only have to ride 109 kms to see
it, along muddy roads, soaked to the bone.</div>
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So off we went for a ride that would take us along a
muddy, rocky road running alongside the Palena River. Ever now and
then we would caught up at a road block because of a landslide. At
times we had to wait for 30 minutes, which was really adding time to
what was already going to be a very long day out in the rain. It kept
pouring all day and never let up. It doesn't matter how good your wet
weather gear is, you still get wet eventually.</div>
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Once again we had streams of water running down the rock
walls and splashing onto the road as we passed. There was no use
trying to avoid the water as it poured down from the sky or down the
rock face. We hadn't reached at the lunch stop and we were all
drenched. Lunch was in a park in the small town of La Junta. I didn't
bother to take off my helmet, I quickly had a roll and got back on
the bike.
</div>
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After lunch it was more of the same, mud, rocks,
roadworks, landslides, a couple of crazy dogs and pouring rain. Soon
Michelle and Joost joined me and we rode along the gravel road at a
good pace. Even though it was still pouring rain, I was nice and
warm. We crossed into the Reserve Nacional Rosselot and it was here
that the road turned diabolical. Now we had to ride in 6 inch deep
mud. I just had my bike cleaned by Lupcho and now it's a mess.
</div>
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I don't get the chance to put my face on the blog, so here it is as I enter Chile.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tiTTzXpZMW4/VG6BqQzpDWI/AAAAAAAAD2M/aknFDWuk_sQ/s1600/IMG_1532%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tiTTzXpZMW4/VG6BqQzpDWI/AAAAAAAAD2M/aknFDWuk_sQ/s1600/IMG_1532%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
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The photo above was taken during a lunch break looking out over one of the amazing lunch stop locations on tour.
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There are those that stop riding in these conditions and
there are others that will ride in any condition, I'm one of those. I
don't care how wet, or muddy, or rocky, I'm come to ride my bike and
that's what I do.
</div>
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As we approached the small village of Puyuhuapi, we
decided to stop for a coffee and some food. It was nice restaurant
right on the edge of the water. What was more interesting was a
Tsunami warning sign on the side of the road as we entered town. Now
I reckon we would have to be a good 25 kms from the real coastline of
Chile, so why have Tsunami warning sign here? Certainly got all our
attention.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j16gKCfOvM0/VG6Cr_8McBI/AAAAAAAAD2U/hdo_eH23Djw/s1600/IMG_1547%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j16gKCfOvM0/VG6Cr_8McBI/AAAAAAAAD2U/hdo_eH23Djw/s1600/IMG_1547%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
A very interesting road sign so far away from the actual coast line of Chile.
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We went inside and brought with us our muddy shoes and
wet clothing and ordered coffee and apple crumble with cream. I had 2
cups of coffee and the cake for the princely sum of about $10 US
dollars. I thought that was rather expensive for a small village in
central Chile. I suppose they added a fee for the view.</div>
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With 25 kms to go I knew it was going to be a long hard
slog into the headwind and driving rain. We were now running along
the so called Pacific Ocean shoreline until we reached the Queulat
National Park. We turned off the main road and took a dirt track for
2 kms until we entered the National Park and came upon our campsite
for the evening. Since the start of this trip we had some amazing
campsites. Some have been horrendous, whilst others have been pretty
good.
</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Once at the campsite I did what had to be done. After
the tent finally dried out, I went for a walk to the viewing platform
to check out the 'Hanging Glaciar'. But first I'll give you the story
on Queulat National Park.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The park is a national park of Chile located in the
Aisen Region. The park is bordered by the Cisnes River on the south
side and is neighbour to Lago Rosselot National Reserve. It contains
1,541 square kms of glacier-capped mountains and virgin evergreen
forests.</div>
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</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I took the board walk up to the viewing platform and got
a tremendous view of the 'Hanging Glaciar'. (That's how they spell
glacier in this part of the world). It pretty huge and you can take a
1 & ½ hour walk to the base of the glacier, but I couldn't be
bothered, I could see it clear enough and I had to make sure it
didn't rain as I had all my clothes strewn over a tree trying to dry
out.
</div>
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</div>
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The rest of the afternoon was spent inside talking to
Barry and the rest of the crew whilst dinner was being prepared.
After dinner I'm off to bed to find an incredible book which I'll
talk about tomorrow. As far as the riding is concerned for tomorrow,
it should be a perfect day, sun out, birds singing and a strong wind
blowing in my back. Yeh, right.</div>
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Until tomorrow, safe riding.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i><b>Wednesday 19<sup>th</sup>
November 2014. Stage 87. Camping Glaciar Collante to Camping Lago Las
Torres. 78 kms, paved 60%, climbing 1350 metres, summit 697 metres.
Rain and mud sucks.</b></i></div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Sleeping in the National Park with the glacier a stone
throw away was a spectacular way to go to sleep. I had 'Tent Hilton'
facing the glacier so I could peer out to until darkness had covered
my part of the world. I slept well, but each time I woke I could hear
the rain on my tent. I was hoping by the time I got out of bed the
sun would be shining and the birds would be singing. Today we got to
sleep in as breakfast is at 9am and departure is 10am.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Today we have a short stage, so Rob the boss allowed us
some extra time in bed. Damn that was hard to take. NOT.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The time for me to rise was 8.15am, that gave me 11
hours sleep last night. Today is day 6 of 7 on our run into our rest
day. After eating and packing away a wet tent I was on the road at
10am. We left the national park and got back onto the main road which
was full or rocks, mud and water.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
After riding about 10 kms we come to the first of many
roadblocks for the day. They were building the new highway which was
originally a mud track. We were stuck for 30 minutes as the
explosions went off the mountain side come roaring down. It was so
loud the explosions and we were a good km away. Once the mountain
came down they then had to clear the roadway for us and our trucks to
get through. I could see today being one of those days I should have
got on the truck. It was raining from the time I got out of bed till
the time I arrived in camp. How could that ever had up to a great day
on the bike?</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u32pnORpBFg/VG6DeSisd6I/AAAAAAAAD2c/aplGRbb9gjk/s1600/IMG_1556%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u32pnORpBFg/VG6DeSisd6I/AAAAAAAAD2c/aplGRbb9gjk/s1600/IMG_1556%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I didn't need to be held up in the pouring rain whilst they worked as fast as snails on this project.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Once allowed to enter the danger zone we had to
negotiate boulders they were too lazy to clean up. With the huge
rocks and mud everywhere the group was moving pretty slowly. The road
was getting muddier as we got close to the bottom of the first real
climb for the day. I had my leg warmers on, wet weather jacket,
booties, gloves and pretty warm as I started the climb.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The climb was 10 kms long and a rise of 600 metres. We
climbed through a jungle all the way to the top. With trees on every
side of the road, and mist covering the snow capped mountains above
us, I was started to heat up. I had to stop half way up the mountain
to take my jacket off even though it was 12 degrees C. There was no
wind on the mountain during the climb, but once I got to the top, the
wind picked up and blew freezing cold snow air right in my face. I
quickly put my jacket on to keep me warm and also the rain was now
pelting down. Once at the summit it was a quick 2 km drop to the
lunch truck. There was no way I was going to sit down and have a 3
course lunch, I quickly got a sandwich and drink and headed off
again.</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
There were 4 riders in front of me and I quickly caught
up to them on the run down the muddy mountain. At times I had the
front wheel move from underneath me which made me think I was going
go hit the deck, but managed to keep the bike upright. As I passed
Brian, Deb and the 2 new Belgium guys, I kept going to try and warm
up and to make use of the speed I could get on the pavement which I
just got to.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We were told that we might have stop at the 62 km mark
to stay at a better campsite for the evening or could end up at the
78 km campsite right on the lake. Personally I wanted to go to the 78
km mark so I didn't have to do the extra 16 kms tomorrow.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Before the 62 km mark I had 1 more mountain to climb.
This climb was about 4 kms and went up 340 metres, but still I
couldn't get a good view of the valley below because of the rain and
mist. I forget how many days now we've ridden in the rain, but all my
clothes stink and are wet.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I flew down the mountain and into the small town of
Villa Amengual and didn't see any sight of the 'Bike Dreams' sign. I
kept going and within no time I could see the fire engine parked on
the side of lake Carmen. I was the first rider into camp but today
was not a race. I just wanted to get into camp and try and dry all my
gear out. There was no problem with the tent drying out quickly, and
I put up a clothes line to dry out my clothing. One thing I hate is
putting on wet gear to go riding.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I started a fire in a drum and put my socks and shoes
near by to try and dry them. It dried the shoes well, but an ash
landed on one of my socks and burnt a hole in it. How stupid was
that?</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Eventually my clothes dried, but are still filthy dirty.
I can live with that.
</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
There were 2 celebrations today, Tim the Aussie and
Hilde the Norwegian had their birthdays. I'm ready for tomorrow which
is going to be wet and windy, and long.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_R7SdsEvKy0/VG6EjooVe6I/AAAAAAAAD2o/7GHSXrBnMzA/s1600/IMG_1563%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_R7SdsEvKy0/VG6EjooVe6I/AAAAAAAAD2o/7GHSXrBnMzA/s1600/IMG_1563%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
That's Hilde above enjoying her birthday present. 47 balloons jammed into her tent.<br />
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The photo above is of Aussie Tim enjoying his birthday in Chile, and eating dinner with me of course.<br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
And that's Tim's birthday cake.
</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Not a bad view whilst eating lunch today. This is what we get to see all the way to the end of the world. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Tomorrow I decided to race the last day of the week. A full report will be posted tomorrow night.</div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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Until tomorrow, safe riding.</div>
cairo to capetown 2011.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13067572990582063027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3345892037555272842.post-10194365254083556032014-11-16T16:10:00.001-08:002014-11-16T16:10:34.223-08:00El Bolson to Futaleufu. Riding the National Park. Today we enter Chile.<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i><b>Saturday 15<sup>th</sup>
November 2014. Stage 83. El Bolson to NP Los Alerces. 106 kms, paved
65%, climbing 1233 metres, summit 800 metres. A nice easy recovery
ride.</b></i></div>
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<br />
</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Like usual I was the last to leave the campsite and
everyone was already up the road. I just chugged along and eventually
caught up to Barry. Joost, Alfred and James were already up the road
so there was no use chasing them down, even though the race today was
only to lunch. I wanted to ride with Barry as we don't ride together
that much lately.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The length of today's stage has been changed from 106
kms to 88 kms because Rob the Boss has been unable to get in contact
with the people at the camping ground at NP Los Alerces. That means
that 18 kms will be tact on to tomorrow's 125 kms which also involves
the border crossing into Chile. Tomorrow looks like a long tough day
in the saddle.</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Back to the ride.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Barry and I rolled along all morning on a nice road
which at times had tailwind, crosswind and headwinds to deal with. We
had a couple of long climbs but none to difficult as the road was not
all that steep. The scenery was now changing as the snow capped
mountains were further away from the road and the valleys were now
catering for sheep and cattle. Huge pastoral areas were now popping
up everywhere, but still no towns to stop for a coffee and cake stop.
Today it's all about doing the kms and getting the day over with.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
At the 68 km mark we could see the red fire engine
parked on the side of the road next to a famous old shack. It is said
that it was at one time the hideout for 'Butch Cassidy & the
Sundance Kid'. Damn I loved that movie. After looking at it, I'm not
sure whether it was the right shack or not, as there were no signs
anywhere and no one was around the place.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
After lunch we got a peleton together and rode for about
10 kms before we hit the dirt. The dirt road is the one we will take
for the next 250 kms or so. This road was not that bad, some rocks,
lose gravel, sand, and a couple of small climbs. The weather all day
was perfect, the sun was out, and we were in cruise mode enjoying the
day.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
After 88 kms we reached the 'Bike Dreams' flag and
turned off to our campsite. I have no idea where this place is, other
than to say 18 kms away from where we're suppose to be. You know what
I do when I get into camp each day, and that's exactly what I did.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Arriving in a desolate campsite at 1.30pm and having
done everything by 2.30pm leaves a long time to sit around do
nothing. As we have 3 huge days in the dirt coming up I'll need all
the rest I can get.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I'm currently sitting in 'Tent Hilton' hiding beside an
old caravan trying to get out of this howling wind. Seriously the
wind is blowing gale force and tents out in the open are copping a
beating. I think I found the best place to set up camp for the
evening.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Well, it's getting close to 8pm and past my bedtime.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
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Until tomorrow, safe riding.</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i><b>Sunday 16<sup>th</sup>
November 2014. Stage 84. NP Los Alerces to Futaleufu. 143 kms, paved
30%, climbing 1387 metres, summit 780 metres. What a great day riding
through the Los Alerces National Park.</b></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Because we ended our day 18 kms short yesterday, that
means we are now doing 143 kms. A big day and we have to cross the
Chilean border.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The wind blew for quite some time last night and at
stages I couldn't see the other tents because of the dust and leaves
that were blowing up through the valley. At times I was afraid 'Tent
Hilton' would be just a memory and then I would have to find another
person to camp with. I don't think Bazz would be happy with that
idea.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Today was breakfast at 7am and departure at 8am. I
prefer this time even though it makes me get out of bed far too early
in the morning. There was no racing today, so the agenda was to
cruise, take photos and enjoy the National Park.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The first 60 kms was unpaved on a pretty good surface.
We entered the National Park and soon found ourselves in a land full
of huge trees overhanging the road all morning and a massive blue
lake that would follow us to lunch time. The mountains are still
covered with snow, but they are slowly melting away into the river
and lakes in this part of Argentina. The ride was just superb,
beautiful scenery looking out across the lake and up into the
mountains all morning, made riding such a pleasure. I was taking it
easy and for once riding with people I don't usually ride with. I
must remember to do this more often.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Just before lunch I was roaring down a hill hitting bump
after bump and then my water bottle cage broke in 2. My bottle went
down the road, and when I picked it up I realised the lid had broke
as well. Now I had the shits. I rode onto lunch taking time out to
take photos of the lake and mountains, and enjoying the cool breeze
that was now coming off the lake.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I could see the lunch truck parked on the side of the
lake and it looked like one of those lunch stops you could stay at
for hours. I pulled in and got my lunch ready and took up a seat next
to my good mate, the famous Buck Benson. Looking out over the lake on
a beautiful sunny day with the snow capped mountain in the distance
was pretty tough, but I accepted it with open arms. I just couldn't
imagine this day getting any better.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
With lunch now tucked away in my belly, it was time to
hit the dirt for about 5 kms and on with the pavement. The nice slick
pavement was exactly what I was hanging for. Like usual I got to sit
on the front for the next 10 kms then Barry and Buck took their turn.
Within no time, we were rolling down into the town of Trevelin. We
covered the 31 kms after lunch in just over 1 hour.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
With 50kms still to go for the day, we decided to stop
at a nice restaurant for coffee, ice cream and a coke. It was going
to be a long day with the border crossing so adding another 30
minutes to the day wasn't going to cause the slightest of problems.
We sat back on the pavement watching the world go bye and never saw
one cyclist go past. These coffee stops are so refreshing and a good
way to break up the afternoon's ride.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Now it was time to remount and get to the border. The
Argentinian and Chilean border post was another 40 kms away and all
on dirt, rock and sand. They say there are no easy days on the Andes
Trail and today is looking like being another one of them. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We hit the
dirt and everyone rode their own tempo. Walter had stopped the fire
engine about 30 kms from the finish, which was 10 kms from the
border, for a refill stop. I topped up my bottle and put it in the
remainder of the back rack and headed off. After about 30 minutes of
riding I put my hand at the back of bike expecting to grab my bottle
and low and behold, 1 more bottle was missing. I now had the shit
even more. I looked around and couldn't see a thing. No option other
than to press on.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0.06cm;">
I made the border post at 4.30 pm and it was a quick
stamp and I was on my way to Chile. Of course I got the mandatory
photo of entering Chile and then went and got a entry stamp into the
country. The next 10kms to Futaleufu was on pavement through a valley
with high mountains surrounding us and cattle all over the place.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.25cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We entered town and went straight to the hotel Rio
Grande where we're staying for the night. We have good room and our
own shower, WiFi is a bit hit and miss, but I'll go down to the plaza
after dinner to try and get on.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.25cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Tomorrow is another day of playing in the dirt, rocks
and sand. More climbing, but as long as the sun shines I'm happy.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.25cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Until tomorrow, safe riding.</div>
cairo to capetown 2011.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13067572990582063027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3345892037555272842.post-23301547516645459102014-11-14T15:39:00.001-08:002014-11-14T15:39:23.536-08:00Friday 14th November 2014. Stage 82b, 123 kms, San Carlos de Bariloche to El Bolson. Victory No.4 on Tour. More controversy leads to Alec leaving Tour.I had a great dinner last night and a fantastic sleep. I decided that today was going to be the day that I go for broke and give it everything. Either you win or die trying.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Now there is one thing I want to discuss before I get into today's ride. About 4 nights ago Alec was assaulted by another rider in the tour. The evidence which is not challenged indicates he was talking to a friend when this cyclist walked up and punched him in the mouth. We call this at home a 'coward punch' or a 'king hit'. Alex gave the company an ultimatum, either the perpetrator leaves or he will. Without going further into all the discussions and emails, an apology was offered by the perpetrator and the company which was not accepted by Alec. As a result I said a fond farewell to Alec today before I rode out of town.<br />
<br />
I can not find an angry bone in Alec's body and no one deserves to be king hit for doing nothing. In New South Wales if you do this you will go to gaol.<br />
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I found this interesting figure the other day in the town of Villa de Angostura.<br />
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The photo above was taken this morning with Alec and myself before the race. We had such a good time together and he had a smile that would light up your day. I look forward to catching up with Alec when I get home.<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We rolled out of the hotel at 9am to ride the 123 kms to
El Bolson. I didn't tell anyone other than Barry what I intended to
do. We headed out through the centre of town and took a sharp right
and then we started a steep climb of 2 kms at 18% gradient. I just
followed James's wheel, and Alfred was right behind me. By the time
we reached the summit we had about a 100 metres gap on the chasing
bunch. I just kept going and soon James was off the back and chasing
myself and Alfred.</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Currently Alfred is about 5 hours behind James in the
race to the end of the world, and today he his goal was to take 30
minutes out of James's lead.
</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The race today was on the major highway south called
Route 40. Alfred and I continued to do equal work whilst I did the
majority of the work on the climbs. The terrain was mainly rolling
hills with about 3 long climbs before lunch at the 60km mark. The
mountains are still covered with snow, but that didn't stop us from
riding in beautiful conditions with the sun blazing down upon us. It
was the first time in quite a while that I got a good sweat up.
Haven't done that since Salta.</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
With pine forests as far as the eyes could see, and
spectacular mountains all around we crested a climb and started to
roar down into yet another valley. As we were hitting around 70kph,
Alfred noticed the red fire engine parked off on the side of the
road. I actually would have missed it if it wasn't for Alfred. We
quickly stopped, filled up our bottles and took a couple of bananas
and got back to the race.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I felt so strong in the morning and at times I thought
about riding away from Alfred, but I knew we had to stay together if
he were to achieve the 30 minute goal.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
After lunch the road had a
couple of good descents and 3 major climbs. Once again I got on the
front and did all the work up the climb. I just tapped away and kept
the same pace making sure Alfred was right on my wheel. At one time I
noticed he had dropped back and was finding it hard to hang on up the
climb. It was at this stage I thought I might have a chance to come
in on my own and not as a group. When I was racing I always loved
coming in on my own, it gave me a sense that I had completely done
the job.</div>
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The world map above will give you an idea of where we are in relation to your part of the planet.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uNrWlFLdU9Q/VGaR5NMgkbI/AAAAAAAAD1E/v0gpsEPkp1w/s1600/IMG_1512%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uNrWlFLdU9Q/VGaR5NMgkbI/AAAAAAAAD1E/v0gpsEPkp1w/s1600/IMG_1512%5B1%5D.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
This has to be one of the nicest parts of the world to ride in. Everyday I get to live the dream on this tour.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
With 20 kms to go and with the road now going down into
the valley, I got on the front and did a hard turn for the next
10kms. I then checked my Garmin a couple of times as I decided to
attack Alfred with 5 kms to go. As we entered the town of El Bolson I
came around Alfred and pushed as hard and fast as I could to try and
create a cap. There is one thing I learnt throughout my racing
career, and that is you never look back when you decide to go, and you
leave nothing in the tank. It's all or nothing.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
After about 1 km I looked behind and Alfred was a good
200 metres behind. I kept pushing through the town and out to where
we are camping for the night. I can tell you it's a good feeling to
see the 'Bike Dreams' flag and know you have won the stage. That
now takes my total to 4 wins. For the next 6 days I intend to ride
with the peleton, stop for coffee and cake, and enjoy myself and the
marvelous scenery.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m2uoG_0wW4I/VGZXpxPwB0I/AAAAAAAAD0s/KTHP6P20Bq8/s1600/IMG_1510%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m2uoG_0wW4I/VGZXpxPwB0I/AAAAAAAAD0s/KTHP6P20Bq8/s1600/IMG_1510%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
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I got my photo taken after the win, but unfortunately no podium girls. Have to work on that next time.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Tomorrow is 106 kms and plenty of dirt and climbing. Personally I don't give a shit, I'm on holidays.</div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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Until tomorrow, safe riding.</div>
</div>
cairo to capetown 2011.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13067572990582063027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3345892037555272842.post-79010764971036722912014-11-13T16:32:00.001-08:002014-11-13T16:32:49.971-08:00Rest Day in Bariloche.Usually I have a lot to say about everything, but this time I have little.<br />
<br />
My rest day was spent walking the streets of Bariloche with Barry. We went to the Cathedral, looked at shops and some more shops. Went to Macca's for a cup of coffee, looked at some more shops, and then went for lunch.<br />
<br />
After lunch went back to the hotel and rested the afternoon away.<br />
<br />
I went for dinner with Barry and JR at a ritzy restaurant and had pasta, so I'm ready for tomorrow's race over 120 kms.<br />
<br />
After dinner we went and had an ice cream.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uLh10REn4qc/VGVLC4pHl1I/AAAAAAAADzY/r84n6cUVXoE/s1600/IMG_1440%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uLh10REn4qc/VGVLC4pHl1I/AAAAAAAADzY/r84n6cUVXoE/s640/IMG_1440%5B1%5D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
This holiday is not only about the bike, it's about meeting amazing people and seeing incredible sights. I thought the photo of the VW above was worthy to enter the best car competition on tour.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QA3HRmHkcAg/VGVLYGs2qJI/AAAAAAAADzg/1jJy_3OLTNQ/s1600/IMG_1490%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QA3HRmHkcAg/VGVLYGs2qJI/AAAAAAAADzg/1jJy_3OLTNQ/s640/IMG_1490%5B1%5D.JPG" width="478" /></a></div>
I took the above photo inside the Cathedral. To be honest it wasn't that impressive.<br />
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</div>
<br />
So that is what we did on our rest day.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T-6Kohct-X4/VGVMZ9j0jnI/AAAAAAAAD0A/8GkG5BudlWU/s1600/IMG_1499%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T-6Kohct-X4/VGVMZ9j0jnI/AAAAAAAAD0A/8GkG5BudlWU/s640/IMG_1499%5B1%5D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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And that's me above as proud as punch with another ice cream. Must diet when I get home.</div>
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<br /></div>
Now it's finally getting dark in Bariloche at 9pm. Tomorrow we leave at 9am which will now give me about 10 hours sleep.<br />
<br />
Until tomorrow, safe riding.cairo to capetown 2011.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13067572990582063027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3345892037555272842.post-36109586853424801072014-11-12T12:46:00.000-08:002014-11-12T12:46:42.998-08:00 Stage 81, Villa La Angostura to San Carlos de Bariloche. 86 kms, 100% paved, climbing 768 metres, summit 1000 metres. A fast and beautiful ride into Bariloche and our rest day.<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i><b>Wednesday 12<sup>th</sup>
November 2014. Stage 81, Villa La Angostura to San Carlos de
Bariloche. 86 kms, 100% paved, climbing 768 metres, summit 1000
metres. A fast and beautiful ride into Bariloche and our rest day.</b></i></div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Last night was a good night walking around the streets
of Villa La Angostura, a nice chilly night in a town that could
resemble many in Europe. Plenty of tourist shops, eateries, and all
the time in the world. I headed back to camp around 9.30pm and hit
'Tent Hilton' like a ton of bricks. I always say to Patrick my riding
buddy, 'I slept like a bear'.</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Today is the day that Jan Willem and Carroll leave the
tour and head back to their families in Europe. I spent a great deal
of time with Jan Willem over the past 3 ½ months and I can say
without reservation, he is an absolute gentlemen, and a very strong
rider. Jan Willem has already ridden the section from Bariloche to
Ushuaia a couple of years ago, so now he can say he's ridden from the
equator to the end of the world.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Carroll is a Dr who joined the tour at Mendoza. He also
is a very strong rider and also a very determined rider. What's good
about Carroll is that he's prepared to get on the front and do some
hard work. There are some that never get to the front and always sit
on. Sometimes you have to make an effort and do some work.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We rolled out of camp at 9am and hit the pavement along
a beautiful paved road with pine forests on either side of the road.
It took me about 5kms to catch up to Barry who was riding on his own
and then we set a good pace to the lunch truck at 40kms.
</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The road in this area hugs 1 of the 7 lakes in this
region of Argentina. All the 7 lakes have huge snow capped mountains
surrounding them. It's pretty cool to ride a bike along the shoulder
of a huge lake looking out over the water and over to the mountains
in the distance.</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Since we were on Route 40 all day the traffic was
getting pretty heavy. Huge trucks and buses were now coming down on
us at the rate of knots. Sometimes they came past at over 100kph
within 1 metre of us. Not a good feeling. With the lunch truck in the
distance Barry asked if I wanted to keep going, after all we only
rode 40kms in 1 ½ hours and we had plenty of food to get us to the
finish in 46kms. We pressed on with a nice tailwind pushing us along
at speeds of 50kph.
</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
When we got within 30kms of Bariloche we hit a rise and
could see the town in the distance. We had to ride around the lake to
reach the town and as we turned with 20kms to go we got hit by a
stiff headwind. Now it was down to 20kph and pushing hard to make
headway.</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We finally reached Bariloche and could see the fire
engine parked outside of the hotel in the distance. We made it to the
finish at 12 noon and could now start our rest day which will
continue till Friday morning 8am. We have a nice room with heaters,
don't need air con is this cold part of the world, TV, and poor WiFi.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
After a nice shower and shave it was down to town and
see what this place has to offer. We stopped at McDonald’s for a
coffee and cake and then continued back to the hotel for an easy
afternoon. Tomorrow I'm going to walk all around this town and check
out the historical sites.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I waited for Jan Willem to arrive to take a photo of his
last metre on tour.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EMiY3_xmm5g/VGO9RSE0r1I/AAAAAAAADyA/ke1hGqeT6AI/s1600/IMG_1465%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EMiY3_xmm5g/VGO9RSE0r1I/AAAAAAAADyA/ke1hGqeT6AI/s640/IMG_1465%5B1%5D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
The photo above was taken by Buck yesterday on another fantastic day of riding in the Andes.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qfT0u_bnIWg/VGO_DGHBwvI/AAAAAAAADyQ/OFH5uMo3Zjk/s1600/IMG_1472%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qfT0u_bnIWg/VGO_DGHBwvI/AAAAAAAADyQ/OFH5uMo3Zjk/s640/IMG_1472%5B1%5D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
The photo above of Dr Carroll Tseng and myself taken today on Carroll's last day on tour.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qc94m9sRiTk/VGPCoO91RcI/AAAAAAAADyg/zm2MTlYe92o/s1600/IMG_1470%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qc94m9sRiTk/VGPCoO91RcI/AAAAAAAADyg/zm2MTlYe92o/s640/IMG_1470%5B1%5D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
The photo above is myself with Jan Willem who also leaves the tour today after 3 1/2 months.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EGjANXpzpAA/VGPCrHzGlQI/AAAAAAAADyo/Hkaz1zzq8C8/s1600/IMG_1477%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EGjANXpzpAA/VGPCrHzGlQI/AAAAAAAADyo/Hkaz1zzq8C8/s640/IMG_1477%5B1%5D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
I took the above photo after one of the small climbs today. You can just make out the lake and the snow capped mountains in the distance.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lo0mL3cC4qk/VGPETi9-76I/AAAAAAAADzE/xIYT9ZxPuHk/s1600/IMG_1478%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lo0mL3cC4qk/VGPETi9-76I/AAAAAAAADzE/xIYT9ZxPuHk/s640/IMG_1478%5B1%5D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
The above photo is what we get to see all day.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-76eQj5D5KWw/VGPDyhuW3YI/AAAAAAAADy0/kXIps5SC_rA/s1600/IMG_1479%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-76eQj5D5KWw/VGPDyhuW3YI/AAAAAAAADy0/kXIps5SC_rA/s640/IMG_1479%5B1%5D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
The best of the day is reserved for Jan Willem arriving at the hotel this afternoon. He has now completed the 11,000 km ride from the Equator to the end of the world. Well done Jan Willem.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HS3ijBy5dQQ/VGPD4lSK7dI/AAAAAAAADy8/lO-NHa3V-6Y/s1600/IMG_1240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HS3ijBy5dQQ/VGPD4lSK7dI/AAAAAAAADy8/lO-NHa3V-6Y/s640/IMG_1240.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The photo above was taken 3 days ago. That's JR holding up my bike.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Not sure what we're going to do tonight, probably a nice
meal, followed by a movie or a concert.</div>
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<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Until tomorrow, safe riding.</div>
cairo to capetown 2011.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13067572990582063027noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3345892037555272842.post-69854085817479426812014-11-11T10:23:00.000-08:002014-11-11T10:23:46.243-08:002 days. Junin de los Andes to Villa La Angostura. Like riding in Switzerland.<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i><b>Monday 10<sup>th</sup>
November 2014. Stage 79, Junin de los Andes to Ruta de 7 lagos. Paved
98%, climbing 997 metres, summit 1290 metres. No race today, steady
peleton all the way. Lakes and mountains.</b></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Last night was spent up at a restaurant having coffee
and updating the website. We all then headed to the local ice cream
parlor and devoured a triple crown ice cream. For about $1.50 AUS.
I eventually got back to the campsite at 10 pm for bed.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I learnt that at our campsite we have 48 species of bird
life, 5 chickens, 1 rooster, 2 donkeys, about 5 dogs, all about 5
metres from my tent. During the evening I got to hear them call,
squawk, scream, bark, eeee orrrr, squeal to each other from 10.05 pm
to 7.15 am. What a shit sleep.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Because we only had 90 kms to ride today we were allowed
to sleep to 8am and departure was 9am. Didn't help much to me.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We all rolled out of camp and headed up to the highway
for the slow headwind ride to lunch at 43 kms. Lunch was in the
touristy town of Villa La Angostura on the lake. Today we will pass 3
lakes all of which offer spectacular views, with pine tree forests
all around.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We had a peleton of about 20 riders, but what happens is
that many of the riders don't like hitting the front and taking a
turn, so it's the same people who do the majority of the work. It
happens when it comes to packing and unpacking the truck each day.
But that's another story.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
As we kept together into the headwind we travelled along
smooth roads with snow capped mountains and a headwind that was
dragging the pace down to around 20 kph. With a couple of small
undulating climbs it wasn't long before we rolled down into the lunch
stop. The truck was located in the main plaza square and like usual
there were a couple of cyclists who ride on by and missed it. I
stopped and had a quick sandwich and the a couple of us went up the
road for a coffee, piece of apple crumble pie and whipped cream.
Since I had 50kms to go to reach camping Playa Falkner.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Once we got back on the road we started the 15 km climb
to reach the summit for the day. I rode with Buck all afternoon, and
I thoroughly enjoy his company. He comes from a beautiful part of the
world called 'Lake Superior', Minnesota, USA. One day I would like to
go and visit Buck and also my good friend Len DeMoss.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
As we climbed away from the first lake the view looking
down into the waters with pine trees and millions of yellow plants
were just startling. We had no breeze and the sun was shining bright
as we climbed and climbed. I stopped plenty of times to take photos
of all 3 lakes and the surrounding mountains.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The last 50kms to our campsite were rolling hills with
more snow capped mountains and a dramatic drop in temperature. As we
got closer to camp I could see the massive pine trees above us full
of snow and cloud starting to cover the peaks of all the mountains. I
have no doubt that tonight is going to be one cold night in 'Tent
Hilton'.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We stopped before the final descent to check out a small
waterfall and then roared down into our campsite situated right on
the shores of a lake. We pitched our tents on nice green grass
instead of dirt or gravel with the door of the tent looking out over
the lake.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Tonight I'm required to help feed the cyclists and wash
the dishes. I usually grab the tea towel and dry the dishes as I
don't like getting my hands dirty. The only thing I've ever got on my
hands is pen in my years of work. I'm not going to change at this
stage of my life.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
As for tomorrow's ride, I think it's about 65 kms all
uphill. As long as it doesn't rain, I'm ready for it. Day 4 of 6 on
the road to Bariloche, completed.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Until tomorrow, safe riding.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nWvPEgqjHxA/VGJIkLhcYtI/AAAAAAAADws/U-8GsEdwa6o/s1600/Buck%2BTerry%2Band%2BBarry.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nWvPEgqjHxA/VGJIkLhcYtI/AAAAAAAADws/U-8GsEdwa6o/s640/Buck%2BTerry%2Band%2BBarry.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
I had the above photo taken about a week ago. Every afternoon when we get the chance we go for a walk in search of Cerveza, more commonly known as Alcohol. That's Buck in the middle and Barry on the right,.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jjt_JGue9go/VGJIvGaf2oI/AAAAAAAADw0/hxxexHr2cEs/s1600/photo%2B(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jjt_JGue9go/VGJIvGaf2oI/AAAAAAAADw0/hxxexHr2cEs/s640/photo%2B(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
The above photo was taken during our 161 km ride last week. That big fella next to me is Joost.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1nAuNqqPQA4/VGJJaRWwBrI/AAAAAAAADw8/JRnyzBLaTME/s1600/IMG_1439%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1nAuNqqPQA4/VGJJaRWwBrI/AAAAAAAADw8/JRnyzBLaTME/s640/IMG_1439%5B1%5D.JPG" width="478" /></a></div>
I took the above photo yesterday. That's Gerdy our fabulous Chef on tour. Great meals everyday.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_jmeTWZmmEI/VGJJeNvsGgI/AAAAAAAADxE/mWyJ74KzavY/s1600/IMG_1444%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_jmeTWZmmEI/VGJJeNvsGgI/AAAAAAAADxE/mWyJ74KzavY/s640/IMG_1444%5B1%5D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The above photo is of the famous mountain climbing Buck Benson. The town in the distance is the one we climbed out of yesterday on the way to our lakeside campsite at de 7 lagos.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><i>Tuesday 11th November 2014. Stage 80, Ruta de 7 lagos to Villa La Angostura. 61 kms, paved 40%, climbing 890 metres, summit 1143 metres. A quick 61 kms and no time to stop for lunch.</i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The best way to start a day is to sleep to 8.30am for a 9.30am departure. Because it's a short stage we were allowed to sleep in. I slept like a bear.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I rolled out of camp with Max and soon we were on our own climbing up and down rolling hills in a pine forested mountain. It was just like Slovenia last year with all the trees and stunning mountains all around us. It was lightly raining all morning and when we hit the dirt the road turned to mud. I slipped all over the place but Max did a good job with his fat tires and rode away from me. It wasn't a race stage so I was in no hurry to catch him. I was stopping all the time taking photos and having a relaxing time. Lately I've been feeling very strong on the bike and getting off at the end of each day feeling fresh as can be. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LGUhnwDdCkg/VGJM4FQsn9I/AAAAAAAADxQ/OJDETTe9UhI/s1600/IMG_1457%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LGUhnwDdCkg/VGJM4FQsn9I/AAAAAAAADxQ/OJDETTe9UhI/s640/IMG_1457%5B1%5D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
I took the above photo looking out of my tent this morning. That's Barry in the photo.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-urbfsZheqbc/VGJNMqoaoGI/AAAAAAAADxY/ELIuvY1HAZo/s1600/IMG_1459%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-urbfsZheqbc/VGJNMqoaoGI/AAAAAAAADxY/ELIuvY1HAZo/s640/IMG_1459%5B1%5D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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During the morning ride we had to follow the freezing cold river that came off the snow capped mountains. Today they all had cloud over them and light rain falling. </div>
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I had no intention of stopping for lunch considering we only had ridden 35kms, so I continued on along beautiful pavement, rolling hills and only 1 climb for the day. The climb out of the lake was 5 kms long and a 480 metre climb. These climbs are now getting very easy.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LbmPOB3EvO4/VGJOwrxt85I/AAAAAAAADxk/E59THmU1eTE/s1600/Terry%2Bat%2Bpicture%2Btheatre..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LbmPOB3EvO4/VGJOwrxt85I/AAAAAAAADxk/E59THmU1eTE/s640/Terry%2Bat%2Bpicture%2Btheatre..jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Buck took the photo above the other day when we tried to watch a movie. Unfortunately only in Spanish and no English sub titles.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J-Kw-teVBBw/VGJPrc-5WsI/AAAAAAAADxs/Vhe8vcLa6Dg/s1600/IMG_1460%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J-Kw-teVBBw/VGJPrc-5WsI/AAAAAAAADxs/Vhe8vcLa6Dg/s640/IMG_1460%5B1%5D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The temperature around 11am turned cold and the rain got heavier. I only had about 20kms to so I knew I would be in camp by midday.</div>
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As I made the final climb out of the lake it was all downhill to our final destination for the day. I was the first into camp and Barry was only minutes behind me. He also decided not to stop for lunch on such a short stage.</div>
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I just received a message from Peter to say he's not able o meet me in Bariloche. Looks like we'll have to do in Australia when I get home.</div>
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I arrived in camp and did exactly what I do every other day, so I'm not going to going into it today. </div>
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Once Barry and I were organised we headed off into town and did some shopping. <iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxm_CyAmzQyACD3ULvajB4D3zR-WrcDw6dl-q3ODSvqz1XM0YZWiuJl9WyLd7JsZgYzQpB8ivauQTRNhDyrRQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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You wouldn't believe it, but I bought another T-shirt. I have to go back to buy the cap after coffee and cake.</div>
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The campsite is pretty good with heaps of grass and it's only a 500 metres walk into town. </div>
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Tomorrow is a 85 km ride to Bariloche and another rest day awaits us. </div>
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Until tomorrow, safe riding.</div>
cairo to capetown 2011.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13067572990582063027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3345892037555272842.post-18498035115636191982014-11-09T15:23:00.000-08:002014-11-09T15:23:36.181-08:003 days of incredible riding in the Andes.<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i><b>Friday 7<sup>th</sup>
November 2014. Stage 76b. Chos Malal to Las Lajas. 161 kms, paved
100%, climbing 1278 metres, summit 1300 metres. Day 1 of 6 on the
road to Bariloche. </b></i>
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After a rest day it's always hard to get out of bed. My
tent was under a light in the campsite so it looked it was daylight
at 11pm.</div>
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I rolled out of bed at 6.30 am to get ready for the big
week ahead. 6 days on the road to Bariloche and over 700 kms. This
should be a real hard week on the road to the end of the world.</div>
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We left camp a 8am and rode out through the centre of
town and kept going south. We had 161 kms to ride today and we expect
strong headwinds about 40 kms from our destination.
</div>
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Right from the outset of the day I rode with a group who
had Michelle, Joost, Hilde, Kristen, Jan Willem (who was on his last
week of the tour), Buck, Brian and Deb. The first part of the day was
mostly downhill with a strong tailwind. We had a good pace up all
morning and made the 75kms to the lunch truck by 11.15 am. We still
had another 85kms to the end of the day.</div>
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The group rode really well during the morning keeping a
solid pace and most of the riders took a turn up the front. I don't
expect the weak riders to get up their into the wind and try and keep
the pace high. The scenery for the morning was mainly rolling hills,
mountains along way away from the road and no trees. Quite a baron
place out here and we have it all to ourselves. How cool is that?</div>
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Prior to lunch we had this guy stopping and taking
photos of our group all morning. He must be a journalist or a retired
cyclist who still loves cycling. Michelle managed to get a group
photo which I'll have to get at the next opportunity.</div>
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After lunch it was the same group that continued on
their way to Las Lajas. At the 120 km mark the road turned and headed
west. As soon as we made the turn the wind hit us like a ton of
bricks. From this point on the speed dropped to 15kph for the next 3
hours. Battling into a headwind is not only boring, but a pain in the
ass. We all took turns and did our bit at the front of the bunch to
get this day over and done with.</div>
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I could see the town appear in the distance, but it took
forever to get their. The last hour of the ride was tough.</div>
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We crossed over the bridge and rode on down to the
campsite. A quick pitch of the tent and I was ready to relax.</div>
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After a shower I went for a walk of the town and had a
chat with a group of teenagers. There's is one thing I can say about
the kids I've met in Argentina, and that they're very polite and well
mannered. Always keen to try and chat with the Gringos and help us as
much as they can.</div>
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I went to the supermarket to buy a drink and ended up in
the bakery section by chance. I ordered these 2 buns full of
chocolate and had a brief chat with the baker. He was pretty
impressed with my ride and ended up giving me an extra bun to take
back to camp. There was no way I could eat 3 buns, so I gave 1 to
Joost and the other to Barry.</div>
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<br />
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I returned back to the campsite and got ready for
dinner. Tomorrow we have to get up at 5.15am, breakfast is 6am and
departure is 7am due to the tough ride ahead. 2 years ago only 3
riders finished the stage. It snowed on the summit and the winds were
so ferocious the riders had to take shelter in a ditch and wait for
the lunch truck to pick them up.</div>
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Bring on tomorrow.</div>
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Until tomorrow, safe riding.
</div>
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<i><b>Saturday 8<sup>th</sup>
November 2014. Stage 77. Las Lajas to Alumine. 131 kms. Paved 51%,
Climbing 1570 metres, summit 1900 metres. Race to lunch and called it
quits. </b></i>
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I went to bed very early as we had to get up at 5.15am
to get ready for the day. I did sleep well so I was ready to race and
try and get the majority of the day over before the winds hit us.</div>
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All the cyclists headed out of town as a group and as
soon we hit the base of the climb, Diderick attacked, so Joost,
Alfred, Rob the Boss and myself jumped after him. Unfortunately for
James he was not able to follow us. We stayed as a group up the climb
that went from 800 metres to the summit at over 1900 metres. The
major problem with the mornings ride was the strong headwinds that
disintegrated the entire field. I heard later that people were
scattered all over the mountain and some didn't reach the lunch truck
till over 2 hours after we did.</div>
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We sat on a speed around 22-25 kph up the entire climb.
I should say that at times I couldn't get to the front and help out.
I can climb mountains, but when it's a strong headwind, you usually
find me at the back of the bunch taking protection from the wind.</div>
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As we got higher the snow capped mountains got closer
and closer. What I did see were the Monkey puzzle tree. Monkey puzzle
tree is he hardest species in he confer genus Araucaria. It is native
to south central Chile and west central Argentina, and is an
evergreen tree growing to 40 metres tall and 3 metres in trunk
diameter.
</div>
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In Britain prior to 1850, it had been known as “Joseph
Bank's pine” or “Chile Pine”, though it is not a true pine. The
tree got it's name because one of the friends of Joseph Banks said it
would puzzle a monkey to climb that tree. And the name has stuck ever
since.</div>
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Back to the race.</div>
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As we powered up the mountain with all these monkey
puzzle trees appearing all over the mountains, Joost kicked up the
pace and put myself and Alfred off the back of the bunch. We worked
hard into the headwind and stayed at a similar distance all the way
to lunch at the 53km mark. It was at this point the road turned to
dirt and sand. Whilst having lunch I decided not to continue on
racing as there was no way I could ride with my thin tires for 80 kms
against these boys. I left 5 minutes after Joost and Alfred and rode
the rest of the day on my own listening to good quality music.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h2SJgjCPSug/VF_xrI09jCI/AAAAAAAADvo/WueOG-qLHwo/s1600/IMG_1418%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h2SJgjCPSug/VF_xrI09jCI/AAAAAAAADvo/WueOG-qLHwo/s1600/IMG_1418%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
Some of the beautiful scenery on our long 161 km ride over the past 3 days. Spectacular clouds to follow us all day.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zuGelk3K6Vk/VF_ybhxGMrI/AAAAAAAADvw/Xymr3pD8GhU/s1600/IMG_1426%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zuGelk3K6Vk/VF_ybhxGMrI/AAAAAAAADvw/Xymr3pD8GhU/s1600/IMG_1426%5B1%5D.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
The above map, slightly crooked, is from yesterdays ride.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SVeZw-Y7RDY/VF_yt2hdysI/AAAAAAAADv4/5xcVnZxZ-n0/s1600/IMG_1420%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SVeZw-Y7RDY/VF_yt2hdysI/AAAAAAAADv4/5xcVnZxZ-n0/s1600/IMG_1420%5B1%5D.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
Walter is the guy in the above photo and the man responsible for driving one truck and looking after us at lunch time each day.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VaWDg0MjR1M/VF_zWdJZtgI/AAAAAAAADwI/cyzj7XaUst4/s1600/IMG_1429%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VaWDg0MjR1M/VF_zWdJZtgI/AAAAAAAADwI/cyzj7XaUst4/s1600/IMG_1429%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
The above photo was taken on day 3 riding through the canyon with the crystal clear waters following us all the way.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gIKflivTtKw/VF_zd4uMTmI/AAAAAAAADwQ/XuM0s2i_5xw/s1600/IMG_1434%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gIKflivTtKw/VF_zd4uMTmI/AAAAAAAADwQ/XuM0s2i_5xw/s1600/IMG_1434%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
At the end of day 3 I wen up to the plaza and watched the local school kids do their thing. They sounded fantastic.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JwidyhgxZPg/VF_zBhs8bnI/AAAAAAAADwA/CB2YZ-gGAUo/s1600/IMG_1427%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JwidyhgxZPg/VF_zBhs8bnI/AAAAAAAADwA/CB2YZ-gGAUo/s1600/IMG_1427%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
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The above photo was taken on day 3. Every corner gave amazing views.</div>
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From lunch to the end of the day the scenery was just
stunning. With beautiful green trees and the Chimehuin River down
below it made for a fantastic afternoon of riding. At times the snow
would get about 100 metres from the road, but not close enough to go
and splash around in for that photo.
</div>
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As I rode along the dirt road I stopped many times to
take some photos. I took one in particular of an old house with an
older caravan next to it. With the snow capped mountains and the dirt
road in view it made for a great photo.
</div>
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Pushing along on this terrible road I dropped down from
the mountain to find a crystal clear lake with snow capped mountains
falling away into the waters. The road after lunch was tough, there
can be no doubt that, but the scenery keeps surprising me around
every corner.</div>
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The last 10 kms on the dirt turned to a fine gravel
about 3 cms thick. This caused me all sorts of trouble trying to keep
the bike upright. I was going nuts trying to find the perfect line.
Going from one side of the road to the other for about an hour drive
me to braking point.</div>
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Eventually I hit the pavement with 15 kms to go. The
road was excellent as it meandered adjacent to the river over gentle
rolling hills. I rolled into camp around 2pm, 30 minutes after Joost
and Alfred. I was happy with 3<sup>rd</sup> place on the stage, but
it would have been different if I had fat tires.</div>
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Arriving early in camp gave me the opportunity to wash
all my gear, shower, eat, put up 'Tent Hilton' and relax. The other
riders rolled in about an hour after I did up to about 5pm. It was a
tough stage in the morning but the afternoon conditions were perfect
and scenery amazing.</div>
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Tomorrow we have another 130 km ride with 50% unpaved.
Although it is a race day, I'm going to take it easy.</div>
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Until tomorrow, safe riding.</div>
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<i><b>Sunday 9<sup>th</sup>
November 2014. Stage 78, Alumine to Junin de los Andes, 120 kms,
paved 49%, climbing 1245 metres, summit 1380 metres. Woke to zero
degrees, ate in 1 degrees and started riding in 2 degrees. </b></i>
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I woke today at 6.15am to freezing conditions. Zero when
I pulled my head out of the tent, and it was a slow job getting
dressed and pulling down 'Tent Hilton'.</div>
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Whilst eating breakfast the temperature soared to 1
degrees, which made a huge difference. NOT. I was freezing whilst
trying to eat my corn flakes and banana roll. No matter what I did I
couldn't get my fingers warm. By the time we got on our bikes to
leave the camp the temperature had reached a whopping 2 degrees. I
had my gloves, jacket, leg and arm warmers, head scarf and was cold.
I couldn't wait for the sun to pop its head above the mountain and
belt down on us.</div>
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We rode the first 25kms on good pavement than hit the
dirt, which would continue to the 110km mark. The first part of the
morning once again followed the river through a beautiful canyon and
pretty good dirt road. I rode with Barry and KB all morning and we
had a great time chatting about life and what it would be like to
live in this part of the world.
</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6SLxBqd-DAk/VF_2zHqQ7NI/AAAAAAAADwc/5a7CikJiF3I/s1600/IMG_1431%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6SLxBqd-DAk/VF_2zHqQ7NI/AAAAAAAADwc/5a7CikJiF3I/s1600/IMG_1431%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
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The photo above is of Lanin Volcano.
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Around each corner would be a beautiful green valley
with canyon walls, a fast flowing river and small homes starting to
appear more frequently. The snow had left the mountains around us but
we could see the huge snow capped volcano in the distance. I know I
keep saying it, and perhaps too often, but I had a fantastic morning
in a beautiful part of Argentina.</div>
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With lunch at the 60 km mark we stopped for a short while
as we wanted to get into camp and have a look around the town. At the
campsites we've been staying at they haven't had any internet, thus
no stories posted.
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I left lunch and rode on my own all afternoon, firstly
up a 15km climb which was not difficult and then mostly downhill into
the town of Junin de los Andes. It was on the descent from the
mountains that I first got a glimpse of the snow capped volcano. The
volcano is called Lanin Volcano which is an ice clad, cone shaped
stratovolcano on the border of Argentina and Chile. It's amazing to
see whilst roaring down the rocky mountain being bounced all over the
place.</div>
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I rolled on down into town and found the campsite for
the night. I had a quick shower and shave today, put up the tent and
headed for town. I managed to see a young school group perform on the
stage in the centre of town and the music was very impressive.
</div>
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Buck and I went and bought and ice cream and took up a
position to listen to the school band belt out a cool South American
tune.</div>
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We headed back to camp for dinner and in the evening I'm
going back up to town to try and get some internet stuff done.</div>
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Tomorrow we do it all again. Day 3 of 6 completed on the
road to Bariloche.</div>
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Until tomorrow, safe riding.</div>
cairo to capetown 2011.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13067572990582063027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3345892037555272842.post-20412354950983457832014-11-06T14:19:00.003-08:002014-11-06T14:19:59.420-08:00What a week in the Andes. Heading to Bariloche to meet up with Peter and Ema Felvus.This week has been a tough week, over 700 kms of riding in some of the toughest conditions I've ever ridden in. From sand to rock, snow and rain, we all battled through it and came out strong in Chos Malal our rest stop for today.<div>
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Perhaps the major event was winning the 153 km stage solo from start to finish. I was pretty tired at the end but it did give me a buzz winning my 3rd stage for the tour.</div>
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The above photo was taken Buck Benson at one of our campsites during the week. Notice the boys were too soft in diving in and only got their feet wet.<br />
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The above photo was taken yesterday during our tough stage into Chos Malal.<br />
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The above photo was taken during the recent Sydney to Gong charity bike ride. The 2 guys are Geoff Stratton on the back and Geoff Hunter on the front. I ride with these guys with eXsight Tandems of the Illawarra. You will not meet a finer bunch of people in your life. I look forward to getting back and riding with them on Tuesdays again.<br />
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The above photo was taken during Sydney to Gong ride last week as the 2 Geoffrey's cross the Sea Cliff Bridge.<br />
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The above photo was taken when I crossed the line for a stage victory during the week.</div>
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The week ahead will take us over 700 kms from Chos Malal to Bariloche, Argentina. I know tomorrow is 161 kms of racing, but I don't if I'll take part in the race because the winds are horrendous at the moment. As we say in Australia, 'it would blow a dog off its chain'. </div>
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From this point on in the tour we will be mostly camping. I hope to keep you updated with my journey to the end of the world.</div>
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Until tomorrow, safe riding.</div>
cairo to capetown 2011.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13067572990582063027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3345892037555272842.post-8434037316716167852014-11-05T16:11:00.001-08:002014-11-05T16:11:47.171-08:00Wednesday 5th November 2014. Stage 75b, Barrancas to Chos Malal. 94kms, paved 8%, Climbing 1489 metres, summit 2403 metres. Now that was one hell of a ride.Last night we camped on top of each other in this very small campsite, and I got to hear all the noises that people make inside their tents.<br />
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As I said yesterday I decided to take the gravel road to heaven. I was well aware it going to be a tough day, but I'm not one to avoid a challenge. We left the campsite at 8am and rode about 2 kms out of town and took a sharp right where the dirt began. The other 15 cyclists continued on their way to Chos Malal on pavement for the next 125 kms.<br />
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Some of the riders who took the dirt were James, Alfred, Carmen, Julia, Rob the Boss, Joost & Michelle. I rode on my own for most of the morning and was later joined by Joost, Michelle and James for the run into the lunch truck.<br />
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As soon as we hit the the gravel road we headed for heaven. Up and up we went through lose gravel, sand and huge rocks for 45 kms. Some of the rocks we had to negotiate caused me fall over about 5 times. I couldn't climb the steepness of the mountain and the winds were horrendous once again.<br />
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As we got higher and higher towards our goal of 2400 metres the winds that were blowing off the snow capped mountains froze every part of my body. My face, feet, hands were freezing and there wasn't a darn thing I could do about it.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7zkRxGdCZ_8/VFqwkMQuW5I/AAAAAAAADuA/7cd_XvrcOp0/s1600/IMG_1388%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7zkRxGdCZ_8/VFqwkMQuW5I/AAAAAAAADuA/7cd_XvrcOp0/s1600/IMG_1388%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
I took the above photo with Joost up in the distance cresting the hill. I like how close the clouds look to the ground at this altitude.<br />
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That's my riding buddy for the day Joost. He's such a powerful rider and found it easy climbing the rocky road today.<br />
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The above photo is of James standing in front of an extinct volcano. The wind and 4 degree temperature made our day one hell of battle.<br />
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With 43 kms on the clock we rounded the final bend to see the fire engine. The wind was blowing a gale and the dust was going all over our food. I didn't care, I was pretty hungry and wanted to eat quickly and get off this wind blown mountain. The only ones ahead of were Rob the Boss and Alfred.<br />
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After lunch I came across the only house on the mountain.<br />
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I took off from lunch on my own for the final 55 km push to Chos Malal our destination for today, and our rest day tomorrow.<br />
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I thought we would be going down as soon as we left the lunch truck but that was not the case. I still had a lot of climbing through large rocks and lose gravel. When I got the chance to go downhill I had to be so careful that the wind didn't blow me off the road, or my front tire didn't slip out from underneath me due to the the sand and gravel I was having such a hard time staying on the road, and it was draining me physically and mentally. On a couple of occasions I screamed out profanities about the wind, the cold, the goats, the sheep, the lose gravel and the rocks. I didn't miss a thing, but I kept riding.<br />
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I took the photo in the afternoon showing the El Tromen National Park. The lake in the distance is at 2400 metres altitude and has flamingos, I didn't bother to ride down and take photos as I more concerned with getting out of this gravel pit.<br />
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<span id="goog_1049152581"></span><span id="goog_1049152582"></span>I took the above photo of some birds that I have no idea what type they are.<br />
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As I pushed along as hard as I could I finally came to the descent which would go down for 30 kms. I was worried about my speed as the wind took me by surprise a couple of times and put me into the dirt. I couldn't go much faster than 50 kph down the mountain.<br />
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I was joined by James with about 10 kms to go and this is when we hit the pavement. From here it was all downhill into the town. As we approached the turn off into town we could see Barry and the group who took the pavement just ahead of us. We passed them and headed straight to our campsite. The campsite is a pretty dusty place but in this part of the world, it's the only option. Some of the cyclists took a hotel, but me personally, I'll wait till we reach Bariloche next rest day. That's when I catch up with Peter and Ema from Australia.<br />
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After setting up tent and doing all the other things, I went for a ride up to the plaza to see where I could get my clothes washed. I found a laundry which opens tomorrow morning at 8am who might be able to help me out.<br />
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Dinner was at the campsite and a BBQ was on the menu. We had a sausage sizzle and salad and it was excellent.<br />
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After dinner I headed up to the service station to get on the Wifi and do my story. Tomorrow is a rest day and I'm going to rest and do very little. I will provide an update tomorrow night.<br />
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Until tomorrow, safe riding.<br />
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<br />cairo to capetown 2011.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13067572990582063027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3345892037555272842.post-4504808628682399992014-11-05T15:01:00.000-08:002014-11-05T15:01:15.771-08:002 huge days with wind and more wind. 1 more day until the rest day.<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i><b>Monday 3<sup>rd</sup>
November 2014. Stage 73. Malargue to Bushcamp Buta Billon. 115 kms,
paved 80%, climbing 1012 metres, summit 2004 metres. Fierce headwinds
make a short day very long.</b></i></div>
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After dinner I retired to the tent for some serious
sleep. My legs were tired and I needed a good rest. During the night
when I tossed and turned my legs felt like they were full of lactic
acid. It was such a strange feeling in my thighs the whole night. It
didn't affect my sleep, but I have no doubt it will affect my riding
today.</div>
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The first thing I realised that it was 6.40 am was
Carmen rattling my tent. She said she called me at 6.20 , and since I
never moved she thought I should sleep a little longer, It's a big
rush when your tent is a mess and you have to get dressed, pull the
house down and be seated for breakfast in 20 minutes. I'll leave the
tent till after breakfast. Temperature 4 degrees at 7 am.</div>
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Today's ride will take us from our nice campsite at
Malargue to a bushcamp at Buta Billon, a distance of 115 kms. My legs
were heavy and I looked like I needed another 12 hours sleep. It's
amazing what you hide behind dark sun glasses at the breakfast table.</div>
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We rolled out of town right on 8 am. We turned at the
statue of Jesus in the centre of town and continued along the famous
Route 40 to the rest of the day. After we rode 10 kms, the road
veered to the right and then we were hit by ferocious winds. We don't
enter the windy area of Patagonia for another 100 kms, but it seems
we are in for some rough times ahead.
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I rode at the back of the bunch for the first part of
the ride behind Hilde and Kristin. I didn't want to do too much
today, other than listen to music and take in the amazing views of
the snow capped mountains all around us. Everyone had all their cold
weather clothing on this morning, and it stayed on until lunch. About
2 kms into the day Kristin called it quits as she was not feeling
well.
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The ride into the wind at a maximum speed of 15 kph. I
rode with Michelle and Buck for a while and we were all over the
road. It was quite dangerous at times not to be blown completely
across the road. Julia called it day before lunch as she was not
coping with the high winds and also a sore knee from the previous
day. Many people were not going to make it to the end of the day on
the bike because of the tough conditions. Me personally, I'd have to
break a leg not to continue riding.</div>
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By the time we covered 30 kms, it was already 10.15 am.
At this rate it will be dark by the time I get in. I pulled off the
road and headed to a small cafe, whilst Buck and Michelle continued
on. I found Barry, Rob the Boss and Max having coffee, so I decided
it was a perfect time to get out of the wind and take time out.</div>
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After our little break it was time to get back on the
bike and tackle the 10 km climb up to 2000 metres and into more wind
with a chill factor of minus 2. The wind that was coming off the snow
was brutal. We kept climbing and climbing
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be pushed all over the road and at times I got hit so
hard by the wind it stopped me dead in my tracks. I found it hard to
move forward. I rode with Rob the Boss up the climb and got some nice
photos of the mountains around us. I still had my leg warmers on,
thermal jacket, winter gloves and my beanie to keep me warm. I should
have had a balaclava to keep my face warm because it was freezing. My
nose was running all morning because of the cold, and the more you
wiped it, the sorer it got. I just couldn't win this morning, no
matter what I did.</div>
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After reaching the summit it was downhill till lunch at
the 70 km mark. Going down the other side of the mountain we had to
pedal every inch of the way. The wind was roaring out of the valley
and up the mountain right into our face. It's not often you have to
pedal down a hill, but this is going to be common for the next 6
weeks to Ushuaia.
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I left Rob as he was taking photos and pressed onto
lunch riding gravel road for the last 5 kms. At least the wind wasn't
too bad now. I rolled over the bridge and found the red fire engine
ready to serve me my lunch. I do love my lunch stops, a couple of
rolls, a drink, piece of fruit and some biscuits. That will fill the
belly and get me the additional 45 kms to the end of the day.</div>
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After lunch I headed off with Barry and Diderick. We
passed Michelle and Hilde shortly after lunch, but decided to ride
our own pace and not theirs. We had the famous Rio Grande river
following us for the next 30 kms along the flat plains of Chalahuan.
The winds were now changing direction from being in our face to now
being at our side. Barry and Diderick did most of the work as I was
still tired from yesterday's effort. That 153 km sole ride really
took it out of me.</div>
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In this part of Argentina there are a lot of road works
going along, so we were constantly going from detours to new road and
back to detours time and time again. I rode over some new pavement
and ended up with tar over my leg warmers and ankle. Now I'm going to
have to chuck them at the end of the holiday. They were my favourite
pair of leg warmers.</div>
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Even though we had 70 kms of tough riding till lunch and
parts of the afternoon ride with head winds, I still had a great day.
It was beautiful clear blue sky all day, with not a cloud in the sky,
so I was wrapped knowing I wasn't going to get a wet ass again.
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We continued on with the River Grande meandering
alongside us all the way to the end of day. I was glad to see the end
of day flag on the side of the road, as I had enough for one day.</div>
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Once again, put up 'Tent Hilton', have some soup, have a
wash, get warm, and relax. Barry, Buck and I went for a walk up the
road to a small Kiosk. The boys had a beer and I had some water. I'm
really over the coke thing. I got to meet the lady who owns the kiosk
and adjoining house, and she allowed us to sit in the back yard to
have a drink. I took some nice photos of her and her grand daughter
who is a real cutey. It wasn't long before Julia and Alec found us
and joined us in a drink. I had to be back at camp by 6pm as I was on
kitchen duties.
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I made it back to camp, help handing out the food, ate
my meal, helped washed the dishes and went to bed. I wasn't in the
mood to sitting around in this wind and coldness talking. I do that
tomorrow on the bike.</div>
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Tomorrow is another 100 kms and more unpaved roads. We
hit the Patagonia region at the 95 km mark.</div>
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Until tomorrow, safe riding.</div>
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<i><b>Tuesday 4<sup>th</sup>
November 2014. Stage 74, Bushcamp Buta Billon to Barrancas. 101 kms,
paved 50%, climbing 1208 metres, summit 1780. Climbing on a rocky,
sandy road is hard stuff.</b></i></div>
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We had a vote last night to sleep in because it has been
terribly cold in the mornings. The end result was that we eat
breakfast at 8am and leave at 9am.
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The first part of the ride was following the Rio Grande
for 10 kms on paved road, then the gravel road started. To try and
explain how hard it is to ride in gravel, trying running on wet sand
on your local beach. It's hard work and we have to do it today for 50
kms, uphill. The road was full of lose sand, deep gravel and large
rocks. To soften the pain of the constant bumps and sliding in the
sand, the view of the Rio Grande was pretty spectacular. Once again
the mountains surrounded us but now there is little snow on the
peaks. I think it has something to do with the fact we are riding
around the 1000 metre altitude mark.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0IfZ6o0zJj0/VFqoJgQRrzI/AAAAAAAADtE/lqzHG5Fp83c/s1600/IMG_1364%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0IfZ6o0zJj0/VFqoJgQRrzI/AAAAAAAADtE/lqzHG5Fp83c/s1600/IMG_1364%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
I took the above photo as Rob the Boss was riding away from during the morning climb. We get to see these snow capped mountains all day everyday for the next week or two.<br />
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I met this lovely lady and her gran daughter after arriving at our bush camp 2 days ago. She sold beer and coke, so we were all happy.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bJWTPoWUwzk/VFqogTbMZRI/AAAAAAAADtU/_jINiVaDjx0/s1600/IMG_1375%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bJWTPoWUwzk/VFqogTbMZRI/AAAAAAAADtU/_jINiVaDjx0/s1600/IMG_1375%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
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The above photo depicts one of the many shrines dedicated to a love one who has passed away on these remote roads in the Andes.
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I rode on my own all morning taking photos and taking in
the magnificent views. The sun was out and it wasn't cold at all. I
didn't need my vest, arm or leg warmers on this morning, and it
stayed that way all day.</div>
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I had fully recovered from my race day and my legs felt
strong all day. As I climbed the mountain, I noticed some huge birds
circling overhead, at first I thought it might be my first sighting
of a condor, but Jan Willem later told me they were nothing special.
I might just google a photo of a condor and post it. Seems a lot
easier to achieve.</div>
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I kept pushing at a steady pace up the rocky road all
the way to the 52 km mark where the lunch truck was found. I pulled
in and got some food and waited for Barry and Buck to arrive. I must
have stayed at lunch today for about 45 minutes today soaking up the
sun and beautiful scenery. I was in no rush and the weather was
perfect to enjoy out in the wilderness of the Andes and not in a dust
bowl campsite.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S4n7Humqb1s/VFqrGc-cRqI/AAAAAAAADtg/F1yf10JqtNE/s1600/IMG_1383%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S4n7Humqb1s/VFqrGc-cRqI/AAAAAAAADtg/F1yf10JqtNE/s1600/IMG_1383%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
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The photo above was taken prior to entering the region of Patagonia.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JAJEfB4sN-o/VFqrMNiO0lI/AAAAAAAADto/YLFQTrlMpCU/s1600/IMG_1385%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JAJEfB4sN-o/VFqrMNiO0lI/AAAAAAAADto/YLFQTrlMpCU/s1600/IMG_1385%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
Whilst going for my afternoon walk I noticed the horses tied up to the pole. They use to do that in Australia 50 years ago.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vd8rXUVKsvw/VFqrM6lfrSI/AAAAAAAADtw/5LNoM9eMEsc/s1600/IMG_1386%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vd8rXUVKsvw/VFqrM6lfrSI/AAAAAAAADtw/5LNoM9eMEsc/s1600/IMG_1386%5B1%5D.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
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I took the above photo last night at camp of my good friend Knut. </div>
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We left lunch together and had to climb another 8 kms
till we reached the pavement at the summit of the mountain. I set the
pace with Buck and Barry closely behind. As we reached the pavement
Barry just kept riding away from us and never looked back. I stayed
with Buck for the rest of the afternoon stopping plenty of times for
photos and just chatting away side by side. When you race, you take
no photos and take in nothing of your amazing surroundings. I only
race once a week, and I choose my day carefully.</div>
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We rode on and were later caught by Hilde and Kristin
who joined us for the final climb of the day. As we roared down the
mountain we crossed a bridge that took us into the famous Patagonia
Region of Argentina. Of course we took the usual photos to mark this
significant moment on tour. Now we had 4 kms to reach Barrancas and
the job was done for the day.</div>
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My trusty Garmin led us directly to the campsite which
was already full of cyclists and tents. I got my bags and found a bit
of dirt and dropped my gear down. The tent can wait, first some soup
and take it easy.
</div>
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After eating, building my home and having a shower, I
went for a walk up to the plaza. I like my afternoon walks to see
what these little towns have to offer. This one had 2 horses tied up
outside a shop, a large plaza with about 5 people sitting around, and
a shop close by. I went and splurged on an ice cream before dinner
and sat in the park for ½ an hour on my own, contemplating whether I
take the paved or unpaved road tomorrow.</div>
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I slowly made my way back to the campsite and tucked
into a nice meal of meat, rice and cabbage. Rob the Boss handed out
the instruction sheets for tomorrow which gave us the options. If I
take the unpaved section I have 98 kms of terrible roads with a 45 km
climb over 1200 metres. Then it should mostly be downhill till the
end of the day. If I take the paved road that will be 128 kms, but
with the same amount of climbing. If the westerly winds blow, the
final 40 kms will be a nightmare. I know how long it took me to ride
45 kms the other day into a ferocious headwind, too long, so I'll
have to sleep on it. Barry is also undecided on what road to take. If
I take the dirt road it is supported by the lunch truck, so I'm
leaning to playing in the sand and dirt tomorrow.</div>
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It's now 9pm and I'm ready for bed. The Garmin and
Iphone are fully charged, so I'll know where to go and can sing along
whilst going there.
</div>
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<br />
</div>
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I was just told that the temperature was zero last
night.
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The temperature has been good all day and we expect
another beautiful sunny day with light winds. I know it will be a
hard day but we have a rest day the following day to recharge the
batteries.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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Until tomorrow, safe riding.</div>
cairo to capetown 2011.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13067572990582063027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3345892037555272842.post-51715226883178403622014-11-02T11:58:00.000-08:002014-11-02T11:58:10.696-08:00Saturday 1st November 2014. Stage 71, San Carlos to Bushcamp. 113 kms, paved 19%, climbing 1177 metres, summit 1890 metres. 4 degrees and rain. Sunday 2nd November 2014. Stage victory comes my way.<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
When I got up today the first thing I noticed was how
cold it was. I checked my temperature gauge on my watch and it read 6
degrees C, and with the clouds overhead it wasn't shaping up to a
good day weather wise.</div>
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</div>
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I put all my cold weather gear on and went for
breakfast. Everyone was complaining about how cold it was, and the
old doom and gloom raised its head once again. That's the name I've
given to a particular male person on the tour.
</div>
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At 8 am we all rolled out rugged up for a long day of
riding. The first 20 kms was to a petrol station where we all stopped
for a cappuccino and pastries. It doesn't take long before the
cyclists take over the cafeteria with coffees and cakes. They also
had WiFi, so everyone got on the internet and ignored each other over
a nice cuppa.
</div>
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By the time everyone had left the service station, Knut,
Hilde and Kristen and myself were the last to leave and the last on
the road. We went about 1 km up the road, turned off the main highway
expecting dirt but were treated to another 20 kms of rough pavement.
We all took turns at the front on a road that climbed 800 metres
altitude in 65 kms to lunch.</div>
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As we rode along the scenery was not on my mind, the
temperature had now dropped to 3.8 degrees on the Garmin and my toes
were getting very cold. Kristen and Hilde had fingerless gloves on,
so their hands must have been freezing cold. I had my winter gloves
on, so mine were as warm as toast.
</div>
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With 20 kms to lunch the road went to shit again, sand,
rocks and constantly changing direction to find the perfect line.
Together with the rain and freezing cold temperatures I knew that
there would be people hanging to get on the lunch truck and get a
ride to camp instead of putting up with the weather conditions for
another 3 hours.</div>
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</div>
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Once at lunch it was the usual food of bread rolls,
cheese, tomato, olives, potato salad and some processed meats which
I'm not keen on at all. Whilst I was sitting down Walter started to
load the truck with bicycles of the people who were catching the
truck. Kristen was freezing and she decided to catch the truck.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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I left the lunch stop on my own and rode the afternoon
with U2, Simply Red, Talking Heads & Adele blasting away in my
ears. I rode my own tempo passing James and Barry on roads that
needed to be ridden on by a bike with an engine not human powered. I
wasn't tired at all during the afternoon ride which took us down to
an enormous dam and then through a very dark 1 km tunnel. I did take
some photos on my Iphone but unfortunately the lens fogged up and
they turned out terrible. I'll find someone who took some photos of
the day and will post at a later date.</div>
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</div>
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As I crossed the dam wall and through the tunnel I then
had to climb a 3 km hill to reach the summit of the day. As I was
climbing the hill I noticed the lunch truck coming down the hill
towards me. Walter stopped and told me the day had been cut short due
to bad weather and all I had to do was reach the summit and the flag
would appear. As I crested the hill I turned right at the flag and
rode along another horrendous trail to our campsite for the night.</div>
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</div>
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With the rain falling I quickly set up the tent and got
dressed into some dry clothes. It's so hard to get warmth in the body
when you're damp and cold. I went to the kitchen and got some soup, a
cup of coffee and a handful of biscuits. I also took a handful of
chocolate lollies just in case.</div>
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</div>
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After getting my time for the day I was told Michelle
had won the stage. I was very happy for her as she really wanted to
win and she does put a lot effort into her riding. 2 of the big
riders, Joost and Alfred went the wrong way and haven't been seen
since. It's now 5 pm and they're still out there looking for them.
That's why you ride in groups.
</div>
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<br />
</div>
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I'm staying in my tent which is the size of a coffin for
the rest of the afternoon. After dinner I will return, read for a
while and get a good night's sleep. As for tomorrow, I can imagine
that the 13 kms less we did today will be tacked onto tomorrow's ride
which will make it a cracker. I'll deal that tomorrow.</div>
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Until tomorrow, safe riding.</div>
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<b><i>Sunday 2nd November 2014. Stage 72b. 153 kms, Bushcamp to Malargue, paved 75%, Climbing 608 metres, summit 1840. A solo effort from start to finish to claim victory today. </i></b></div>
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Firstly an update on Alfred and Joost. The guys took a wrong turn and got lost. The lunch truck found them 40 kms from the end point and had to pick them up; They arrived in camp at 5.30pm, tired and very cold. </div>
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Because yesterday was cut short by 13 kms, that meant we had to do those kms today. Today's total is 153 kms. </div>
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I had a great night's sleep and was so warm. I woke to a 2 degree temperature and flakes of snow falling. It was freezing and everyone had all the clothing on they could find. After the snow, down came the rain and I headed off for breakfast. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Because Joost and Alfred had to be picked up by the truck yesterday afternoon they lost their EFI status. That means Every F.....ing Inch. People will turn themselves inside out to obtain this goal. Carmen arranged with the forest rangers to take the boys back to the lunch stop from yesterday so could cover that ground again. That will make today's ride for them over 180 kms. Now that's chronic.</div>
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We headed out of camp at 8 am to pouring rain and 2 degree temperatures. I had my wet weather pants and jacket on, and my beanie. Oh and the winter gloves. I've got NO idea where I put my wet weather booties so my feet are going to get wet and freeze.</div>
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As we hit the dirt road to head south I thought I should put the pressure on and see who wants to go with me. As it turned out Michelle kept pace for a while and no one else followed. The dirt road today was about 60 kms long of fairly well compacted mud. At times I'd slide all over the place but it wasn't that bad. I kept looking over my shoulder, which I never did when I raced, to see if anyone was chasing. I could see about 5 people in the distance, so every climb I would quickly look behind to check on their progress. Each time I looked the gap grew larger and larger. As I pushed on in the pouring rain I was getting mud all over my face, clothes and bike. I was caked in it the stuff.</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
As I hit the pavement at the 60 km mark I peered around and couldn't see anyone behind. Although I had 93 kms to go I thought, 'what the heck, just go for it and see what happens'. I pushed for 20 kms until I saw the lunch truck in the distance. I made a quick stop and took off my wet weather pants, go some food and put it in my jacket, filled up the bottles and hit the road again. When I got going I couldn't see anyone for miles.</div>
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The road after lunch was nice pavement with a slight tailwind for hours. Although I was moving well, you always worry about a group of riders chasing you down. I saw 2 riders up the road and after 30 minutes of chasing, I came up behind Alec and Julia who had started from the lunch truck. I overtook them at a fast pace and just kept going, I couldn't afford to back off at any stage.</div>
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With the road getting patchy in places I did have a look around at the 50 km to go point and thought I could see a rider in the distance. When you're getting tired, there's nothing you can do other than to keep pushing as hard as you can. If they catch you then they're on a better ride than you.</div>
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As the kms ticked down and the sign for Malargue came into view, my legs were gone and I was really hungry. I still couldn't see anyone behind, so I knew I had ridden 153 kms on my own and was going to win my 3rd stage for the tour. And there was no Buck Benson to steal it from under my nose. </div>
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I entered the town and took a sharp right at the statue of Jesus and rode on down the road 300 metres to the campsite. It was such a relief to ride into the campsite and see the red fire truck and food. I was so hungry, Carmen made me a coffee and Gurdy made a nice bread roll. </div>
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Things to do not stop, just because you finish riding for the day. I had to put up 'Tent Hilton', have a shower and try and get warm. My clothes were saturated and I was still freezing from the snow and rain in the early morning.</div>
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I was met by some of the cyclists who took the truck for the day and each one congratulated me for my win. I know it's not a professional race, but to win on your own is pretty neat. </div>
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After food I went for a ride up to the service station with Carmen and got on the net. With a cappuccino and a biscuit I was ready to sit down and type out today's journey.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OW0eGbp6XN4/VFaEGcgF5xI/AAAAAAAADs0/2BVTyO78CbU/s1600/IMG_1358%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OW0eGbp6XN4/VFaEGcgF5xI/AAAAAAAADs0/2BVTyO78CbU/s1600/IMG_1358%5B1%5D.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
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The photo above was taken at the service station after my win. </div>
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It's now time to head back to camp for dinner and have an early night. I have no intention of racing again until next week. I might choose any easy day than this one. One with downhills, sun and a roaring win pushing right up my, well you know the rest.</div>
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Tomorrow is another long day of pavement and dirt and hopefully no rain. The mountains all around have a fresh dusting of snow and if there's wind, then tomorrow will be a very cold ride.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Until tomorrow, safe riding.</div>
cairo to capetown 2011.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13067572990582063027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3345892037555272842.post-61966067570468148062014-10-31T16:15:00.002-07:002014-10-31T16:15:46.245-07:00Mendoza to San Carlos. Stage 70, 153 kms, paved 100%, climbing 1100 metres, summit 1580 metres.After having 3 nights in a swank hotel living it up in Mendoza it was time to get up early and catch the taxi with Barry back to the camping ground to get ready for the ride. The ride today was suppose to be 144 kms, but because I made a mistake and went the wrong way, we ended up doing 153 kms. It wasn't that bad as we had great weather and a beautiful blue sky all day.<br />
<br />
As the other riders were returning from the city hotels I was fast trying to organise my clothing bag and put some oil on my chain. I've only had my bike cleaned once on the tour and I won't be doing it again until I get to Ushuaia. I will have to change my chain and cluster soon as they are completely worn out. I've still got another 4000 kms in me before I crash and burn. Now for today's ride.<br />
<br />
We left as a group today because we had to navigate back through the city of Mendoza and to the outskirts of town. The Friday morning traffic with it's buses and taxis made life really difficult. Going round roundabouts was a nightmare as cars were not keen to wait and let the entire group pass. With the usual Aussie hand signs the traffic got the message loud and clear and on we went further into the city.<br />
<br />
As soon as we left the city limits we were on our way and into one of the most famous wine growing regions of Argentina. As far as the eyes could see, were grape vines rich and green ready for the picking. As a non drinker I couldn't see all the fuss the other riders were making about the good wines in this place. Personally I'd prefer COKE.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P5wj2iO07CY/VFQOIkT6tTI/AAAAAAAADsM/R2z55xPtyvU/s1600/IMG_1335%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P5wj2iO07CY/VFQOIkT6tTI/AAAAAAAADsM/R2z55xPtyvU/s1600/IMG_1335%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
The photo above shows one of the many vineyards with the snow capped mountains in the background that followed us all day. What was noticeable today was the drop in temperature. Prior to Mendoza it was hot and now I had to wear my arm warmers and vest to keep me warm. The breeze that was coming off the snow peaks brought with it very cold winds all day.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KTZ8chGjWTI/VFQO2xUnHwI/AAAAAAAADsU/ghpSoKpbL24/s1600/IMG_1343%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KTZ8chGjWTI/VFQO2xUnHwI/AAAAAAAADsU/ghpSoKpbL24/s1600/IMG_1343%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
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The photo above is my cycling buddy Barry riding past the vineyards with snow capped mountains in the backgrounds.</div>
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With the lunch truck at the 65 km mark it was a pleasant sight to see after 800 metres of climbing in the morning. Actually I was starving by the time I rode 65 kms, probably had something to do with eating a croissant and a cream tart at the hotel for breakfast.</div>
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After lunch we had 80 kms to go to reach our final destination at San Carlos. We stopped at the 120 km mark for a drink and were joined by Julia, Alec, Buck, Brian, Deb and KB. One thing I like is sitting down over a cold drink and chatting with other cyclists on the road. Some cyclists go hell for leather all day and never take photos, myself, I like to stop and smell the roses as I may never cross this part of the planet again.</div>
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As we ride on down the road, waving at the local and calling out 'Holla' I followed the Garmin's instructions and turned left. Everyone was against the decision but in any event, followed. They followed me for another 10 kms in the wrong direction. Oh well, shit happens.</div>
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The Garmin brought us back onto Route 40 which took us along a motorway to San Carlos. We found the campsite, with a pool, and wifi. After erecting 'Tent Hilton' I had my usual bowl of soup and went for a walk of the town. There wasn't much to see, most of the shops were closed, and the children were still in school. </div>
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I headed back to camp and waited for dinner to arrive. I'm really looking forward to hitting the sack and getting a good night's sleep. </div>
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Tomorrow we head back into the wilderness of the Andean Mountains, mountains with snow capped peaks, dirt, sand and rocky roads, in a remote part of the Northwestern region of Argentina. As my good friend Barry says, 'tell me when the fun begins'. 5 more days of hell coming up and I'm really looking forward to having a crack at another win.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AdnpJyIDzLg/VFQXTT2CZ5I/AAAAAAAADsk/-v2yQxfwzoY/s1600/IMG_1340%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AdnpJyIDzLg/VFQXTT2CZ5I/AAAAAAAADsk/-v2yQxfwzoY/s1600/IMG_1340%5B1%5D.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
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I took the above photo heading to lunch. That's Barry in the distance and the snow capped mountains in the distance.</div>
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I had great day, even taking in consideration I went the wrong way. Time for bed.</div>
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Until tomorrow, safe riding.</div>
cairo to capetown 2011.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13067572990582063027noreply@blogger.com1