BLOG: CYCLING ACROSS PATAGONIA

ERIK ŠTURM AND MANJA PEČKAJ – Bovec, Slovenia

We are contacting you from Hornopiren, where we are waiting for the ferry to Pumulin Park. The first 220 kilometers are behind us. In this short distance, we slowly got used to the heavier bikes and the nomadic life. The journey was not too strenuous, but we already learned the power of horse balm for relaxing tired muscles, the importance of a good seat, the importance of checking the screws (after two days on macadam, the most firmly wrapped screw loosens) and the hunger of the cyclist (especially Manja, who like a baby has to fill his energy reserves for two hours  ) …
All I can say about Chileans for now is that they are incredibly nice people and are very attentive to cyclists. As soon as they approach you, they advise you where it's safe for your bike, on the road they pull over and greet you, if you're standing they ask if you need help, they tell you of their own accord where you can camp and thus always positively surprise you!

More on the pictures, but that's all for today. We'll see you soon - which depends a little on the availability of the Internet on our further journey! 

Greetings!

Sunday, 27.11.

Our cycling adventure began in the city of Puerto Varas, where we assembled the bikes and equipped ourselves with a suitable supply of food.

The flat path by the beautiful lake led us to the town of Ensenada, where we turned towards the sea. After the first ascents, we camped 5 km before the village of Ralun.

Monday, 28.11.

The next day we continued along the sea bay and the first glimpses of salmon and mussel breeding grounds opened up to us.

Passing many streams that flow into the sea, we arrived at the Puelo river, next to the town of Puelo, where we camped. The incredibly beautiful green corner was perfect for two beginner cyclists, with a shower (read washing in the river), a washing machine (read soaking clothes in the river), a shop (read catching your own dinner, which otherwise failed), in the middle of the green oasis , we don't know from where, WI FI appeared!

 

Tuesday, 29.11.

On the third day of cycling, we tackled macadam slopes - who would have thought that there could be so much bank right next to the sea! However, with the beautiful views in mind that opened up around every bend, we pressed on to the road to Hornopiren.

25 kilometers before the city, we camped on a soccer field, hidden from any civilization, had a good dinner and tiredly wandered off.

Wednesday, 30.11.

Today we cycled the rest of the way to Hornopiren, where we arrived early in the afternoon. Here we treated ourselves to meat (for the first time on our trip), a hot shower, and a reinforcement of food supplies.