The bumpy and beautiful Carretera

A week of wind, mud, freezing temperatures and we were finally on the Carretera Austral. The reason we came so far south http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carretera_Austral. The bikes in one piece, the speed with which we were losing items decreasing, and knee pain easing, we set off.

Immediately we were repaid with lakes, snow capped mountains and beautiful undulating hills. Borrowing sections of Scotland, Colorado and California the road snaked its way through the different countries, subtle but noticeably changes in the scenery as valleys were climbed out of and lakes circumvented.

Almost just as immediately is Dave's exasperated announcement, "I've er, lost my hoodie on the road somewhere." Not blessed with an enormity of clothes let alone warm ones, self loathing etches across his face and he cracks open a beer. With that familiar hiss his internal chasticement ebbs away. Optomisism shall prevail. We ride on and a familiar site of a 'refugio' pops up. We rest.

A refugio for travellers

What was so remarkable was the extremes in conditions. Night temperatures dropping below freezing with frost in the morning and highs hitting 25degrees around 2pm. Somewhere along the line life becomes very simple and it begins to revolve around the sun, water, food and the bike.

Unfortunately in sections the road takes centre stage and 40km of wrist punishing washboard road takes its toll on the spirits and ability to enjoy the scenery. 50km travelled in a day becomes a good achievement and the desire for a comfy bed starts to scream from the depths of your weary legs.

4 days of punishment, kilograms of carbohydrate eaten and we rest in Cochrane.

Kyle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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