browsinaboutonabike.com
  • Armenia 18/4/2016
  • Baku, Azerbaijan
  • Georgia
  • 2-3/4/2016 Trabzon to Batumi, Georgia
    • 21-27/3/2016 Atakent to Trabzon >
      • 12-21/3/2016 Cide to Akakent >
        • 6-11/3/2016 Eregli to Cide
  • 26/2-4/3/2016 Istanbul to Eregli
    • Istanbul 15-25/2/2016 >
      • London 30/1-15/2/2016 >
        • Istanbul 19-30/1/2016
  • Proposed Journey East from Istanbul, March 2016
  • Sth Africa 6-19/1/2016
    • South Africa 6/12/2015 to 6/1/2016
  • Namibia 24/10-5/12/2015
    • Namibia 1/10/2015 to 23/10/2015
  • Zambia 7-30/9/2015
  • 21/8/2015 Malawi
  • 30/7-20/8/2015 Kigoma to Malawi Border
    • 21-30/7/2015 Tanzanian border to Kigoma, Lake Tanganyika >
      • 18-20/7/2015 Kigali to Tanzanian border >
        • 12-15/7/2015 Gisenyi to Kigali >
          • 10-11/7/2015 Rwandan border to Gisenyi
          • 15th June to 8th July Uganda
  • Last days in Kenya
    • 1-6/6/2015 Meru to Nyahururu >
      • 28-31/05/2015 Kenol to Meru >
        • 2011-16 Map >
          • 12-18/10/2014 Beausejour to St Laurent do Maroni >
            • 7-11/10/2014 St Georges to Beausejour, French Guiana >
              • 3-7/10/2014 Amapá, Brazil to St Georges, French Guiana >
                • 1-2/10/2014 Porto Grande to Amapá, AP >
                  • 26-29/9/2014 Macapá to Porto Grande >
                    • 16-23/9/2014 Almeirim to Macapá >
                      • 11-16/9/2014 Rurópolis to Almeirim, PA,BR >
                        • New Page
                        • 13/8-10/9/2014 Rurópolis, BR to Christchurch, NZ, return >
                          • 2-12/8/2014 Altamira to Ruropolis >
                            • 1-4/8/2014 Pacajá to Altamira, PA >
                              • 29/7-1/8/2014 Marabá to Pacajá, PA, BR230
        • 21-28/5/2015 Ongata to Kenol >
          • 5-21/5/2015 Iten to Ongata Rongai, Nairobi >
            • 2-6/5/2015 Kitale to Iten >
              • 1-2/5/2015 Lodwar to Kitale, Kenya >
                • Kenya: Omorate to Lodwar 20/04- 1/05/2015
  • 12-18/4/2015 Abra Minche to Omorate, Ethiopia
    • 3-10/4/2015 Waliso to Abra Minch >
      • 16-30/3/2015 Dese to Waliso, Ethiopia >
        • Ethiopia 9-16/3/2015 Me'kele to Dese >
          • 19/2-8/3/2015 Ethiopia
  • 25/1-18/2/2015 Sudan
  • 16-17 Luxor to Aswan
    • 8-15/1/2015 Asyut to Luxor >
      • 7-10/1/2015 Giza to Asyut
  • 1-6/1/2015 Cairo
    • Proposed passage Cairo to Cape Town Jan 2015 >
      • 21/10-12/11/2014 Suriname and Guyana
  • Updated Gear List
  • Rodovia Transamazônica
  • 21- 25/7/2014 Redencáo to Marabá, PA
    • Pará: 17-22/7/2014 Confresa, MT to Redencao, PA >
      • 9-13/7/2014 Nova Xavantina to Confreza, MT >
        • 3-4/7/2014 Barra do Garcas to Nova Xavantina >
          • 26-31/6/2014 Rondonópolis to Barra Do Garcas, MT >
            • 20-23/6/2014 Rio Verde, MS to Rondonópolis, MT >
              • 13-17/6/2014 Bonito to Rio Verde de Mato Grosso >
                • 9-11/6/2014 Jardim to Bonito MS, BR >
                  • 7-9/6/2014 Pedro Juan Caballero, PY to Jardim,BR >
                    • 9,10,11/5/2014 Remanso to Concepción onboard MV Osmar >
                      • 6-7/5/2014 Remanso,PY >
                        • 6/5/2014 Asunción to Remanso, PY >
                          • 27/4-2/5/2014 Foz do Iguaco, BR to Asunción, PY >
                            • 24-26/4/2014 Andresito to Puerto Iguazu >
                              • 19-21/4/2014 El Soberbio to San Antonio, AR >
                                • 16-17/4/2014 El Progreso to El Soberbio, AR >
                                  • 13-15/4/2014 Apóstoles to El Progreso >
                                    • 28/3-1/4/2014 Buenos Aires,AR to Paysandu, UY >
                                      • Profile Paysandu to Brazil
                                    • 9-12/4/2014 Tapebicuá to Apóstoles, AR >
                                      • 8/4/2013 Sawmill, north of Bonpland to 3km sth of Tapebicuá
                    • 28-30/5/2014 Concepción to Pedro Juan Caballero PY >
                      • 23-25/5/2014 Aquidaban back to Concepción >
                        • 16-20/5/2014 Tres Gigantes Estación Biologica >
                          • 14-16/5/2014 Vallemi to Bahia Negra on the Aquidaban >
                            • 13/5/2014 Bus trip Concepción to Vallemi
                    • 1-6/6/2014, Pedro Juan Caballero
  • 25/1/2014 USHUAIA
    • 23-24/1/2014 Rio Grande to Rio Lasifashaj >
      • 22-23/1/2013 Punta Arenas, CL to Rio Grande, AR >
        • 16-19/1/2014 Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas >
          • 14-15/1/2014 Torres Del Paine National Park, CL >
            • 8-12/1/2014 El Calafate to Puerto Natales >
              • 1-7/1/2013 Villa O'Higgins, CL to El Calafate, AR >
                • 27-31/12/2013 Cochrane to Villa O'Higgins >
                  • 19-26/12/2013 Coyhaique to Cochrane >
                    • 12-18/12/2013 Rio Santiago Bastia to Coyhaique >
                      • 6-12/12/2013 La Piedra del Gato to Mañihuales >
                        • 5-9/12/2013 Quellón to La Junta, CL >
                          • 29/11/2013 5/12/2013 Castro to Quellón, Chiloe, CL >
                            • 24/11/2013 Puerto Montt to Castro >
                              • 16-23/11/2013, San Martín, AR to Puerto Montt, CL >
                                • 9-14/11/2013 Temuco, CL to San Martín de los Andes, AR
                                • Cunco to Temuco and Santiago by bus
                                • Untitled
                                • 20,21/10/2013 Malargue to Los Frisos,AR
                                • 22-29/10/2013 Las Frisas, AR to Cunco,CL
  • 13/3/2012 Penonomé to Playa Gorgona
    • 14/3/2011 Playa Gorgona to Panama City
    • 15,16/3/2011 Panama City >
      • 14/4/2012, Shelter bay & Gatun Locks >
        • 15,16/4/2012 Canal transit >
          • 17/4/2012 Shelter Bay Marina onboard SV Bijou >
            • Feb 2014, An account of a road trip in New Zealand
          • 18,19/4/2012 Shelter Bay Marina
      • 17.../3/2012 Onboard SV Moondance, Brisas de Amador >
        • 25 March to 9 April, Gorgona, PC,Las Bresas >
          • 11/4/2012, Shelter Bay Marina,SV Bijou
          • 12/4/2012, Shelter Bay, and a bit of exploring
        • 11/3/2012 Las Lajas to Santiago >
          • 12/3/2012, Santiago to Penonomé
  • 7/4/2013 Bella Unión, UY to north of Bonpland, AR
    • 4-6/4/2014 Salto to Bella Unión, UY >
      • 2-3/4/2014 Termas de Guaviyú to Salto
  • Overnight Stop Map
    • 20-27/4/2012 Passage Portobelo to Santa Marta, Colombia
    • 28-29/2012 Santa Marta
  • Chile to Argentina (click on this header for an entry)
    • 6/9/2013 59km up the road camping
    • 7/9/2013 the corner to Paso Jama, Argentina
    • 8/9/2013 Paso Jama to adobe ruins on Salar de Olaroz
    • 9/9/2013 Ruins to south of Susques
    • 10/9/2013 Sth of Susques to bottom of range, camping >
      • 11/9/2013 bottom of the range to Purmamarca
      • 12/9/2013 Purmamarca to Lake campground near Salta >
        • 13,14/9/2013 Dique Cobre Corral to Salta,AR >
          • Salta south >
            • 17/9/2013 Quebrada De Las Conchas to Cafayate
      • 19/9/2013 Cafayate to 15km to Rio El Tesaro, camping >
        • 20/9/2013 Rio El Tesaro to Rio Belén, sth of Hualfin
      • 21/9/2013 Rio Belén to Belén >
        • 22/9/2013 Belén to a creek bed 42km sth
        • 23/9/2013 creek bed to 10km nth of Pituil
        • 25/9/2013 north of Pituil to Chilecito
        • 25-30/9/2013 Chilecito, AR
        • 1-7/10/2013 Chilecito to Caucete, AR >
          • 9-12/10/2013 Caucete to Tunuyán, AR
      • 13-15/10/2013 Caucete to San Rafael, AR >
        • 17/10/2013 San Rafael to Malargue, AR
  • Chile from 28/8/2013
    • 29/8/2013 Ascotán to Chiu Chiu
    • 30/8/2013 Chiu Chiu to Calama, CL
    • 31/8,1/9/2013 Calama to San Pedro de Atacama, CL
  • 20/7/2013 Titicaca area to Bolivian border
    • 20/7/2013 Sicuani to Santa Rosa >
      • 21/7/2013 Santa Rosa to Juliaca >
        • 22/7/2013 Juliaca to 6km past Huancané >
          • 23/2013 Huancané to Conima, camping >
            • 24/7/2013 near Conima, Peru to Puerto Acosta, Bolivia >
              • 25/7/2013 Puerto Acosta to Nth of Ancoraimes
  • 26/7/2013 Nth of Ancoraimes to Achacachi
    • 27/7/2013 Achacachi to Copacabana >
      • 28,29/7/2013 Copacabana BO, Kasani PE, Copa. BO
      • 30/7/2013 Copacabana, BO to Desaguadero, PE
      • 31/7/2013 Desaguadero, PE to El Alto, BO
      • 1,2/8/2013 El Alto to La Paz
      • 3,4,5/8/2013 La Paz
      • 8/08/2103 La Paz to Nth of Ayo Ayo, Camping
      • 9/8/2013 Nth of Ayo Ayo to south of Villa, camping >
        • 10/8/2013 Sth of Villa to just sth of Oruro, camping >
          • 11/8/2013 Sth of Ororo to Sth of Pazna, camping >
            • 12/8/2013 Sth of Poopo to Challapata >
              • 13,to17/8/2013 Challapata to Jirira 18-26/8 to Ollague,Chile
  • Peru 20/4/2013.....
    • 20-22/4/2013, Macará to Olmos, PE
    • 23-27/4/2013 Olmos to Chachapoyas,PE
    • 27/4/2013, Chachapoyas, PE
    • Chachapoyas to Cajamarca, PE >
      • 1/5/2013 Lejmebamba to Cerros de Calla-Calla >
        • 2/5/2013 Cerros de Calla-Calla to Balsas >
          • 3/4/2013 Balsas to a farm house overlooking Limon >
            • 4/5/2013 farm house campsite to south of Celendin >
              • 5,6/5/2013 Sth of Celendin to Cajamarca
    • 7/5/2013 Cajamarca to 9km before Cajabamba >
      • 8/5/2013, 9 km north of Cajabamba to Laguna Sousacocha >
        • 11/5/2013 Haumachuco to Trujillo
        • 9,10/5/2013 Laguna Sausacocha to Huamachuco
      • 18/5/2013 Lima
      • 23-25/5/2013 Trujillo to Caraz, PE >
        • 26,27/5/2013 Caraz to Huaraz, PE >
          • 28/5/2013 Huaraz to 34km south of Pachocoto,PE >
            • 29/5/2013 Farm 25km past Chacapoto to 12km on Huánuco Rd >
              • 30/5/2013,12km up Huanuco road to camp at 4600m >
                • 31/5/2013 near summit to La Union
    • 1/6/2013 Huánaco to camp near Acobamba >
      • 2,3/6/2013 Camping near Acobamba to Huánuco
    • 16/6/2013 Huancayo to Cuzco and Machu Picchu >
      • 16/6/2013 Huancayo to south of Mariscal Cáceres, camping >
        • 17/6/2013 sth Mariscal Cáceres 4km sthLa Esmeralda,camping >
          • 18/6/2013 Sth of La Esmaralda to Huanta >
            • 19/6/2013 Huanta to Ayacucho
  • 22/6/2013 Ayaucucho to top of pass before Ocros, 4200m
    • 23/6/2013 cerca la cumbre a 5km sur de Puente Pampas >
      • 23/6/2013 Sur de Puente Pampas a 5km este de Uripa >
        • 24/6/2013 above Uripa to Andahualas >
          • 25/6/2013 Andahuaylas to 10km below the summit >
            • 26/6/2013 near the summit to Puente Pachachaca >
              • 29/6/2013 Abancay to Curahuasi >
                • 30/6/2013 Curahuasi to a camp on the Rio Apurimac >
                  • 1/7/2013 Rio Apurimac to Izcuchaca >
                    • 2/7/2013 Izcuchaca and Cuzco >
                      • 4,5/7/2013 Izcuchaca to Cuzco >
                        • 9,10,11/7/2013 Cuzco to Machu Picchu >
                          • 11-16/7/2013 Cuzco >
                            • 17/7/2013 Cuzco to Quiquijana camping on el Rio Vilcanota
              • 27,28/6/2013 Puente Pachachaca to Abancay
  • 4/6/2013 Huánuco to just south of Huariaca
    • 5/6/2013 Huariaco to Cerro De Pasco >
      • 7,8/5/2013 Cerro De Pasco >
        • 8/6/2013 Cerro De Pasco to Junín >
          • 9/6/2013 Junín to 20km south of La Aroya, camping >
            • 10/6/2013 Sth of La Aroya to Huancayo
  • Medellín to Ushuaia, 2013 (april 2013 here,)
    • 31/1/13 Riosucio to Anserma >
      • 1/2/2013 Anserma to Cartago >
        • 6/12/2015 to 4/1/2016 South Africa
        • 2/2/2013 Cartago to Buga >
          • 3/2/2013 Buga all day >
            • 4,5/2/2013 Buga to Cali >
              • 6/2/2013 Cali to Piendamo
    • 27/1 Medellín to Bolombolo
    • 28/1 Bolombolo to La Pintada >
      • 29/1/13 La Pintada to Supia >
        • 30/1/13 Supía to Riosucio
      • 8/2/2013 Timbio to El Bordo >
        • 6/3/2013, San Clemente to Manta, EC >
          • 7/3/2013 Manta,EC all day >
            • 9/3/2013, Manta to Tena by bus >
              • 12,13,14,15 Tena to Limoncocha >
                • 16,17/3/2013 Manta >
                  • 18-23 Manta, Galapagos, Manta >
                    • 24,25/3/2013 Manta to Machalilla NP, EC >
                      • 26/3/2013 Machalillo NP to Machalillo >
                        • 27/3/2013 Machalilla to Puerto Lopez >
                          • 228,29,30/3/2013 Puerto Lopez, EC >
                            • Untitled
                            • 31/3/2013, Puerto Lopez to Ayungue, EC
      • 19/2/2013 Otavalo, Ecuador all day >
        • 20/2/2013 Otavalo to Sth of Otón, Ecuador >
          • 21/2/2013 Otón to Quito >
            • 22,23/2/2013 Quito, Hotel Húngaro >
              • 26/2/2013 Quito to Tandapi, EC
      • 27/2/2013 Tandapi to El Carmen, EC >
        • 28/2/2013, El Carmen to Pedernales, EC >
          • 2/3/2013 Pedernales to Tabuga >
            • 3/3/2013 Tabuga to Canoa >
              • 30/4/2012 Last day Santa Marta >
                • 1/5/2012 Santa Marta to Barranquilla
                • 2/5/2012 Barranquilla to Santa Veronica
                • 3/5/2012 Santa Veronica all day >
                  • 4-5/5/2012 Santa Veronica
              • 6-7/5/2012 Santa Veronica >
                • 8,9 &10/5/2012 Santa Veronica
              • 11/5/2012 Santa Veronica to Cartagena >
                • 12/5/2012 Cartagena all day >
                  • 13/5/2012 Cartagena to San Jacinto >
                    • 14/5/2012 San Jacinto to Sincelejo >
                      • 15/5/2012 Sincelejo to San Bernado >
                        • 16/5/2012 San Bernado to Puerto Escondido >
                          • 17,18/ 5 /2012, Puerto Escondido >
                            • 19/5/2012, Puerto Escondido to Planeta Rico >
                              • 20/5/2012 Planeta Rica to Caucasia >
                                • Untitled
                                • Untitled
                                • 21/5/2012, Caucasia to Tarazá >
                                  • 22/5/2012, Tarazá to Valdivia >
                                    • 23/5/2012, Valdivia to Yarumal >
                                      • 24/5/2012, Yarumal for the day >
                                        • 25/5/2012 Yarumal to Santa Rosa de Osos >
                                          • 26/5/2012, Santa Rosa de Osos >
                                            • 27/5/2012, Santa Rosa de Osos to Medellin >
                                              • 28/7 2011, Hannibal to Grafton
              • 5/3/2013, Canoa to San Clemente,EC
      • 9/2/2013 El Bordo to Tablon (April 2013 here) >
        • 1/4/2013 Ayungue to Salinas, EC >
          • 2/4/2013 Salinas to Posorjas,EC >
            • 3/4/2013 Posorja to San Carlos,EC >
              • 4/4/2013, San Carlos to Angas,EC >
                • 5/4/2013, Angas to Soldados, EC >
                  • 6/4/2013, Soldados to Cuenca >
                    • 7-9/4/2013, Cuenca, EC >
                      • 10-14/4/2013 Cuenca to Loja >
                        • 14-18/4/2013 Loja to Macará, EC >
                          • 7/2/2013 Piendamo to Timbio
      • 10,11/2/2013 Tablon to Chacahgui
      • 12/2/2013 Chachagui to Yucuanquer
      • 13,14,15/2/2013 Yucuanquer to Ipiales >
        • 16/2/2013 Ipiales to Bolivar, Ecuador >
          • 17/2/2013 Bolivar to nth of Ibarra, Ecuador >
            • 18/2/2013 Nth of Ibarra to Otavalo, Ecuador
    • Colombia 2012
  • Terrain Profiles
  • Nicaragua
  • Blog
  • Memphis to Venice, LA
  • Home and August entries
    • 8/8/2011 Sweetwater to Salida >
      • 9/8/2011 Salida to 3m North of Cripple Creek, CO >
        • 10/8/2011 Cripple Creek to Phantom Canyon >
          • 11/8/2011 Phantom Canyon to Pueblo >
            • 12/8/2011 Kansa to Warrensberg, MO >
              • 13/8/2011 Warrensberg to Clinton, MO >
                • 14/8/2011 Clinton to Sedalia >
                  • 15/8/2011 Sedalia to Tipton >
                    • 16/8/2011 Tipton all day >
                      • 17/8/2011 Tipton to Red Oak Park ,Lake of the Ozarks >
                        • 18/8/2011 Lake of the Ozarks all Day >
                          • 19/8/2011 Red Oak all day >
                            • 20/8/2011 Red Oak Park to Boonville >
                              • 21/8/2011 Boonville to Columbia >
                                • 22/8/2011 Columbia all day >
                                  • Untitled
                                  • 22/8/2011 Columbia to Portland >
                                    • 24/8/2011 Portland to Defiance >
                                      • 25/8/2011 Machens to Portage Des Sioux >
                                        • 26,27,28/8/2011Portage Des Sioux to Alton >
                                          • 29/8/2011 Alton to Columbia >
                                            • 30/8/2011 Columbia to Chester >
                                              • 31/8/2011 Chester to Grand Tower >
                                                • 1/9/2011 Grand Tower, IL to Wickliffe, KY >
                                                  • 2/9/2011 Wickliffe to Columbia, KY >
                                                    • 5/9/2011Tiptonville TN to Ripley TN
                                                    • Untitled
                                                    • 3-4/9/2011 Colmbus to Hickman, KY >
                                                      • 6/9/2011 Ripley Meeman- Shelby SP >
                                                        • Untitled
                                                        • 7/9/2011 Meeman-Shelby to Memphis
    • The proposed itinerary
    • A few words about the river
    • My Bike
    • Journal- Intro
    • Journal Entries late July early August >
      • 29/7/11 Grafton all day >
        • 30/7/2011 Grafton To Alton >
          • 31/7/11 Alton all day >
            • 1/8/2011 Alton all day >
              • 2,3/8/2011 Alton to Colarado Springs >
                • 3/8/2011 Colarado Springs >
                  • 4/8/2011, Colarado Springs >
                    • 5/8/2011 Colarado Springs Day 2
                  • 6/8/2011 Pueblo Dakota Springs >
                    • 7/8/2011 Dakota Hot Springs to Texas Creek >
                      • 7/8/2011 Dakota Hot springs to Texas Creek
    • The Gear list
  • Sydney to International Falls
    • IF to Northome >
      • Northome to Three Island Lake >
        • Three Island Lake to Itasca State Park >
          • Itasca Park full day 1 >
            • Itasca Park full day 2
  • Itasca to 4m north of Walker
    • 21/6/11 Walker to dare I say it Park Rapids
    • 22/6/11 Park Rapids all day >
      • 23/6/11 Park Rapids to sth of Walker
    • 24/6/11 Sth of Walker to Oak Haven Resort
    • 25/6/11 Oak Haven to Bena
    • 26/6/11 Bena for the day >
      • 27/6/11 Bena, from my tent to the shop and back
  • 28/6/11 Bena to Grand Rapids
  • 29/06/11 Grand Rapids to Pallisade
    • 30/06/11 Palisade to Crosby
    • 1/07/11 Crosby to Royalton
    • 2/07/2011 Royalton to St Cloud >
      • 3/07/2011 St Cloud to Monticello >
        • 4/7/2011 Monticello to Ham Lake >
          • Ham Lake all day >
            • 6/7/2011 Ham Lake to Prescott, WI >
              • 7/6/2011 Prescott to Pepin
          • 8/7/2011 Pepin to Perrot SP
    • 9/7/2011 Perrot SP to Wabasha, MN
  • 10/7/2011 Wabasha to Hastings
  • 16-17/1/2015 Luxor to Aswan
  • Zambia 7-30/9/2015
  • 11/7/2011 Hastings to Wabasha
    • 12/7/2011 Wabasha to Lansing,IA >
      • 13/7/2011 Lansing all day >
        • 14/7/2011 Lansing to Pikes Peak SP >
          • 15/7/2011 Pikes peak SP to Dubuque, IA >
            • 16/7/2011, Dubuque to Bellevue >
              • 17/7/2011, Pleasant Creek CG all day >
                • 18/7/2011, Pleasant Creek CG all day >
                  • 19/7/2011, Bellevue to Silvas, IL
          • 20/7/2011, Moline for the Day >
            • 21/7/2011, Moline to Loud Thunder Park >
              • 22/7/2011, Loud Thunder park to Keithsberg >
                • 23/07/2011, Keithbergs to Fort madison, IA >
                  • 24/7/2011, Fort Madison to Nauvoo
                • 25/7/2011, Nauvoo to Quincy >
                  • 26/7/2011 Quincy all day
    • Granada to Panama, Feb 27 >
      • 9, 10/3/2011 Servo to Playa Las Lajas
  • 8/5/2017 Tehran
13/4/2014  Apóstoles to Caá- Yarí

D88, t5, Av 18.70, Max57 1177, 26,674

Fine crystal clear day about 22° no wind

In a cell at the Caá- Yarí Police station

Arising early but falling back sleep, breakfast was in the dining area about 0830.

The owner kindly changed some US dollars for me.

Whilst in Apóstoles, I went to the Freestyle Bike Shop bike shop at number 4 mitre, here Christian the owner cleaned all the gears and derailleur . All the sandy roads south of here had taken their toll on its ability to work smoothly. He also loosened the ring that holds the cassette on. This way if a spoke on that side fails I can remove the cassette without the special locking tool.

Kristian really knew what he was doing. If you need repairs here,  he is the guy to see. T: (035758)423068 E: Kristianbarroni@hotmail.com.ar

Riding away from the shop everything felt a lot smoother.

The Casa de Mate  was visited, here were displays relating to the history of cultivation of the plant.

As soon as I rode from the motel it was great to have the gears changing oh so smoothly again. Importantly the grinding noise had gone.

The day was a perfect autumn day after 2 days of rain, everything was crisp and fresh.

Fruit was bought on the way out of town .

It was such a buzz to be in rolling lush hill country, mate plantations were on both sides of the road for some way.

I stopped to take a closer look. They harvest them very heavily.

The road was free of trucks most of the time.

A good shoulder was present though occupied by judder bars at an angle. I had to concentrate on these, riding over them occasionally was annoying.

I couldn’t believe how pleasurable the riding was. The temperature was about 22 degrees and the scenery was so interesting.

That of hills, natural forest, mixed with farming activities. It was great to be rolling down some decent descents for a change.

There was no wind.

Coming up to a small chapel off the road, I pulled in for lunch.

It was great, running water, shade and a peaceful feeling about it.

Here coffee and crackers with salami, onion and tomato were enjoyed.

These places, quite common here in South America and especially Argentina are for people to come and pray for safe passage on the roads. Each has a patron saint.

People there during my lunch break lit candles and placed them through the grill to burn

The road from here was similar with some good downhill runs todays max speed indicates this.

Arriving at the outskirts of Leandro N Alem, time was spent in the gas station drinking milk and using their wifi.

From there, I went into the town centre to get access to Ruta 225, a secondary road to San Martin.

It took a few questions to find this unmarked country road.

Once on it the riding just got better, it was late afternoon with the sun low in the sky, it was just a perfect temperature.

Probably about 10km on this road another cyclist passed me going the other way.

Soon he was, unbeknown to me, alongside, riding in my direction.

 Mario was a bit younger than I, he accompanied me chatting till we got to Caá- Yarí, he had asked me to stay at his house back in town, I kindly turned down his offer.

In the small village he asked the local police if I could camp out the back of the station.

They said there would be new officers on duty later.

I was setting up out the back under a roof by a huge asado.

Two officers who I had not seen in the station came out to see me and told me to pack up and come with them

The next thing I know, I was locked in a cell, they used handcuffs to lock the latch.

I could not believe they were serious, they were! I followed them from the cell that was closed but not locked, he went to the car and got handcuffs and used them to locked me in the cell.
Interestingly they were made in Argentina and had a brand name, "Alcatraz"

I stayed calm, as ranting and raving could have easily turned this situation into something even worse .

They frisked me for weapons, took my ID and took my hand woven belt from Peru that I was wearing.

Presumably, I looked like I might hang myself.

So here I was, locked up in a cell. Mario had bought me here and I end up getting locked up,  if only  he knew.

They told me I had to stay in the cell till their boss came in the morning.

I was just left there at the back of their office in the cell block.

Calling out to them a couple of times to explain the situation, get water and use the toilet. They came and tried to explain .

I kind of got the drift .

They were using a bunch of words outside my vocab

 It turned out that at a small Kiosko on the road 15 km back where I had stopped the woman there reported my stopping there.

Someone had attacked a woman with a machete on a bicycle.

They were holding me on that account.

They told me they were going to hold me till they had made some phone calls.

I kept explaining I was just a cyclist and had pulled in there for a coke but she had none and I spoke to her son on the way out, putting music on as I left.

They bought me bread and let me out to use the loo.

I asked them to write down the problem as I would be able to understand better.

Come 2000, they came and saw me and surprisingly said all was good, they filled my pot with hot water for mate and we started chatting.

They had sorted out the machete issue.

Some phone calls had been made.

The cell was unlocked. I got all my gear and put it in with me.

I gave them one of my cards so they could see my blog.

So after two hours of not really knowing what was going on, all was good .

 I had great shelter for the night, as safe as could be.

Though the guys, said I had to be out of here at 0530 before their boss arrived to work.

I dared not ask why!!.

As said you just never know where the day will take you.

The day started out perfectly and it has finished up perfectly.

Thanks to the mixed hospitality of the local constabulary at Caá- Yarí.

14/4/2013  Caá- Yarí. To Sth of Santo Rita

D75, T5, Av 15.13, Max 58, 1252, Tot 26,749

Cool clear day

Camping on the Rio Uruguay

I had set the alarm for 0500 and was up not long after it sounded.

I had to sleep with my raincoat on, as it was so damn cold even inside.

My tropical sleeping bag is not much more than a couple of sheets.

I woke the guys up at 0600 and headed off.

The boss shook my hand and wished me well. It was still pitch black and quite chilly. In the end I guess they were just doing ther

I had longs and shoes on with my raincoat.

Both lights on the bike were used.

Lots of people were on the roadside in the dark waiting for buses to get them to work I guessed.

Soon at the intersection.

The road got busy and very hilly. I soon arrived at  Oberá,  here I had coffee and sandwhiches as only an orange had been eaten before leaving the police station.

I was not keen to hang around there any longer.

Bread and other things were also bought in town.

From here it was a pleasant cruise in the cool air.

It was so cold last night as I had ridden from 70m to over 200m, Oberá was at 300m so it was quite cool.

Just out of town there was a lot of English tea being grown in near blocks with narrow alley ways for the wheels of the mechanical harvesters.

I stopped and chatted with some guys that were loading freshly harvested leave into a truck.

School children were lined up and walking the road. The scenery was a great mix of many rural activities including sawmills, Yerba, tea, forests, animals and small rural holdings.

Come 1400, I descended rapidly to Panambí on the banks of the River Uruguay, at the ferry, was my first glimpse of Brazil across the flood swollen brown river.

It was huge, Almost a kilometre wide.

At a little kiosko nearby some Pepsi was drunk whilst trying to work out my internet plan on my Samsung with a couple of young girls.

You need kids around to get these  things working. It is second nature to them.

From here, I took Ruta 225 along the river. It had  great scenery , always following the river.

An early stop was needed.

So about 1500 it was time to look for a camp.

Most accessible areas to the river were on private land. One farmer was asked, if I could camp on his property, he said no.

Riding on, coming up to  bridge, there was a crude boat ramp near it into a tributary, the Ramon Arroyo. I pulled in and inspected this.

A rough muddy track lead to the point where the rivers met, it was perfect.

All my energy was consumed to manhandle the bike half laden into the campsite.

It was idyllic, a grassy area looking up river and across to Brazil. An early dinner was had with many drinks of coffee, milo and mate.

I’m writing this in the early evening .

It would be so nice to have a hassle free night camping here in Northern Argentina.

A  near full moon rose above the ranges in Brazil and cast its beam across the huge timber carrying River Uruguay.

The riding is getting more interesting as I get further north. Presently a route from a magazine article for cyclists is being followed.

 15/4/2014 Arroyo Ramon to El Progreso

D76, T9, Av17, Max 63, 1327, Tot 26,824

Perfect day, no wind about 25°

Camping at Christian Assembly church

The night was hassle free except for a dog rummaging around at some ungodly hour. Some firm words saw him scarper.

The early morning was shrouded in heavy fog. Everything was damp.

Surprisingly the river had receded at least a metre over night. People told me it rises and recedes very rapidly.

It was a fair effort to get things back out of here. I wonder how I ever got the loaded bike in. A keen desire to rest !!

A few trips saw everything together at the gravel boat ramp.

Again I had to sleep in my raincoat, it was quite cool.

Once on the road the fog started to lift.

A beautiful autumn day was in the making .

The road was such a pleasure. All sorts of rural activities again only more now. Many people growing what they eat.

Yesterday I saw signs up warning about dengue, so I am back in the danger zone again.

A common sight is Brahman cattle tethered on the side of the road grazing.

Lunch was had in a cafe in Sana Rita, here the tent was strung out to dry.

The river views along this road are fantastic, it is such a huge river with quite large islands mid water at places.

The perfect natural boundary for Brazil and Argentina.

There were now some reasonable climbs though a good descent always awaited at the top.

Mandioca is now a common crop, it is like yucca, boiled and eaten with meat.

At the turnoff to Pt Aurora, I stopped at the local mini market, had yoghurt and spent time here chatting with the family that owned the business.

On the way into Santa Rita there was a police road block.

Here I stopped and talked at length with the officers. They gave me some good local knowledge about locals here.

They also said there are no crocs in AR, though a smaller species of caiman is present in lagoons. The river is apparently free of the predatory reptiles.

After the minimarket and now carrying a full water bladder and a 1.5 litre bottle of water, the need for a camp was on the agenda.

A keen eye was kept out. Most places were occupied by houses.

There were many small holdings here.

Coming to Colonia el Progreso I stopped and asked a guy building a new gas station if i could camp out the back. I spotted a church next door and headed in there. In the house at the back the owner and caretaker said it was fine.

It was a great spot, a big common area out the back had a roof.

Great, no wet tent in the morning.

I helped him carry a few bags into his piggery.

In here was the largest pregnant sow i have ever seen.

She was like a queen be.

Nothing more than a reproduction machine, she was in a straw filled pen just filling in the days till the 16 or sow babies arrived in a month and 10 days he told me.

I said goodnight and headed back to my spot for the night.

It was great to be under shelter.

All will be dry in the morning. I hope.

I have to say South America is the continent of dogs.

They are everywhere, as I go to bed there are dozens of them barking in this pueblito.

You tend to get used to it. Just like the roosters crowing in the morning. That is any time from just after midnight onwards!

Argentina truly is a diverse country, from the Andes to deserts, to the deep south, glaciers still shaping young mountain valleys,  the pampas, the rich hinterland and now this lush tropical world. It will only get lusher as I progress north.

PictureHotel Misiones, Apóstoles, looking forward to exploring Misiones

PictureDozens of brands of yerba, some current some not, Casa de Mate.

PictureHot water urn outside a gas station so people can fill their flasks for the mate. 80 degrees is the best temp.

PictureBack streets Oberá

PictureFirst glimpse of Brasil at the ferry Panambí

PictureGreat campsite on the river Uruguay

PictureFoggy morning departure, the river was up at the bike last night.

PictureBagging Charcoal

PictureYerba Mate

PictureNuestra senora de Lujan, great lunch spot

PictureHuge community asado rear of police station Caá- Yarí

PictureA long face wasn't going to help this situation, though looking a little distraught.

PictureLoading fresh cut tea leaves sth of Santa Rita

Picturetea plantation south of Santa Rita

PictureMoon rise over Brazil at campsite

PictureRio Acaragua, typical scenery now, all rivers red brown.

PicturePerfect border for Brazil and AR, looking down stream

PictureThe scenery just kept getting better on this quiet river road here in Misiones, Argentina

PictureThe man had just made these brooms and was heading into Santa Rita to sell them. Note my lily white hands from wearings gloves everyday.

PictureTobacco drying.

PictureMandioca in the foreground

PictureCommon sight to see cattle tethered on the side of the road.

PictureAt the church. Colonia El Progreso

PictureTypical morning fog.

PictureLike in Chile the people that live near and interact with these great rivers do not want them dammed represas= dams

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.