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  • 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
PictureThis route was found in an old magazine in Patagonia. For the most part the route has been followed. So far such an enjoyable ride.

19 /4/2014 El Soberbio to San Pedro

D115, T7, Av18.17, Max 60, 1431, Tot 27,043,  1546

Overcast, cool, showers later.

The couple of days rest in El Soberbio was excellent. The ride to the falls was really hard work in the humidity and heat.

The forecast for yesterday was rain, not a drop fell.

This morning it poured heavily with thunder activity. By the time I was ready to leave about 0930 it had ceased.

Leaving town was a steady climb, into thick cloud.

My rear light was used.

Riding again was just up one hill and back down.

 Some 50 km on, I reached San Vicente and rejoined Ruta 14.

This is the main road and the gradients were very easy, great time was made. The weather was holding and energy levels were high. There was a real possibility of reaching San Pedro.

The roadside was always occupied by people walking or waiting for someone.

So, it was a day of greetings. 

Having been wet,  the shoulder near driveways was always littered with the red dirt here.

For the first time I was having problems with my legs.

My left ankle was aching and my right leg was giving me trouble.

The ride up to the park may have stirred up the knee. The ankle was rolled a week ago whilst camping.

I just hope these problems don’t persist, fingers crossed.

It might be time for a good break.

Really today was non eventful.

I stopped in San Vicente for a fresh water melon and kept going.

Last night I had eaten two huge pork chops and salad in a restaurant.

This was still giving me energy.

Nearing San Pedro, a police road block was set up.

Here they stopped me, the first time for ages.

He asked a few idle questions and told me to proceed.

Nearing town a guy and his girl on a motorbike I had seen earlier were stopped up ahead.

Mauricio told me of a cheap hotel.

The American.

He was waiting in town at the hotel to introduce me to the owner.

This was great after such a big day.

Once settled in here the best hot shower for a long time was enjoyed.

The extremes in temperature here are quite amazing, one day thirty plus the next in the low twenties.

The temperature today coupled with the easy climbs allowed for good k’s.

The owner’s wife took me to a restaurant at the bus terminal. There was no one dining there so I wandered back to town and bought salami, cheese, tomatos and onion to have on crackers in the room.

My right knee was still sore and grinding on climbing into bed.

 

 

 

 20/4/2014 San  Pedro to Jaunita

D76, T9, Av14.72, Max60, Tot 27,119 1622

Cloudy mild

Camping in church

Upon arising in the morning , it was found my right leg was still sore. It is muscles behind the knee, though not the hamstring.

I’m slowly shedding little things not being used to decrease weight it all helps, here a pack of cards and the instructions and maintenance documents for my stove were left. Aftershave lotion was left at the last motel.

I decided to ride in my x trainers so as to give the leg every bit of support I could.

Nine km out of town the roundabout with exits to Ruta 14 or 20 was arrived at.

I decided to take Ruta 14. I knew it was not paved.

Wel,l once on this red brown surface that had no gravel in it, the going got difficult.

In the higher patches no problem, but in the wet patches it was almost impossible to negotiate. The mud was like ice and at slow speed it was mayhem.

Once stopped, and trying to get going again the rear wheel was just spinning. This happened a few times.

Some 3 km, I decided to give it a miss and head back.

More rain would have made even pushing the bike impossible.

On the way back to Ruta 20, I dropped the bike in the red slurry.

Getting back on the asphalt, probably half a kilo heavier with mud, it was nice to be just ambling along again.

Though it got me thinking that up north, once off  the asphalt and onto these surfaces, any rain will make the passage impossible.

Ruta 20 was a pleasure, it climbed into the ranges and when up here in the sub tropical forest there were stalls on the side on the road with handmade baskets and wooden carved animals. The owners  were Indio Nativos,Guaronias.

Their huts were in amongst the forest. It made for interesting scenery along the way.

I had no idea Argentina contained lands and people like I have been riding through and meeting up here in Misiones. It is quite amazing.

All this area is around400- 600m. Pozo Azul was 530m. Piray mini was at 474m.

Coming down a reasonably long descent from where these people lived. A small community was arrived at. Here a stream was accessible with my bike.

I took it down here to wash the remaining mud from the frame and panniers that couldn’t be removed earlier.

There was a climb up out of here to the intersection at Pozo Azul.

It was Easter Sunday, good in that the road was almost truck free and bad in that all the tiendas here were closed.

After turning right onto Ruta 17, a sign showed an Heladeria, the door was open in the house so I pulled in.

I sat on the front porch and ate the ice cream talking with a couple of people.

An older man came out and asked me if I would like to join them for lunch.

Out through the house on the back porch was a typical easter family gathering with lots of food at a long table.

This was unreal.

I helped myself to homemade empanadas, beef asado, chicken stew and a lovely fresh squeezed pomelo juice.

The family were great.

They gave me heaps of info on the roads ahead.

They lived on 70 acres some with forest.

Three families shared it. After a couple of hours I left there well feed.

A nice interlude into an otherwise hilly day’s progress.

From here, the road passed through large pine plantations. At most homes people were having lunch in big groups.

Many people were playing futbol on dirt fields near the road.

Soon the need to top up my water supply for the night arose.

 The house I stopped at said they had no town water but well water. It was so sweet.

By this time it was getting late.

There were lots of evangelical churches in all the pueblitos.

So, I wasn’t too worried about finding a campsite.

The padres are always friendly.

Once I got to a tiny pueblito Juanito I spotted a church off the road up a track.

They allowed me to camp in the pavilion.

I was even allowed to move into the lock up kitchen area with power.

It was a cool evening.

When camped under shelter like this I only use the tent inner and use the fly as a blanket it works really well keeping me warm and cosy.

 21/4/2013 Jaunita to San Antonio

D70, T8, Av16.39, Max60, Tot27,189, 1699

Overcast, late drizzle, 25°, little wind

Hotel

For breakfast I finished off some pasta and tuna, as well as having my porridge.

Again my leg ached. It is not good.

The aching saps a bit of energy from my right leg and puts a burden on the other leg.

I thanked the pastor and left some potatoes with his wife.

They lived in a tiny one room timber hut next to the church. These kind of dwellings are all through the tropical places I have visited in Asia.

Once one the road it was all hills, small properties, people on the roadside and brown dirt in lumps where someone had driving out of a property.

It was great riding again, always something to see.

Once at Dos Hermanas. I pulled into the general store there.

There were people everywhere.

They sold absolutely everything.

All at really good prices. Here alcohol to prime the stove was bought and some shaving foam along with fruit and the obligatory coke.

I also bought some local ointment for my leg and applied a lot of it to my right leg before leaving.

From here, it was an enjoyable less undulating ride to Bernado de Irigoyen, a border town with Brazil.

There were Brasilleros everywhere, they all drive over the border to go shopping. They buy all sorts of stuff, especially perfumes and wine, it is all alot cheaper here.

People had trolleys full of cooking oi,l you name it.

There were shops everywhere catering for this trade, every second car was registered in Brazil.

Here I had a leisurely lunch in the park.

Time was spent speking with Brasilleros, they kind of understood my Spanish, I understood little Potuguese. Though we worked things out.

After a couple of hours here i headed off for San Antonio.

It was an easy ride with the last part all down hill.

I arrived in the small border town where people just walk across the border. There are customs and immigration here also.

I hung around the motel chatting with people till the owner got back.

It was a laid back place. Mate was shared with the owner of a moto shop next to the hotel

Thunder rolled in on dark. Again, I am having to play cat and mouse with this rain.

I have been told there is no real dry season here. The driest months are December and January.

It was a basic motel but sufficed, washing was done.

I wandered up town in the rain to grab an ice cream or two Menta Granazada of course!!

A pedestal fan was left going all night in an attempt to dry the washing.

 

22/4/2014 San Antonio to Andresito

D70, T4, Av18.36, Max60, Tot 27,259, 1769

Mild and overcast, no wind

Apartment

All my clothes were dry, thanks to the pedestal fan on high speed at close range.

Leaving town, some bread was bought.

The ride was easy going, again all forms of agriculture kept me occupied.

People were planting Yerba, carting tobacco, hand slashing Barner grass among other activities.

I recently compiled a bunch of new music to a play list on my ipod.

This was being enjoyed along the way on my speaker. It is great, I can still hear approaching traffic from behind.

The road is narrow with no shoulder, most people are really courteous. When coming into towns I turn the music off, or if it is local music it is left on.

Evangelical churches were still much a part of the landscape.

They are an indication of an areas economy, sadly where people are struggling, at least in their eyes. They tend to seize the opportunity to offer their kind of hope.

Obviously, some people find this worth clinging to.

Time was spent chatting to a few guys, who were sitting on the side of the road with a load of dried tobacco.

It is sold to the big players.

There are lots of rural schools along the way, each is  named with only a number.

The students wear white lab type long shirts and coats. They really contrast with other clothing worn by most people.

 

Interestingly back in the states I was at  a game of gridiron watching a hosts  son play at Sulpur in Louisiana. I started to take a photo of some  young school girls practising their cheer  leader  routine. The lady teaching them came and told me to stop.

It never even remotely dawned on me that she may have thought I was taking a photo for a reason other than fascination of a different aspect of ones culture.

I am now very conscious of taking photos of school children in that it may offend some. It is sad that all people are judged by some.

 

Lifes colour is defined by the red dirt, it is everywhere, on vehicles, streets, dogs, shoes, walls and floors. It is part of each day.

Arriving at the roundabout, the option was to go to Andresito, Wanda or take or Ruta 101. This ruta is dirt, it goes through the park. I would love to have taken  it, but if in there, and the rains come, you literally couldn’t get out unaided with a loaded bike. If you managed to, the mud coming along for the ride with you doesn’t bear thinking about.

I headed into Andresito. Stopping at the corner to get water from a construction yard, there was an avocado tree at the gate, avocados were all over the ground, here I had a feast of fresh Palta. Aguacate is the name for avocado up in Peru.

Further down the road a track was seen, here I pulled in. The surface had some grass on it.

Though, it didn’t take long to gather a layer of mud on my shoes.

It was great to lunch in the bush away from the road. Just me and the mosquitos!

Soon in Andresito, a young town, I headed to the restaurant opposite the plaza and used their wifi.

I noticed my front rack had a crack in it.

Asking about an engineering shop, one was found,  here the guys braised the pieces back together.

Most motels were booked. So hunting about I found an apartment above the shop Bicimundo, it was a modern two bedroom setup with full kitchen.

All this for $13 the night, again I was spoilt.

I needed a haircut so wandered into town for a clip. Like all good hair dressers the guy was on for a yarn.

Dengue is a problem here, there were twelve cases in town last year.

Dinner was had back at the restaurant.

These small towns are always so easy to get things done in and people are always friendly.

 

Here in my blog, I like to express my feelings, opinions and thoughts about various aspects of our existence here.

In doing so, I can well imagine many of my ideals are not shared by readers leading “normal” lifestyles.

I do this, in the hope that it may make people question some of the things that control their lives.

I also do it as a record of my thoughts and feelings, it is going to be so interesting to look back on these words in many years to come. A great window to a past time in my life, a time for reflection will be afforded by this document.


Life really is quite short when you get to 57. Now on the home straight, as far as physical pursuits are concerned. I am doing my best to make the most of this time left in my life.

Out here on a lonely road in a foreign country on a bicycle with all I need,  for me is like an addictive elixir, the unknown and the freedom each day provides is a privilege I never take for granted.

The people along the way are the spices that make the recipe even more enticing.

There is plenty of time for more work and just hanging about.

 

I admit, I am somewhat lucky in having few responsibilities back in the world that most people participate in. Achieved not by accident, I might add.

 

My desire to let go of many luxuries, and the company of old friends does at times come with difficulties. Though everything comes with a downside.

I am also fortunate that I can fund this adventure. Luckily, the funds needed, are very little compared to funding a life in the consumer world.

 

I think most people could do this, but either they don’t want to, or are just scared of change and loss of routine that it could bring to their lives.

Peer pressure among adults to fit in can be overwhelming for some, the media and marketing also reinforce this. This subject is taboo for most people, but many let  their  lives be controlled by the opinions of others.

In saying this and following this pursuit, I admit I am quite different from many people. There are not too many 57 year olds riding a bike around carrying panniers, which is a bugger.

I feel people sometimes spend too much time preparing financially for their future and forget about making the most of the present in an exciting way.

“The memories of an old man in his old age are the deeds of a man in his prime” Pink Floyd, so true.



Picturegreat shelter Juanita church, I had the little lock up area.

PictureThese casinos are in all the towns up here, this is more is less a shed.

PictureCocos Palms are everywhere in the bush here.

PictureIndio Nativo home and typical environment.

PictureImpassable when wet on a loaded bicycle Ruta 14 between El Soberbio and Dos Hermanas. Just red sticky mud with no aggregate

PictureSuch a contrast, old Peugeot

PictureThe second crack (repaired) in my Tubus titanium racks, After 26,000km I can cope with this.

PictureUp here, it is always a hunt for wifi to keep the blog up to date. Something I enjoy immensely. here a restaurant in Andresito

PictureShades of brown

PictureThis #12 Opinel is unbelievably handy

PictureI love seeing chooks just scratching about. Free as can be . Here, mum and a couple of youngsters

Pictureleaving El Soberbio, it did improve.

Picturetea plantation

PictureNot a problem!

PictureAt last a chance to wash the mud from the pedals, panniers and wheels

PicturePlanting yerba cuttings

PictureThe guys with freshly dried tobacco ready to be sold

PictureLunch in here saw me leave with a little more than a full stomach, namely red dirt on most things that touched the ground. Insignificant compared to the peacefulness away from the road.

PictureA bit of luxury

PictureTypical landscape

PictureWhen the going gets a little difficult or I just want to bathe in the experiences here in South America, my minds eye always takes me back here to a very special campsite high in the Peruvian Andes on the way from Chachapuyos to Cajamarca. The mountains in the distance were crossed to reach this most magical of places above the pueblito of Limón. This view from the farmers property truly was a time for an inspirational epiphany in my life. Emotions always run high, thinking of the passage and the beauty of this locale. Peru, its landscapes and the friendly relaxed people there, have had this effect on me.

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