24/1/2014 Rio Grande to Tolhuín
D 114, T5/7, Av 20.64, Max57, Tot 25,249, 15,362
Light winds, (we can’t believe it!)some sun
I had a late night getting my blog updated. We were up about 0830, used the kitchen and got our gear from the room. We then had to sort out Cals tube problem. It was sorted the easiest way, we put a new tube on the rim.
The hostal Argentino in Rio Grande is a gret place to stay, good kitchen and warm.
We got on the road at 1200. The conditions though cold were quite comfortable due to the lack of wind.
I was able to ride in shorts. My legs feel much freer this way.
We bumped into a couple of European cyclists and another couple of guys from Poland.
It is always a time for a good break and chat. Information is always swapped about the road ahead and the road already ridden.
It comes in handy especially for located good accommodation.
Again like yesterday there was a short period of not rain but ice lazily falling from the sky. It is not so bad as you don’t get wet.
There were some great looking rivers enroute, a few had people fishing in their waters. Beaver dams were now on larger creeks. A dead specimen was seen on the roadside.
Near Kaiken we started getting into treed country again, it was so nice to have trees around us once more.
We lunched at a great spot where the Rio Ewan Sur crosses the road. It was a camping area of sorts.
Evidence of large fires for asados was present.
The road was a great mix of ascents and descents in rolling country.
After reading so many other accounts of cyclists down here battling strong winds we are putting in big days to make the most of these benign conditions. Three 100km plus days so far.
We arrived at Tolhuín about 1900 and headed to La Unión Panadaria. Here the owner Emilio takes in cyclists.
On arrival we met two guys a bit older than me. One Mike was an Aussie from Adelaide, Alex was from the UK. They are heading north.
There are so many riders heading north from Ushuaia.
We spent the next couple of hours in the huge cafe at the panadería eating empanadas and pastries, they were so good.
Come 2200 we took the bikes out the back and 5 of us slept in Emilios large indoor gym.
It was comfort needed after such another big day.
At midnight we again headed over to the Panadería and ate more empanadas just before they closed.
24/1/2014 Tolhuin to Rio Lasifashaj
D 70, T4.5/8, Av 15.91, Max 57, Tot 25,320, 15,362
Mild with light winds
By the time we all got up, showered, had coffee and headed over to the Panadería for more empanadas, it was about 1130 before we all departed.
We were the only ones nearing the end of our journey, all the others were beginning theirs.
Those first few kilometres bring back memories of a big step into the unknown for me.
That first day departing from International Falls in far north Minnesota, at the Canadian border into the unknown and riding with haste to the first town some 100km away.
How things have changed. Now, it is just case of riding till enough riding has been had for 1 day. A campsite has never been too hard to find, whether in a forest, desert or mountain range. Afterall, it on only has to offer shelter from wind and hopefully some privacy. It is not a big ask.
After 3 big days we just ambled along, just enjoying the scenery.
Coming to the shores of lago Fagnano, I cruised over the road to ask some people about the road ahead.
There was a Canadian couple and an Argentino guide. We got talking and Matuis, asked cal and I to come and stay at his place when we got to Ushuaia. He gave us his address and we set off for the summit.
Before Paso Garibaldi we stopped for lunch out of the wind.
We decided to put 50 pesos on a race to see who could get to the top first.
Cal had it all over me, and would not offer to give me a 500m handicap, we had a laugh as each one of us would pass the other pedalling as fast as our legs could revolve the pedals.
Needless to say Cal collected at the summit. The who event made the climb even more enjoyable.
This pass was nothing compared to Andean passes in the north, the range has almost petered out now.
Since arriving on TDF, the weather has been so good to us, little wind, or rain.
Other cyclists were talked to on the road, all heading north on the first day their great adventure. All had brand new bikes and shiny panniers.
On June the fourteenth 2011, this adventure began for me.
We told Matuis we would camp tonight and catch him tomorrow.
Coming to the turnoff to Pto Haberton we headed along the smooth gravel road till we got to Rio Lasifashaj. There were a couple of guys fishing there and catching fish, though very small.
It was a great location to spend our last night camping before arriving in Ushuaia.
Cal headed off for a fish while I set up camp and brewed a coffee.
It was so mild, we kept commenting on our luck with the weather. We ate and settled into the movie “American Hustler”, Cal fell asleep, I only just made it through the movie. It was good enough to keep me awake, that says alot
D 114, T5/7, Av 20.64, Max57, Tot 25,249, 15,362
Light winds, (we can’t believe it!)some sun
I had a late night getting my blog updated. We were up about 0830, used the kitchen and got our gear from the room. We then had to sort out Cals tube problem. It was sorted the easiest way, we put a new tube on the rim.
The hostal Argentino in Rio Grande is a gret place to stay, good kitchen and warm.
We got on the road at 1200. The conditions though cold were quite comfortable due to the lack of wind.
I was able to ride in shorts. My legs feel much freer this way.
We bumped into a couple of European cyclists and another couple of guys from Poland.
It is always a time for a good break and chat. Information is always swapped about the road ahead and the road already ridden.
It comes in handy especially for located good accommodation.
Again like yesterday there was a short period of not rain but ice lazily falling from the sky. It is not so bad as you don’t get wet.
There were some great looking rivers enroute, a few had people fishing in their waters. Beaver dams were now on larger creeks. A dead specimen was seen on the roadside.
Near Kaiken we started getting into treed country again, it was so nice to have trees around us once more.
We lunched at a great spot where the Rio Ewan Sur crosses the road. It was a camping area of sorts.
Evidence of large fires for asados was present.
The road was a great mix of ascents and descents in rolling country.
After reading so many other accounts of cyclists down here battling strong winds we are putting in big days to make the most of these benign conditions. Three 100km plus days so far.
We arrived at Tolhuín about 1900 and headed to La Unión Panadaria. Here the owner Emilio takes in cyclists.
On arrival we met two guys a bit older than me. One Mike was an Aussie from Adelaide, Alex was from the UK. They are heading north.
There are so many riders heading north from Ushuaia.
We spent the next couple of hours in the huge cafe at the panadería eating empanadas and pastries, they were so good.
Come 2200 we took the bikes out the back and 5 of us slept in Emilios large indoor gym.
It was comfort needed after such another big day.
At midnight we again headed over to the Panadería and ate more empanadas just before they closed.
24/1/2014 Tolhuin to Rio Lasifashaj
D 70, T4.5/8, Av 15.91, Max 57, Tot 25,320, 15,362
Mild with light winds
By the time we all got up, showered, had coffee and headed over to the Panadería for more empanadas, it was about 1130 before we all departed.
We were the only ones nearing the end of our journey, all the others were beginning theirs.
Those first few kilometres bring back memories of a big step into the unknown for me.
That first day departing from International Falls in far north Minnesota, at the Canadian border into the unknown and riding with haste to the first town some 100km away.
How things have changed. Now, it is just case of riding till enough riding has been had for 1 day. A campsite has never been too hard to find, whether in a forest, desert or mountain range. Afterall, it on only has to offer shelter from wind and hopefully some privacy. It is not a big ask.
After 3 big days we just ambled along, just enjoying the scenery.
Coming to the shores of lago Fagnano, I cruised over the road to ask some people about the road ahead.
There was a Canadian couple and an Argentino guide. We got talking and Matuis, asked cal and I to come and stay at his place when we got to Ushuaia. He gave us his address and we set off for the summit.
Before Paso Garibaldi we stopped for lunch out of the wind.
We decided to put 50 pesos on a race to see who could get to the top first.
Cal had it all over me, and would not offer to give me a 500m handicap, we had a laugh as each one of us would pass the other pedalling as fast as our legs could revolve the pedals.
Needless to say Cal collected at the summit. The who event made the climb even more enjoyable.
This pass was nothing compared to Andean passes in the north, the range has almost petered out now.
Since arriving on TDF, the weather has been so good to us, little wind, or rain.
Other cyclists were talked to on the road, all heading north on the first day their great adventure. All had brand new bikes and shiny panniers.
On June the fourteenth 2011, this adventure began for me.
We told Matuis we would camp tonight and catch him tomorrow.
Coming to the turnoff to Pto Haberton we headed along the smooth gravel road till we got to Rio Lasifashaj. There were a couple of guys fishing there and catching fish, though very small.
It was a great location to spend our last night camping before arriving in Ushuaia.
Cal headed off for a fish while I set up camp and brewed a coffee.
It was so mild, we kept commenting on our luck with the weather. We ate and settled into the movie “American Hustler”, Cal fell asleep, I only just made it through the movie. It was good enough to keep me awake, that says alot
 Hybrid Broom bush, with great floral display, though otherwise known as a weed.
 The Beavers here get just as bored as the cousins in Minnesota!
 A happy guy 50 peso richer.
 Four legged wood workers on the River Lasifashaj
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 Great to be back in country with trees and trout streams.
 The last night of camping.
Lago Fagnano from Paso Garibaldi
 Paso Garibaldi, nothing much left of the Andes now.
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