Argentina

Friday 30th October
El Salvador to Tinogasta





Started off on tarmac then we turned off onto dirt roads on very worn road tyres. The dirt started with a little gravel then went to nice hard packed dirt. The views as we climbed into the Andes were spectacular, long road of dirt in a plain surrounded by the peaks of mountains, this is what this journey is all about, breathtaking. Slow riding to save fuel as no fuel until the next town in Argentina.
After the Chilean border we hit much more difficult dirt, deep sand pits and gravel, on these road tyres it took its toll, with two bad accidents. Paul then Nick both running quickly hit unexpected sand and gravel crashing heavily, Nick took a hit to his ribs and had to go into the van, Paul’s accident damaged his bike and he too took a hit to his ribs. Paul’s accident was seen by Nigel and he described the bike as cart wheeling at least 3 times.

Though he had been knocked unconscious, he decided to carry on using Nick’s bike, while his bike went into the van and Nick was taken to hospital. At the Argentinian border Nick was taken straight though in the van to hospital while some of the equipment was left at the boarder to be collected later by the van. In the mean while I managed to get 288 miles out of the 16 litre tank making it to the town without using my spare fuel. As we descended the temperature rose to a balmy 41 deg C.

Miles
Today 319
Total 16947
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Saturday 31 October
Tinogasta to Villa Union

A warm day riding on normal roads then up through a dirt road pass with great views to the town of Villa Union.

Miles
Today 212
Total 17159
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Sunday 1st November
Villa Union to Uspallata

Long riding day with 30 miles of gravel dirt road using very worn road tyres. No accidents this time, though tow of the group ended running through the mountains on what can only be described as a donkey trail. This all because they were following a GPS route and the GPS had been set for dirt! We moved into the mountains with some spectacular views and much cooler weather arriving in this basic but nice town.

Miles
Today 364
Total 17523