Buenos Aries .. The end of the expedition

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Saturday 5th December
Sierra de la Ventanna to Buenos Aires

It was an early start so we could ride as group later on, however it was raining hard and we all had to put our wet weather gear on. The early start saw some running out of petrol, as no station were open, luckily Simon and I both with the limited tanks had filled up the evening before. The fuel situation even caught out Jeff in the support van and whilst we were stopped at the petrol station he was spotted in a local’s car filling up a jerry can of diesel! The heavy rain continued all the way and we all met up at the rendezvous café dripping wet. Once lunch was eaten we rode into Buenos Aries as a group although it continued to rain to the end and I think this a fitting end as it was raining as we rode out of Anchorage at the start so it is raining as we rode into Buenos Aries at the Finish. We all parked up for the final time and spent some time congratulating each other with a great deal of emotion lots of hand shaking and hugging before empting the bike and retiring to the local restaurant to celebrate.

Miles
Today 355
Total 22945

Odometer : Anchorage : 6206
Odometer : Buenos Aires : 29679
Odometer : Total since leaving England : 23473

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The road to Buenos Aires

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Monday 30th November
Rio Gallegos to Comodoro Rivadiva

We were up very early to ride this long day, although sunny, it was windy. I took the road out of town and missed the turn off, quickly realising this I rode back to town only to see Paul riding the other way, I waited till he turned around and we found the turn off as the sign was only visible from this direction. After spending some time going west the road Ruta 3 turned north and we then encountered the very strong side winds.

The area is mostly flat plain with occasional rolling hills and some small salty lakes with the odd flamingo wading in them, green scrub land with few trees due to the winds. Taking numerous petrol stops due to the wind causing the bikes to use more fuel, the winds got stronger and stronger, bikes in front of me were comically leant over into the wind and even though the road was straight were wearing the side of the tyres! we were all glad to get to the hotel.


Miles
Today 495
Total 21722
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Tuesday 1 December
Comodoro Rivadiva to Puerto Madryn



Another day of riding into side winds and similar country, though 150 miles in the scenery changed to almost desert, very like northern Chile and Peru.

Again it was simply a matter of riding through the day and very tiring fighting the blustery winds.Towards the end of the ride the wind got worse and unusually came for the landward side instead of the the sea. At one point I passed a large bus coming the other way and it was leaning heavily on its left side due to the force of the wind. Once again we were glad of reaching the hotel and a rest day tomorrow.

Miles
Today 367
Total 22089
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Wednesday 2 December
Puerto Madryn
Day Off

We booked a trip on a boat to see whales, when we arrived at the small town on the Valaez peninsula we found the port closed due to high winds. We all elected to wait at least till 2 in the afternoon to see if the weather changed for the favourable. Luckily at around 2:15 it did and we all climbed aboard the large rib boat holding about 30 people. After 20 minutes we came across a mother whale and small son. We were then treated to 25 minutes of the best show we could have hoped for.

The whales decided to play around the boat almost close enough to touch and everyone got fantastic pictures, it went on so long most stopped taking pictures and just enjoyed the moment. After we spotted two more whales diving for food and sea lions on the rocks sun-bathing. After returning to port we all reflected on what a wonderful day it had been.

Miles
Today 0
Total 22089
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Thursday 3 December
Puerto Madryn to Viedma

Another day just riding north was made more interesting with a side trip to see penguins, after 200 miles I took the turn-off and another 60 miles saw me at the dirt road to Punto Tombo. The road was one of the worst we had ridden with deep marble gravel and no tracks to ride in. Arriving at the small visitor’s area and paying 35 pesos to get in I was treated to more penguins that you can imagine.
They were everywhere walking across the designated path ways sleeping under bushes and in small fox holes, the landscape was littered with them. A lot had chicks and the few of us who had ridden here were able to get some fantastic pictures again the Argentinian coast has delivered some great wildlife to view.


Miles
Today 275
Total 22364
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Friday 4th December
Viedma to Sierra de la Ventanna

Another day riding north however with the prospect of some improved scenery as we were going to spend the last night in a more remote and rugged area before the run to Buenos Aries. The flat farm land gave way to rolling hills with more greenery and the odd tree, leaving the awful side winds behind us. The hotel was set in a valley between high hills in the area know as Sierra de la Ventanna, a park area set in the more crowded area south of Buenos Aries.

Miles
Today 226
Total 22590

Argentina and the last border crossing

Sunday 28th November
Cerro Sombrero to Rio Gallegos

The final day in Chile with short run North, starting at 9.30 a run across the very windy flat plains to the ferry across the Magellan straights, after this we joined Ruta 3 which will take us all the way to Buenos Aries. We also parted company with Fin, the reporter who had joined us south of Santiago and was taking his hired bike back and flying back to Ireland. More miles of riding at an angle this time with the wind coming from the left over the plains and we got to to the final land based border crossing. A combined Chilean and Argentinean post made the crossing relatively quick and painless then more very windy roads with a little hail and snow arriving early at the town of Rio Gallegos.

Miles
Today : 104
Total : 21227

Moving North ..

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Saturday 28th November
Ushuaia to Cerro Sombrero


After two days off in Ushuaia it was with sadness we moved out and started North on the “ride home” to Buenos Aries. A very cold day took me up and over the pass through the spectacular mountain scenery and down onto the flat plain in the north of the island. Missing out the previous stop at Kaiken I had to ride the road till it became dirt after the border crossing into Chile all the way back to the small town of Cerro Sombero, this time with my confidence on dirt coming back after the crashes I enjoyed the ride more today.

Miles
Today : 260
Total : 21123