(October 8-9 – written by Dave) Our windstorm-forced rest in San Juan has been great.  It feels even better knowing that we got here early so we are actually not “burning” future rest days just hanging out.  The wind was so strong on Monday that the local officials called a “wind day” and closed schools … Continue reading Shrine thoughts and San Juan update

(October 7 – written by Dave) We made it!  100 miles, all the way to San Juan.  Woohoo. It was actually a good day.  The wind eventually came up and yes, it was behind us.  We had some downhill and made it to San Juan before tomorrow’s forecasted sand storm.  I’m not sure how bad … Continue reading 100 miles of fun – Jachal to San Juan (161k/22,543k, 1,000 ft)

(October 6 – written by Dave) As you can see, we did not have a rest day in Guandacol today as planned.  We were all set to until about 9PM last night when I checked the weather forecast for the next three days.  There are severe wind warnings for the San Juan area on Monday … Continue reading Change of plans – Guandacol to Jachal (108k/22,382k, 2,200 ft)

(October 5 – written by Dave) It was super quiet overnight in the Los Tambillos hostel.  There may have been a few cars out on the highway but otherwise, silence.  Ruta 40, which we’ve both read a lot about in bike journals, continues to amaze us with such limited traffic and even more limited population.  … Continue reading Moving south – Los Tambillos to Guandacol (97k/22,274k, 1,100 ft)

(October 4 – written by Nancy) We left our hotel in Chilecito after a typical Argentinean breakfast – a cup of coffee, a couple of rolls (with jam and butter) and a very small glass of juice.  Thankfully we planned ahead and had a few extra sweet rolls from the bakery and bananas to supplement … Continue reading Climbing again – Chilecito to Los Tabmillos (60k/22,178k, 4000 ft)

(October 3 – written by Dave) Today it is 500 days since we left Fairbanks, Alaska.  We’re still riding and still focused on the goal of reaching Ushuaia.  To be honest, it really is just one day at a time.  You can never get too far ahead of yourself on a trip this long.  We … Continue reading 500 days to Chilecito – Andolucas to Chilecito (111k/22,118k, 2,600ft)

(October 2 – written by Dave) We got up early, fearing the worst with the wind and ongoing dust storms.  I looked out the window first thing and wow, you could see the hills surrounding town.  And best of all, the trees were not moving.  We were a go! The fancy Hotel Belen has kind … Continue reading Argentina desert – Belen to Andolucas (116k/22,007k, 1,650ft)

(October 1 – written by Dave) Today was a carbon copy of yesterday, weather wise.  Luckily for us, we had a much shorter day planned and even though there is another sand storm raging through Belen right now, completely blocking the views to the surrounding hills, we are tucked into our hotel, wind free with … Continue reading More wind, more sand –  Hualfín to Belen (61k/21,891k, 670ft)

(September 30 – written by Dave) Today was epic – we rode from 8AM until about 6PM.  There were some breaks in there of course but we had massive headwinds and rode through a sand storm, just for fun.  It wasn’t or longest day of the trip but it was certainly one of the hardest.  … Continue reading Sand storm – Santa Maria to Hualfín (122k/21,830k, 2,350 ft)

(September 29 – written by Dave) As expected, we did not last anywhere near long enough last night to attend the Pena.  We really want to attend one but we need to have a rest day planned for the following day – that wasn’t the case last night.  So instead for dinner we settled for … Continue reading Riding the vines – Cafayate to Santa Maria (82k/21,708k, 1,650 ft)