(November 8 – written by Nancy) Last night the owner of the hostel came by our room to ask us what time we wanted breakfast, as it was included with the room rate.  When Dave suggested 7:30, the host commented that that was very early, but after hesitating a moment he agreed to the time.  … Continue reading No room at the inn – Panguipulli to near Rio Buena (118k/24,261k, 2370ft)

(November 7 – written by Dave) We spent a nice day today riding the “Seven Lakes Route” in the Southern Chilean Lakes District.  We didn’t know that the route had a fancy name but we certainly enjoyed the scenery.  We saw four volcanos and three of the seven lakes.  The countryside was nice rolling green … Continue reading Seven Lakes Way – Villarrica to Panguipulli (64k/24,144k, 1,650ft)

(November 6 – written by Dave) Back on January 3rd of this year, we took the ferry from La Paz, Baja, Mexico to Mazatlan.  While standing in the dinner queue on the ferry, I met a guy named Adrian Oh who was riding a skateboard from Vancouver, Canada to Ushuaia (yes, a skateboard).  We hadn’t … Continue reading Old friends – Temuco to Villarrica (82k/24,079k, 1,500ft)

(November 5 – written by Dave) It was super quiet in the hotel overnight.  We think the owner/manager came back but we weren’t sure.  If he did, then that meant that three people stayed at the hotel overnight.  We started a fire in the common area wood stove yesterday afternoon to take the chill off … Continue reading Road signs – Collipulli to Temuco (103k/23,997k, 1,550ft)

(November 4 – written by Dave) We got up this morning expecting cloudy skies and possibly some rain.  So you can just imagine how happy we were to see some blue.  In fact, around the cabana and Laja Falls, it was nothing but bright blue skies.  Wow, what a treat.  We rode the 200 metres … Continue reading Mixed day – Salto del Lajas to Collipulli (100k/23,894k, 2,450ft)

(November 3 – written by Dave) Today Ruta 5 got everything right.  No heavy truck traffic like we saw on Wednesday.  No crazy holiday travel traffic like we saw on Thursday.  No rain like we saw on yesterday.  We had nothing but a calm, quiet, dry road all day.  It was so quiet that we … Continue reading Falls day –San Carlos to Salto del Laja (106k/23,794k, 1,450ft)

(November 2 – written by Dave) First up a report on I-5, it’s been such a big part of our lives the last three days.  Today it was almost a completely different road in terms of the amount of traffic.  It is day 2 of a 4 day weekend – meaning most folks heading out … Continue reading Fun highway day, mostly – Linares to San Carlos (89k/23,688k, 450ft)

(November 1 – written by Dave) Yesterday we discovered the lower fun factor of riding I-5.  And while yesterday was a Wednesday, it was technically the last day before a long weekend.  Today and tomorrow are holidays here in Chile (today is All Saints Day, tomorrow is Reformation Day).  So a good deal of the … Continue reading Un-Highway day – Talca to Linares (71k/23,599k, 700ft)

(October 31 – written by Dave) Today was a long day, but a lot of it was ridden on Ruta 5, what we have been calling “I-5”.  It is not technically an interstate but that’s our story.  I-5 riding was not overly exciting except in perhaps the stressful way.  I-5 is a dual carriage way … Continue reading Highway day – Santa Cruz to Talca (132k/23,529k, 1,350m)

(October 30 – written by Dave) On our rest day today, we had to very simple goals.  Number one, build Nancy a new kick stand for her bike.  Number two, find a vineyard where we could sample some of the area’s Chilean wine varieties.  I am happy to report that we were successful on both … Continue reading Wine tasting and “kicking back” in Santa Cruz