Day 155: Ushuaia to Rio Gallegos, Argentina (via Chile)

Hello everyone
We're whacked. What a day. Rain as we left Ushuaia and a huge queue at the petrol station. Then as we cleared the mountain pass we got smacked by the wind. It was tough. Especially with trucks passing you in the opposite direction pushing a huge wave of air before them. Hardest in the gravel where the wind gusts push you into the loose thick stuff. And we had 120kms of gravel today. Not a huge amount of fun.

Also we crossed from Argentina to Chile and then back into Argentina again, with all the paperwork that involves. And a ferry crossing to Punta Delgada. We rode from 8.30 this morning to just after 8pm tonight. We are in the Hotel Patagonia in Rio Gallegos.

We now have four days averaging 650kms to make Buenos Aires by Thursday night. Bikes into the shipping company on Friday and then heading for home on the Sunday. I think we're in for some short blogs. :-)

Today's run: 503kms
Cumulative: 39,194kms
Tipovers: 5

Location:Rio Gallegos, Argentina

Day 154: a rest day in Ushuaia, Argentina

Hi folks
The celebrations are over. Today was a day for replacing, sorting and biffing out! We had breakfast upstairs with Javier and he had a go (for the first time ever) at poaching some eggs. They were great. I then unpacked everything from my topbox, tankbag and panniers and had a huge sort out and chuck out. I repacked my tent and gave it to Javier which left a nice space in one pannier.

Everything else got given the once over - do I want it? Do I need it? Have I ever used it? Am I likely to use it? If the answer was no, no, no and no, it went in the bin. I am also thinking ahead to logistics as to how I will pack the bike for shipping and how I will pack for the trip home.

Deana kept an eye on proceedings.



I then went for a walk down to the waterfront. This is a major port for Antarctic cruises. It's a lovely harbour but cold.



Plenty of reminders here that the Malvinas are still an issue. This sign proclaims Ushuaia as the capital of the Malvinas.



I also walked past the place where Frances apparently keeps her dosh.



And a shop where everything is free? I suspect someone neglected duty.



They go big on barbecued meat here, especially lamb. This is the quirky shot.



And this is the serious one. Sort of.



And the sign was just lovely.



And that was really my day. I came home for a siesta so I will probably lie awake all night now. Soon we are gathering again upstairs for a beer and dinner.


Tomorrow Dick and I begin our dash for Buenos Aires. Blog postings might be a little sparse. I hope you'll understand. :-)

Today's run: 0kms
Cumulative: 38,691kms
Tipovers: 5

Location:Ushuaia, Argentina

Day 153: Ushuaia to Lapataia and return

Hello readers, lovely family and great friends.
Today we rode to The End of the World/ Fin del Mundo and back to Ushuaia. We're done.
First though I went for a walk while Dick put in a phonecall to Buckingham Palace. I kid you not. Apparently Prince Andrew is the patron of the Outward Bound movement and Dick had to make one of his regular reports on activities in NZ. He told Andi all about our trip and Andi promised to tell mummy later in the day. Good aye!
Just a few shots from my little explore. Outliers probably.




We are right on the edge of the mountains.












In a lovely bay.












where the English are still seen as pirates. No Union Jacks! I think this says that English pirates are prohibited from mooring here.




And this spells it out! Go the poms! Sort of.




And it's no far to NZ.




At 11am we rode out to Lapataia to get our photos of the famous sign, to paddle in the sea and to drop our pebbles from Prudhoe Bay onto the beach. First we had to get the girls out of this "driveway." Woohoo! It was great having Mark there to encourage and support. It was ok in the end although we then had to go the wrong way down the very steep oneway street. But that was cool. Sort of. I was heard to utter a naughty word.




It began to rain as we rode out of town and into the National Park and the clay road out to the sign was slippery and greasy. But we made it.




The four of us: me, Kiwi, Ebony and Mella.




Where I did a haka as celebration.




Dick was profoundly moved by the occasion.




And here we all are.




We then walked down to the sea to paddle just as we did at Prudhoe Bay.




Dick with his copy of the Clipboard.




Then my turn. Love those icebreaker daks! And the backdrop!












I have carried this little black stone from the Arctic Ocean to here.








I dropped it carefully into the Antarctic. Here it goes.




Can you see it?




We got quite a lot of attention too. She is from Spain.




Back in town we had some quiet time and then went out for a beer that turned into an expedition for dinner. Funnily enough, we went to the same restaurant as last night and had the lamb. It was great.




And now I am Mrs Wilson's very tired boy. We will have another rest day here in Ushuaia and then begin the sprint up to Buenos Aires and home. Our fares are booked: Buenos Aires - Sydney - Wellington. Goodie! :-)
Today's run: 53kms
Cumulative: 38,691kms
Tipovers: 5

Location:Ushuaia, Argentina

Day 152: Cerro Sombrero, Chile to Ushuaia, Argentina

Well folks,
What can we say. We have now ridden from the very top of North America to the very bottom of South America. What a blast! An incredible and amazing adventure. And it's not over yet!
The weather forecast for today was for increasing westerly winds and rain so we didn't hang around too long this morning, knowing that our first 120kms would be gravel. During the afternoon two other groups came in. This one from Brazil heading for Ushuaia, one on a 1200 Suzuki Bandit!




And this group of Australians on a guided tour from Ushuaia to Santiago on BMW 800s and 650s. With a pickup and trailer to carry their gear. And a spare bike to allow for a breakdown.




The wind was picking up as we rode out at about 7.45am and once again it meant that photo opportunities were limited. We rode towards Onaisin and hit the gravel after about 20kms. Despite all the dire warnings we have had, it wasn't too bad. Certainly not after Ruta 40! We basically got on with it and the wind, while a nuisance, was ok. So were the trucks who treated us very well, one even stopping and pulling over to let us by. And another conveniently parked as a wind break so we could have a stretch.




The landscape was pretty barren.




After about two hours we arrived at the Chilean border post. It was pretty quick - I had mislaid one of my forms and the official told me not to worry and simply filled it out again on the spot. It was then a huge ride - 12kms? - to the Argentinian border where we went through the rigmarole once again of getting ourselves and then our bikes into the county. A little sour note here as Mrk had one of his gloves stolen off his bike. He had left his sunglasses inside the glove and on the handlebars and someone lifted it. We couldn't work it out at first. Who would want to steal one glove? And looked all around for where the wind might have blown it. Then he remembered about the sunglasses. So if you happen to see an Argentinian truck driver with only one hand and wearing flash sunnies, please give Mark a call.
We had a quick bite to eat here before rolling on south. The wind was picking up now and it was hard work. I loved this sign though.




And this one.




Gradually the landscape became less barren and the trees went from being wind blown shrubs to being respectable trees. We went up and through a mountain pass with the temperature sneaking down to around 5 degrees and a little flurry of snow. Then at last we were in Ushuaia. You need to enlarge this photo.




Diana is waving her arms in the air and I am echoing with my legs. Wait till you see the video! Down into the city (60,000 population?) and then up a steep street to the hostel which Mark had organised for us. Then one last challenge. Our parking space. This:




The street was very steep (think Baldwin Street in Dunedin) and we had to ride up, turn hard right to line up with the notch in the step and go for it.




Phew. All this from Prudhoe Bay to Ushuaia and then to fall over in the last two metres?




The girls look quite comfortable now though.




In here.




We all had a beer to celebrate. Kiwi behaved quite disgracefully.












And so we are here. We will have a day or two here, do the tourist thing and then turn back along the same road as far as Punta Delgada. We will then turn right to the east and head for Buenos Aires. It all feels a bit funny, not exactly an anticlimax but a sense of unreality in a way. It has been a huge trip.
I'll get out and about tomorrow - this looks like an interesting town.

Today's ride: 452k s
Cumulative: 38,638kms
Tipovers: 5

Location:Ushuaia, Argentina