Today was a tough day. I went 140 km and had a head wind most of the day. The wind got stronger as I got weaker. I went through a swamp which smelled pretty bad. There was no escaping the smell, it was in every breath I took. I started the day off strong but hit a wall at about 4 hours. I don't think I ate enough last night for all the exercise I did today. I went through a town today and there were people cooking asado along the street. It was too early to stop for food, and I couldn't make it to buenos aires if I stopped for lunch anyway, so I took a quick pictured and kept going. My stomach was really grumbling after that.
I stopped in a buenos aires suburb and gave my cousin who lives nearby a call. He came by and gave me a ride to his house. We had a nice time that night, catching up while making pizza and drinking home brewed beer.
I made it to buenos aires finally. The last week has been intense, averaging about 150 km per day. I will stay here a few days and rest. I need it!
Monday, June 7, 2010
Day 33: Mechanical problems
I had a nice ride today but I had to stop about 50 km early after 2 of my spokes broke. I was on the road for about 5 hours when I heard the clang of death as the spoke broke. I adjusted the surrounding spokes to relieve the extra tension, but 20 km later another one went. I stopped at the next town and found a small bike shop. They fixed the spokes but didn't do a good job as the wheel still isn't running exactly true. I am having my bike overhauled in buenos aires so I just want to make sure I can make it to there at least.
The town I stayed at is Cachari and there is only 1 paved road. There were no internet cafes, but I found an unsecured wi-fi zone after going for a walk. I found a small restraurant/hotel at the edge of town. There was no heat, but the room had lots of blankets. The hotel had a courtyard inside with, dogs, cats, and chickens. A little ghetto, but worth the $7 I paid.
The town I stayed at is Cachari and there is only 1 paved road. There were no internet cafes, but I found an unsecured wi-fi zone after going for a walk. I found a small restraurant/hotel at the edge of town. There was no heat, but the room had lots of blankets. The hotel had a courtyard inside with, dogs, cats, and chickens. A little ghetto, but worth the $7 I paid.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Day 32
Today was another long day. I am trying to get to Buenos Aires as quick as I can so I have a few 100 mile days in a row. I got in 185 km and arrived in Olavarria around 5. It was a nice ride, a little on the long side though at around 8.5 hours. I almost ran out of water near the end of the day. I am feeling pretty strong and am in much better shape than when I began the trip. The road was really flat the whole day and I had a little tail wind.
I saw the aftermath of an accident today. A truck carrying what appeared to be salt tipped over and spilled all over the road. The road was closed by police but I went past them to see if I could get through on my bike. I was able to get by after asking a fireman if it was safe to pass. There were a few ambulances on the scene too.
My cell phone was stolen today. I left it at an internet cafe and came back littlerally 2 minutes later and it was gone. There was a man at the computer I left it at, but there was not much I could do. I called the phone but someone had turned it off. I asked that the security camera be reviewed but it was too far away to see exactly who took it. The guy at the computer probably had my phone but I couldn't exactly ask to search him. He left before I could call the police. Seems like the closer to buenos aires I get the more dishonest people become. I will pick up a new phone when I get to buenos aires in 2 days.
I saw the aftermath of an accident today. A truck carrying what appeared to be salt tipped over and spilled all over the road. The road was closed by police but I went past them to see if I could get through on my bike. I was able to get by after asking a fireman if it was safe to pass. There were a few ambulances on the scene too.
My cell phone was stolen today. I left it at an internet cafe and came back littlerally 2 minutes later and it was gone. There was a man at the computer I left it at, but there was not much I could do. I called the phone but someone had turned it off. I asked that the security camera be reviewed but it was too far away to see exactly who took it. The guy at the computer probably had my phone but I couldn't exactly ask to search him. He left before I could call the police. Seems like the closer to buenos aires I get the more dishonest people become. I will pick up a new phone when I get to buenos aires in 2 days.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Day 31
This morning I left Bahia Blanca and made my way to Coronel Pringles. It was a nice day with rolling hills. One of my spokes came loose somehow but it didn´t break so I stopped and fixed it with my spoke wrench. I am surprised at how well my bike is holding up considering what I am putting it through. I have only had 1 flat tire the whole trip. About 5 hours into the day I had to cross a small mountain range. It was a pretty gradual climb and was not too bad. One the way up I saw beautiful fields that were practially neon green. The way down was pretty gradual too so I was able to average a good speed for the last hour of the day.
Day 30
Today was a really long day to Bahia Blanca. I was on the road for about 9 hours and went about 180 km. It was a nice ride. No head winds this time, only a slight side wind. I saw a lot of farms today, which is different from the sheep and cattle ranches I had seen up to this point. The downside is that every farm house seems to have a dog which hates bikes, so every time I go by one I have to out run a dog or two. I am getting pretty good at it. I was followed by a bunch of loros this morning for a mile or so. They flew over me and chirped at me. I guess I got too close to their nest or something.
Approaching major cities by bike is always complicated. I ended up in an industrial park on a road with no shoulders and lots of trucks. There were strange smells coming from factories I went by and the exhaust from all the trucks was not pleasant either. I eventually took a short cut through a slum and arrived in downtown Bahia Blanca. It is a really big city, sort of like a baby Buenos Aires. I found a nice, inexpensive hotel near the city center. I didn´t even have to carry my bags, a bell hop did it for me! That night I at a parilla and went to bed exhausted but full.
Approaching major cities by bike is always complicated. I ended up in an industrial park on a road with no shoulders and lots of trucks. There were strange smells coming from factories I went by and the exhaust from all the trucks was not pleasant either. I eventually took a short cut through a slum and arrived in downtown Bahia Blanca. It is a really big city, sort of like a baby Buenos Aires. I found a nice, inexpensive hotel near the city center. I didn´t even have to carry my bags, a bell hop did it for me! That night I at a parilla and went to bed exhausted but full.
Day 29: Rest day
I decided to take today off. Yesterday completely drained me and I have 175 km to the next town to I need all my energy for that. I just hung around the hotel, watched TV, and took a long nap. I felt much better by the evening.
Day 28
Today was a very tough day. I knew it was going to be hard so I left before sunrise. I went 153 km, 125 of which had a headwind. Those 125 km were 8 hours of torture. I just kept peddling at 9 mph and watched the km signs go by one by one. I finished the day in Rio Colorado completely exhausted.
It was really cold this morning and there was frost on the ground. There were parrots called loros everywhere. Those suckers are loud too, especially when several hundred of them are chirping at the same time. I went by a construction zone about 15 km into the day and all the workers were very enthusiastic in wishing me good luck as I went by. I guess they knew what I was up against...153 km, no towns, and headwinds. At least I got a great feeling of accomplishment when I finished.
It was really cold this morning and there was frost on the ground. There were parrots called loros everywhere. Those suckers are loud too, especially when several hundred of them are chirping at the same time. I went by a construction zone about 15 km into the day and all the workers were very enthusiastic in wishing me good luck as I went by. I guess they knew what I was up against...153 km, no towns, and headwinds. At least I got a great feeling of accomplishment when I finished.
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