The rain drops pelt the window still all night long. So much in fact, sleep is little. The weather is suppose to push out by morning, but by 0830 still a bit dewy. We take a leisurely pack out and then we leave Pucon behind.
The morning is ride is all but stiff. The bikes have brand new Mitas E07 Skins on for which I am grateful. However, the tire whiskers aren't even scrubbed off yet. And the tarmac is clammy from last night's rain. But traveling in Volcano country, we've noticed an additional service that the underground lava appears to provide--automatic road dryers. At least that is our story...
I've just not chilled with my new steed. For one, the rear suspension isn't dialed in for me and is much too stiff. For another, the kick stand is awkwardly situated for my liking. For those reasons, Bruce has been relegated to be my automatic kick stand deployer for the day, and job is none to happy to assumed.
The flora today has taken on an odd twist. Where the wick through the high desert Wyoming-like feel, the road is peppered with these purple and pink wild flowers.
The morning is ride is all but stiff. The bikes have brand new Mitas E07 Skins on for which I am grateful. However, the tire whiskers aren't even scrubbed off yet. And the tarmac is clammy from last night's rain. But traveling in Volcano country, we've noticed an additional service that the underground lava appears to provide--automatic road dryers. At least that is our story...
I've just not chilled with my new steed. For one, the rear suspension isn't dialed in for me and is much too stiff. For another, the kick stand is awkwardly situated for my liking. For those reasons, Bruce has been relegated to be my automatic kick stand deployer for the day, and job is none to happy to assumed.
The flora today has taken on an odd twist. Where the wick through the high desert Wyoming-like feel, the road is peppered with these purple and pink wild flowers.
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Bruce, however, is petrified that somehow we will miss the border crossing. Now, I am certain that no country hides their border crossing, that the GPS is still on track, and that the next town is still away out. Nonetheless, Bruce would like to stop again and triple check the GPS. We debate the issue for a few minutes before I look up. There, as if a sign from god, is a freeway sign that must be 8 by 10 feet saying the Aduna is 17 clicks out. See you do need to get your nose out the GPS once and a while.
The actual border crossings are smooth as pie. Check the people out at desk 1, check the bikes out on desk 2....drive down the road a few clicks and repeat the process to import them into Argentina. Probably less than 20 minutes at both locations. I think getting our gear and helmets on and off actually took longer.
The Agentina guards have a bit of sense of humor. The wind wicks through their location a what must be 30mph. As you approach, you get a tiny slip of paper maybe 2 inches by 5 inches. You need to not lose that piece of paper in the windstorm, get it stamped inside and then provide it as an exit ticket. Somehow, we managed to accomplish that feat.
I am not exactly sure if little munchkins trim these trees into rounded balls, or if there is simply no reason to have a pointy top when you live in 40mph wind all day. Round on top?
The actual border crossings are smooth as pie. Check the people out at desk 1, check the bikes out on desk 2....drive down the road a few clicks and repeat the process to import them into Argentina. Probably less than 20 minutes at both locations. I think getting our gear and helmets on and off actually took longer.
The Agentina guards have a bit of sense of humor. The wind wicks through their location a what must be 30mph. As you approach, you get a tiny slip of paper maybe 2 inches by 5 inches. You need to not lose that piece of paper in the windstorm, get it stamped inside and then provide it as an exit ticket. Somehow, we managed to accomplish that feat.
I am not exactly sure if little munchkins trim these trees into rounded balls, or if there is simply no reason to have a pointy top when you live in 40mph wind all day. Round on top?
Clearing boarder control, we will be traveling on the 7 Lakes Routes. Yes, I assure you that Count Bruce-cula (e.g. Count von Count From Sesame Street) counted each and every lake to me.
While most of the rural backcounty has pretty much unregulated speed limits, towns are very controlled. Here we see they have taken the extra effort to build a rickety raised walkway to keep the kiddos out of harms way when they walk to school. Maybe using non-rotten wood on bridge version 2.0 would increase safety even further.
Why complicate the Banos with confusing words. We will just 'international' symbology to label the bathrooms. The best part since Bruce was the second to use the bath, he agrees to take the photos. He said he felt a bit like a stalker pointing a camera at the ladies room door. *Snicker*
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Every town no matter the size always has bit of an entrance. Meet Bariloche.
Hotel Alma del Lago is stunning. And it is shame that we won't be able to enjoy the view a bit. However, probably the low light for us. It's the eve of Feliz Navidad, and every restaurant in town is closed up. While we won't mind eating in the hotel, the entire dinning room is reserved for a private party. Wrot Ro Scrappy, this leaves us with the only option of room service. To which I am pleased when I get to order the Ravioli. And displeased, when they deliver only 4 ravioli. I guess this was an appetizer platter? No matter, it's late, they are slow and I will just retire to bed.
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We meet a fascinating gent, Ro from Germany who is also on the same journey as us. It seems that our paths will cross a few points/hotels over the next few weeks. I have come to realize that you can send 20 riders out on course, and come back with 20 different stories. For him, he's met the Chilean police for speeding on the urban motorway leaving Santiago, and also had a bit of coming from together when he stopped for a photo and put him foot on the low side resulting a minor turtle-ing. I do enjoy our chats as I am left mystified at all the discrepancies between our rides.
