Tuesday 21st January 2025 from Villa Punta Delgrada to Rio Gallegos
Another early start, but to be fair we are up early so just as well get going, us Aylesham lads still going posh bowl of Alpen for breakfast, Bingo still tight with the chocolate so just the Alpen with the milk I have carried around for the last two days, went down a treat. Said good-bye to all the insects sharing our room, think that may get worse as we travel up, at least these were only centipede things and not scorpions.

On the road just after 6, down a “ripo” track (unmade road), then onto the highway heading for the Chile -Argentinian border at San Gregorio Magallanes y la Antártica. Like all borders you never know how long it will take to clear them, so just relax and go with the flow, it’s actually a good time to have a chat to all the guys who have waved at us on the road. As always Bingo the eagle eyed animal spotter is on the look out, first thing he flushes out is a hare, good spot, we have given up on the Guanacos now, they are “two a penny”. Lovely big Rhea (already forgot the local name) running along the side of the road with eight fledgings – a great sight, they can half run fast, she was trying her best to keep then in control.

Got to the Chilean side of the border, not much of queue, but still takes a bit of time, as we have to make sure I have not sold my “Verde Surly” and Bingos “Cannondale azul metalizado” thats what on our input / export form. Sailed through that, then a little ride to the Argentinian side, all good through there, bit of a chat to a few motorcycle guys and the girl at the passport desk rushed us through with a smile and good luck, chucked in with “debes estar enojado” (you must be mad).

So back into Argentina, on this lonely road National Route 3 the highway to hell! Not so mad today but still making us work for every mile we cycle, basically head down and pedal to Rio Gallegos. Which we duly did, albeit with a couple of rest stops. Glided into the outskirts of the town, had to stop at a little shop to get some Chocolate and drinks, sat outside the shop looked like an old oil town dormitory area, not the best place but the people were fine.

Then cruised well pedalled like mad for the next 5 miles to a hostel we thought we may be able to stay at, could not book it last night as the WI-FI was intermittent to say the least. All good the owner spotted Bingo outside and welcomed us in, great hosts could not do enough for us, even made Bingo a Tortilla de quesos y jamón, I had the same without the jamon, and of course a few beers.

Settled into the digs and did a bit of washing, as the girl behind Bingo at the border control put her sweat shirt over her nose, maybe that’s a sign and I am starting to smell myself, so I think it’s maybe a good idea.