Monday 10th February 2025 Chacabuco to San Andres de Giles
Quite night in last night, Bingo did both jobs last night shopping and cooking, as I failed miserably to find any shops open, but all good in the end, got some food a few beers, lovely meal as well.

Did spend my time wisely, wrote the blog, then sorted out a route up to La Paz via Iguazú Falls (spelt Iguaçú in Portuguese Brazil), so all being well Rylan will join us for a little ride from La Paz to Lima, in late March.

Todays ride pretty short 65 miles, with a head wind forecast all day, same old routine, but natural yogurt infused alpen this morning, I did wonder why we did not have the grapes, that was on the table, Bingo just smiled and said try one, they were plastic!

I love Mondays when your not working, though every day is a working day for us, but in a nice way, it’s what we want to do. Nice little ride out of Chacabuco, just us and the working lads on the road, gentle wave, to the pick-ups as they go past full of the workers ready for another weeks work. Once we get out on the open road, we realise how strong the wind is, but its easy when you think them lads are just going to work, I am going on an adventure, anything could happen. That kept me going for the first couple of hours slogging it in to the wind, but the road was good with a big hard shoulder to ride on, with a few rumble strips to keep you occupied, to be honest I think I hit more than I missed, keeps me alert (what is a lert) an old joke from back in the day, (“Be Alert Britain needs lerts”).

Just as we were coming up to a little village Tres Sargentos, I said there maybe a petrol station on the right, sure enough there used to be one, but it definitely closed a while back, short little discussion, decided to go into the village see if we could get a cold drink and ice-cream. Just as we were on the little road into the village I spotted a snake on the side of the road, Bingo full on it down on the floor videoing as it raised its little head to defend its space, then as fast as lighting sped off, (Patagonian Green Racer (Philodryas patagoniensis)) slightly venomous. We ended on the village green under the shade of a willow tree, enjoying the ambiance of this tranquil village, with a cold drink and ice-cream very poetic and nice stop to boot. That soon stopped as Bingo stood up and said lets go or vamos in the correct parlance. Off we went with a bit of curiosity as further down the street was an old sign for the railway station long since gone, another bit of research for our long suffering editor. [I’m guessing this was Carmen de Areco: the railway closed in 1998: Ed]

Quite nice having a few miles off the national route 7 as we navigated a way to join it further down the road, one rule, never go backwards in rugby or cycling! eventually we joined back up with it and carried on our merry way.

Only 32 miles to go, just kept up a steady pace, with the wind ever present, quite good we could ride two abreast on the hard should, provided you kept a look out for the rumble strips. We knew we had another petrol station around 16 miles, from the last stop, I was away with the fairies as Bingo sped up, you not stopping then? bit oblivious to the massive signs, yer sure I shouted as he pulled off, managed to just about join him, just giggled and said I was in a zone mate, not sure which one though.

Not sure what happened in the petrol station only had a cold drink (not beer) and a coffee, but when we came back out, the wind had changed, was right behind us now, here we go superstars lets rock, smashed the last 20 miles in just over an hour, with ease. Not so good for the hotel booking as we got here a tadge too early, bit of fluffing around, spot of lunch then all sorted. Guy in the hostel bit of a character think we may attract them some how, will stay in my head most of what he said, not even political correct for me, that does say something.

Nice relaxing afternoon and a night off for Bingo cooking wise, only a few more days left in Argentina, will be singing either one of these, as we go over the “Río de la Plata” River Plate, “the silver river”. [the river Plate is in fact the estuary between the Paraná and the Uruguay rivers – they’ll cross the Paraná river now, probably twice as it’s a delta here, and the Uruguay river later: Ed]

Buenos días Argentina
What a lovely sight you are
Can’t help wavin’ my sombrero
For the joy that’s in my heart

Or …

Don’t cry for me, Argentina
The truth is, I never left you
All through my wild days, my mad existence
I kept my promise
Don’t keep your distance

Not sure yet, think I prefer the 1st one maybe I should have a poll?