Wednesday 12th February 2025 Ciebas to Fray Bentos, Uruguay
Plenty of wild life around the digs last night, loads of them Argentinian Guinea Pigs and some cool birds (get the name). On the downside also loads of mosquitoes, first time we have noticed them. Had a meal in the complex, unfortunately we have make do with small portions sometimes, we was both starving, I not think people realise how many calories we actually consume and the beer doesn’t replenish all the energy.

Not a great start to the morning, after breakfast started to load the bikes up, Bingo had a flat back tyre, no big deal sorted that out and on our way just after 6 , in damp drizzly weather.
Heading for Gualeguaychu around 40 miles away, need to get Bingo a new tyre there then decide if we are going to head over the border to Fray Bentos, yes the corned beef place.

Made it to Gualeeguaychu , just before 10, pretty busy town, roads not great and chucking it down with rain! We had a few bikes shops tagged on google maps, finally found one with a half decent tyre, good job as Bingo had another flat. Changed the tyre just outside the bike shop. Then asked the guy if we could cycle over the Bridge to Fray Bentos, with the help of his partner via FaceTime, she said no bikes allowed, but you will be able to get a lift with your bikes, loads of people do it.

So we decided to do the extra 30 miles to Fray Bentos, plan to get out of town, bite to eat then pedal to the bridge / border. Stop in a petrol station for a bite to eat, as the rain keeps pouring down, both think we are putting off the inevitable, as we nurse a cup of coffee and cheese toasty, talking to a couple of interesting drivers, one guy from San Paulo said he would contact us via instagram re places to stay in Brazil happy days.

Off we set again, still raining and the road rutted with pot holes and loads of surface water, arduous conditions. Bingo got another flat not great on a new tyre , but it goes like that sometimes. Fixed the puncture. Just a few miles to the freight clearance yard for goods heading to Uruguay, it was chaos not even organised chaos, went to the control, directed us to an office over the road. They just said no bikes, but we could get a lift?

Easier said than done, with two massive touring bikes and all the bags . Thought we had a pick up truck stop for us, rushed over, but he was just dropping off some stuff.

Then a HGV driver offered us a lift, if we could get the bikes and stuff on the back of his truck, done that in no time at all . We just have to wait for his clearance paperwork, he said 20 minutes! Well that’s Uruguay time, fair play to the guy he was trying to get his clearance papers ( just like the old freight clearance stuff in Dover years ago and probably coming back)
About 2 1/2 hours later the driver came bouncing back, raminos , raminos, let’s get going . On our way but thanks to the driver true legend. Sped over the bridge can see why they don’t let cyclists it’s really narrow single lane and bumpy , but all good we got through with a bit of grit and determination.

Now it’s the customs, always bits of paper and stamps, this time a little smile and wave with viajes seguros – (safe travels) and on your way.

Little skip into Fray Bentos the corn beef capital of the world back in the day and on pre-booked digs, two very wet cyclist, nice shower and wash the gear again, then off for our first taste of Uruguarian food, just the same but very nice.

Thursday 13th February 2025 Fray Bentos, Uruguay
Two very tired wet lads arrived at Fray Bentos hotel last night, the lovely girl at the reception just looked at us, what are you doing, sorted the room out out and got the normal few beers in. Both of us “Hank Marvin” we need to eat, ast if the hotel restaurant was open ” lo siento mi amigo” sorry my friend no!

We soon found the nearest one, bless the really nice receptionist she wanted us to go down my the river side (we did that the next day very nice), we went to the first place that was open food, glorious food we needed it.

All fed and watered it was back to bed, with a little bit of a plan, sort the bikes out in the morning, they need a bit of love and attention. Then ride in the afternoon.

Lovely lie in in the morning, still knocking on the door for the breakfast bar to open at 7, nice to have a massive breakfast and take your time, just what we needed. I had sorted out a garden hose to wash the bikes down, Bingo was fixing all his inner tube, walked the bikes around to the room, luckily ground floor room so nice for the neighbours to watch a couple of skilled bike mechanics, thoughtfully overhauling their trusted steeds.

Bingo’s bike seemed fine with all the inner tubes repaired and tested all good, mine was not so good, rear wheel bearing grinding sounded horrible, we tried to undo the bearing nuts with the limited tools we had, no joy. The I noticed my bottom bracket was loose, not good!

Bit of a change of plan, search for bike shops, found a few in town, getting used to this now, none of them will open till 10, so no need to rush it was still only early. Off we go in search of the afore mentioned bike shops, my bike sounding like it going to give up the ghost at any moment.

We finally found the bike shop we had on goggle maps, but directly opposite there was another shop that looked like they could fix anything, I wheeled my poorly steed over to a delightful fellow, showed him the problem, he just smiled and said ” Nosotros podemos arreglar eso” we can fix that, when today in broken Spanish, “seguro que vuelves a las 7 pm” sure come back at 7!

Bit relieved to say the least but still apprehensive, Bingo still on his bike so he rides back to the digs, I walk back, being ever diligent not to go into the numerous bars cafes, made it back safely and sober, how good is that.

Have to stay an extra night now, sorted that out, then straight down to the world heritage site “Fray Bentos” pie factory, bit like a cross between Culrose Meat factory and Barfrestone Pie Factory, sorry for the non-Aylesham guys reading this bit of local gods country information, not really relevant.

Had a great afternoon around the impressive site, and met some wonderful people, one young German girl, was so keen on our travels, gleaning us for loads of information, as her and her boyfriend are planning on traveling across the USA, in the summer, happy to give her all the advice we could.

Well it came to the time to walk up to the bike shop, was so pleased as I walked into the shop, massive smile, made me feel so much better. Met the young guy who sorted out the bike all hand shakes and smiles, few selfies, then asked how much “Cuata” 300 peso, about £5, gave him a tip to make it up to £6, he was well pleased. Not so happy with the football score as all of them was watching Uruguay v Paraguay, they were losing 0-1. wished them luck with the game and they wished us viajes seguros.

Great felt so much better, nice meal then bed, back on the bikes tomorrow, mañana