Chile Cycling Patagonia

HAPPY FINISHER OF THE CARRETERA AUSTRAL

Yes, we arrived in Villa O’Higgins. 1500km after our start in Osorno. What seemed like a very long distance out of a sudden became an almost normal bike ride, if I can say that. Of course there was a bit of rain and a bit of wind from time to time and we even experienced some moments where we were not sure anymore if our idea to cycle Patagonia was such a great idea. But…

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Chile Cycling Patagonia

The fiery red horse

I stood at the edge of the jetty, articulating with hands and feet, throwing half-baked sentences of broken Spanish at the service personal. It was 12:02 and the friendly looking sailor in his green oilskin trousers tried to make me understand that the ferry had to leave on time. This ferry was supposed to bring us across the fjord to Rio Bravo, but Dorit wasn’t there yet. I was very much out of breath, since…

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Chile Cycling Patagonia

LAST BIG STOP ON THE WAY TO VILLA O’HIGGINS

In Coyhaique we got some great recommendations how to continue our journey. There are 2 options. Just before Villa Cerro Castillo it’s possible to take the R7, the Carretera Austral, in order to descend to the Lago General Carrera. There is the famous and touristy town of Puerto Tranquillo. We did read that it’s one of the hardest bits of the Carretera Austral. A guy in Coyhaique recommended us a camping in Villa Cerro Castillo, to…

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Chile Cycling Patagonia

FOUND A PIECE OF SAVOIE IN COYHAIQUE

Coyhaique is the so called capital of Patagonia. At least that’s how locals name the town. Indeed, it’s the capital of Aysen, the 11th region of Chile and from what we have seen so far a beautiful part of Chile without any doubt. The view to the south of Coyhaique resemble quite much of Grenoble. Looking at the far mountains in the west made me feel like standing somewhere in Chambery. And to make the…

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Chile Cycling Patagonia

HALF TIME IN COYHAIQUE IN SIGHT

Having been blessed with plenty of sun in the Park Queulat we started with new energy to face a relatively easy climb of a bit less than 600m over the pass to Villa Amengual. We heard about some roadworks on the way and that they block the road from 1pm to 5pm. We passed all of them until midday at least that’s what we thought until we arrived at around 2:30pm at a third one.…

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