Distance: 30.0 miles

Time: 3:42

Elevation Gain: 2,359 feet

Happy New Year to my readers!

Perhaps unsurprisingly, after the Fiesta de Año Nuevo the night before, I was a little slow in getting up this morning, that isn’t to say that I was asleep, though, as the sun had been trying to bore its way through the side of the tent from very early in the morning, so I’d only had four or so hours of sleep.

Due to the poor rest, it was after half past 1 before I finally said my goodbyes to the remaining people from the party, being handed an ice cold beer by my host as I made to leave, very kind but not something I would be drinking any time soon!

I made my way into town, unsure if some enterprising sole would be likely to open their shop on New Year’s Day. Thankfully they had, and I was able to stock up on snacks for the ride, including a large bottle of Gatorade.

On setting off from La Junta, the road continued to track the river, but to my dismay, in constant undulation, and there was a stiff headwind. At times my speed was hovering just above 4 miles an hour, but I knew that if I just kept turning the pedals, I’d get there eventually.

As I approached Puyuhuapi I entered Parque Nacional Queulat, and worked my way along Lago Risopatrón, before the road climbed one last time, and I turned off towards Puyuhuapi, where it was peacefully situated on the banks of Fiordo Ventisquero. Still in two minds as to whether to continue the 10 miles to Camping Las Toninas or not, I rolled past a number of sparsely inhabited camping grounds along the coast, before finding an open food van nicely situated on the bay, I wasn’t off the bike for long before deciding that recovery trumped progress on this occasion.

The van did burgers and that was all I needed to know, except that I also overhead that it was open until 11 in the evening and that was interesting too. It took a little while to be prepared, but the bacon burger with fries and a coke that I received, were quickly dispatched, and very tasty.

The owners of the van were friendly, so I was back for an excellent hunk of apple cake and a coffee, just as soon as I’d pitched my tent.

The campsite I settled on was just along the road at Camping La Sirena. The campsite owners weren’t around, but a friendly Argentinian cyclist was able to give me a lowdown on the facilities, and to tell me that they’d likely be back soon. Although the campsite facilities weren’t the best, the covered camping area was good, and I got by far my best sleep yet.

• bikepacking
• cycle-touring