Riding Stats (link to Tom’s Strava)
Accommodations (daily mileage, elevation, etc.)
Route Tracker (track our southbound ride on a Google Map)
Let’s start with this thought: sopaipillas are bread from heaven. We had our first taste of them today and oh my are they ever tasty!
Our shuttle driver arrived early and Tom very carefully loaded the bikes and bags in the back of the van. Finally we were off to Peurto Montt to find the start line of the Carretera Austral! And find it we did.
We put the bike bags back on, Tom went to the money spitter 🏧 for more pesos and we were off.
It was sunny day, a bit windy and we were surrounded by water, flying Chilean flags and the most free roaming doggos (all friendly) I’ve ever seen.😂 Not kidding – a LOT of dogs, although no chasers.
Beautiful animitas were lovingly placed along the route memorizing the loss of loved ones.
Staying true to taking our time so as to not “waste time” we rode at a slow pace and wanted to get our bodies acclimated to the new bikes. We sit completely different on a mountain bike. There’s a new saddle, different handlebars and coordinating our gear stow is a bit spicy. The only things we brought were our own SPD pedals. It takes a day or so to get squared away with new bikes and gear organization.
One of our favorite experiences when bike traveling is meeting people. At the ferry we met Gilles, a Frenchman who last year rode his bike from Vancouver to Panama. He is finishing the ride this year riding from Panama to the southern tip of Argentina. Amazing!
Just one ferry ride today through the Estero Reloncava Inslet.
There were so many places to stop and enjoy the remarkable views and I’m pretty sure we stopped at every one.
We ended our ride in Contao today and grabbed dinner in town (fresh salmon and merzula) before finding a campground and setting up the tent.
This was Yannik’s (from Bielefeld, Germany) first day too. He’s planning on spending the next year in South America riding his bike, learning Spanish and doing all the things people on tour do… smile!
Digs for the night!
Click on the image below to view today’s video recap of our day.
Keep Calm and Pedal On 
Gilles looks like Tommy’s bro😎
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Maybe a little 🫣
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The pictures are simply amazing!
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We haven’t even reached the most beautiful parts. Stay tuned. We are hoping the weather cooperates 🤞🏻
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Sssoooo excited for this journey! Sent from somewhere wonderful
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Such an adventure- so cool ! Godspeed!
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What spectacular photography and stellar video. you guys look like you’re having a blast! I’m so happy for you! Spent the day touring St. Augustine, so much fascinating history here.
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A week into our team-vehicle-supported (so pampered ;-0), six-week ride across the country in 2013, riding west to east with prevailing winds, we met a solo Frenchman in Nevada, almost done with his USA crossing, riding the other direction. Entering his 60s, his doctor had told him he better get active if he wanted to keep living. He took it to heart.
Love you two, stay safe!
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That’s amazing – you know what they say. Movement is medicine. 😉
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Looking forward to following you on this trip. I’m Mary, a friend of Tish Brafford, we see Tom biking on the fall creek trail!!
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So glad you can join us Mary! We have been eating our way through southern Chili – mostly empanadas, salmon, merzula and Sopaipillas.
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Truly spectacular- keep up the good work, you two!! ☮️✝️💟
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Thank you Mike! Many more miles and LOTS of gravel to come. The farther south the more rugged and remote.
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