Bike around the world - biketravel.net http://blog.biketravel.net A road full of adventures... Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:24:20 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Coyhaique – Villa Cerro Castillo – Coyhaique http://blog.biketravel.net/en/bike-around-the-world/coyhaique-villa-cerro-castillo-coyhaique/ http://blog.biketravel.net/en/bike-around-the-world/coyhaique-villa-cerro-castillo-coyhaique/#comments Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:01:14 +0000 Stefan http://blog.biketravel.net/?p=1197 Continue reading →]]> Yes, I’m again in Coyhaique where I started a few days ago. But this not by error. It was actually planned :-) . During the last few days I drove first to the Laguna Chiguay and from there on the next day further to Villa Cerro Castillo where I met Michu, my travel companion for hopefully the next few weeks.

We stayed for a day in Villa Cerro Castillo before we drove back to Coyhaique via Laguna Chiguay. On the way we met Chile cyclist Esteban (and had a coffee with him on the Portelezo Ibanez) and the cyclists Sonja (CH) and Jason (USA) which we invited on our campsite at the Laguna Chiguay.

Now we are back in Coyhaique and hope to keep going tomorrow. The only uncertainty is at the moment, that the road is blocked by protesters and we don’t know if we will be able to pass or not. We will see!

The best pictures (there are a few more) can still be found in the Gallery! Or at my competitors website ;-)

Michu cooking at Laguna Chaguai Esteban and Michu at Portezuelo Ibanez Cohaique - Villa Cerro Castillo Cohaique - Villa Cerro Castillo Portezuelo Ibanez Cohaique - Villa Cerro Castillo
]]> http://blog.biketravel.net/en/bike-around-the-world/coyhaique-villa-cerro-castillo-coyhaique/feed/ 0 Patagonia sin represas – demonstration in Coyhaique http://blog.biketravel.net/en/bike-around-the-world/patagonia-sin-represas-demonstration/ http://blog.biketravel.net/en/bike-around-the-world/patagonia-sin-represas-demonstration/#comments Tue, 14 Feb 2012 23:55:14 +0000 Stefan http://blog.biketravel.net/?p=1170 Continue reading →]]> As you may know, there are plans to build many dams in the so far pristine Patagonia. Many people are against this project but the government Piñera is heading forward with it anyway.

Tonight there was a small demonstration against this project in Coyhaique (see picture below). It weren’t a lot of people but they couldn’t be overheard. It’s not really a surprise that it weren’t that many. A lot of the inhabitants of the region are probably hoping that they can profit from the project somehow, e.g. by getting a job.

It’s of course the decision of (hopefully) the Chilenian people. In my opinion it would be a big loss if those dams would be build.

Rio Baker and Patagonia sin represas - View of HydroAisen Rio Baker Patagonia sin represas - Demonstration in Coyhaique Rio Baker
]]> http://blog.biketravel.net/en/bike-around-the-world/patagonia-sin-represas-demonstration/feed/ 2 NAVIMAG and the first full 80km http://blog.biketravel.net/en/bike-around-the-world/navimag-and-the-first-full-80km/ http://blog.biketravel.net/en/bike-around-the-world/navimag-and-the-first-full-80km/#comments Mon, 13 Feb 2012 23:30:22 +0000 Stefan http://blog.biketravel.net/?p=1157 Continue reading →]]> After a sunny day in Puerto Varas, I drove down to Puerto Montt to take the NAVIMAG ferry. I tried again to avoid the highway but without success. It seems to be a curse… However, the guy at the control in Puerto Montt even opened the barrier for me. So probably I wasn’t completely wrong…

At 10pm there was boarding and luckily my bike was accepted as normal luggage for the NAVIMAG ferry. So I didn’t have to pay extra which was great. The NAVIMAG ferry is mostly a cargo ferry for trucks. It took some time till everything was on board and we left Puerto Montagg around 6am instead of the planned 4am. Luckily I was sleeping till then also if it was pretty noisy

On Sunday we were crossing through the channel between Chile and the island of Chiloe. I had the choice between watching horror movies inside or enjoying the sun on deck. I didn’t have to think that long about what was better ;-) . The sunbathing was only interrupted by lunch and dinner, which cost each 3’000 pesos extra. A fair price I would say. And as dessert a wonderful sunset was served followed by an impressive show of stars.

On Monday morning we arrived finally in Puerto Chacabuco at around 7am instead of the planned 4am. However, I didn’t mind at all. As the last entertainment part we had to search for bike. Finally it was found in one of the containers…

On the 80km to Coyhaique, which were partly wet (typical Weather in Patagonia), I meet two Germans, two Swiss and one French guy on bikes. Seems to be a bussy time for biking on the Carretera Austral!

Now I’m in Coyhaique and have to figure out where to meet my travel buddy Michu. He is still a few hundred kilometers south. You will read it here, of course :-) .

All the best,

Stefan

PS: Pictures will follow later. There are some nice ones :-) .

Update: Pictures are added now. The best pictures of the journey can be found here in the gallery.

Coyhaique Sunset on NAVIMAG Boarding NAVIMAG Sunset on NAVIMAG km 900 - Coyhaique Boarding NAVIMAG Sunset on NAVIMAG Sunrise at NAVIMAG Sunset on NAVIMAG
]]> http://blog.biketravel.net/en/bike-around-the-world/navimag-and-the-first-full-80km/feed/ 6 It’s going south http://blog.biketravel.net/en/bike-around-the-world/its-going-south/ http://blog.biketravel.net/en/bike-around-the-world/its-going-south/#comments Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:34:46 +0000 Stefan http://blog.biketravel.net/en/?p=1147 Continue reading →]]> After I did kind of organisational things the last few days, I finally took off again by using the night bus down to Puerto Varas. Because the only available bus was a Bus Cama (with beds), I didn’t even have to choose. And it was really almost a bed :-) .

Just after leaving the bus station in Santiago, we ended up in a traffic jam. And the reason for this traffic jam wasn’t nice at all: A crash between a bus and a truck. With mixed feelings we drove on. Luckily nothing further happened and after a bit more than 12 hours, we arrived in Puerto Varas. I was happy to find a hostel almost within minutes.

On Saturday I wil cycle further to Puerto Montt where I will board the ferry to Puerto Chacabuco. From there, will cycle to Cohaique within a day or two. That’s the plan. Will see what reality says to that ;-) .

PS: From Puerto Varas, I have a great view on two volcanoes: Osorno (see also Picture below) and the at the moment still active Volcano Puyehue Cordon Caulle.

]]> http://blog.biketravel.net/en/bike-around-the-world/its-going-south/feed/ 2 Arrived in Santiago http://blog.biketravel.net/en/bike-around-the-world/arrived-in-santiago/ http://blog.biketravel.net/en/bike-around-the-world/arrived-in-santiago/#comments Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:09:35 +0000 Stefan http://blog.biketravel.net/?p=1080 Continue reading →]]> After a very long journey, I finally arrived in Santiago. And luckily also all my luggage arrived. So there was no reason to cycle straight to Santiago after building my bike together again. However, I already have to conclusions so far:

  • I have too much luggage
  • There seems really no way out of the airport except the highway
  • I need sun creme

For the first problem I still have to search for a solution. Probably I have to leave some stuff in Santiago which I won’t use in Chile but need in the USA afterwards. For the second point: I really tried to avoid the highway as I already had to use it the last time. Therefore, I searched for a longer time for a way to leave the airport without passing by those “bycicle forbidden” signs. However, I just couldn’t it! I gave up finally when I saw a few guys with their racing bikes entering the highway. But I just used it for a few miles and left it again as soon as possible… And yes through those 2+ hours searching my way to Santiago, I got already sun burned. I protected my face but didn’t the rest of my body because I had only a little container. So I have to get (allong other stuff): Sun creme, a Chilenen SIM card and a bus ticket or so to Coyhaique. So still a lot to do before I can start cycling in Coyhaique. There I’m planning to meet another guy from Switzerland. Enjoy the winter in Europe! It’s 30°C here ;-) .

Santiago Main Square Airport - Santiago Traffic Santiago Didn't know that this even exists... Street Art 2 Bike at the Santiago Airport Street Art 1
]]> http://blog.biketravel.net/en/bike-around-the-world/arrived-in-santiago/feed/ 8 On the way http://blog.biketravel.net/en/bike-around-the-world/on-the-way/ http://blog.biketravel.net/en/bike-around-the-world/on-the-way/#comments Sat, 04 Feb 2012 20:29:09 +0000 Stefan http://blog.biketravel.net/?p=1073 After a very busy week Im finally on the way to Santiago Thank you to all for the wishes! Im sorry for not having written back to all yet. Hear you soon!

Bike boxing
]]> http://blog.biketravel.net/en/bike-around-the-world/on-the-way/feed/ 3 For older journeys click here http://blog.biketravel.net/en/bike-around-the-world/welcom/ http://blog.biketravel.net/en/bike-around-the-world/welcom/#comments Thu, 01 Dec 2011 17:00:48 +0000 Stefan http://blog.biketravel.net/?p=864 In this part of my homepage, you can find information about my latest journey. For older journeys, please have a look here. Enjoy reading and thank you for your visit!
Stefan

]]> http://blog.biketravel.net/en/bike-around-the-world/welcom/feed/ 0 A little change to the plan http://blog.biketravel.net/en/bike-around-the-world/a-little-change-to-the-pla/ http://blog.biketravel.net/en/bike-around-the-world/a-little-change-to-the-pla/#comments Wed, 23 Nov 2011 22:23:51 +0000 Stefan http://blog.biketravel.net/?p=827 Continue reading →]]> My flight was booked for the 6th of December. However, for personal reasons, I had to change it to the 4th of February 2012. Life has always a surprise ready and I’m sure, it won’t be the last one anyway ;-) .
If you are in Chile or Argentina during February till April 2012, please let me know. Especially if you ride a bike :-) .

]]> http://blog.biketravel.net/en/bike-around-the-world/a-little-change-to-the-pla/feed/ 2 Getting ready http://blog.biketravel.net/en/bike-around-the-world/getting-ready/ http://blog.biketravel.net/en/bike-around-the-world/getting-ready/#comments Sat, 05 Nov 2011 16:15:54 +0000 Stefan http://blog.biketravel.net/en/bike-around-the-world/getting-ready/ Continue reading →]]> If everything goes well, I will fly on the 6th of December 2011 to Santiago de Chile to start the journey in South America :-) . It’s not yet clear where I’m exactly heading to first. However, I’m planning to be in South America till mid of April and then flying to the USA for biking up the west coast.
And afterwards? We will see :-) .
I would like to say a big thank you also to the team of MTBCycletech for the great service and support! I’m very much looking forward to show my new Papalagi (my bike) the world :-) .

]]> http://blog.biketravel.net/en/bike-around-the-world/getting-ready/feed/ 0 Coming soon… http://blog.biketravel.net/en/bike-around-the-world/bald-in-diesem-kino/ http://blog.biketravel.net/en/bike-around-the-world/bald-in-diesem-kino/#comments Wed, 17 Aug 2011 20:49:16 +0000 Stefan http://blog.biketravel.net/?p=534 Continue reading →]]> I’m just preparing for a longer journey again. Just before the end of the year, I’m planning to start in South America. From around March 2012 I should be in North America. On the way to get ready for this, I’m also reorganizing this blog. Sorry for any inconveniences in the mean time.

If you are planning yourself to be in those areas during that time, please let me know. I would be happy to hear from you.

Stefan, biketravel.net

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