Some background: In December ’17 & January ’18 I spent 20 days exploring Patagonia on a motorcycle solo. The trip was full of adventures, interesting people, challenging experiences, and growth. At least I think there was growth.
I wrote about the trip on my Facebook page, which I don’t generally make public. The plan is go transfer the posts here over the next few days/weeks. I’ll probably combine some of them, and leave the longer ones to stand alone.
It was a hastily planned trip in many ways, and that reflected in my attitude leading up to my departure. I often go into these sorts of things with the best intentions, but end up scrambling at the last minute. This is a good place to provide you with a lesson – don’t be me, plan ahead better.
What I mean by saying this was hastily planned is this; most people would probably take longer than three months to plan a trip like this, where I made the decision to go in August – a mere 3.5 months before departure. It led to some ‘small’ scrambles, but in the end everything worked out.
Researching rental companies for this trip led me to Ride Adventures (www.rideadv.com [I probably won’t link to many companies here, but Eric is awesome, and you should all do business with him]). They do fully both fully supported tours, and self-guided tours around the world. I can’t say enough good things about ’em.
Initially, I was just going to try to rent a bike, and figure the rest out on my own, but RideADV’s itinerary, hotel bookings, and everything else they provide convinced me it was the right way to go. Having the burden of logistics removed was huge, and let me concentrate on other things. Now all I had to do was show up, and get from place to place every day while exploring whatever in between.
In order to not bore you completely, I’m going to start this at the ‘1 month to go’ mark, still fairly long, but probably worth it in the long run. The first entry (this one) will cover up until I collect the bike in Pucon, Chile. Enjoy.
Nov. 21, 2017
28 days.
The ‘one month’ mark snuck up on me much faster than I thought it would. I realize I’m less prepared than I’d like to be at this point, but I must forge on. The race to adventure is gathering steam. My heartbeat quickens and my mind races when I realize how close I am.
So much to do before the clock strikes zero and I reach the point of no return.
Wilderness is not a luxury, but a necessity of the human spirit.
Dec. 7, 2017
11 days.
Less than two weeks. The timer is ticking down rapidly and I have so much to do before it hits zero. I sense some long hours in my future. Every one worth the payoff, I’m sure.
Today I willingly let someone stab me with needles. It’s vaccine day. My least favorite day.
Adventure is worthwhile in itself.
Dec. 11, 2017
7 days.
The proverbial light at the end of the tunnel is close now.
One of those Monday’s that everyone is always complaining about. The sort of Monday that you need a break from.
Today is Star Wars night at The Pond! Awesome.
Adventure. Excitement. A Jedi craves not these things…
Dec. 15, 2017
3 days.
Well, I guess it’s time to buckle down and actually get things in order. I’m sort of mostly ready. Mostly.
That will mostly have to wait until tomorrow… today is Star Wars day.
Tracker link: https://share.garmin.com/rac
Adventure without risk is Disneyland.
Dec. 17, 2017
1 day.
Holy crap. Finally test packed last night. Realized I’m missing some small things. Errands being ran.
Tracker link: https://share.garmin.com/rac
Life is either a great adventure or nothing.
Dec. 18, 2017
0 days.
The final countdown has begun. Work has gone so slow today. Each minute feels like an hour. Plenty to do before heading to the airport.
Tracker link: https://share.garmin.com/rac
Adventure and exploration are in my blood.
Safety Third, my friends.
Dec. 18, 2017
My whole world for the next three weeks.
Feeling thankful for Touratech, inReach, Giant Loop, and Kriega.
Here we go!
Dec. 18, 2017
11 minutes in and the adventure has already started. Flight to Mexico City is cancelled. Gotta find a new way home, pizza boy.
Dec. 19, 2017
(checking into the Sheraton Los Angeles Airport)
Ok, so… cheaper than an Uber home and back. Looks like I’ll be trying again in the morning. Cheers!
Dec. 19, 2017
(back at LAX)
Round two… now with 100% more rebooking. Go!
Dec. 19, 2017
(now in Miami)
Had to go sideways first. Get to spend a few hours in Miami before finally flying to Santiago. Nothing’s gonna stop me this time… right?
Dec. 19, 2017
An update in case anyone is still following along… at this point it’s just amusing I suppose.
Was on the plane. Plane pulled away from the gate. Surprise: mechanical problem. Back to the gate… waiting. Oh, we can’t leave now so off the plane.
Good news: they have another plane! Bad news: flight crew maxed out their hours.
Verdict: cancelled.
That’s the second cancelled flight thus far. Now I don’t leave until Wednesday morning. As long as I get to Chile before my very early flight Thursday I guess it’s fine. That’s the flight I really can’t miss.
Time to find out what the airline plans on doing with us all.
Dec. 20, 2017
(finally in Santiago!)
Great success! Finally.
Additional comments from the present (Aug. 20, 2019): Just getting to Chile proved to be an adventure. Two cancelled flights, and an extra day of travel meant I didn’t get any time in Santiago to explore. The trip had been planned with one extra day, which now became no days. Had enough time to get dinner, have a quick sleep, and go back to the airport for my flight to Pucon. Bit of a bummer, but very glad I had that cushion.
Dec. 21, 2017
A totally flawless flight and a taxi ride to grab a lunch beer in Pucón. This place is amazingly beautiful. Right on Lake Villarrica. The volcano and snow capped mountains surrounding everything add to it.
Pick up the bike tomorrow (finally): https://share.garmin.com/rac
P.S. stray dogs everywhere… can I bring them all home?
Additional comments from the present (Aug. 20, 2019): Pucon was pretty darn awesome. It’s quite a decent taxi trip from the airport, which was great. It gave me the opportunity to just look around, which I really enjoyed.
Due to my flight being insanely early I couldn’t check into my hotel, which worked perfectly. I was able to leave my luggage, and go walking around. Spent some time just sitting in a park. Went for lunch. Just wandered. Pucon is great. It is a bit weird looking up at a steaming volcano, though. Weird & magical.
In the later afternoon I found a place to grab a beer, and ceviche. Salmon ceviche, actually. Salmon pulled from the river that morning. It was amazing. Then I went for dinner at a place called La Maga. The best steak I’ve ever had in my life. I suggest you go. Totally worth it. Might have found a bar after. It was a fun night, for sure.
An amusing observation about Chile is the music. It’s all American music. In fact, the first song I heard when I got off the plane was a Save Ferris song. So odd…
Ryan Cavalier 