The Lagunas Route

Another year older, another year wiser; at least so the saying goes.

As we say goodbye to our adopted home of San Pedro De Atacama, we begin the long ramp like climb from the Atacama Desert toward the lofty heights of the Bolivian Antiplano. Heads gently thumping, as the midday sun beats down on us working out the remnants of the previous evenings Pisco induced festivities.

Older; Yes.  Wiser; Questionable.

We leave as a rag tag bunch of four English cyclists. Neil the round the world cyclist, two years on the road and still impeccably turned out. Jose a fellow northerner from Rossendale coming toward the end of his trip south from Mexico. Exiled Bristolian, New Mexican and honorary Yorkshireman Cass, and yours truly.

After 2300m of climbing the smooth asphalt of Paso Jamma is left behind, the dirt road greeting us serves as a stark demarcation between the fortunes of Chile and Bolivia.

Immigration formalities completed spirits are high; Bienviendos Bolivia! A country whose stark, barren landscapes and picture perfect blue skies have long taunted me from a computer screen.

As an icy wind bites at us, Bolivia’s stark landscapes become a harsh reality as we find ourselves in the middle of a storm. Seeking sanctuary at the entrance to the Eduardo Avarao National Park we sit things as afternoon turns to evening we listen as wind buffets the building throughout the night.

By morning each of us brace ourselves for battle with the elements.

Wrapped Up

When you can no longer feel your fingers and toes, star jumps make for great exercise.

Star Jumps

Taking what little shelter we can find, we survey the road ahead.

Discussing

Before crossing icy streams.

Icy Rivers

The sandy, rutted road conditions slow progress for all. Neil’s skinny rimmed Condor Heritage out of its comfort zone, making for plenty of pushing.

Pushing

Sandy and rutted.

Sandy

With strengthening winds we decide to turn back and seek refuge once again. 4 hours and less than 20kms of actual riding. Epic.

The following morning, light winds and banner blue skies make for a more fitting introduction to big Bolivian landscapes.

Morning Trails

Rugged beauty, all the way from Lancashire.

Jose

Jeep traffic buzzes us frequently, transporting a steady stream of goggle eyed tourists between the parks must see attractions. Never to step foot outside their jeep, its a landscape passively admired from the relative warmth and comfort of their arm chair on wheels.

Jeeps

Keen to make progress after so much downtime we push on before the Antiplano winds build during the afternoon.

Progress

Our reward; Three hours spent soaking in thermal springs as the sun slowly drops painting the Antiplano in reds and oranges.

Thermals

A cold, rough days cycling over Sol De Manana (4950m) takes us to Laguna Colorado.

Laguna Colorado Descent

A rock strewn ‘Cass Especial Fat Bike Shortcut’ at the end of the day leaves Jose stopping to catch his breath as we bobble round on golf ball sized rocks.

Jose

Ice, Moss and Laguna Colorado’s pink hues.

Laguna Colorado

Following starkly contrasting single track we are once again deposited on the jeep churned washboard. Unfortunately characterising much of the riding in this remote south western corner of Bolivia.

Singletrack

With dwindling time before his flight back home we leave Jose at the park gate to hitch a ride. A Surly Triptych: Troll, Ogre, Pugsley.

Surly Triptych

Churny, sand riding takes us through Arbol De Piedras.

Arbol De Piedra

Before a high camp at 4600m. The morning sun thaws out cold limbs, after chilly night time temperatures reach -15 degrees.

Camping

Wide, expansive valleys take us past mineral stained volcanoes.

Cass and minerals

Before rough, rutted descents take us to a cluster of lakes at the northern end of the park.

Descent

Some are vivid blue like Laguna Honda.

Lakes

Others salt encrusted empty vessels.

Salt Encrusted

Or flamingo strewn Laguna Hedionda.

Laguna Hedionda

Leaving the Laguna’s proper, we rip down sandy trails toward one of the many salt flats in this region.

Salt Flat View

Welcome to the gun show.

Guns

After days churning through sand and rattling our fillings lose on jeep induced corrugations the salt flats smooth surface comes as a revelation. It’s all smiles as we enter a Mad Maxian landscape.

Smiles

We race toward the metropolis of San Juan and our first dose of fresh fruit and vegetables in as many days.

Fast Progress

Onward the Mad Max theme continues as we pass through sparsely populated towns like Julaca.

Juluca

Juluca

My view for much of the Lagunas route as Cass and El Ponderosa tear away as things get sandy and corrugated. 3.8 inch tyres win in the floatation stakes that’s for sure.

Knards

Andi aka ‘Papa Noel’ joins us for a 6 weeks jaunt north. 4 days late to our meeting in Uyuni he miraculously tracks us down in a small Bolivian town by night. Bringing with him much needed bike spares from Keep Pedalling and a replacement camera body after cracking the screen on one too many rough descents back south he is a welcome sight.

Riding to Uyuni we follow the rail tracks.

Papa Noel

The war cry: Bolivia!

Bolivia

Stopping at the Cemetario De Trenes outside Uyuni we find a veritable junk yard of railway memorobilia and rusting metal.

Train

Asi Es La Vida = Such is life.

This is Life

Thanks

A special thanks needs to said to the Pikes on Bikes and their veritable treasure trove of adenturous Andean information over at Andes By Bike and Tour.tk for their Cycling South West Bolivia PDF which became compulsory bed time reading as teeth chattered during sub zero night time temperatures.

8 Comments

  1. cycling Salar de Uyuni – RickMcCharles.com
    15/08/2014

    […] See his photo journal of the adventure. […]

    Reply
  2. joannie gilbert
    17/08/2014

    Really great photos, Mike…and additionally appreciated by me as (my son) Cass is featured…hope your family are enjoying Cass’ photos in the same way! Happy travels. Joannie Gilbert

    Reply
  3. Nic, Holly, Olivia
    18/08/2014

    We need to see your guns out big man. You’d better not be wasting away under that down jacket! the shots are amazing as always and its great to view your adventures. Hope you are keeping well and its good to see you are enjoying a good crack Keep updating the blog and pictures. All our best wee man, keep churning 🙂

    Reply
  4. Debbie
    25/08/2014

    What an incredible post!!! I was in that part of Bolivia in January, and recognise lots of places from your photos – I actually climbed inside that train you have pictured for a photo! Like all your photos these are amazing – you have captured these immense landscapes so well. It was much hotter when I was there, but if I ignore the ice it’s like being transported back there… Put a huge smile on my face, which got smilier with every new picture that scrolled up the screen!
    While I was there (in that part of Bolivia) I was thinking how amazing it would be to cycle through those landscapes, take time to be there and properly connect with the surroundings; so what a pleasure to read this post, and think to myself ‘maybe one day…’
    This post has really made me wish I was going to be at the top of the continent when you get there, rather than back when you were starting out, so we could get a beer (or pisco sour!) and I could hear more about this trip! I’m heading to Oz in just a few weeks now though, so I’ll just have to keep up with your amazing blog instead 🙂

    Reply
    • Mike
      02/09/2014

      Glad you enjoyed the post and pictures Debbie!

      I’m trying not to think about reaching the top of South America just yet, but if I ever make it out to Oz I’ll be sure to take you up on the offer of a Pisco or Beer.

  5. jamo who else
    04/09/2014

    Good pics & poor Pissco ….
    Just wait till you get on my secret trails & get some Absolution down your grid we’ll soon beef thee up youth !
    Proud of you kid and not a bit jealous
    ……

    Reply
  6. Bolivian Backlog: ¡Viva Bolivia! » Mike Howarth
    20/10/2014

    […] sooner do we arrive in Uyuni after the Lagunas Route, we turn on heels and head back south to the remote corner of Bolivia’s Sud Lipez […]

    Reply
  7. To Love or to Loathe?.. Wrestling with the Lagunas | Velo Freedom - Cycling South
    27/10/2014

    […] up. Most of my information during route research came from Neil and Harriet, Tom and Sarah, Cass, Mike, Anna and from the ‘Cycling South West Bolivia’ […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply