surlybikes
Bolivian Backlog: ¡Viva Bolivia!
Over a month ago our adventures took us deep in to the Bolivian Antiplano, a land of fluffy Llamas, dramatic landscapes and non existent internet. Here is the first of my attempts to bring you up to date as I currently head north toward the Peruvian border and in to the Corderilla Real. The tally […]
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 […]
Adventures in San Pedro De Atacama
Arriving in San Pedro De Atacama on my birthday should have been the thinly veiled excuse Cass and I needed to go out and party after weeks spent on the road. Instead uncharacteristically I want nothing more than an early night and something to soothe a cough and cold picked up over the previous weeks […]
Cafayate to San Pedro De Atacama: Wine, Rarefied Air and Birthday Cake
Fortified on Torrientes the fruity vino blanco that makes Cafayate and the surrounding Valle CalchaquÃes famous throughout Argentina, Cass and I begin our journey in to the high mountains. Stood high above the area’s vineyards the snow capped Andes stand as sentinels seperating the neighbouring countries of Argentina and Chile. Leaving the vineyards behind we […]
Mendoza to Cafayate: Sun, Sand and Shivers
Leaving Mendoza, Cass my new riding partner and I set out on another long arid, and dusty stretch of riding taking us to Argentina’s northern province of Salta. Two days in to our cycling courtship we find ourselves and our bikes in the back of a 4×4 pickup as we bounce down a 3,000m Andean […]
To Mendoza: Pushin’ On
Sat next to the roaring log fire, the sound of rain drums on the roof and patters on the window pane. The weather forecast for the next 10 days looks equally dismal and depressing. It seems that Chile and my native Calderdale arent that dissimlar when it comes to winter weather. I spend a further […]
The Lake District: Autumn Leaves, Asphalt and a Volcano
As the days grow gradually cooler Autumn leaves gather on the ground. A daily reminder that winter slowly approaches. It is a slow spin out of Trevelin in to strong head winds and squalls of rain in Los Alerces National Park. Feeling unwell I slow things down and ride some shorter days, seeking sanctuary and […]
Back to Argentina: Eating Kurt’s Dirt
Stood at the road junction in La Junta another car whizzes past enveloping me in the dust cloud left in its wake. I stand looking blankly at my map trying trying to make a decision. 4 days of bad weather, increasing daily traffic and the promise of further road improvements north of La Junta make […]
Surly Ogre: Bikepacking & Dirt Road Tourer Review
Having been away from home for almost 7 months, its nice to get the occasional email from people back home. Shona’s email tells me of Keep Pedalling’s birthday party and celebrations. Over a year ago I had bitten the bullet and bought the frame and forks for my bike build whilst Rich, Shona and I […]
Lago Del Desierto: Border Crossings and Fond Farewells
As each day passes Autumn slowly draws nearer, the ever telling chill in the air and shortening of days as evenings draw in. As the tail end of the season approaches the Villa O’Higgins ferry, an integrale part of the jigsaw which links the dead end of El Chalten to Villa O’Higgins and the start […]
Patagonia: The Windy Bit. Punta Arenas to El Chalten
Last minute purchases in Punta Arenas enable me to carry extra food and water after my struggle through Tierra Del Fuego. The Carradice saddle bag proving a trusty capacious companion adeptly allowing me to burden it with yet more stuff. As the worst of the winds subside, Anita an Austrialian cyclist and I roll out […]
Torres Del Paine: Trekking The Full Circuit
More high winds and a bout of food poisoning should have dampened my spirits further but the psychological crux of arriving in Puerto Natales under blue skies and light winds makes the past few days troubles pale in to insignificance, as I ride in to town I sing my head off (albeit badly). After almost […]