| Location: | Santiago, Chile |
| Mileage: | 15,500 |
We should arrive in Santiago ahead of schedule - the service was due for the following day, but the more time they have the bike the better. We continue on the coastal road. It is the wrong time of year for the best riding and cold damp mist swirls in across the ocean and we have to wrap up with heated vests and a multitude of layers.
When we reach the Tunnel El Melon, for the final 60 miles to Santiago, it is only a short ride to pop out from the coast into the valley and another world, where the air is dry and warm, bright flowers dot the road side and palm trees and pines grow together. The view is magnificent of the Andes, clear blue skies and snow topped mountains, warm sun make for an instant lifting of spirits as we make the last hour into the city.
It is a relief to roll upto Williamson Balfour and we roll off the bike, having completed the run from the border, some 1400 miles or so in the past 36 hours.
We now have a scheduled day of rest as the bike is overhauled and we stay with our good amigo, Francisco and his family in Santiago. It is strange having some time off the bike, but we have to make sure it is A1 for the last leg of this ride - as we get closer to our goal, they more we feel tense and nervous as any hiccup at this stage would be devastating.
We have now ridden the bike, barring the air freight Panama to Caracus, for 28 straight days. Sometimes covering over 1,000 miles a day, other times as little as 300 miles (although spending the same time on the bike!). We have a moment to try a recoup energies adn give the last section everthing we have. In just one week, we should be in Tierra del Fuego.
