| Location: | Bariloche |
More than anything, the need to get the bike back home safely and in one piece drove this decision. We were now running on what would be an illegal back tyre back home (no tread!) and this alone increases risks of punctures and problems. Being stuck in Patagonia miles from any where in snow, with a flat and no camping gear was not our idea of fun and we had ahd enough adventure in the past two months to last a while!
We took the road back out to the coast and found ourselves back in Comodoro Rividavia for a couple of nights of R&R, before then heading back inland (but this time on a paved road) to Bariloche. It was about 400 miles on falt pampas again until we reached the small town called Esquel, set at the foothills of the mountains. Then from here only 180 miles on to Bariloche the following day. The change in ladnscape is stark. One day flat straight road with nothing; the next we are heading into the mountains on good road, gentle bends, magnificent pine forests and snow capped peaks.
Bariloche is set on the banks of Lake Napuelhuapi and we enjoyed three days of superb sunshine here, twinkling lakes and walks through the woods. The wind down from the ride is really starting to happen. No longer is the focus on miles and miles. At last we have the chance to relax between stops and have more chance to explore the places we are in. In Bariloche we celebrate our second wedding anniversary and Kev´s 39th birthday.
