Days 23 to 24 - Punta Arenas, Chile
13 to 14 April Kms travelled – 3,723
I have gone quiet, sorry about that. And particularly sorry that some of you avid followers have grown a little concerned about my absence from this blog. There are a few reasons, however.
I´m now entering one of the hardest stretches of the trip in terms of the riding, and a period when internet access is at best limited. I´ve also agreed to do some writing for the media about this part of the journey in a bid to extend readership and help boost my fundraising for Unicef.
Lamb in Argentina - nice!
Understandably publishers are not interested in reprinting material that is already freely available online, so I am under a form of embargo with regards the stories and experiences I am picking up along the way – and they are many. Don´t worry though, I am still travelling and still writing, and I will be letting you know in due course when and where you can get your hands on this stretch of the Pat Around the Americas story. I´ll be posting a few pics that don´t conflict with the stories being prepared for the media.
Normal service will resume in due course, and in the interim (and while I have good internet connections) I will be taking the opportunity to update some of the supporting pages to this website. This will include more detailed information on the route south (including the border crossings for that part of the trip), updated stats, and some reviews on how the kit and bike are holding up. I´ll highlight what has been updated in my posts over the next couple of weeks.
Days 25 to 26 – to El Calefate
15 to 16 April Kms travelled – 4,332
I´m still safe and on the road – and still writing too.
No, I don´t need a loo break!
I´ve started updating some of the stats for the trip to date on this website. An interesting variance in fuel economy to date caused by changes to the road and climactic conditions. Fellow travellers thinking of doing something similar will wish to keep this notable change in tank range in mind.
At least I´ve not had the need to add any more numbers to my mozzie bite count, now that the colder weather has set in. See, there is always a positive!
Days 27 to 33 – to Esquel
17 to 23 April Kms travelled – 6,755
Some of the hardest and most painful travelling I´ve ever done is during this section of the trip. Also some incredible sights, and great kindness (thanks Hugo and Maria).
I´m itching to tell you all about it, but I guess we are all just going to have to wait a while longer.
Needless to say I need your support, but so do the very many kids in each of the countries I´m visiting.
Those of you who have kindly pledged to support Unicef, but have not yet had the chance to make a donation, might like to do so now. Go on – give me a reason to keep going - I´m struggling!
Days 34 to 35 – to Trevelin and Bariloche
24 to 25 April Kms travelled – 7,152
I´d like to say just a quick thank you to Clare and Victor for their hospitality, and to Iwan for his time.
I´m still moving (but not as quickly as I´d like) – still taking photos – and still writing. It is almost like this country doesn´t want to let me go!
Thought for the day
I was just wondering as I ride and write whether my thoughts and opinions recorded on this blog and in other writings will end up contradicting earlier posts, or perhaps evolve as the journey progresses. I will try to remain true to what I feel at each stage of the venture, and to aid in that, not to re-read earlier material too much until after the show is over. It will be interesting to see if things do change.
These blog entries are being reposted from Pat's website [link] in an effort to draw more attention to his fundraising efforts with UNICEF. You can help Pat reach his goal here [link] as he continues to ride throughout the Americas. Follow along daily for updates.
