27.12.2023 :: 03.01.2024

Rio Gallegos – Rio Grande

So the snail´s pace i am referring to, did not apply to our ride from Rio Gallegos to Rio Grande. Jumping the boarder two times Argentina – Chile and Chile – Argentina including a ferry ride we basically did 390 km in grueling winds. Fun thing though, you get used to it, and the upside is definitely the tailwinds, when you open your visor at about 90km/h and there is not even a slight breeze hitting your face. Headwinds are a totally different story, and most of the times the wind from the side. Had to cross to “sand storms”. The first one lasted for about 200m but visibility was at about 20m , second one was much smaller.

The boarder crossings themselves were rather uneventful, no problems on our end, but they still ate time. We finally reached the ferry that brought us to Argentina´s province “Tiera del Fuego”. We had about 3 – 4 swells. Short ride though and no seasickness.

Downside of all the wind was, we basically never stopped for enjoying the landscape or drinks or anything really. Which made us reach Rio Grande pretty fast. Started riding at 08:30 sharp and reached by about 17:30.

And now to the snailpace, we again stay two nights in Rio Grande, before heading to Tolhuin for one night and then finally Ushuaia which we will reach on the 30th right before new years eve.

Rio Grande – Tolhuin

As said we got some time on our hand, and the last time we have been down south to Ushuaia we only saw Lago Fagagno from inside a bus, this time we stayed one night.

We just went down to the lake had some coffee and walked back, which was almost 10km, distances are still amazing.

Tolhuin – Ushuaia :: Fin del Mundo

That left us with only another 100km down to Ushuaia which we reached at the 30th of December. We took it rather slow stopped for the landscape and for some coffee. A little mishap occured as well. At the coffee stop we parked the motorcycles really bad, so a wind gust tumbled them. The machines are fine, but the suitcases have some damage. We were able to fix them, but it is annoying as it was our fault and we did not pay enough attention to the wind, which on that day did not seem overly bad.

We already spent several nights in Ushuaia at the beginning of 2019, which included three hiking trips, so this time on the 31st of December we opted for a last ride of the year toward a less populated area at the Beagle Canal. Once we veered of Ruta 3, we found ourself at a nice dirt road down a valley which later turned towards the Canal. Wind was there again but the view, oh the view.

This was a perfect ride to close down our way south and the year 2023.

New years eve. A little bit of media work (mostly working on the images and one more film) and then of to find a place to eat and celebrate the new year. Well we did not reserve anything so we ended up in the Irish Pub in Ushuaia, which honestly was quite good to celebrate. Locals were in attendance as well as other riders from all over, some backpackers. Some food, some drinks and music. What else do you need to have a good night out.

We chose to stay till 2nd of Jan, so on the first, both Stefan and myself went for a run (separatly) and then we did some moto maintenance (chain tension, chain lubrication, suitcases), and general relaxation.

Ushuaia – Rio Grande

We wanted to ride something different, but there are not that many roads to choose from. Our set destination was Porvenir on the Chilean side of the Tierra del Fuego island. However the border crossing we wanted to use to get there is currently under maintenance, so we were forced to go back to Rio Grande to use the San Sebastian border crossing instead.

Anyway it was a good ride, nice scenery and we had our first coffee on the road this trip.

Rio Grande concluded our fifth week on this trip and it was as well the start of our way north.

Till next time everyone,
happy hacking