First part of the trip

Now, that’s a pretty bike. I can assure you it doesn’t quite look as clean and shiny after a bit more than 300km, mountains climbing, river crossing, mud sliding and gravel tumbling. But all in all, I’d say it looks just like a rolling stone.

This first week definitely taught me a lot about people. People are nice, they’re not just these endless soul crushing waves blocking your way in the subway. They take you in, offer you food, diner, maté, a bed, laughs or just simply advice (or mosquito repellant). In the small village of El Tala I have met an unforgettable family, incredibly generous and forthcoming. Thank you for your welcome, it was most definitely appreciated. See, I arrived at this small town after many kilometres on some dubious road (scarcely avoiding large gaps dotting it) feeling ravenous and exhausted. Naturally the first thing I did was to storm in a restaurant and wolfing down the best Milanesa (Argentinian meat) of my life. It’s only after this presentation of my savageness that a guy offered me to come crash at his place for the night, along with the whole family!

I’m only sad I couldn’t have the whole family at once on the picture! Thank you all!

Strengthened by this encounter, I left the following morning to find my way to Rosario de la Frontera. As only a one night stop, I took up my way next day at first light on the Ruta 9. This has clearly not been my favourite part of the trip so far: cars flying by, quite uninteresting landscapes, headwind and a dreadful alternance of downhill Road only to find yourself climbing back up. No, clearly not what I’m looking for in this trip! As such I sped my way through it and somehow reached a mountain path by the end of the day. That’s where the first real rookie mistake comes in. Exhausted, I unmounted from my trusty bike and began to take out the tent out of my bag. There was a river just a few meters away, how nice! Ah. No. Mosquitoes, hundreds of them. By the time I realised this and stormed through my stuff to get my trousers and long sleeves on I had been bitten hard. In terms of casualties are accounted for more than 150 mosquito stings over my legs. That will NOT happen again.

Now, mountains roads aren’t always the funniest as you find yourself walking by your bike simply pushing it to climb the hill. But disgusted as I was by the cars on the road I still decided to go for it. I’m definitely glad I did!

This is the kind of landscape you can expect going off-road. Pretty cool, isn’t it? Well, that’s without the pictures of eight legs hairy monsters rivaling the size of Aragog, or the fleeting appearance of wild boars or even snakes.

After many such wondrous landscapes, I finally made it to Salta. The city blows, I can clearly see why it’d be on the list of many touristic guides!

Now, tomorrow will see me in the Salinas grandes and the magnificent views Jujuy has to offer. Although touring it in bicycle was tempting, I don’t feel strong and confident enough in myself to attempt to cross the 4000m mountains quite yet and signed up for a touristic excursion. I’ll definitely share pictures of the trips with you though!