Leg Distance = 33.97km
Leg Time = 2 hours give or take, forgot to time
Total Distance = 33.97km
So, I finally managed to leave Puerto Varas and have made it to Frutillar after a pretty straightforward cycle. Most of it took place on the Ruta 5 motorway, and other than the road out of Puerto Varas it was all fairly easy going (the one out of Frutillar is even worse and by looking at the maps they aren't the only two. If any of you invent a time machine please go back a few centuries and tell Chilean settlers to stop building towns at the bottom of great big fucking hills). Admittedly, cycling on motorways isn't ideal (I did my best to ignore the crosses on the side of the road), but they have a wide hard shoulder and no overly steep climbs, so very convenient to cover large distances.
In some ways today was as easy as it is going to get: I hadn't cycled properly for a week so I was fresh, and the fact that I was finally on the road was a huge distraction; no doubt the novelty will wear off in a couple of weeks. Having said that, and melodramatic as it sounds, I felt nigh on elated when I finally pulled into Frutillar. One of the scariest things before starting was not actually being able to imagine what the day to day pedalling would be like, so finally getting a uneventful day's cycling done is a huge boost. Even if it does mean there are no funny stories for you guys to enjoy; not even the slightest saddle sore. Bear with me though, tomorrow (Frutillar to Puerto Octay) I could yet be eating my words.
Leg Time = 2 hours give or take, forgot to time
Total Distance = 33.97km
So, I finally managed to leave Puerto Varas and have made it to Frutillar after a pretty straightforward cycle. Most of it took place on the Ruta 5 motorway, and other than the road out of Puerto Varas it was all fairly easy going (the one out of Frutillar is even worse and by looking at the maps they aren't the only two. If any of you invent a time machine please go back a few centuries and tell Chilean settlers to stop building towns at the bottom of great big fucking hills). Admittedly, cycling on motorways isn't ideal (I did my best to ignore the crosses on the side of the road), but they have a wide hard shoulder and no overly steep climbs, so very convenient to cover large distances.
In some ways today was as easy as it is going to get: I hadn't cycled properly for a week so I was fresh, and the fact that I was finally on the road was a huge distraction; no doubt the novelty will wear off in a couple of weeks. Having said that, and melodramatic as it sounds, I felt nigh on elated when I finally pulled into Frutillar. One of the scariest things before starting was not actually being able to imagine what the day to day pedalling would be like, so finally getting a uneventful day's cycling done is a huge boost. Even if it does mean there are no funny stories for you guys to enjoy; not even the slightest saddle sore. Bear with me though, tomorrow (Frutillar to Puerto Octay) I could yet be eating my words.
Well played Rodders.
ReplyDeleteIf you've got to choose between funny stories and 'arriving safely and without massive problems' then I guess that I will understand if the latter is preferable to you.... grudgingly.
Nah seriously, well done.
Is there any particular feature that makes Frutillar worth visiting? Does it become obvious the place name (place where 'frutilla' (strawberry) grows?
ReplyDeletePanamerican Motorway has a reputation for stray animals (dogs, cows, horses...) causing serious accidents. Would the crosses be there for the human victims?
Can you spot any scavengers waiting or looking for 'fast food'?
Can you cycle in motorways in SA? Because you can´t in most european countries.
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