Enjoying a relaxing day in Zapala as well as figuring out the next cycling sections.

End of September and I’ve cycled 23,845 kilometers (14,817 miles) so far. For fun, I decided to plot out the distance cycled vs days on the road above. I labeled the horizontal shelves where I stopped for a bit before continuing.

Each “box” is one month wide and 2,000 kilometers high and so shows when riding I’ve been fairly consistent in riding 1,500 to 2,000 kilometers per month. A little less in Central America and the start of South America and a little more in the first four months and last month before Mendoza.

The TDA ride from Puerto Montt to Ushuaia will be ~2,500 kilometers in one month including a good stretch of unpaved roads. The riding will thus be at a quicker pace over rough terrain – but also no longer carrying my gear in my panniers nor having to chunk my route into appropriate stops, get food/water or other items. In any case, it will be an interesting change.

I am still figuring out whether to stop for approximately four weeks in Bariloche and take a break before cycling over to Puerto Montt or to keep cycling south after Bariloche for another four weeks and then take a ferry back around. Some of this will depend on how tough the Argentina section of Ruta 40 will be further south and hence I am taking some time to read further.

Zapala is a small town with a main double street downtown.

There is art of more classic type.

Also art of a more modern style.

A reasonable sized supermarket that is open much of the day.

Also little shops like this bread shop.

From here I expect approximately a week of riding to Bariloche. The next 200 kilometers is a gap with no towns or services. I expect three days riding or perhaps two if the strong headwinds forecast turn out less than expected. This should still be a dry and windy section. After the gap, it brings me to the “Lake District” with a lusher (and wetter/rainier) area.