Monthly Archives: June 2016

We have reached the end of our Washington State to South America bicycling adventure

Total “Around the World” combined miles 22,468 (36,159 km)

On June 8, 2015 we left Blaine, Washington at the Canadian border and started cycling south. We entered Mexico at Tijuana on August 4th and now here we are about 1,000 miles short of our original goal of Ushuaia, Argentina, the southern tip of South America. From this start we have cycled 10,459 miles. Chile has been the longest country yet. We have zigzagged 2,405 miles through this country that is 2,670 miles long with an average width of less than 112 miles. We decided to stop at Puerto Montt and fly to Calgary, Canada and continue our world ride from there mostly due to the weather. It is dead winter in Chile and the southern part geography consists mostly of glaciers and fjords. There are many ferries that operate across these fiords but at this time most are closed due to winter conditions.

We had a great last day riding to Puerto Montt as the weather cleared and the beautiful and majestic Andes dazzled brightly in the blue sky. The forests and farmlands were also on brilliant display in the sun. At Puerto Montt we found a hotel then the bus station. Tickets were purchased for the following afternoon. While waiting for the bus ride we explored the city on foot. The all night ride left at 4 pm and arrived in Santiago at 6am the next morning. We wanted to stay downtown close to the city center to explore and found a nice apartment a few blocks from the Plaza de Armas.

From Wikipedia:

The Plaza de Armas is the main square of Santiago, the capital of Chile. It is the centerpiece of the initial layout of Santiago, which has a square grid pattern. This urban design was accomplished by Pedro de Gamboa, which was appointed by Pedro de Valdivia in 1541.

Surrounding the square are some historic buildings, including the Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago,Central Post Office Building, Palacio de la Real Audiencia de Santiago, and the building that serves as the seat of local government for Santiago, which was formerly occupied by the Cabildo of the city before being remodeled.

Our flight out is Monday so we “set up house” for a few days in the apartment. Jocelyn’s childhood friend, Danielle, lives here and she and her husband visited us before having a great Argentina beef lunch and visiting a museum. We all then took the subway to their apartment to meet their young son. Today we will visit a bike shop to box our bikes for our flight to Calgary.

From Calgary we will fly to California for a niece’s wedding and family reunion. Then Jocelyn and I will fly back to our bikes in Calgary with my wife, Andee, accompanying us for a few weeks. We expect to be riding again around July 9th.

The following seven pictures are from Jocelyn.
The following seven pictures are from Jocelyn.

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The lakes provide for beautiful camping.
The lakes provide for beautiful camping.
DCIM101GOPROGOPR1433.
DCIM101GOPROGOPR1433.
Volcan Calbuco.
Volcan Calbuco.

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Volcan Osorno.
Volcan Osorno.
Taking a bite out of Volcan Osorno.
Taking a bite out of Volcan Osorno.

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Two dogs with tails wagging hoping a customers drops something to them from the meat market.
Two dogs with tails wagging hoping a customers drops something to them from the meat market.

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Our celebratory dinner for bicycling 10,459 miles in one year since leaving Washington State at the Canadian border.
Our celebratory dinner for bicycling 10,459 miles in one year since leaving Washington State at the Canadian border.

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Puerto Montt, Chile achieved! The end of our North American to South American bicycling adventure.
Puerto Montt, Chile achieved! The end of our North American to South American bicycling adventure.
Interesting seaside sculpture.
Interesting seaside sculpture.
Santiago, Chile.
Santiago, Chile.

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A delicious Argentinean beef lunch. The meat is partially cooked and placed on this barbecue to continue cooking. So everyone eats when it is cooked to their taste.
A delicious Argentinean beef lunch. The meat is partially cooked and placed on this barbecue to continue cooking. So everyone eats when it is cooked to their taste.

The Chilean White House.
The Chilean White House.
Total “Around the World” combined miles 22,468 (36,159 km)