I forgot to set an alarm and woke up just before the group breakfast at 7.30am. This meant a rushed departure, but as Paul, Phil, Andy and I had filled up our tanks the previous night we thought we were ahead of the pack as we hit the road.
Yesterdays ride was a highlight of the trip to date, today it was even better. We started off on familiar wide open bends, threading through mountains and forest, but after a few km we turned off on to a more minor road that eventually became piste. While still a gravel track it was very different to Ruta 40 - much less loose stones. The road snaked and undulated through the forest until we eventually emerged back on to tarmac. This was the Argentinean lake district, with large blue lakes reflecting the sky. After today I feel that riding at home will be a rather underwhelming experience in the future - this was like the best bit of the Alps or Scotland, non stop for 200km.
We arrived at the lunch stop and were surprised to find we were the last riders and had managed to get behind the support truck after it went past us at a service station. The ride after lunch was fun but nothing compared with the morning. The forests disappeared quicker than they arrived and we are now back to scrub surrounded by mountains.
There then followed two less interesting days. Largely on long straight parts of Ruta 40, though this has taken us past the mid point of our route through Argentina. We are now in Mendoza and the weather is hot and sunny. Most of us have just returned from the local bike dealers to top up on oils and parts.
The bike is still running great, though the rear tyre is not going to last much longer and I am sure I'll need to pick up an extra set before I reach North America.
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