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Author: Peter Peresini

  • Descent from Mina Algarrobo

    Vicuña to Freirina

    Vicuña marks the start of my journey through Atacama desert. And also the start of another Ruta 5 avoidance operation. While this cannot compare to the majestic ride through Paso Agua Negra, the road (except for the unavoidable parts of the autopista) wasn't terribly boring.

    April 6

    As each ...

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  • Paso Agua Negra

    Iglesia to Vicuña (over Paso Agua Negra)

    This was my first really really high pass. Paso Agua Negra is around 4770m high and this promised a lot of excitement. That is, until the wind literally hit me. This changed the excitement into an incredibly tough ride. Nevertheless, the views are worth all the trouble.

    March 31

    The ...

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  • Bike ready to go

    Calingasta to Iglesia

    Final connecting part before I can start climbing to the Paso Agua Negra. According to Pike's description "The road isn't especially scenic and on some sections the surface is not particularly good". I think that the first statement is a bit too harsh -- while the altiplano route isn ...

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  • Leoncito downhill with bike and mountains behind

    Polvaredas to Callingasta

    After successfull cross of Cristo Redentor pass my next plan is to head directly north. The route goes on a deserty altiplano but it is quite nice.

    March 26

    The first plan for today is to finish the remaining 40 kilometers of descent to Uspallata. While this looks like a ...

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  • San Fernando

    San Fernando to Santiago

    The final stage to Santiago. With the villages almost constantly around me, this isn't as exciting as the mountains of Paso Vergara. On the other hand, lots of habitation have a bright spots. For example, frequent stops to buy a soft drink or some small snacks to eat.

    March ...
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  • Glacier on the way to Paso Vergara

    Las Loicas to San Fernando (over Paso Vergara)

    A solitary route through majestic landscapes and wide valleys. From the Argentinian side this can be hardly called a pass because it climbs only 500 meters over roughly 100 kilometers making it the flattest pass I ever climbed. But don't be fooled -- the Chilean side more than compensates for ...

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  • A mountain reflecting off Laguna Maule

    Linares to Las Loicas (over Paso Pehuenche)

    This is another scenic ride from Chile to Argentina. With the height of 2553 meters the pass isn't exactly little but it is still just a little brother to the passes more to the north. And just wait for the views of Laguna de Maule. All in all, cyclists ...

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  • Wooden musicians

    Chillán to Linares

    This is a necessary central valley connector before I can head towards mountains again. It brings the start of operation "Ruta 5 avoidance". Ruta 5 is probably the best-known Chilean road. It is basically an autostrada going from the south to the north. Unfortunately, there usually aren't many alternatives ...

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  • Looking at a valley below Paso Pichachen (Chilean side)

    El Huecú to Chillán (via Paso Pichachén)

    Paso Pichachén is a very nice Andean crossing. Especially if you also count the unforgettable moon-like Laguna del Laja on the Chilean side. With the height of 2060 meters this crossing belongs to the smaller ones. The Argentinian side is quite flat until the gendarmeria after which the climb starts ...

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