Finally on the Patagonia Express I stop with a little remaining sun to try and dry out my shoes, clothes and rest. Almost out of food but tomorrow there should be a town. The clouds end the sunset early but somehow keep pushing down, giving me some more time of that great warm light. The mountains look amazing, beautiful but maybe for a little while I would enjoy more appreaciating them from afar.

Horses curiously look at me from distance as I arm the bike. I always like how they look at me

Birds perch over the telegraph poles and with the sun and flatness the way ahead seems easy

Then the string breaks. While re-doing it, i see that another spoke had broken. I dont think this would work at all, i had also been pedaling very gently and never uphill. I do another string job and hope it gets me to town, maybe there are zipties there?

few hours and more walking than i would have liked later i got to town but had to take an internet break until all the stores opened (the internet house, well actually i think it was a library was open) then I found zipties and went bananas with them

i rolled out in the evening looking for a quiet place to camp, i was pedaling but always with a lot of care, not to make a sudden movement, not to try coasting.

in the morning i wonder for a bit but it is so typical of Merell to use water glue. two weeks in the snow and rain were a bit too much.

I reach the little town of El Maiten where i find a very reasonable cabin and proceed to cook a big meal for one but end up cooking for two, for two days.

i make friends with the smartest dogs ever. When i first approached they start barking and dont bark at me but at their owners to let them know there is a stinky gringo on a bike

apparently the train only goes out for a short run every saturday and even if i want to meet it near Esquel, i will need to take a few rest days. Kind of like rain days but train days because you arent waiting for the rain but for the train.

BUT…

there was a group of train lovers that had rented the train and if i lay low i can sneak some photos and videos in.

interestingly i find that i am not a big fan of photos and do take the time to play around with videos, high frequency range and slow mo, they also said drone is ok but not when they are videotaping (obviously for the buzz).

and for the locals its just another day here