All the days except the first have been running at around 150km’s. On its own 150kms is a big day but not unbearable, we have had 30-50kms of dirt roads added into that mix as well as 35-38c heat. 4 days in and I think most of the group is feeling it a little. Yesterday threw in a brutal cross and head wind to battle with, the terrain is flat and unspectacular making the mind games take over at times on the road. James the chef observed he can tell a hard day when there is left over food, people are so tired they can’t even summon the energy to go and get seconds, eating itself taking too much effort at that point of the day.
I have been incredibly impressed with the groups teamwork and camaraderie, there are a number of riders who have never done more than 60kms before and aren’t passionate cyclists but the willingness to battle on each day even this early on has surprised me. Slowly the routine is kicking in, each morning people seem to be a little faster to drop their tents, the chef is telling less people where to find their breakfast (always amuses me when three months in people still cannot figure out that the same flask that has had hot water every day so far will most likely be the best place to look for hot water.) Today finds us with 138kms from Bouquet to Villa Maria, the wind is brutal though the direction is a little more favourable than yesterday, and as I sit at lunch waiting for the riders to come in, I’m feeling grateful that a few clouds have rolled in to take away the heat we have been riding through. Roads are finally quiet having taken a few days to properly get away from the crazy traffic of Buenos Aires.
An American agriculture teacher with three students having classes during the rides and in camp, and broadcasting audio classes through the internet to many others students in the classrooms back at home. A very strong rider from the UK who has been living in Switzerland for a long part of his life. A handful of TDA alumni who decided to cycle all over the world with us, including one on her 5th tour (Tour d'Afrique, Silk Route, Amber Route, India and now Vuelta). An Italian man who has done uncountable cycle tour and speaks very little English. Canada, United States, Germany, Holland, England, South Africa, Denmark, Italy and Brazil. One must add all these countries to the list of countries that the Vuelta Sudamericana goes through (Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Peru) to try to understand the variety and mix of cultures that we are starting to experience in South America right now.
Life on Tour is an unique experience. Long days of riding, tastes, odors, sounds and cultures. New friends, expectations, surprises and frustrations. “Intense” and “unknown” are two words that describe quite well what these first 4 days of cycling in Argentina have been. Long days, heat and cold, wind, country roads and curious locals that want to know all about our journey. Many of the riders have already shown that by the end of the tour they will be fluent in Spanish, and as we approach our first rest day, in Cordoba, we are all trying to get fit to be ready to leave the “pampas” behind and to experience what life in the Andes is like. Join us while we travel through a wide diversity of cultures and landscapes on the southern part of the Americas. Travel with us through the blogs and photos that we will be posting, or come and meet us for one of the last sections of the tour, on the high plateaus of Bolivia and Peru. So far, so good!
Our journey begins here in Buenos Aires, a buzzing city of 12 million nestled against the Rio de la Plata. From the moment you arrive your eyes are working overtime to take in all the wonderful sights: diverse architecture, colorful graffiti, vast parks, mad traffic and beautiful people all vie for your attention.
While the city is massive, the interesting parts are all within reasonable walking distance. Each barrio has its own flavor, its own highlights. Wander these neighborhoods and you begin to gain a sense of the diversity of this city. It isn’t until you pursue your interests that you really understand what makes this city buzz; get lost in a colossal bookstore, attend a riotous soccer match, dance the night away, or tuck into the world’s finest steak. Buenos Aires is a city of meat, not garnish.
It has been fantastic to explore this city for a few days as we prepare for our journey. But as our time slips away , many of us find ourselves asking- “do we really have to leave?”
