The Travel Chica

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The Hardest 34 Kilometers

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You know that I’m a gym rat, and it is important to me to stay fit while traveling, especially because I have a lot of trekking in my upcoming travels.  When I found out I could ride a bike out to the sea lion reserve at Punta Loma, I was excited.

I was warned by a fellow traveler I met on my Punta Tombo tour that the road is a dirt road, and it is quite challenging with lots of hills.  Therefore it would be important to rent a mountain bike in excellent condition with working gears.  (She had not been so lucky and had to turn back.)

I rented a bike from Aquatours and hit the road early.

The helpful staff told me the trip should take 1.5 hours if I was accustomed to riding, 2 hours if not. 

I was aiming for 1.5 because I like to think I’m a rock star when it comes to physical challenges.

The Road to Punta Loma

The first few kilometers were pretty easy on pavement or easy gravel.

Then the road changed.  It turned into sand and rocks.

That’s right.

Not dirt.  Not gravel.

Sand.  Rocks.

It was a challenge to find the most solid path to ride so as to not sink my bike in the sand.

But I kept going, pushed forward by the views.

No wonder there is so much freaking sand in the road.

Luckily, I was prepared with a handkerchief  to put over my nose and mouth.

The wind was quite strong and kicked up a lot of sand.  Plus, there were quite a few cars and tour buses driving by.

I arrived at Punta Loma in an hour, which must be a world record.

I hope they send me my medal soon.

Seal Lion Colony

The ride was worth it.

Some were playing in the water.

Some appeared to be relaxing and sunning themselves.

Some were showing a little love.

Puerto Madryn has been an amazing experience.

I get the feeling that this part of Patagonia is often overlooked by many travelers.

I am glad I came here.

Check out more photos from my ride and Punta Loma.

 

 

Travel Tips: 

If you attempt this ride, apply lots of sunscreen.  The sun is quite “fuerte”.  Bring something to cover your nose and mouth to protect against the sand.  Most importantly, rent a good bike.  I recommend Aquatours.

In addition, Aquatours offers other tourism services, including snorkeling and scuba diving with sea lions.  How freaking awesome would that be?!! 

Check out their website for services and contact info.

Comments

  2. I am seriously a disaster on bikes. I don´t know why I can work out so hard in some ways but I suck so bad at others, but bikes are kind of a nemesis for me. You know I work out hard a lot but I would not assume I could do this in less than 2 hours.
    Rease recently posted..Hilarious Happenings of Hollywood, FL

  4. Well, you know I wouldn’t have made it in 2 hrs : ) But next year will be different. I’ve been given the go-ahead after my surgery to finally increase my exercise – I’m allowed to life 15 lbs now – and I think since the hospital made so many mistakes the Dr wrote an order for 6 weeks of physical therapy 1x a week! Yeah!!! What a beautiful place. Your pictures just make me want to get with the sea lions & lounge around a while. They are so-o-o cute. I also love your humorous sarcasm when you write : ) Love Mom

  5. That’s awesome, Steph! What a cool thing to do…you also remind me that I HAVEN’T worked out in five months and, thus, need to start running again tomorrow if I’m going to make it 26 miles in April, ha.
    Camels & Chocolate recently posted..In 2011…

  8. I’m questioning whether or not I could drive that road in an hour, never mind bike it. I’d probably keep going off the road watching the beautiful views, or I’d be scared by tough looking Chicas on bikes with bandanas over their face, looking like their ready to rob me of all my worldly goods.
    I think it’s best if I just stay here and go through your photo album again.
    Steve recently posted..Best of 2011 – Best Vacation

  10. That sounds like one hell of a ride. More than I could handle but then again I’m no where near as fit as you are. But like a lot of things in life the struggle paid off for you big time in that you got to snap some really special photos. I love how the sea lions are so playful. It would be much better to see them in the wild in their own habitat than it would be to see them in a zoo or some other form of captivity.

    Speaking of bikes rides, there is this famous bike ride that on the outskirts of Melbourne that I think you’d love. It’s the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail and it’s built over a former steam train route. I’ve included a link for it here: http://www.bv.com.au/general/bikes-and-riding/42413/ . Heaps of people ride this bike route and it’s one of the best in Australia. There is at least one cafe on the route and numerous wineries and accomodation providers along the route as well as wineries.

    One of my friends did it to Warburton and back in a day and was knackered (probably because he did 80 kms in a day, 40 kms each way) but if you really wanted to you could base yourself out there for a few days and check out some wineries that aren’t far from the route on the cheap.

    In case you don’t post another article this year let me wish you now a happy, safe, peaceful New Years and 2012. May all your travels be joyful and may all you encounters be memorable :)

  11. I had península Valdés on my list since I learned about it in geography, now I’m sure it remains on it. I love that you are sharing your experiences! Keep up the good work!

  12. I’m glad you pulled through because you got some great photos of the sea lions! I was cracking up while reading this story because it reminds me of mine and Scott’s bike adventure in Laos. We were on beach cruisers and peddling through sand, dirt, rocks, you name it. I wanted to turn back so many times, but when it comes down to it, I have a hard time quitting. It sounds like you do too.
    Christy @ Ordinary Traveler recently posted..Paris in Black and White

  24. I’m so glad you made it the whole way, and pretty jealous too! I tried making that ride when I was in Madryn in March 2011. In addition to my bike, I was given an innertube and a pump in case I got a flat. Well the flat came about 8km into the ride. After riding on another kilometer or so, I got another flat and had to turn around and walk my bike back. Thanks for sharing your experience – I get to live vicariously through you!
    John recently posted..Losing Myself in the Sites of Stanley Park – Vancouver, British Columbia

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