Tuesday, January 27, 2009

The Big Plan


Last night I pushed the GO button. I now have a ticket to Santiago, Chile. I'm leaving Sunday. Returning before March.

Some work to finish up here where I'm working/visiting with family in Longmont. I'll have to un-box my bike and hang everything on it to make sure it works. Then box it back up. 

I've always been a strong believer in packing light. I've never been able to pull it off, but I believe in it. This time I expect to dig deep and leave lots behind. Chile is fully civilized and I should want for nothing. But I also expect to try to find some remote places. So basic camp gear, clothes, and way to cook. For the rest I should be able to "live off the land" i.e. eat at restaurants, buy food to cook. 

It's summer there. But I hope to experience some higher elevations. So... Winter gear? Dang. I'm already hedging. I'd like to do the air travel with "just" a bike box, a duffel bag, and my day pack. I hope I can do it. 

I'll try to get a shot of my bike before I put it back in the box. And now that I know where I'm going, I need to get a guide book. Probably I'll focus on the general area of Puerto Montt. Hoping for the Andes, fjiords, and lakes.

If you have any inside knowledge or travel tips for Chile, post a reply. Because I don't have the slightest idea what I'm doing. There is a lot of country to see so I'll have to focus. Unless I stumble on some other brilliant idea, I'll focus on the area between Concepcion and Puerto Montt. 

--Greg

Monday, January 26, 2009

Going South

I'm half packed and should be heading southward soon. How far south? I have no idea yet. The goal is to go where I can camp and ride, carrying most of what I need on my bicycle. If there's a choice between riding pavement and dirt, I'll take the dirt. 

Some past heavy tours, I've dragged a laptop along. This time I'd like to go lighter. So instead I hope to update via this blog from public computers. 

Check back soon to find out where I end up!

--Greg