Tal como cuenta Olivier, a mediados de Enero llega una consulta: un extranjero más quería pedalear SOLO por la ruta 40. Cuando una persona quiere alquilar bicis y equipo para un viaje de esa naturaleza (SOLO), la ida y vuelta de mails suele ser extensa: las preguntas van desde su experiencia hasta un semblateo ... es decir, si puede tratarse de una persona flexible que le permita resolver los innumerables inconvenientes de una aventura.
Al final, todo salió bien. Olivier llegó a Salta, el semblanteo resultó bien, y así fue como BiciNorte le alquiló bici y equipo. El devolvió todo en San Juan. Envió bici y equipo por una empresa de la zona que llega a Salta (Andesmar), así que su experiencia por la RUTA 40 NORTE fue completa. Quedará el centro (Mendoza) y el sur (Patagonia) para otra vez.
Lo que sigue es el relato de parte de ese viaje y fotos que envió un tiempito más tarde ...
Dear Analia,
Thanks a lot again for the experience I was able to live with your help. A few words that I hope would make more people feel like discovering the wonderful Salta area by bike....
In mid January, I rented a mountainbike with Analia & BiciNorte. I contacted Analia in last minute and she did all she could to accomodate my needs.... i got a bike & gear ready in a few days. analia is very meticulous & will make sure any detail has been taken care of. If you like things that are carefully planned, you will appreciate. She is also very worried about security etc and made sure i took helmet, big pump, spare tyre, and many more things than I had imagined.
I m not used to bike tours, a first time for me to set on a 1 week tour. my plan: bus to the bottom of the Cuesta del Obispo and then cachi and ruta 40 south... as far as i could go.... I decided, very optimistic, to tackle Cuesta del Diablo (Obispo) on day 1. Way too optimistic, after 30 minutes in 35° celsius, a few mosquitoes, a lot of sweat and dust, i decided to hitchhike: i was very badly prepared. this place must have been wonderful to do uphill, but it is definitely a hard bit and you need to
1/ be in great shape
2/ be well rested
3/ already used to your gear
Anyway, you can do it or just be droppped by the bus on top of climb, at the pass. From there, some 40km to cachi, mostly downhill :)
Then 1 day to Molinos, , 1 to Cafayate.... Hard but gorgeous landscapes....
Now if i had to go it again in NOA
1/ i would do a bike tour from salta, circle. to cachi, then R40 to cafayte and then back to salta
2/ i would explore tafi,jujuy and inland in the altiplano
Bike is great... if you like to be active while in vacation, you will love this. when i came back to Belgium, first thing i did is bring my bike to the shop to arrange a fitting for paniers... i m getting addicted :)
ps: there are many hotel options on the way. i would advise, unless you are experienced, not to carry camping gear and just sleep in the nice hotels you will find in the main villages. all kind of budgets.... Try la Vaca Tranquila in San Carlos (20km north/ before Cafayate) > belgian run & beer brewer on the side. hmmm.
Thank you again Analia; i hope many people go discover this wonderful NOA area...;
Regards
Olivier (from Belgium)
