Chile and Argentina 2007 bike tour - América

CHILE AND ARGENTINA, 'ALONE ALONG THE AUSTRAL ROAD'

When Miguel, school principal of 'Parque de Monfragüe' in Montehermoso, Cáceres, told me that Luis ´personal matters leave had been rejected I 'turned into stone'.

That longed for, lived and enjoyed trip in the previous arrangements could not come true, at least, not in the same way.

Sadness and frustration invaded Luis, my colleague of Latin and Greek and dear friend, as uncertainty and fear took me.

I usually ride on my bike on my own, doing several kilometers without any route mate. However, I was facing something completely different, never lived before: Thousand of kilometers far from home, a road I merely knew nothing about it, loads of equipment without the possibility of sharing with anyone and, serious doubts about the advisability of doing the travel on my own.

After reflecting on the matter and having the experience of other alone trips (Scotland 1994 and French Camino de Santiago 2004), where my only companion was my ancient bike, I decided to take up this new and beautiful challenge: The Austral road or Route 7.

A road of 1200 kilometers, mostly gravel (year 2007), links Puerto Montt, main city of Los Lagos region, with the little village O´Higgins. In 1976 started Route 7 project, focused on releasing from isolation Chilean Austral zone. Work Military Force (CMT), dependent on the Chilean Army, carried out that public work. And nowadays the road has become an appealing icon to cyclotourist lovers. A track, almost unspoilt, full of thick woods, rivers, lakes, snowed mountains, volcanoes, fiords and glaciers. An enchanting route at the ends of South American continent. A land that invites you to a quiet cycling and to enjoy everything Nature presents you as a gift for your senses.

Chile: Valid passport and prove economic solvency; between 40 0r 50 Euros per day you stay in the country. It is not necessary visa.

Argentina: Valid passport without necessity of having visa for a stay lower than 90 days. You must prove means for such period of time.

Throughout the trip I know about a new disease completely unknown to me until then. That disease affects Aysén region among others.

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) came up in Chile in the 90´s and since then has become a public health problem.

HPS is caught when we breathe outdoors or indoors, such as gardens, grazing lands, storehouses, where excrement or urine of infected rodent remains. The virus has contamined the enviroment there. Its symptoms are fever, myalgia, gastrointestinal disorder, respiratory problems and hemodynamic instability.

Between 2010 and 2012 there were 172 cases resulting in 58 deaths. It means a mortality rate of 33 per cent. In 2013 there were 53 deaths.

The best course of action is to avoid rodent and their locations. Not to move debris of any kind or dust that could be contaminated.

In public spaces you can watch signs warning and reporting of the presence of Hantavirus.

In the following link: Ministry of foreign affairs and cooperation (Spain), you can find daily updated information about country travel advice.