Cycling UK Forum

Unfortunately I don't really have the time to go via the scenic route, I'll probably get as far as Humahuaca or Huacalera in Argentina and then head to Chile by bus before crossing to Uyuni by train and then onto La Paz, again by train or bus. I'll probably spend a couple of days cycling around Uyuni so hopefully that will take care of the acclimatisation and I'll also spend a couple of days in La Paz.

Thanks for all your help!

I'm currently cycling through Argentina and hope to go from La Paz to Cuzco around the Southern shore of the Titicaca (via Puno, Juliaca, Ayaviri etc...) in early to mid-june. I'm on my own, so I'm looking for advice on places to stay in towns that aren't in LP et al or, alternatively, safe places to camp, although being on my own I'm not too keen on that option.

Also, I've never cycled at altitude, once I have acclimatised (side question: do you ever really acclimatise?) how much should I expect the altitude to affect my cycling?

Cheers!

I second the sleeping bag liner idea, maybe even two if needed. You can use them as required depending on the temperature and it allows you to distribute the weight rather than having one bulky sleeping bag in one pannier or high-up on your stack.

I was actually thinking of Ollague, where the old coal train crosses and then south of the Salar de Uyuni. I think I'll have to look at it when I'm there (currently in Southern - Mid Chile, heading north) and decide, but it may be a bit beyond my capabilities as this is my first tour and I'm on my own. (I'm actually considering jumping on the train as it takes passengers at this stage, but no heating and -20C at night is proving a bit of a deterrant).

The turistel doesn't exist anymore by that name, it is now Guia Turistica Copec as it is published by petrol station chain Copec. They do three info listing guides with road maps (north, south and centre) and one road map for the whole country, which isn't great but fairly usable.

By the way, I notice from your page that you've cycled in the Falklands, that's where I'm from. Trained there before coming here, but couldn't imagine doing a full blown tour in that wind.

Thanks for your help and the great website, very useful!

This may sound stupid, but try Dixons or similar for a box. I took mine on a plane inside an old plasma tv box and the bike was none the worse for it. They're usually quite a good size, rigid (more rigid than bike boxes at any rate), stapled as opposed to glued at the bottom, and if you can get it with the packing foam it's quite good to break up and wedge the bike in with. I did plaster it with signs saying "fragile, bike" mind.

Awesome, thanks a lot!

Hey, does anyone know what the road into Bolivia from Calama in Chile is like? According to maps it is unpaved, but I just wanted to get an idea of how unpaved and tough it is from anyone who may have done it.

Thanks!

Does anyone know of any MTB style 28" out there? The closest I can find is the Continental travel contact, but they are still hybrid.

Thanks!

glasses of some description (glasses will stop the nose from running on a cold day)

Is this true?!

Thanks for all your help guys, but I have to say I'm still just as confused if not more. Not just as a result of this forum, but of all my research in general - there is SO much contradicting information out there it's not a surprise touring is not as popular as it could be, it makes it all the more daunting and terrifying.

There is an old Galician saying that roughly translates as "You learn to castrate by cutting off testicles" which I think is quite apt in this situation. I get the impression touring is quite a personal thing and chances are I will learn more about it in my first day on the road than with years of reading fora.

That being said, I would appreciate suggestions for good touring saddles as I'm not leaving scrotal comfort to chance.

Thanks again

Thanks for all your replies so far by the way!

S America is a big place with a wide variety of conditions, where are you planning to go?
What sort of roads will you be riding (paved or dirt)?
Are you camping?

Mostly paved roads, but inevitably there will be times when this is not possible. I will be mixing hostels and camping, but I will definitely be taking a tent.

Also, which model Orbea are you thinking of?

I was looking at the Orbea Murua, but that has a suspension fork, so I'm half considering the Artea, which at £950 is a little more pricey, but comes with all racks, fenders and lights. I absolutely hate those handlebars though

http://www.freemanscycles.co.uk/product ... tea%202008

I have also been looking at road hybrids with a view to tour-spec them myself and am quite keen on the ridgeback supernova http://www.ridgeback.co.uk/index.php?se ... _bike=TRUE
It has braze-ons for racks and fenders in both the front and the gears are longer than road bikes. Is it too much of a commuter bike to take the weight of panniers and the like?

Yes, I'm not that much of a newbie.

Lapierre Tecnic 300 Hardtail MTB, would gladly take it but not suitable for this...

Hmmm, still not convinced about this panniers on suspension forks lark. Apart from the price (90 quid, crikey!), wouldn't the weight affect the suspension and the bike as a whole? I've asked this in the bike bits thread anyway so hopefully someone should answer.

Thanks both for your help anyway, really appreciate it.

Dean, am originally Spanish (long story), but I've lived here most of my life soI'm, err, miscellaneous I guess

I have heard quite a few conflicting views on whether panniers should be put on suspension forks or not. It obviously can be done, but some seem to think it's not "the done thing" or recommended. Is this right? Would it affect the suspension/bike performance much, even if it has a lock-out mechanism?

Cheers, Roddy