Its been a crazy week & definitely one we will never forget. Unfortunately I’m still hit hard by stupid stomach bug which Esteban seems to be fighting off himself. Even Marc, the lodge owner, was hit yesterday.
Morning for most was breakfast & getting ready to depart at 11 for drive back to Bariloche to catch our flight. We said our goodbye’s to Hoolie, Marc & Johanna while Kelly & Cailen were to drive us.
A huge thanks to:
- Julian/Hoolie – for making it a fun & adventuresome week of riding & paddling. he is an excellent guide, rider & river guide plus his tireless energy & sharp Argentinean/Canadian wit had us going the whole time. we always gave him a hard time with his time estimations & how much uphill would be on rides but he took it well. and thanks for putting up with me having no energy most of the week to do much. hopefully we will cross paths again. and to his wife Katie for joining up with us to help host later in the week
- Marc Jordan & his wife, Ellie for great hospitality & the beautiful La Confluencia
- Shea Jordan for picking us up & helping us the 1st day or so…too bad we didnt get to ride with him
- Kelly Jordan & his girlfriend Cailen for being our everyday hosts around the lodge & their excellent river guiding
- Johanna – our Sacred Rides guide, yoga instructor & fellow rider…huge thanks for putting up with our already amazing riding & yoga skillz, we know its hard to teach those that are already masters
she is an amazing rider that would be a great guide for anyone thinking about an adventure like this
It was great meeting Robert & having him as our 3rd member of our small group…he did an amazing job of riding all week, especially considering he was the oldest of the crew…young at heart, buddy.
As the guinea pigs of the 1st Sacred Rides Patagonia trip I think we would all give it a huge thumbs up. They already have 5-6 signed up for the next one in December…just tell them to bring some appropriate meds . As I said earlier in the week, it was definitely tougher than I expected…tho my expectations were limited as basically I had only ever been on 1 mountain bike trail ride when I signed up for this trip, and that trail is a lot easier than the ones here. I knew it was something that was out of my norm that I would probably never do. And after the week I’m gonna say I’ve got to be an elite level bike pusher now . Johanna even said the owner of Sacred Rides, Mike, was reading my blog & emailed her a little worried to ask if it was really as difficult as I was writing…we all got a kick out of that. I think its definitely a mountain bike purists’ trip…I just cant wait to get back on my beach cruiser down on the strand 
I’m posting some videos here: Chris’ vids
Back to BA: On the drive we listened to Robin Williams’ latest standup…thats some funny stuff. Then we had a short flight back to BA & got in late Sun afternoon. Back to our hotel where I basically crashed on my bed while Esteban was online or watched amazing Argentinean TV…at least there was some soccer on. With both of us struggling it was a low-key night…we ventured out to find a drug-store, grab some gatorade, sprite & chips & a little pizza to bring back to the room. Exciting stuff, huh?!?
Bariloche from above
