• Helene Rimberg
Current
  • Helene Rimberg

The Grand Adventure

A bike trip with no end Read more
  • Onward

    February 15, 2024 in Chile ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    Left our lovely beach and continued our journey southward. Scenery doesn’t disappoint. Camp is small campground by lovely little stream.

  • Up and over we go

    February 14, 2024 in Chile ⋅ 🌙 17 °C

    A long and steep climb to start our day. Heats up quickly! Nice cruise down except for a few sections of ripio (nasty rocky road). Arrive in small town and stop for cake and groceries. Continue up but tired from climb and the heat. Opt to stop sooner and head down gravel road to beautiful sandy beach on a very cold river.Read more

  • On to the Carreterra

    February 13, 2024 in Chile ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Chilly morning in our crowded campground. Stop by the stores in Chaitén before heading south. Headwind slows us down but that allows more time to take in the views. A new peak around every corner. No room at the established campground so back to the bridge we go.Read more

  • Ferry Day

    February 12, 2024 in Chile ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    Catch the noon ferry heading for Chaitén. Nice day for a cruise though a bit choppy. Lovely mountain vistas. In to port rather late but quickly find a campsite.

  • Puerto Montt

    February 11, 2024 in Chile ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    After almost 4 weeks and 1000 miles, we have made it to our first milestone in Chile - the start of the Careterra Austral. Short day of riding in mist and spent time collecting what we need for the next stage. A ferry tomorrow will give us a jump startRead more

  • In the shadows of volcanos

    February 10, 2024 in Chile ⋅ 🌙 17 °C

    Day dawned much nicer than it had for a few days - sunny and calm. Lovely ride on a protected path, up and down the lake side. Stop for kuchen as we round the corner of the lake. Tremendous views of Osorno volcano right above us. Some challenges finding a campsite but manage to find one after going a bit further.Read more

  • Lago Puyehue

    February 8, 2024 in Chile ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Chilly morning. Uphill does help to warm us up. Day stays cloudy, unfortunately minimizing our views. Road is well paved and quiet. Make it to town of Entre Lagos. Too chilly to even out toes in.

  • Lago Ranco

    February 7, 2024 in Chile ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    The sun reappears thankfully. Do a quick bit on Ruta 5 to move us along. Move over to quieter road amongst lots of livestock. Wind kicks up - not in our favor. Cross Rio Bueno and then downhill to town of
    lago ranco. Nice campground up on a hill.
    Read more

  • Circuito de siete lagos

    February 5, 2024 in Chile ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    With legs still sore from our hike climb away from Lago Villarica and onto the circuit of 7 lakes. First up - lago Calafquen and busy little town of Lincan Ray. Empanadas and strudel lunch in the park. Nice quiet road to Lago Panguipilli. Opt to stay in nice cabana overlooking lake. Enjoy evening swim in the lake.Read more

  • Beach day

    February 4, 2024 in Chile ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    Yesterdays hike really took a toll on our quads. Opted to spend another day in Villarrica and enjoy the lake. Did very little besides sit by the lake under an umbrella. An evening stroll to find dessert also yielded a fiery red glow coming from the volcano. .Read more

  • Hike: San Sebastian

    February 3, 2024 in Chile ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Up early to catch buses to take us into Parque Huerquehue. Set off on a hike up and up! First through forests of monkey puzzle trees and the clam bowing almost straight up the side of the mountain. Amazing views of peaks and lakes make it all worth while. Tough journey down but make it in time to catch last bus.Read more

  • Villarica

    February 2, 2024 in Chile ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    Woke to a cloudy and misty day, but warm. Mist ended but clouds remained. With a few exceptions, road along very busy roads as we headed to the very popular lago Villarrica. The clouds briefly opened up and even rained on us. Found campground near lake. Out for Argentinian pizza and gelatoRead more

  • Temuco

    January 31, 2024 in Chile ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Though the day starts with a steep uphill, riding is enjoyable as we cruise through the farmland. Arrive in temuco and find Argentinian style ice cream. Quite tasty. Warm showers host Lea welcomes us and we are joined by another couple.Read more

  • Rio Quillen

    January 30, 2024 in Chile ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Leave our little troll hovel under the bridge and amazingly head almost due south. See first glimpses of Villarica volcano. Big down into a gorge but sadly can’t get to the water. Climb back out and arrive at Galvarino. Find a relatively quiet spot by the river.Read more

  • Transition day

    January 29, 2024 in Chile ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    A windy start with still more construction. After town of Anglol, we enter rolling hills amongst the forest. Much nicer riding and scenery. Set up by tiny river under a bridge. Still swimmable.

  • Rio Renaico

    January 28, 2024 in Chile ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    A nice 30 mile decline has us zigging across the country again. Leave the Andes behind and head towards to coast range. Pass through Los Angeles, managing not to lose much time. Lots of construction but make it to Renaico and set up by river. Nice though only about a foot deep. Set out looking for a market and stumble upon another festival - with more cerveza.Read more

  • Rio Laja

    January 27, 2024 in Chile ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    Continued along road with limited shoulder though traffic slightly less. Terrain is more rolling and grain fields give way to pine trees. Nice Mountain views though the haze continues. Lunch stop on a river. Very pleasant. Short ride to Tucapel. Find municipal camp on Rio Laja. Coldest river thus far.Read more

  • Rio Diguilan

    January 26, 2024 in Chile ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    Slower start but make good time to Chillan. But like usual lose lots of time in cities. Eventually get ourselves out and head out on very busy road with no shoulders. Make to Pueblo Seco, get food and go to lovely little park by river. Even a little waterfall to play in.Read more

  • River crossings and camping

    January 25, 2024 in Chile ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C

    With an aspirational goal of 60 miles set off early. Great pace until hit unpaved section. And I paved means tough going. First water crossing was kind of fun. Then hit the dry stream bed and two more river crossings. Full body workout. After a rejuvenating lunch get dinner supplied and find a camping spot by Rio Nuble.Read more

  • Straightening the route

    January 24, 2024 in Chile ⋅ 🌙 25 °C

    Get an early start as it’s predicted to be hot. Bumpy start but cruise along a dedicated bike path to Linares. Manage to get replacement rack relatively quickly. Stock up on emergency food and continue on. Use Ruta 5 to cross 2 bridges - nice shoulder so not too bad. Fun water crossing. Last 10 miles are tough in the heat. Find a real campground with a pool!!Read more

  • Rest day

    January 23, 2024 in Chile ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    Stay in place to relax and do some organizing. Go on a little walkabout and get stopped by a gang of cows. Meager dinner of emergency food though Doug miraculously rustles up a zucchini.

  • Into the Precordillera

    January 22, 2024 in Chile ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C

    Nice bike path out of Talca. I continue to be surprised by the cycling infrastructure here. Make good time until get caught up in a town. Continue on to Panamavida and enjoy ice cream in the square. Ride a gravel road up the river valley to a lovely campsiteRead more