Day 9 – Wednesday, February 4, 2026

What, I have been here nine days already? Seems like a flash.

Well, if I thought the prior day wad though, I did not know what was in store for me. In a dry, hot area, I ended up riding over 130 km and ascended just shy of 2,000 meters! It was crazy, I thought the worst was over, but more and more challenges came. Just look at the second picture, you roll down (yippie), but the struggle starts again, repeat this about 20 times. (At one point, I cursed at all Chilean road architects).

One fun fact, which kept my spirits up: rouglhly one out of every ten cars would honk at me (in a friendlyway, in a rythm), raise their fists for a thumbs-up, I made sure to smile back as much as I could (sometimes my smile would be me grinding my teeth...).

I had an OK, albeit quite expensive steak in a roadside restaurant- will not go back? should I ever expose myself to this torture again. The prices are on par with Austria - and there I am usually not let down what gastronomy is concerned.

The day ended on a pleasant note: there was a campground a mile from the nain road - and it turned out that the owner, a friendlyady, also has a small, colonial-style hotel with swimming pool. She wanted $50, I offered $30 - and the deal was done. I went I for a refreshing swim- guess tomorrow won't be much lighter kind of ride...Buenas noches!