It was in mid 2020, during the pandemic, when Brian Alder, creator of Tour Te Waipounamu first brought the concept of this unique race to my attention. Brian was seeking…
Mark WatsonMarch 1, 2024
This article discusses the characteristics to look for in a bikepacking bike that will be suitable for extended touring on a wide variety of terrain, and looks at what we…
Mark WatsonJune 28, 2023
Mid to late April 2023. This post is el ultimo – the last one – from our American Cordillera journey, covering our final 900km – a transition from the mountains…
Mark WatsonMay 23, 2023
Early to mid April 2023. If it's mountains, glaciers and the alpine environment that you've come to Patagonia for, then there is no doubt that this region – one of…
Mark WatsonMay 9, 2023
Late March to early April. While Ushuaia is the physical and symbolic destination for our American Cordillera bikepacking journey, El Chalten has perhaps been the spiritual goal. If there is…
Mark WatsonApril 23, 2023
Mid-late March 2023. Our last post left off at the lonely roadhouse of Las Horquetas on Argentina's Ruta 40. During the previous week we'd crossed Paso Roballos from Chile and…
Mark WatsonApril 5, 2023
Early March 2023. Following on from our previous post, where we ventured into the Chilean aspect of southern Patagonia's second highest mountain, Monte San Lorenzo, this chapter covers our efforts…
Mark WatsonMarch 29, 2023
Late February 2023. As we've cycled south from the Argentina Lakes District the mountains of Patagonia have been a continuous theme; distant, glacier clad and ice capped massifs that drift…
Mark WatsonMarch 27, 2023
Mid–late February 2023. As I write this post, we're actually at the end of the Carretera Austral, and about to make the short leg that includes a couple of ferry…
Mark WatsonMarch 18, 2023
