A Cycling Interlude
Well, here we are in Bariloche biding our time waiting for new rims and a bike trailer to come from Buenos Aires and the wheels to be rebuilt. We are hopeful that new rims and a trailer (to redistribute weight) will ensure no more problems with punctures and spokes. Fingers crossed and stay tuned for updates on that one! Needless to say, we have stocked up on inner tubes and puncture repair kits in preparation for the rocky roads of the Carretera Austral.
When we arrived we consulted the Lonely Planet for a good place to stay and came across the 7 de Febrero Hotel smack bang in the middle of town. A dated place but immaculate rooms and an incredible view across the Lake welcomed us. The owner, Gabriel has been worth his weight in gold as he has acted as translator for us for the trailer distributor and has no idea how grateful we are. Note to self: must choose Spanish for next degree or cycle through Indonesia to utilise 3 years of study and exams.
Bariloche is a gorgeous mountain town located on the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi. It is the center for the Argentine Lake District and some 
of the most powerful looking snow capped mountain ranges that we have seen to date. It is also the prime destination for skiing and, during the summer, for teenagers to party their way to post exam celebrations. V glad that we aren’t visiting at that time of the year (am I really sounding like an old person?) Although all the hotels are booked solid for 5 days as their is a religious youth conference going on. As a result I have not allowed the Revolutionary Mountain Goat out on his own - for obvious reasons.
Because we were kicked out of the hotel, we were forced to find lodgings elsewhere….and lady luck was shining because we found a tiny little bungalow a short distance from the centre of town for a tenner a night! Half the price of what we were paying at the hotel and with the added benefit of being able to cook our own food. No BBC World though. We never thought we would hear ourselves say that we are "sick to death of eating out"! So we are stocking up on our vegetable intake as my little hypochondriac thinks he is getting scurvy, but doesn’t believe me when I tell him that french fries do not constitute vegetables.
Now, when we are cycling along with nothing to do but think, and count down the kilometers to lunch, we come up with great ideas for blogs and blog titles but when we come to writing, all our great ideas are forgotten. So, the other day, knowing that we would have a few days to fill in I made sure that I would remember the things I wanted to tell you about. Something also happened the other day whilst riding into Bariloche that made me think…I must write about this so luckily for you guys it has stuck and my memory hasn’t failed me totally…yet!
When I was little, I was a bit of a Daddy’s Girl. My dad called me Princess and if I ever wanted anything I would always go to dad (the Mountain Goat is feeling the effects of this childhood now, bless him). Mum would always say no, so I learnt pretty quickly that dad was the one to get you what you wanted; when I wanted to grow my hair long it was dad who said yes (and dad who didn’t talk to me for two weeks when, at age 19, I got it cut short without consulting him!); it was dad who let me get my ears pierced, aged 9, and dad who would have to change my earrings with his dirty pipe stove fingers whilst I would faint from the sensation of the pin in my ear; when I wanted the hot pink tartan overalls that Stacey and Jody had it was dad that I took down to Target to buy them for me; and the white boot rollerskates; and the totem tennis. I was a lucky girl and I loved to spend time with my dad.
Which brings me to the Bushie. I thank my dad for teaching me the fine art of the Bushie, and the Mountain Goat can be grateful for me being such an astute learner. My mum will be horrified for telling you about this I am sure, but I guess I should enlighten those in the dark…although I am sure you have all done a Bushie at one stage in your life and just didn’t realise it had a name.
The Bushie is quite simply the act of blowing your nose through one nostril without a hankie or tissue. Before I go on, however, it must be noted that the Bushie is a clean blow with no residue left on your sleeve, trouser leg or shoe. It is a strong, hard blow that dislodges the … booga and leaves you breathing freely. There are few things better in life than a clean dry breath through clear nostrils.
On a trip like the one we are doing, you learn many things about yourself and your travel companion. You think you know someone, but a journey like this one allows you to get inside and find out how people think. You become comfortable with that person and share pretty much everything…thoughts, feelings, frustrations, impatience, hygiene, and peculiarities. It is an interesting lesson in humanity and relationships that we are being exposed to.
Nevertheless I am digressing. When we were in Peru, I contracted a bit of a head cold. This meant that I was constantly needing to blow my nose whilst on the road cycling, and for me this meant stopping. The Mountain Goat soon tired of this routine due to the slow progress, and so I introduced him to the Bushie (whilst balancing on the handlebar with one hand trying desperately not to fall off). Not a very lady like thing to show your boyfriend, but there were smiles all around when I didn’t need to stop anymore. So, whenever the need arises to blow one’s nose, the Bushie comes into play.
Which brings me to the other day when cycling into Bariloche. I was in front as we were going up a hill (if the Mountain Goat is in front I don’t see him for dust) and felt the need to Bushie. The wind was not in the Mountain Goat’s favor and unfortunately wore a little bit of the Bushie. Admittedly, not a nice thing to be wearing whilst grinding up a hill, but gee it was funny - for me! Do, however, let me take this opportunity to let the Mountain Goat know how very, very sorry I am and how I promise to be more clean with my Bushie’s in future. But thank you dad for Bushie Timesaver Tip.
I have so many more topics I could bore you with, but for now I will let you off. I am just filling in time!
Hey there!
Great job Jen with the blogs - loved the Bushie story!
All is well here, off to the Virgin Islands next week - will be thinking of you two slogging through the mud while we’re drinking Margaritas on the white sandy beaches.
Wishing you smooth roads and the wind at your backs!
Love from Ruth
Ruth! Simon does not need encouraging. Tomato sauce poured over french fries does not constitute vegie intake…surely? You ARE a doctor afterall!
Very jealous of white sandy beaches and the Virgin Islands. Do think of us … in the rain battling gravel roads and uphills! Am I supposed to be enjoying this??
Love to Steve
Jen xx
PS: tomato sauce is also a vegetable!
Nikolai has already develpoed the ‘Bushie’ knack at the tender age of 2 and let go with a solid dark one this morning. Then we went to Castle Point and he fell down the stairs from Costa Coffee! Bless…at least someone was in more discomfort than I for a moment or two! Nasty b—–d am I.
Surely it´s getting better now! Keep up the humour…
That’s developed not develpoohd!
Oh and can you bring that tv back for our kitchen wall?
Hey guys, How are you? Great stories!! We are hoping to get up on skype so we can talk so will let you know. We are thinking of going to Tassie over Christmas - let us know the must do’s! Thinking of you, Wendy xx
Good news to see you still batteling on you must be 50% of the way by now. Plums this must be the longest relationship you have ever had, and certainly the longest you have concentrated on a single goal in a very long time. I am impressed with you both what an adventure - I trust you are getting some good material for the book if not then this blog will certainly remind you, it has been a bloody good read, even on 56k i suspect you are getting better speeds on your travels lol…
Proud to know you - keep going - carpe diem or as we in the Motorcycle world say
“There is no meaning of life just the journey; bikes aren’t about where you’re going, they are about making the most of how you get there.”
Hey Tony, great to hear from you. Dialup is certainly better than this Satelite link (or so it seems) that we´re on. Can you believe Peru was much better than Argentina on the internet front!
Planning to come out and visit you soon after we get back, lots to catch up on.
By the way, we´re upgrading to motorcycles for the next trip like this!
Hot pink tarten overalls…. what were we thinking? Did I wear them with my pixie boots? Maybe I had my care Bear t-shirt on underneath. Don’t forget that I had the spike of the century.
Paddles sends her love to you.
Love Stace xxx
Mine were hot pink, yours, Stace, were torquouse and Jodi´s were navy blue if my elephant memory serves me correctly. I think we wore skivvies with them as well as sandshoes. We WERE style icons afterall! Perhaps your mum could make us some more patchwork rugby jumpers?
Please tell Paddles I love her too and give her a piece of cake from me. Did you get my email re Overland Track?
Love Jen x
Patchwork rugby jumpers, what a wonderful world it was back then. I could probably whip you up some funky custom made flannelette pj bottoms instead. Let me know. I have to turn down the offer for the overland track, both boys will be full time at school next year and I am still looking for a happy place in regards to my medication levels. I can do it with you in spirit and song.
What a fan-bloody-tastic effort to reach the halfway mark. Pat on your backs from us in Tassie.
Love Stace and boys
Ps Jodie and Nigel are having a baby, due May/June 2008
I get to watch and laugh from the sideline.
is anybody racing cycling with me if any then contact me on my cell.
it involves a narrator followed by a muscical interlude followed by narration and so on. sometimes the narrator talks ontop of the music….
Cycling is nice one. Helps in any way.
You are to face such problems in cycling.
Wow very nice sharing all is very important sharing thanks for it.
very nice post
Definitely There are many evidence for getting equivalent benefit from intense intervals, but unless you are really pressed for time you are probably better to just continue bicycling.
I went on a 36km cycling ride the other day. Is that good fitness wise?it took me 2 hrs and went up many hills. what benefits am i getting.Thanks.
The book if not then this blog will certainly remind you, it has been a bloody good read, even on 56k i suspect you are getting better speeds on your travels.
Nice. I’m not Lance’s biggest fan, either, but that was awesome.
i think i like this place
I’ve been riding bicycles continuously since I was 5. Have even commuted to work year-round in suburb north of NYC, Had been using Shimno clipless pedals for about 10 years and had several occasions when I couldn’t release from the pedal and dumped over.
By necessity, your role as teacher changes as well. Rather than serve as a conduit for knowledge, you become the choreographer of a dynamic and multi-faceted discussion. Instead of lecturing, you probe, encourage, and sometimes cajole. Often you deliberately step aside to let the students assume the lead roles—and openly challenge each other with contrary opinions and analyses. You don’t provide answers; you offer a pathway to greater experience and understanding.
Thank you for your great post! It has been very insightful. I hope that you will continue sharing your knowledge with us.
I’m fully impressed with your efforts here.Definitely There are many evidence for getting equivalent benefit from intense intervals, but unless you are really pressed for time you are probably better to just continue bicycling.Nice share…
I have been married for 11 years and am beginning to feel concern about my wifes mental health and her behavior.She is 36 years old 5″1 and 104 lbs. Although she has had two kids her body is in excellent condition but she has become increasingly concerned about her weight.
Thanks for sharing all the images here.I really don’t think anyone has put it that way before!. Your blog is definitely worth a read if anyone finds it. I’m lucky I did because now I’ve got a whole new view of this.
You covered a lot distance with the help of cycling.
I think its not a childish task.I wonder with your fitness.Thanks for sharing..
If you want to buy a house, you will have to receive the loan. Moreover, my sister usually takes a student loan, which seems to be the most rapid.
it involves a narrator followed by a muscical interlude followed by narration and so on. sometimes the narrator talks ontop of the music. there is no singing. what musical genre is this. musical, oppereta
“I was walking down the street one day,
saw, and took my breath away,
eveeeerbody looking our their car window
eeeverybody dreaming how fast they can go
eeeverybody bla bla bla satisfaction guaranteed
My DH and I have decided to expand our family! I had been on Birth control since November 2004. Before being on birth control, my period was irregular. I am healthy, normal weight and will be 22 in 1 week. I got off my birth control on May 27 and had my period.
Hi,
I’d like to give you a free link to your site on one of our client sites, in order to increase your search engine visibility. You can write a guest post and embed the link, or just let me know what key phrase you want us to link to and I’ll take it from there. It’s free, no strings attached. I’m going to suggest you give us a link too, but even if you don’t provide us a link, we’ll give you one from one of our client’s tech themed sites.
We are in process of building links for one of our well known reputation management client. Of course, if you think our client site is a good match, we’d appreciate a link from you too. Our client site is www.RepRx.com and they provide Reputation Management. In fact, if you’ll give us a link, we’ll share the love and upgrade you to a really good link from a page on a much more powerful site (not RepRx.com because I am sure we’d both like to avoid reciprocal links).
If you’ve some other text advertising program setup, I’d love to hear about it. We may be able to help you there too.
Just e-mail me back with your preference and I’ll get things rolling. I hope to hear from you soon.
Alex Butler
SEO Specialist
G2C e-Reach
Quantum Reach with G2C e-Reach
www.G2CeReach.com
www.G2CPartners.com
Email: Alex.Butler@g2cpartners.com
Email:AButler@g2cereach.com
Hi,
I am following-up on earlier link building request. Would you please advice - do you allow link building? If so, what is the procedure & if there is any cost involve then please advice the cost. If the cost is reasonable then on behalf of our clients we are willing to buy the links from you.
Sincere Thanks in advance.
Paul Miles
SEO Specialist
G2C e-Reach
Quantum Reach with G2C e-Reach
www.G2CeReach.com
www.G2CPartners.com
Email: Paul.Miles@g2cpartners.com
Email: paulmiles@g2cereach.com
Your post is great! But I just read a whole bunch of information about how low-carb diets are bad for health in the long run. I my self was on the verge of committing my self to one….but now I don’t know.
Your publish is great! But I just study a whole lot of details about how low-carb diet plans are bad for wellness in the lengthy run. I my self was near spending my self to one….but now I never know.
I love tracking and cycling.You shared your thrilling experience here.I can feel the nature’s beauty in images.