Extreme #1 achieved!!

I'm here!  Ushuaia.  I've reached the end of the road on the continent of South America.

I've done it, I've arrived on time in Ushuaia, as planned, 3 days before the boat sails for Antarctica.

Leaving Bogota at 11am on Saturday 1st December, I can honestly admit, now, that I had grave misgivings as to whether I'd actually make the distance on time.  But I surprised myself, somewhat, by arriving 15 days and 4 hours later, on Sunday 16 December at 3pm, an overall distance from Bogota of 11,110km.

Through Colombia and Ecuador, I was only managing 300-400km a day, through the mountains and in the daily tropical thunderstorms.  I was getting nowhere, fast!  I even admitted in an email to fellow Aussie travellers, Ken and Carol Duval, that I was considering a contingency plan, consisting of leaving the bike somewhere, and flying to Ushuaia to catch the ship, as I was convinced I wouldn't make it on time.

Then I entered Peru, and the whole outlook changed.  I could make miles - lots of them - every day, and day after day after day. Chile's road system further contributed to this theme of long days and lots of miles, giving me my first 1,000km day, followed by another, a couple of days later, in Argentina.

Ken and Carol helped me greatly, advising as to which roads were paved, and their general condition, and where to expect the infamous Patagonian winds.  Also accommodation options were offered, although I couldn't avail myself of these, as they didn't work into the plan, as I was travelling faster than Ken and Carol, and therefore stopping for the nights in different towns. Their support and encouragement was unflagging, and I sincerely thank them for their help.

Since landing in the United States on Sunday 19th August, the little bike has travelled an amazing 35,325kms, and 22,043km since leaving Moxee, WA, on 30 October to start the long journey south!!!  The only mechanical falter has been a reluctance to idle properly at the Honduran/Nicaraguan border crossing, after riding through several hours of rain. But once under way again, it was fine. Tyre wear has been exceptionally good, considering the load. The front tyre has now done 29,111km and the rear, 19857km, both Metzler Tourances.  Both are starting to get down a little, but are undoubtedly still well and truly "legal". New tyres are on the horizon.