Chile - Lakes and Volcanoes Region

[scottlnelson]

Hello!  I am looking for a self-guided bike trip to Chile and the Lakes/Volcanoes region.  There are a host of fully-guided tour operators but I can't find anyone who does self-guided tours (plus I am solo).  Any assistance would be great.  Thanks!

[HobbesOnTour]

Sorry, it's not clear to me what it is that you need.
Routes? Logistical support? Getting there?

RideWithGPS is a good place to look for routes.

Are you familiar with CGOAB?
https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/locales/?locale_id=44&doctype=journal

Or Bikepacking.com?
https://bikepacking.com/locations/chile/

Lots of people have done solo trips down there and in nonCovid times it's normally common to meet other cyclists.

Good luck!

[scottlnelson]

Thank you for the reply and the great links! 

What I am looking for is a self-guided tour (as opposed to a self-supported one - although certainly doable with the info you provided).  I don't speak Spanish and have never been to Chile before and so was looking to take the hassle out of planning my own accommodations, bike rental. etc., but still with the non-guided freedom to go at my own pace and be solo.

I am in Florida and have done many self-supported trips here in the States (and a couple in Canada), but it is much simpler when you speak the language and just know some basic facts about the area/state you are going.

Just from reading the itineraries of the guided tours in Chile, I pretty much have the routes and distances I would like to do, but the bike rental, lodging and even luggage transport are the tasks that I am hoping a tour operator/local could handle for me.

Thanks again for the reply and info and I may end up out there just being truly on my own!

Scott


 

[ray b]

..., the bike rental, lodging and even luggage transport are the tasks that I am hoping a tour operator/local could handle for me.

Thanks again for the reply and info and I may end up out there just being truly on my own!

Scott

By luggage transport, do you mean hotel-to-hotel? If so, does that mean you are looking for a local, who can provide a bike, logistics and daily transport of your kit? Or, are you going self-sustained, carrying everything on your bike and only require a contact to set you up with a bike with capability to carry luggage?

A little aurprised that with your experience, you aren't thinking about travelling with your own bike and kit.

Of course, any way you do it will prove to be a blast. Have fun planning.

[HobbesOnTour]

A quick Google throws up
https://pure-adventures.com/chile-bike-tours/
and
https://www.amity-tours.com/tours/bike-tours

Both claiming to offer self guided options.
(There are more).

To be honest, I wouldn't be keen on tackling that part of the world on someone elses bike. But that's me.

I'd imagine it wouldn't be that difficult to organise luggage transport on a daily basis, especially if you know in advance when and where you will be staying. Simply ask the hotel to organise it. All kinds of things get transported by public transport in that part of the world.
 
I'd imagine that you have a fair bit of time to organise this and being stuck in the Spanish speaking world I'd strongly urge you to have a go at learning Spanish - it really enhances interactions. I recommend Duolingo as a good, fun base.  You may surprise yourself what an hour a day can do! Spanishdict.com is excellent for grammar and the like.

Mucha suerte!


 

[scottlnelson]

Thank you both for the replies and links.

To clarify, I am not a true cyclists but just love exploring on a bicycle.  Since I don't mind spending my entire day on the bike (in-between towns), speed is not a factor (50-60 miles per day, less if major elevation gains) and so I don't need my own bike (although I do bring my "cushy" seat and SPD pedals).  In Cambodia, it was cheaper to buy a used bike ($120) and just leave it there than to rent one.  So I am not a bike snob as long as I have a good seat and padded shorts.  Just enjoy exploring new places/countries with no agenda other than to make it to the next place/town by sundown.

I would prefer luggage transport, but also have carried all my own gear with panniers (Norway).  But I did have a local contact who rented me the bike and panniers, made my lodging accommodations, planned the routes and allowed me to store my suitcase until I got back (it was a loop trip).  This is what I am hoping for in Chile (so either luggage transport or panniers with suitcase storage).

I checked out the tour links referenced, and here is the reply (via chat) from Amity: "The reason why we don’t offer self-guided is because some days you will have to cover around 100miles to go from one hotel to the next one.".  I have an email in to Pure-Adventure (in addition the three other tour operators I inquired before posting this thread - so far no replies).

Re: language.  I am an old CPA and for whatever reason, foreign languages have always been difficult for me (even before I was old).  I can spend hours reading a new tax law, but get frustrated just trying to learn simple greetings in another language.  I have not tried Duolingo though and so may give it a try.  It certainly would be helpful!


Thanks guys and I appreciate your input!

Scott   

[scottlnelson]

Just to follow-up, I was able to find a self-guided tour for this area:

http://www.pueloadventure.cl/lake-and-fjords-7-days/

Also, a second company that does not normally do self-guided tours is willing to customize one for me:

https://www.andeantrails.co.uk/

To further clarify my personal info, in addition to my "old man putzing around on a cheap bike" persona, I am "only" 61 and can do real cycling when I want to (Six Gap in GA in 2018, and always multiple century charity/bike club events each year).

Thanks all for your assistance on this topic!

Scott


 

 

[ray b]

Thanks for the update and posting the info.

Sounds like an interesting approach to travel.

If you go with one of the companies, let us know how you fare.

[scottlnelson]

Just an update - I am booked for this trip through Puelo Adventures (in November):

http://www.pueloadventure.cl/lake-and-fjords-7-days/

Crazy cheap - $750 (plus a $150 single upcharge) for 6 nights lodging (with breakfast), bike and pannier rental, route planning and maps, and transportation to/from the airport.  Should be a nice adventure!

I am heading to South Dakota the week of July 4th for a five day self-supported ride on the Mickelson Trail (with side rides to Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park).  I planned this trip mainly as international options were limited, but the more I research about it and the towns where I am staying, I think this will a lot of fun!  I have never been to SD/Black Hills before.

Thanks!

Scott

[ray b]

Just an update - I am booked for this trip through Puelo Adventures (in November):

http://www.pueloadventure.cl/lake-and-fjords-7-days/

Crazy cheap - $750 (plus a $150 single upcharge) for 6 nights lodging (with breakfast), bike and pannier rental, route planning and maps, and transportation to/from the airport.  Should be a nice adventure!

I am heading to South Dakota the week of July 4th for a five day self-supported ride on the Mickelson Trail (with side rides to Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park).  I planned this trip mainly as international options were limited, but the more I research about it and the towns where I am staying, I think this will a lot of fun!  I have never been to SD/Black Hills before.

Thanks!

Scott

Riding the badlands sometimes has the feel of an international trip....

Thanks for the follow-up on the Puerto Varas trip. We'll know who to turn to the next time this question comes up.

Be sure to update the thread after the ride.

Thanks.

[HobbesOnTour]

Just an update - I am booked for this trip through Puelo Adventures (in November):

http://www.pueloadventure.cl/lake-and-fjords-7-days/

Crazy cheap - $750 (plus a $150 single upcharge) for 6 nights lodging (with breakfast), bike and pannier rental, route planning and maps, and transportation to/from the airport.  Should be a nice adventure!

I am heading to South Dakota the week of July 4th for a five day self-supported ride on the Mickelson Trail (with side rides to Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park).  I planned this trip mainly as international options were limited, but the more I research about it and the towns where I am staying, I think this will a lot of fun!  I have never been to SD/Black Hills before.

Thanks!

Scott

Best of luck!
I might even see you down there!