Where's Punky & Lew now?
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Date: Sun Nov. 3, 2002
Subject: Punky, Lew & Achi 2 report from Bariloche, Patagonia, Argentina
Hi everyone: We had a cold and wet ride from Puerto Montt to Osorno, Chile and then over the Andes to Bariloche. Achi's gloves were not waterproof and she felt sick. Got her a new rainsuit and gloves and she is now taking medication. She is not used to irregular meals on the road. Bariloche is a beautiful lakeshore tourist city on the edge of the Andes. Prices are very good with my dollars converted to Pesos. Steaks, pastries and other foods are fantastic and cheap as are clothes and everything else. We're staying in a nice hosteria with private bath for $10/night. Stayed 2 days and waited for the rain to pass. We were going to head south this morning, but checked the oil, lubed the chain and looked things over. Discovered the rear wheel is broken. A very dangerous thing that could have caused us serious problems crossing the Andes. A miracle that the tire is still holding air. I remember hitting a bad hole in the pavement in Chile about 10 days ago. Met groups from two motorcycle clubs, Wind Riders and Moto Club de Bariloche, here in town. Nicolas, a member of the Moto Club de Bariloche, owns an older KLR650. He is arranging for a mechanic to come to my hosteria at 9am tomorrow, look at the bike and get it fixed. So, we are here for at least 2 more days. The longer we wait the warmer it gets in Patagonia, although November, a seasonal transition period, is terrible for high winds. Bariloche is a nice place to be stuck a while, but cold. A chilean had told me that, for a tourist, Argentina is not cheap, it is a gift. He was right. The financial and economic difficulties have caused a Peso devaluation much in my favor, but the Argentines suffer low wages and high prices. Got a message from Norwegian Honda 650 rider, Erling Steen, saying that his bike also suffered piston and ring damage, despite his continually adjusting the carburetor for altitude changes. We have a temporary reprieve from getting windblown in Patagonia. Punky has a new sweater and gets even more attention. He got wet and cold crossing the Andes too. His bag proved not to be waterproof either. He now is better protected in a plastic bag inside his bag. Achi loves and protects him. All is under control and nearly well.
Later, amigos and amigas.
Punky, Lew & Achi 2
Americas Motopaseo
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