Out And About.

[mongers]

Mongers, what did you think of the recent Guardian article: a lament for the changed world of cycling (http://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2016/apr/12/no-more-hippies-and-explorers-lament-for-the-changed-world-of-cycling).

Thanks PRC for that, very interesting read.

[Brazen]

Out and about on my lunchtime stroll.

[mongers]

Right, I'm off out.

[Valmy]

Right, I'm off out.

Have fun!

[MadImmortalMan]

Anyone know *coughfakealfred* much about driving in south america?

We're thinking of going one way by rental between Santiago and Puerto Montt. Looks like it's similar to driving Portland to Los Angeles. Long trip with lots to see...don't want to do it again to catch a plane.

[alfred russel]

Anyone know *coughfakealfred* much about driving in south america?

We're thinking of going one way by rental between Santiago and Puerto Montt. Looks like it's similar to driving Portland to Los Angeles. Long trip with lots to see...don't want to do it again to catch a plane.

Yep. Never driven that route, or really in Chile at all (in a way that counts), but I don't see anything that should be so difficult about it. The Chileans in Argentina used to rave about the wonderful roads in Argentina because they suck in Chile, but I would think that route will be a good one.

[MadImmortalMan]

Anything shouldn't skip?

[alfred russel]

Anything shouldn't skip?

What does that mean? As in sights to see? I've never been to that part of Chile. I would advise though that one of my favorite places in the world is Patagonia, especially to drive. The roads can be really bad though, but it is so empty, so awesome, and also safe.

[Barrister]

Anyone know *coughfakealfred* much about driving in south america?

We're thinking of going one way by rental between Santiago and Puerto Montt. Looks like it's similar to driving Portland to Los Angeles. Long trip with lots to see...don't want to do it again to catch a plane.

For what it's worth...

For the big trip to brazil 3 years ago, my brother was adamant 'you can't rent a car in south America - the driving is horrible!'.  Which caused us to feel stuck unless we could beg/borrow/steal a ride from someone.

From watching when we were driven around... traffic wasn't great.  Driving wasn't tremendous fun.  But compared to traffic in Rome, it was child's play.  I would have gladly rented a car on the antipode.

[Savonarola]

I was on the opposite side of the continent, and never drove myself; but from my experience in Colombia I learned:

1.)  Sounding the horn means, "I'm going to do something incredibly stupid, so watch out."
2.)  If you're following a trucker and he turns his turn signal he's signalling that it's safe for you to pass him; not that he's turning.
3.)  Random construction and gruesome accidents are inevitable so have a lot of patience.
4.)  Those who can drive, do; those who can't drive, drive buses.
5.)  The lines on the road aren't meant to be taken literally.

You should get the low down from the locals on military or police check points as well (and what to do if you get stopped.)  We got stopped and searched on a few occasions.

[Eddie Teach]

4.)  Those who can drive, do; those who can't drive, drive buses.

This one's t-shirt worthy. 

[mongers]

Right, I'm off out.

Have fun!

Didn't go anywhere special, just a 30 mile spin around one of the hillier bits of the forest, though somewhere I've not been in nearly six months. 

Problem is finding big enough hills to go up in these parts, at least the loop I took rises and falls a lot, so it's an OK workout.

[mongers]

Today I accidentally took a diversion to Lover via Bohemia. 

[Maladict]

Forgot I took some pictures on my walk the other day 

[mongers]

Forgot I took some pictures on my walk the other day 

Nice.

Lots of lambing going on hereabouts the last few days.