NORTH FROM PUERTO MONTT

Hi. I am picking up my Honda 125 in Ushuaia in ten days. I left it with the Honda agent last year after riding south from Mexico. BLOG at www.simongandolfi.com
I plan trucking the bike to Puerto Natales and taking the ferry north to Puerto Montt. Can anyone aquaint me with the road conditions north from Puerto Montt to Santiago in Auguat and does anyone have an idea of the cost od trucking self and bike from Ushuaia to Pujerto Natales? Aged 74, I don't think it wise to ride icy roads. Thanks...

Simon

I cant help you with the trucking from Ushuaia but I have done the run from Puerto Montt to Santiago more than a few times in winter, via bike and car.

If you stay on the Pan Americana and don't travel before 10 Am or so it is very unlikely you will hit any ice or snow. Cold windy and rainy is about the worst to expect. Even at dawn and in early morning it is unlikely to hit ice but this is still a good precaution as it can happen. Cold clear mornings of course are the most likely time to have a patch of ice.

And once you clear la Serena, about 5 hours N of Santiago, temps on the coast and along the Panamericana rarely dip into freezing.

I stopped thinking it was fun to ride a bike on ice about 35 years ago, at the age of 16.

I will PM you the name of a competent, reliable and honest bike mechanic in Santiago, just in case you need some service.

Hi, Simon. I have a lot of biking friends. Their advice is much the same as #1, don't set out too early and don't stay on the road too late. It has been very cold, and fog and ice abound. With a small bike you want to stay visible. You will find that the police are well disposed to bikers and you can turn to them if you have any problems on the road.
Good luck!