When we planned to travel Argentina, we knew there would be plenty of incredible things to see, but boy did we underestimate that. I knew that Chile would stand out since it is home to the world famous Torres del Paine National Park and more, but Argentina surprised us more than we could have imagined. 

From Perito Morino Glacier to the Argentinian Lake District and all the way down to Fin del Mundo (the end of the world) and Ushuaia (the gateway to Antarctica), there were so many unbelievable things to see. We drove Ruta 40, which was as wild as they get, with hundreds of kms of gravel road, pot holes and crazy winds (which you all heard about by now) but along this route we spotted volcanoes, wildlife, gorgeous lakes, small villages, endless roads through vast wide open landscapes and ever changing landscapes. 

As well as this there were times we would stumble upon glacier rivers, canyons and gorgeous backdrops which just appeared out of nowhere, but Ruta 40 included many long stretches of nothing as well - which made the scenery even more unexpected. In El Chalten and El Calafate we marvelled at unbelievable snow capped mountains which soared above bright blue waters, we even saw the outline of Fitz Roy as we drove by at sunset and this was remarkable. 

To sum up, Argentina was a mix of so many varied landscapes, some of which you expected and some of which you certainly did not. On days where you thought you would see a lot, you saw nothing but a long stretch of gravel road and on other days you turned the corner and came across a random canyon which was mind blowing. We loved this diversity and unpredictability, something which makes travelling so special - and travelling by motorbike even more special.

For those unfamiliar, Patagonia is a vast and beautiful region located in the southernmost tip of South America, stretching across the southern parts of both Argentina and Chile. It is known for its rugged landscapes, towering mountains, and icy glaciers, making it a popular destination for adventurers and thrill-seekers from all over the world, so of course this is what captivated us. However, one thing that is often overlooked by travelers is the strong Patagonian winds that can make traveling, especially by motorbike, quite challenging.

The winds in Patagonia are notorious for their strength and unpredictability, and they can be felt across the region throughout the year but no matter what people told us beforehand, we didn't expect them to be as crazy as they were. The winds are caused by the combination of several factors, including the cold Antarctic air that sweeps across the Andes mountains and the warmer air that rises from the Pacific Ocean. As these two air masses collide, the winds become amplified, resulting in gusts that can reach up to 100 mph.

For motorcyclists, these winds can make riding in Patagonia a challenging and sometimes dangerous experience, so I was very glad Dennis was driving. The sudden gusts can push a rider off course and make it difficult to maintain control of the bike. The winds are especially strong in open areas, such as the vast plains of the Argentine Pampas, where there are few natural barriers to slow them down but we experienced the worst winds in the south of Argentine Patagonia.

Dennis and I experienced these winds firsthand during our 10,000 km motorbike trip through Patagonia. We had spent three weeks in Santiago, searching for the perfect motorbike, before embarking on our adventure. We were excited to explore this remote and rugged region on two wheels, but we quickly realized that the winds would pose a significant challenge.

I can't quite remember our first encounter with the winds, it seemed to happen gradually after reaching Bariloche, but I do remember it being a little windy one day and Dennis asking if this was the wind everyone warned us about. It wasn't! We had been warned about the winds, but nothing could have prepared us for the sheer force of the gusts that hit us as we rode. It felt like we were being pushed sideways, and we had to lean heavily into the wind just to stay upright. At times, we were forced to pull over and wait for the winds to die down before continuing and to stretch our sore legs and hips of course.

As we continued further south into Patagonia, the winds only grew stronger. We were constantly battling against the gusts, which made riding both mentally and physically exhausting. We had to constantly adjust our speed and direction, and we were often forced to ride in a zigzag pattern just to maintain our balance.

Despite the challenges, we were determined to press on and experience all that Patagonia had to offer. We were rewarded with incredible landscapes, from the towering peaks of the Andes to the windswept plains of the Pampas. The scenery was breathtaking, and we felt privileged to be able to experience it on two wheels.

Despite the difficulties, we eventually grew accustomed to the winds and learned how to ride with them. We became more confident in our abilities, and we were able to enjoy the rest of our trip without being constantly worried about the gusts. In fact, we even began to appreciate the winds for their unique character and the challenge they posed.
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However, for those who are up to the challenge, they offer a unique opportunity to explore one of the most beautiful and remote regions on the planet.

Dennis and I always talked about going on a motorcycle adventure together, and after much consideration, we decided to take on Patagonia. This decision was not made lightly, as we knew we were in for a challenge - 10,000 kilometers of driving in just eight weeks, except that turned into six weeks.

After arriving in Santiago, we spent three weeks searching for the right motorbike to take on this journey. Eventually, we settled on a 2012 Honda Falcon, which we felt would be durable enough to handle the rough terrain and the notorious Patagonian winds, yet it had no luggage rack.

From Santiago, we headed across the Andes and towards Mendoza (wine country) and onwards south into the heart of Patagonia - with a makeshift luggage rack we screwed on last minute. The first few days were challenging as we adjusted to sitting on the bike for long hours but that was nothing compared to the the strong Patagonian winds that we were faced with a few weeks on, which are known to be some of the strongest in the world. Id like to say that after a few days of getting used to the winds, we were able to make better time on the road but the winds just got worse and worse and the temperature dropped dramatically.

One of the highlights of our trip was the Argentinian food. We enjoyed many traditional dishes, such as empanadas, asado, and dulce de leche. We made sure to try the local cuisine in every town we passed through, and we were never disappointed by the local asado (BBQ) which was delicious and cheap.

We also had some incredibly long driving days, covering hundreds of kilometers at a time. But it was worth it for the breathtaking landscapes we encountered. The snow-capped Andes mountains, the vast Patagonian steppe, and the awe-inspiring glaciers (Perito Merino was incredible) were just a few of the incredible sights we encountered along the way.

​One of the most unforgettable moments of our trip was our visit to Torres del Paine National Park. We spent a few days driving through the park, taking in the stunning scenery and wildlife. We saw herds of guanacos, graceful Andean condors, but sadly we didn't feast our eyes on a puma. However, it was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Another highlight of our trip was meeting other adventurous travelers on the road. We encountered other motorcyclists, hikers, and even cyclists/brave bikepackers who were all exploring this beautiful region. We swapped stories and tips and made valuable connections with people from all over the world.

Our trip wasn't without its challenges, however. We faced some mechanical issues with our motorbike and had to get creative with repairs. But we persevered and were able to continue on our journey even making it all the way to Buenos Aires with dodgy brakes that we couldn't get fixed along the way.

As we neared the end of our trip, we reflected on the incredible experiences we had in Patagonia. We had driven over 10,000 kilometers, endured the strongest winds we had ever encountered, savored delicious Argentinian food, and encountered breathtaking landscapes and wildlife. It was a journey that challenged us, inspired us, and left us with a newfound appreciation for the beauty and diversity of this world.
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In conclusion, our motorcycle trip through Patagonia was a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that we will never forget. It was an experience that pushed us to our limits, but also rewarded us with unforgettable moments and memories. We would highly recommend this trip to any adventurous travelers looking to explore one of the most beautiful regions of the world.