After some beautiful cycling days through a provincial park with Albane, a French cyclist, I started my final 1.300 km push to Mendoza, ten days on the bike. The riding had been stunning, but soon I was back in the desert.
Mental energy
I didn’t mind the long, monotonous roads too much. They gave me the perfect space to prepare mentally for the upcoming climb. The real challenge was the headwind. I wanted to reach the base of the mountain on time, and in an open landscape like this it’s crazy how much wind can slow you down. There’s no hiding from it, it’s just about pedalling and trying not to burn too much energy.
The answer is blowin’ in the wind
I often use headwinds as a metaphor for life. I’ve spent weeks cycling into crazy winds in different parts of the world. You can get frustrated, angry, and try to fight it, but if it lasts too long, that approach doesn’t work. Sometimes you just have to shift into an easier gear and slow down a little. You might lose a few minutes, but you arrive far less exhausted and frustrated. This isn’t a race. In the end, it’s about enjoying the journey.
Shared misery
One day the headwinds were extreme. Progress was painfully slow. But just before that, I met Markus and Belin. Riding, and suffering together, made a big difference. With the three of us, the day felt lighter, and we still managed to cover a good distance.
The hard, but fun way
As I approached Mendoza, I decided to leave the main highway. Between cities, traffic is usually heavy, and I hoped for something quieter and more scenic. The alternative route was tougher, but it was absolutely worth it. Less traffic, more beauty. I enjoyed every kilometre. That’s something I think is worth it a lot: not taking the easy path, but the fun one…
Gradually, the mountains began to appear. I found some beautiful wild camping spots and felt my focus shifting. My body was still cycling, but my mind was already preparing for the climb.
Getting excited!
The anticipation grew with every day. The final ride up into the mountains brought me to the entrance of Aconcagua Provincial Park, the place where the next phase would begin. I had one full rest day before Rik and Bertrand arrived, and I used it well: eating, resting, and taking naps.
Seeing them again felt great. With their arrival, a new chapter was about to start, the climb of the highest mountain in South America.
The past couple of months have been amazing and I feel a bit sad that the cycling is over, while looking forward to climb Aconcagua. I feel both mentally and physically very strong for this next phase.