Ruta 40 - A First Taste

Ruta 40 is a road of mythical proportions in Argentina, much like Route 66 in America. Route 66 runs east to west, Ruta 40 runs north to south, pretty much the entire length of Argentina. It is a bucket list road in adventure rider circles.  Ruta 40 runs for over 5,100km (~3,200 miles), I joined it with about 2,250km left to run.

RN237 is the direct route from Neuquén to San Carlos de Bariloche, I elected to head due west on RN22 to Zapala with the goal of riding Ruta 40 south and onto the mountains north of Bariloche. It didn't work out that way.

The day was forecast to be windy. Heading west in Patagonia is asking for it I suppose, winds from the west prevail. All was well for the first 50 miles, the wind finally bit as I passed through Plaza Huincul. With the throttle pinned El Burro could only make 40-50mph, the slightest incline in the road made for more of a challenge. The CB500 would not make more than ~4,000rpm; the engine was working hard and mpg dropped into the 30's. I figured that I was running into a consistent 40-50mph headwind, easier riding than a crosswind of course. Did I wish for the horses in my prior BMW R12GS ...at that point you bet ya; for only the second time in 12,000 miles. After 30 miles or so I crested a ridge and the wind diminished dramatically, like a switch went to off. 

Ruta 40 is joined at Zapala, pointing in a southerly direction, so 20-30mph crosswinds replaced the headwinds, not bad but enough to make the occasional shelter offered by bumps and dips in the terrain very welcome.

As I approached the foothills of the Andes it became obvious that precipitation of the frozen kind lay ahead. Sure enough, short lived, but heavy snow squalls descended onto the Pampas. The temperatures dipped from the mid-40's into the mid-30's but never reached freezing, the roads remained wet, not icy. The Andes lay ahead, visible at times, but more often obscured by cloud and I would guess snow fall. It was enough to convince me to cut off on RN234 and pick up RN237 on the run into Bariloche. This route is marked as Ex40 on some maps I have seen, which I presume is 'Express 40', it isn't the real deal but still went through decent scenery with some twists and turns. Even staying east of the mountains the occasional snow squalls still enveloped me, followed by clear blue skies. Ruta 40 was rejoined a few miles east of Bariloche. It was an interesting day. 

Naturally I went in search of a bragging rights vanity sticker, they were not hard to find.

Bariloche has version of the crooked road, not unlike San Francisco, among other interesting sights in town. 

The scenery is what brings people here though, breathtaking and not just because it was windy and cold.

Cheers T2.