Our new plan seems to work. We started the first day’s stage at 6:30 clock, with wind conditions that were at leat bearable. Three hours later, the wind was so strong again that it would force almost every cyclist to make a break. But I moved forward until 3 pm. It’s damn annoying to take breaks again and again because of the headwind, but to continue cycling at this time of the day makes no sense at all.

Today we had a great meeting with other travelers. We saw the expedition group, which is traveling in three cars from Cartagena to Ushuaia, already in Colombia and Ecuador. Now at the third encounter on the road there was finally time for a short conversation. The small tourist group is led by a guide, who did expeditions around the world and actually comes from Tanzania. Because of my world record project in Africa, we had a lot to talk about this beautiful continent. In addition, it is great to meet with people in this barren landscape. The convoy has set out from Colombia to Argentina and the journey should last 58 days. If all goes well, we meet again in Patagonia. Meanwhile, Viki and Viola, who drove the big camper, coincidentally made acquaintance with travelers crossing the continent. Their means of transport is the motorcycle. But the goal is always the same: Ushuaia.

Currently, there is no change of the landscape. The barren dunes are beautiful to look at, but the chain suffers. The sand is blown on the street and sticks to the chain. As a wearing part, I have to change it anyway every few 1000 km, but currently my bike really longs for a chain replacement.

With the last rays of daylight, I started the night stage, which lasted until midnight. I progress slowly, but I cycled 231 km today. The gain in meters of height is also considerable. The flat but long climbs and descents result in today’s 2000 meters gain of alltitude. Especially cycling in the dark is currently a strenuous effort. “Ride the line” could be the motto of these hours. The eternal cycling along the white line is quite grueling.

Kerstin accompanied me today in the camper and protected me on the highway, if a truck wanted to overtake too fast. Today we have a short night ahead. Let’s see what the headwind has to offer tomorrow.