It’’s hard to compress into a few words just how big an impact my trip has had on me. It is unquestionably the finest motorcycling trip I have ever made and two reasons stand out. Firstly the place is simply magnificent in it’’s variety but most of all in it’’s feeling of being vast, unspoilt and so far from anywhere. The Ruta 40 which we travelled for a goodly distance over three days is a long lonely and at times difficult road and it leaves an indelible impression on the psyche. The Andes with their exciting and refreshing abrupt changes in climate and scenery as one crosses them from east to west or vice versa - which we did several times - provide a nearly constant backdrop to the landscape wherever you are. The mountains and glaciers are beautiful but so too is the desert. The wind is a factor which has to be acknowledged and accepted but there is no doubt it heightens the drama of the place.

The second thing that made this trip so memorable and enjoyable is simply the group of people I travelled with. By the end of the trip we were all good friends and I am sure I”ll ride with at least some of them again. The shared appreciation of the potential dangers of the trip and the enjoyment of the riding probably pushed us closer together than many “ordinary” motorcycle tours. It was 4500km of a life enhancing, even life-changing experience.

Here are a few photos that capture the spirit of Patagonia for me:-