Purmamarca

A wet start, but not too bad, The R9 was a bit narrow but became two lanes on the climb (all the slow moving trucks, I guess). The climbing was quite hard. I was disheartened that we weren't making much progress, but assured me were were, just that it was a long straight road that doesn't LOOK steep, but is.

We bought something calle quesillo and we weren't sure whether it was to be eaten raw or needed cooking. It looked like raw dough. The ten year old girl selling it form the farm assured us we could eat it and looked at us funny. How could she know we'd never seen quesillo before.

Later we bought some grapes from another house stall and peaches, as we wound through the multi-hued, colourful rock. It was in reds, blues, purples, white. Absolutely beautiful.

We got to Purmamara - Lods of hostels and backpackers. We've asked about the state of provision on R52. Nada.  This is going to mean careful water and food planning. Th chap at the campsite said that as far as he knows there are no shops, no villages and nowhere to pick up water. There is nothing there.

dist 50.41km

ride time 4:24:01

average 11.4kph

max 49.5kph max

starting alti 2275

trip alti 1016 

max alti 2281