When I ask a local farmer where I can buy bread, he shakes his head and offers me dinner later that evening. Unfortunately I need to move on and decline the offer. I camp near a metal bridge which crosses the Bio Bio River. I see no vehicles in motion today. Total distance biked 52 km.
Road is visible in the foreground.
A 500 vertical meter ascent requires continous bicycle pushing for about 4 kilometers. Many of the inclines are so steep and dusty that I am barely able to push my bicycle and trailer to the top of the rise. Amazingly, I encounter a long-distance cyclist coming the other way just after cresting the most horrific incline. I begin to despair because I had hoped to reach Los Angeles in two days including the ascent of Collaqui. Fortunately after some discussion and inspection, I realize that I need not be quite so concerned.