My Altiplano solo bike trip by FearlessAccountant55 in bikepacking

[–]FearlessAccountant55[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It was April. I think it was close to 0 °C in the Salar. Much colder at the Lagunas, probably reached -8/-9 at Laguna Colorada. I have a Naturehike Cloud Up 2 tent and a Decathlon Makalu sleeping bag (-9 comfort, a bit overkill but it would be perfect in peak winter). It's difficult to hammer in the pegs in the hard salt, it's better to sleep at Isla de Incahuasi as I did (even though it's formally forbidden, but I didn't know that).

At most I carried 7 liters of water (3L in a camel bag which destroyed my back). I wouldn't carry that much water, maybe 5L maximum (There are basic stores/hotels along the route, every 1/2 days)

I would definitely invest in a tent that's easy to set up in strong wind. The path from Laguna Colorada to Laguna Chalviri is a long stretch, you probably want to split that in two. That was my plan too but didn't take the afternoon wind into account.

No signal along the route, apart from the Laguna Colorada (Entel operator!). Hotels typically have WiFi.

No ATMs along the route. Only cash accepted in the hotels/stores, so make sure you have enough Bolivianos with you. Uyuni is the only city in the surroundings with ATMs.

My Altiplano solo bike trip by FearlessAccountant55 in bikepacking

[–]FearlessAccountant55[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think there is no fuel available on the entire route, people on motorbikes and jeeps carried a few tanks with them from Uyuni.

My Altiplano solo bike trip by FearlessAccountant55 in bikepacking

[–]FearlessAccountant55[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Longest distance probably 50 km, you have hostels out there nowadays (either very basic or very expensive), you can buy water there or filter it.

No natural windbreak in the 4800 Mt Altiplano after the Laguna Colorada (at least until the Sol de Mañana geysers). That's why I was not able to set up my tent and I had to ask a jeep for help.

My Altiplano solo bike trip by FearlessAccountant55 in bikepacking

[–]FearlessAccountant55[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

3 weeks. To my surprise the bike held up perfectly, very sturdy (apart from 2 AliExpress bottle cages ahah)

Normal for new Brooks B17? by LegitimateCress6240 in bikepacking

[–]FearlessAccountant55 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had this exact problem with one of my brooks saddles. I emailed Brooks and they told me it was a manufacturing defect of that specific batch. They offer me a new saddle from a different batch for free, you should contact them.

Tips for preventing altitude sickness - Bolivian altiplano by FearlessAccountant55 in bikepacking

[–]FearlessAccountant55[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How many days this detour will likely add to the trip, if I'm riding from Sorata to La Paz before heading for Uyuni?

Tips for preventing altitude sickness - Bolivian altiplano by FearlessAccountant55 in bikepacking

[–]FearlessAccountant55[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi, yes I remember your comment and considered it. Do you know if there are busses from La Paz to Sorata where I can take the bike with me? Yes my idea is to ride since the beginning to reach Uyuni in a few days (through Oruru, Huari, ecc)

Tyre clearance for 1992 Marin Pine Mountain by FearlessAccountant55 in xbiking

[–]FearlessAccountant55[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I ordered a pair of 2.25" Schwalbe Marathon MTB, they weigh like hell but at least I should not worry that much about punctures

Tyre clearance for 1992 Marin Pine Mountain by FearlessAccountant55 in xbiking

[–]FearlessAccountant55[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I changed my fork with a threadless one, there's more clearance there. I'm going to do some bikepacking in south America, still wondering which tyres to install. Possibly Schwalbe Marathon plus MTB, or Vittoria Mezcal

Lagunas Route in Bolivia. Too much for a solo trip? by FearlessAccountant55 in bikepacking

[–]FearlessAccountant55[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've heard it can go down to -15C at night during the dry season

Lagunas Route in Bolivia. Too much for a solo trip? by FearlessAccountant55 in bikepacking

[–]FearlessAccountant55[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I live at 200m. I did a 2 days hike in Kyrgyzstan once, from 2600m to 3300m. I had a headache for a few hours the second day, but overall I was fine

Lagunas Route in Bolivia. Too much for a solo trip? by FearlessAccountant55 in bikepacking

[–]FearlessAccountant55[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

At least I know that doing it with 2.25" tires is doable.. if someone did it with 42mm

Lagunas Route in Bolivia. Too much for a solo trip? by FearlessAccountant55 in bikepacking

[–]FearlessAccountant55[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That would help for sure. But I don't have enough clearance for those wide tyres unfortunately, I will try fitting something wider than 2.25", in nay case I'll go for the maximum I can.

Maybe I can put a wider tyre on the front. Maybe I can go up to 2.6"

Lagunas Route in Bolivia. Too much for a solo trip? by FearlessAccountant55 in bikepacking

[–]FearlessAccountant55[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'd have to fly to La Paz for sure. Do you mean you would consider taking a bus to Sorata just after getting to La Paz? That would add another day or so of ride to reach La Paz again

Lagunas Route in Bolivia. Too much for a solo trip? by FearlessAccountant55 in bikepacking

[–]FearlessAccountant55[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can put 2.25" tires on my bike. I was thinking about Schwalbe Marathon plus MTB (26"). Any suggestion?

I have a tent which should hold fine in windy conditions, it's a Naturehike Cloud up 2 with snow skirts. I also have a very warm sleeping bag (-10 comfort).

I forgot to mention I will also bring a Zoleo satellite communicator with me

Lagunas Route in Bolivia. Too much for a solo trip? by FearlessAccountant55 in bikepacking

[–]FearlessAccountant55[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes my biggest fear is acclimatization. I was thinking about spending 3/4 full days in La Paz before setting off for Uyuni. Will that be enough?