I found your webpage thru Kiva (which I just joined this week) I have been reading of your adventures for 3 hrs now! Amazing stuff, and very neat adventures, stories and facts. It's what I love best about traveling. I'm not sure if it's on your agenda or not, but Torres del Paine park is absolutely stunning. I loved the Puerto Montt/Puerto Varas area. I went white water rafting with a tour company out of Puerto Varas with a stunning view of the volcano in the background of crystal clear water below. If you get time to head out to the coast of chile, Valparaiso and Vina del Mar have some nice beaches, the Fonck Museum and Pablo Neruda's vacation house (for a change of scenary)

No vote from me; there are too many factors to consider that I am not knowledgeable on. I do appreciate how you feel, and I think "Shut Up and Keep Riding" is not the best idea. Take a break of some sort.

My experience from my horseback trip (of such small magnitude that I hate to invoke any comparison to yours) was that I was absolutely beat at the end, and frankly had no interest in riding for several months thereafter. However, as time passed I began riding again and now find myself dreaming of the next big adventure. So, go figure, however you feel today will change in the future. And I bet you'll regret it if you don't finish your journey someday.

Why not come home for awhile and play with your friends who love you here in Colorado?

Fred Thrall

Hi you two!

You are standing in front of the most beautiful piece of nature we have ever seen: the Salar and the lagoons. You must make it there!

The ride from La Paz to Potosi is first flat, then two hilly days to Potosi. Our elevation profiles are now online. The landscape is breathtaking. From Potosi to Uyuni it's 210 km on a dirt road that is being prepared to be paved. The road is therefore not too bad! In Uyuni, enjoy the spectacular Salar and the lagoons on a jeep tour. From Uyuni to the boarder with Argentina it's a very hard ride. But: there is a nice train going there :-) Take it.

In Argentina things will be different. The supermarkets here and the famous meat (we were surprised how good it really is) will cause your motivation rocket into the sky! Pavement and a long, continuous downhill to Salta will do the rest.

It's not far and you can take your time. We would love to see you cycle on!

Best wishes from paradise, Argentina

Pius & Stefan

Hossa Hobos!

Many greetings from the 2 Roadrunners Max und Heidi. We can totally understand you because we are much younger (hihi) than you and our bodys feel exhausted too. But you will never have the same feelings when you go by bus or plane. For us it´s the hardest thing we ever made but I think it was worth it, when we are standing in Ushuaia. So take a rest for a couple of weeks and than keep on going. We are sure you can make it!!!!!!
many greetings and hugs
from your two friends on the bikes
max und heidi

Hi, Randy....hopefully you remember me and my family from your childhood...I haven't seen you since we were in your teens. I'm living in Grand Junction now and I see your parents every so often.

I've thoroughly enjoyed your blog here and I'm traveling with you vicariously. I envy your gumption to take on a trip like this, but I'm sure it's been a fabulous journey.....until now.

I almost checked the "come home now and finish later button," but then if you felt rested in a couple months, you'd have to get yourselves back to wherever you stopped before, and you may never do it. So STOP for a while...rest your weary bones. Find a job or do more with the micro-investor groups. Then, if you feel like going on in a couple months, you can do it. Obviously, the changing seasons will be a factor in your decision to travel further south, but that's a decision you'll have to make. And don't feel too badly about taking a bus whenever you feel like it. Fer gosh sakes, you're about 50 years old or so...respect that!!

Whatever you do, enjoy it and be happy in the decision! I'd love to hear from you when you get a chance...it's been a long time!

John Omohundro

please consider putting your bikes in safe storage ..go to the beach...or where ever you want to for a while as tired as you may feel you are in a beautiful part of the word others can only dream about enjoy it if you can afford it......it will not be log before you get the feaver once again, then modify your plan to suit your fancy. You are already prepared and experienced to continue your travels without having to start all over again...... you are living the dream that of most of us that follow your travels whishes for.good luck

I am an eager road cyclist from Canada and have read your blog with great interest for some time. In fact, it was your blog that convinced me to start my own great adventure in Inuvik in the summer of 2009. Our age, family status and financial positions are vastly different, but I can say without hesitation that both of you have inspired me.

Don't give up. You've come so far and the end is almost in sight. If you're able, rest where you are. Whether you take days or months I believe your motivation, your desire to reach your ultimate goal will return. When it does, get back on the road and complete this journey.

You will never again find yourself in this position - exhausting and dirty and lonely as it may seem to be. Few get such a chance and fewer still ever take it. Please don't waste it.

I am sorry to hear that you have become tired. But this is not surprising. Some of your options that you are contemplating are similar: IE, to take a break, or bash on. Listen to your body. Often one follows a path out of momentum, not logic. You obviously need a break, and more than the type where you just blitz home & back. What form that break takes probably does not matter that much. You would be a better judge than I regarding your options. As for coming back home, I think you will find you are "in limbo" until you make a firm decision to stay home. It would be hard to set up shop after being away so long. Once established in Colorado again, how do you decide to leave again? No, I suggest staying in SA enjoying the Spring weather, then make a decision. And by the way, the market went up 10% yesterday! Good Luck.
Rob.