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Gravel Road TDF - San Sebastian to Porvenir Gravel Road TDF - San Sebastian to Porvenir
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  #1  
Old 4 Jan 2010
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Gravel Road TDF - San Sebastian to Porvenir
Hi everyone

We are going to be heading from Rio Gallegos to TDF in about 3-4 days time and to Ushuaia. Woohooo !!!!

On our way back out though we were thinking of going to Porvenir and ferry across to Punta Arenas for something different than going back on the gravel road to the border.

We are NOT gravel riders at all 1150GS two up, and are dreading the gravel road as it is from the border to San Sebastian.

But anyway - has anyone done the San Seb to Porvenir road?

Cheers JulieBunny
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  #2  
Old 4 Jan 2010
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yes I did
Hi Juliebunny,

3weeks ago I made it two up on a 950adv.
Near Porvenir there are two options, along the coastline (I guess better conditions) or the shorter line inside -which I did with my collegue.
There are some tricky passages on the short cut-which I liked (because I like rough gravel) .

The coas line seems to be an Autobahn (if you know what I mean)

Cheers carliO
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  #3  
Old 5 Jan 2010
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Hey thanks Carlio
So you have been on the Coastline road as well then recently?
Sorry to ask again - its just we cannot go that way if its not like a compacted gravel - we have had alot of trouble with the bike in the final drive, and crown bearing with loadings and bad roads.

We are hoping the gravel road to Ushuaia is not going to be that bad, but hey - we have to do that to get there.. LOL !!

Thanks again !! Can't believe you love rough gravel ahaha

JulesBunny
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  #4  
Old 5 Jan 2010
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Smooth coastline
Hi Juliebunny,

The shortcut-road leads to the coast road at a certain point.
I didn´t made the complete coast road,just a part (towards San S.).
The coast part I made was in perfect condition (no potholes, no deep gravel etc.). I guess the complete coast part is in good condition-seems to be the main road.
Behind the border to down to Ushuaia is all tarmac, just the Nationalpark is gravel (with a few potholes).

Cheers carliO

P.S. after 20.00 the Nationalpark is for free
P.P.S it´s worth to visit some other remote places on the island, than only the city and the NP

950 Abenteuer
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  #5  
Old 5 Jan 2010
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Thanks thats awesome....we'll see how we go. Need to find some accommodation first... alot is booked solid it seems...oh well - we'll find somewhere.

Cheers
Juliebunny
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  #6  
Old 8 Jan 2010
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Road to Provenir from San Sebastian
Hi there

My wife and I did the road back in November from San Sebastian, two up on my GSA1200. It´s ok if you take it easy. We did the coast road and the biggest challenge was a very strong cross wind on the day.

If you have now gotten to Ushuaia from Rio Gallegos you will have already tackled the gravel part on the way to Ushuaia and I would say it similar to that.

Good luck and enjoy the trip.

Steve
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  #7  
Old 14 Jan 2010
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Gravel
Hi Julie,
Sorry to be a bringer of misfortune, but, once you are in TDF you are going to encounter gravel no matter which way you go.
We rode down through TDF to be at Ushuaia for christmas and the gravel was good from Bahia Azul (22Km's tarmac before the ripio starts, then 140 km's ripio) . There is another road which I believe the buses take (we found out later!! same distance) which is a bit easier, through Con Sombrero.But on the way back out the same road was completely different, more wind and a lot of loose gravel, very hard riding with one off!. We had considered riding to Porvenir for the ferry to Punta Arenas, but because of the erratic sailing times it was easier for us to ride the same way back as we had come. I could be wrong but I dont think you will have any choice but to ride the gravel, just take it slow and keep an eye on the weather.
If I can do it anyone can!!!!!!
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  #8  
Old 14 Jan 2010
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We've arrived in Ushuaia
Thanks for all the tips etc.

We did the Ruta 257 towards Onaisin and Porvenir, not the Cerro Sombrero road as this is heavy with trucks also - we had no wind, no rain, no traffic, sun and a gravel road that was compacted dirt and very easy for us. Great scenery as well so lots of stops for piccies.

Lovely ride - took us around 3 hours all up to get to San Sebastian - 135km.
Highly recommend especially since we have met a couple of people here, bikers who did the Bahia Azul road and the truck route which is corrugated and potholed from overuse by the trucks.

Cheers
Julie Bunny
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