We arrived in steamy Barriloche, Patagonia one week ago after a 16 hour bus ride from Mendoza. From there we (Jon) re assembled the bikes and we loaded them up a rode out of the bus station. They are heavy, long and wobbly. It is exciting to be traveling this way, but a little nervewracking as well. Our 13 Km ride to the campsite was along a curvy, hilly and very busy lakeside road with no shoulder. It was a rude awakening to all of the factors that will play into our ability to tour this region of Argentina. The load included 2 kilograms of brown rice since I was uncertain how available it would be here. I realized that I could find it in any grocery store and decided to leave half of it behind-my contribution to the packing!
Of course, I have been very uncertain about what we would find for food in this area. While it is a fertile region, similar to the Northwest United States, full of forests and lakes and more green than anywhere near Mendoza, like the rest of Argentina, meat, pizza and empanadas are still the popular fare, and vegetables remain secondary.
That said, there are grocery stores in all the cities and towns as well as local verdulerias, and the local raspberries and cherries are abundant around almost every corner.
Other factors have influenced our riding schedule, including a massive forest fire (sadly not accidental, but the result of a land dispute!) that has closed some major roads, and a general concern for our stability on some of the more rocky roads.
In the mean time, we are doing our first WWOFFing sting. WWOFF stands for World Wide Organic Farming Federation and is a worlwide network which allows farms to utilize travelers for labor, in exchange for food and housing. In our case, it is a small operation in a lovely spot. They are not expert farmers nor do they have a strong sustainability philosophy, but the exchange has been lovely and the setting beautiful. There are six other volunteers here representing France, Holland and the US and the camraderie and fun is overflowing. The family includes a 6 year old girl, and usually her 9 year old friend, so our girls are heartily entertained, and romping around the farm playing in Spanish all day. While we won´t stay for a long time, it has been a lovely opportunity to slow down, help out, meet some neat folks and have our fill (literally) of incredible Patagonian Strawberries!
Cooking up the good life 
Glad you guys made it! We’re currently in Mulchen, Chile staying with an amazing man named Carlos who owns an organic bluberry, oat and grape farm. We even got to visit the packing plant which was an awesome experience in learning about how our food gets to us. If you come this way definetly give him a call! Can’t wait to tell you more back in Mendoza 🙂
super cool, I just emailed him as we are heading in that direction. Sounds like a good trip so far for you guys too! good luck
JB
I stumbled on your blog as I too am a Minnesotan. That trip looks ahhhmazing. My husband and I backpacked through Argentenian, Patagonia about 5 years ago, with stops in Bariloche, Mendoza, El Calafate, etc. We loved every second of those 3 weeks (minus the 30 hour plus bus ride from B.A.) Keep the updates of living there coming! We’d love to go back to bike the wineries and white water raft again. Jealous of your time there!
Hi Emily, cool that you found me…are you living in Mpls now? It would be fun to meet. Chilean patagonia is wet and chilly, but beautiful. Being on bikes with kids is a whole different way to travel. I hope to do another post soon, it is tough without a personal computer. in any case, keep an eye out and maybe we will meet in Mpls.
jenny