TRIP REPORT
TRANS ANDEAN TEST PILOT 2022
THIS ROUTE IS NO WALK IN THE PARK, BIG DAYS IN THE SADDLE, LONG DISTANCES AND VARIED TERRAIN MAKE THIS AN EPIC EVENT. THE GROUP OF TEST PILOTS WERE WELL PRACTICED IN THESE DISTANCES AND WERE UP FOR THE CHALLENGE AHEAD.
The TransAndean Test Pilot ran in January of 2022 with 8 adventurous cyclists ready to take on the challenge. All test pilots wanting to be the first Rat Race group to try and cross the South American continent by bicycle. Travelling over 1,800km up and over the Andes from the coast of Chile to the coast of Argentina from the Pacific to the Atlantic Oceans.
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Like all test pilot trips there were a few hurdles to get over; we managed to navigate these and had a fantastic all-round experience. Those signed up for the events in 2023 and 2024 are in for a real treat.
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THIS SHORT TEST PLOT REPORT IS TO GIVE YOU AN INSIGHT INTO THE VARIED TERRAIN AND ALLOW YOU TO CONSIDER YOUR OWN BIKE, YOUR CURRENT RIDING SKILLS, ABILITY AND FITNESS LEVELS.
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As mentioned, the trip and participants overcame multiple hurdles. After arriving in Valparaiso with baggage and bikes in tow we were informed that the land border crossing from Chile was shut. It had been shut due to staff shortages and COVID 19, causing us to take quick action. After a day of riding in Chile we got onto another short flight over to Mendoza where we were transported to Los Penitentes at the base of Aconcagua. From here we cycled up to the Chilian border, the border crossing is at the highest point on the route at 3832m above sea level. It was a full uphill day, a classic mountain pass with hairpin bends to reach the statue of Christ the Redeemer. The full team cycled together on the road, as the ground beneath our tyres changed from tarmac to gravel the riders experienced the unique flavour of this adventure. Some of the group revelled in the uphill and gravel section. Others really struggled with the more difficult terrain.
It is both steep on the ascent and descent, it requires some technical skills or just shear bold riding to be able to pedal to the summit. Every member of the group had changed their tyres from slick to a more gravel-based tread. However, out of the 8 test pilots, 3 managed to cycle to the top of the pass, the others decided to get into the support vehicles for a little bit of a boost. Again, the descent saw the same 3 riders complete the challenge back to the tarmac road. The mountain pass is only a tiny part of the route, a small percentage of the event, it is the only part that is ‘off-road’ the rest is on tarmac.
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Good news to note is that no-one in the group or staff felt the effects of the higher elevation. We had all prepped ourselves for mild AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) symptoms; but as we were up and over the pass relatively quickly and sleeping lower down the valley, we did not feel any negative effects. Even though for us as a Test Pilot group we did not feel the effects it will not be ignored and must be a consideration for every riders progression during the event.
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To be able to ride up and over the mountain pass, consideration needs to be made on the bike of choice, technical riding skills and confidence on varied terrain. Decent gravel tyres are needed, also the consideration of flat pedals and trainers for that section. The test pilots and staff had a variety of road and gravel bikes. Both have positive and negatives of a journey of this duration and are perfectly adequate for the journey. The three riders that managed the mountain pass were on road bikes with gravel tyres or pure gravel bikes. The majority of the route is on tarmac and is fast and rolling. However, the roads can be very rough and broken up, large potholes are not uncommon. Sadly, they are not the perfectly polished tarmac all road riders dream of. However, the route is varied, and the views are stunning. All riders on the test pilot ended up having a couple of punctures each, sore bums due to long days and aching wrists due to the rough terrain. All finished however with raving reviews and huge smiles.
This report is not aimed to make you train harder or to go out and buy a new bike. But it is an insight into the trip and for you to know you are supported from now, through every pedal stroke all the way to across Chile and Argentina, until you reach the finish line.
HINTS AND TIPS:
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Make sure that your bike fits correctly – if unsure have a professional fitting
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This is 100% an endurance riding event, not a slick race bike course
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Bright lights on the front and back. Bar end lights are awesome. Cats Eye lights
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Prep for long days of riding 180km – 200km + is a normal day on this event.
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Bright clothing looks great and makes you more visible
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Seek strength over lightweight on your bike setup. Carbon rims are not advised.
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Panaracer Gravel King tyres or similar are perfect for the gravel sections
ROAD BIKE VS GRAVEL BIKE:​
ROAD BIKE
PROS:
- Faster average speed
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​Can be adapted for the mountain pass with gravel tyres
CONS:
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Prone to punctures
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Mountain pass may be more difficult
GRAVEL BIKE
PROS:
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More robust
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Mountain pass may be more accessible
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Can pull off the road effectively
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Hydraulic disks make braking easier
CONS:
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Slower average riding speed
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Less efficient
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A ‘niche’ bike