Advice for cyclists going north | Warning

March 27th, 2021 by Am2021

Southbounders, enjoy the Atacama's only tailwind until the downhill to Paposo begins at KM 33 (the km markers switch from counting up to down about halfway). Then strap in for a windy decent.
Northbounders, enjoy your only headwind in the Atacama 🙂

February 11th, 2020 by mightycyclingadventures

riding south, 12L water did the trick for me. riding south only meet 2% to 4% climbs very easy but around 90km in the wind go nuts and had to walk my bike for about 10km, going north you meet 8% climbs. this route is easy possible if bring enough water. camping easy everywhere and wind slow down if sun goes under. cooking can be bit tricky cause of the wind unless you wait till sun i gone. road is nice and quite.

so prepare yourself and lets go!

December 24th, 2017 by ipushpedals.com

Guys, this seems to be the best option to go northwards until they pave el cobre (north of paposo). The climb is 33 kilometers and not THAT hard. The hardest is at the beginning but if you start around 7ish all should be fine. Near the top the winds from the sea will help you with the climb. At the top the winds go nuts and change direction constantly, don't rely on them on the plateau. Fetch enough water til La Negra, I met an austrian cyclist who told me he asked for water at Paranal and was denied, he also asked if he could camp there and was also denied, he drank 20 liters. I am carrying 8, and I think I overestimated it. So don't rely on paranal for water. As for tours, check beforehand because it's not open everyday and they don't make exception even if you have crossed the world by bike, they won't let you in. Other than that sunscreen for the face, hat, long sleves and pants. Sun is hard despite the coldness of the wind. 23 celcius for me right now, but oh man how burns this sun. Be safe, good winds.