Cold start
Monday, December 11, 2023
- Patagonia
The last two days before my departure were pretty hectic. My new bags have significantly less space, and I would also like to take a pack raft with a paddle and a life jacket with me.
My new bike was created in collaboration with Tom Spahr from the Leuthold bike shop. This time I use a titanium frame from Falkenjagd and again a Pinion gearbox with chain drive.
![](https://cycoholic.org/media/pages/touren/patagonien/kaltstart/e4c823c1f3-1702312671/img-20231211-145357-1440x-q90.webp)
A big thank you at this point to Tom for his great work! The hardest part of a trip for me is always the first day. Saying goodbye to family and friends is never easy.
Since I hadn't found time to prepare for the trip yet, I wanted to use the first stage as a test route. To do this, I cycled from Switzerland towards Paris.
Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate. Wet and cold are not ideal for cycling.
Luckily, I was able to stay overnight with friends in Frick and Basel for the first two days. At this point, a big thank you to Claudius and Xaver.
The next day, I crossed the border into France and cycled towards Mulhouse. The headwind particularly bothered me afterwards. Just as I was about to set up my tent under a canopy in Buethwiller, a walker walked past with his dog and invited me to his house for dinner and the night.
![](https://cycoholic.org/media/pages/touren/patagonien/kaltstart/db8636344d-1702314610/img-20231211-144647-1440x-q90.webp)
Lukas only recently emigrated. There was a lot to talk about and we shared stories with each other until late into the night. Thank you very much Lukas for the great hospitality.
https://youtube.com/@JENNISWISS?si=cn8OsIugrsa_m1nR
The short days combined with the cold were a challenge. My rain clothes served as wind protection. In the morning I cycled until I got warm. Around lunchtime I treated myself to a coffee in the restaurant to warm myself up.
The next morning I received pictures from Switzerland with white landscapes. After a rest day in Besancon I continued along Euroveloroute 3. I never met other touring riders.
![](https://cycoholic.org/media/pages/touren/patagonien/kaltstart/e6c3e432b6-1702314593/img-20231211-144924-1440x-q90.webp)
I named my new bike “Siemis”. The name means “dreams” in Romansh (Sursilvan). I want to make new dreams come true with this bike rafting project.
In Dole I visited the birthplace of Louis Pasteur. He was a chemist, physicist, biochemist and co-founder of medical microbiology who made crucial contributions to the prevention of infectious diseases through vaccination.
![](https://cycoholic.org/media/pages/touren/patagonien/kaltstart/dd7df77176-1702314529/img-20231211-151458-1440x-q90.webp)
The weather was really bad here too. It rained all night long and when there was no end in sight the next morning, I jumped on the train again. The regional trains (TER) transport bicycles for free.
I took the train to Tonnerre via Dijon. It was actually dry there. By evening I reached Cheny, where I pitched my tent under the canopy of a rugby club building.
![](https://cycoholic.org/media/pages/touren/patagonien/kaltstart/9917ef20d9-1702314578/img-20231211-145209-1440x-q90.webp)
My new sleeping bag withstood the sub-zero temperatures perfectly. However, everything was completely wet when I got up in the morning. I continued along the Yvonne (river).
The campsites are practically all closed. Nevertheless, I checked out everyone I passed along the way. That day I had some luck outside of Sens. The groundskeeper lives here all year round and allowed me to spend the night in the lounge, where I could also dry my wet clothes.
![](https://cycoholic.org/media/pages/touren/patagonien/kaltstart/efd3dee2ec-1702314567/img-20231211-145532-1440x-q90.webp)
I couldn't find a bike route the next day. Which is why I had to improvise a little. I actually wanted to follow the dirt roads. However, they are completely soaked due to all the rain.
After a few mud fights, I decided to switch to the asphalt roads. Even the Pinion's chain drive jammed due to all the mud.
![](https://cycoholic.org/media/pages/touren/patagonien/kaltstart/bab5d27cb5-1702314621/img-20231211-145049-1440x-q90.webp)
The last day before I arrived in Paris was where I had the most trouble finding a place to sleep. I drove constantly along the banks of the Seine and only found a campsite in Vaux le Pénil when darkness fell, where I was allowed to set up camp for the night in the cold shower.
My arrival in Paris went surprisingly well. The weather remained stable and I was pleasantly surprised at how well developed the bike paths are here. I stayed in the hostel for 3 nights.
![](https://cycoholic.org/media/pages/touren/patagonien/kaltstart/62ffcf4402-1702314931/img-20231211-145719-1440x-q90.webp)
Since I couldn't find time to prepare everything for the trip at home because of my final exams, I did so here in Paris.
On the fourth day there was a big reunion with Wesley. We met in Zambia in 2016. https://cycoholic.org/en/trips/three-continents/losing-streak
Wesley has been living here in Paris with his fiancée Maggie for a few years. I was allowed to stay with them for a few days.
![](https://cycoholic.org/media/pages/touren/patagonien/kaltstart/b63e51e45d-1702314555/img-20231211-145857-1440x-q90.webp)
My mother visited me over the weekend. Despite the constant rain, we were able to use the time together to see a few of the sights.
In addition to the Center Pompidou, we also visited the Louvre. Due to the rainy weather there was quite a rush of visitors, which is why we decided to continue on to the Champs Elysées.
![](https://cycoholic.org/media/pages/touren/patagonien/kaltstart/b70ffe404d-1702314542/img-20231211-150031-1440x-q90.webp)
Of course, a visit to the Arc de Triomphe couldn't be missed. The grave of the unknown soldier, located below the triumphal arch, is intended to commemorate the dead who were never identified.
![](https://cycoholic.org/media/pages/touren/patagonien/kaltstart/b108468862-1702314443/img-20231211-150209-1440x-q90.webp)
We arrived at the Basilica of the Sacré Coeur de Montmartre just in time for dusk. Entry here is free.
![](https://cycoholic.org/media/pages/touren/patagonien/kaltstart/fcc26ba686-1702314508/img-20231211-150516-1440x-q90.webp)
The view of the city from up here is particularly beautiful in the evening light. At the same time it stopped raining briefly. A very welcome change for us.
![](https://cycoholic.org/media/pages/touren/patagonien/kaltstart/06d3a496e6-1702314496/img-20231211-150344-1440x-q90.webp)
The first thing we did on our last day together was visit the most famous landmark in Paris: the Eiffel Tower.
![](https://cycoholic.org/media/pages/touren/patagonien/kaltstart/39f04a85fc-1702314767/img-20231211-150757-1440x-q90.webp)
Finally, we went on a special tour to Notre Dame Cathedral. Since the cathedral is closed due to the fire in 2019, a 500m² room was created at the foot for a virtual reality experience.
Wesley recommended this to us. In 45 minutes you travel from the laying of the foundation stone through history to the present. A digital reconstruction of the events. Thanks Wesley for this great suggestion.
![](https://cycoholic.org/media/pages/touren/patagonien/kaltstart/69642a5d86-1702314519/img-20231211-150907-1440x-q90.webp)
After that I had to say goodbye to my mother again. A big thank you for the visit. For the last two days in Paris I went to Maggie and Wesley's place again, where I prepared for my flight to Santiago de Chile.
My journey can now also be followed via Polarstep:
https://www.polarsteps.com/NinoTrunz