In November 2011, even though I had spent a total of four hours ever on a motorcycle, Ben and I set off on an eight-day, 4000-kilometer
motorcycle journey across Argentina. I came back from that trip a
convert to motorcycling, promising to repeat the experience in other corners of the world. I loved the closeness to the road and the visceral thrill of leaning into every curve. What I didn't realize at the time, and what I have now come to appreciate, is that northwest Argentina was a gorgeous, incomparable and enchanting introduction to motorcycling.
We climbed through a cloud forest, drove through vineyards flanked by towering mountains, and wove our way through desert valleys and mountaintop salt flats. We've ridden a lot in California in the last several months, and only now have I realized that motorcycling doesn't have to be as captivating as I found it that first time in Argentina. Some roads continue straight for miles, others are bounded by unending trees, and many are so poorly paved that you feel like a sack of potatoes on the back of a pickup truck.
Here's a look back at the best of Argentina's motorcycling roads, from Buenos Aires to the Salinas Grandes and back. All photos by me and Ben, unless otherwise noted.
Of course, that's not to say that California doesn't have its fair share of
amazing motorcycle roads. More on that later.
- Steph
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