10/06 I take it back. Riding to Catua and then pushing up the mountain was a better way to go. This Hwy 51 that I had to ride on into Olacapato sucks. It was largely washboard, sandy and 18-wheelers kept rumbling by every minute leaving a huge cloud of dust. I didn’t have to push but there were many times where I slid out in the sand and had to shuffle to a firmer spot, all the while watching out for trucks tearing down the road (I couldn’t hear anything because of the wind). Not one car passed me on the other road. Other than the climb that required a lot of pushing, the road via Catua was in much better shape. Maybe the views were better too but I can’t vouch for that. I did get to ride across the Salar de Cauchari which was exciting as far as riding across salars go. The place called Arizaero on my GPS didn’t exist.
I stopped in for lunch in Olacapato and found out the little fenced in compound where the restaurant is also has rooms available (50 pesos). So while the wind is howling outside I’m sitting in a heated room (!!) after having an amazing hot shower. There’s one store in town right next door so I loaded up on chocolate and some food for tonight. I heard there’s wifi at the police station. No gas here either but I should be in hostels until I get to Salta so no worries now.
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