Starting a Revolution

Don't start a revolution without one  - Norton 500

This is the motorcycle that Che Guevara rode around Argentina on and which was portrayed in the movie Motorcycle Diaries. Actually earlier than this vaunted trip, Che ( or Ernesto as he was still known at that time) made a solo trip in Argentina on this not so illustrious machine.

It was during these two journeys that Che formed his opinions on inequality, social justice and the exploitation of the working people that lead him to believe that armed revolution was the only way to help the downtrodden masses - and thus Ernesto became that revolutionary leader Che.

Ernesto becomes Che

Ernesto Guevara grew up in this modest house in the town of Alta Garcia, a little south of the Argentinian town of Cordoba

Che museum Alta Gracia, Argentina

The westward ride from Buenos Aries to the city of Cordoba was across country that makes Iowa seem like the High Andes. This flat plain is incredibly fertile and corn (maize ), wheat, soy and cattle farming occupy every inch.

The town of Cordoba was as hot as hell and not that interesting although the run-down zoo had two magnificent white lions. This genetic anomaly is found mainly in lions from the Timbavati region of South Africa so I felt like they welcomed me to this far outpost of their realm.

White lion - Cordoba Zoo

Passing through Che’s hometown and on to Villa General Belgrano, a town that would seem as if it were in Bavaria rather than western Argentina.

Villa General Belgrano

I had spent some time talking to a local motorcycle rider in Cordoba and he made some suggestions for riding in this region. The best of these was the ride up to the Cerro Champaqui, on a dirt road through some stunning mountain scenery

Road to Cerro Champaqui

One lane bridge

Lunch

On my way to the town of La Cambracita I took a detour on the spur of the moment and ended up in the mountainous village of Villa Alpina where day hiking and longer guided tours start from. It seems like the horses and donkeys were going to be doing all the hard work on these expeditions with the humans taking it rather easy.

There was a free campsite next to a river so this is where I decided to spend a very pleasant two nights

Campsite at Villa Alpina

River crossing next to campsite

A very rickety pedestrian bridge

A short ride from Villa Alpina brought me to another German style town of La Cumbracita

Hotel La Cumbracita

La Cumbracita