ENGLISH TEXT THE PATAGONIA GIVI TOUR – WHERE IT ALL BEGAN The idea of creating a dedicated portal to share experiences, stories and tips for lovers of motorcycle adventures was born on the way back from this trip. In 2013, GIVI organised its first tour: a group of expert motorcycle travellers affiliated with the brand, coming from all over the world, journeyed to the wilds of faraway Patagonia in order to test out the then-new Trekker Outback cases. The idea of creating a dedicated portal to share experiences, stories and tips for lovers of motorcycle adventures was born on the way back from this trip. Ten years on from Patagonia 2013 and the birth of GIVI Explorer, GIVI has launched an updated version of its iconic aluminium cases… might it be time to organise a new journey to put them to the test? For now, here’s the story of Patagonia 2013. The following is a travel report of a unique journey: not some luxurious incentive trip to a Caribbean island, but a motorcycle tour across one of the destinations most beloved by enthusiasts of the sport… Patagonia! The trip was a dream come true for Vincenzo Visenzi (used to riding through the fields as a boy, he takes every chance to get back in the saddle), who managed to bring together an international group of people with a connection to the GIVI brand. The journey also provided an opportunity to test out the then-new Trekker Outback aluminium cases under the perfect conditions for this type of product. DAY 1 Neuquén is our starting point, our first X on the map, where we’ll start our engines for the first time. The Hotel Herradura Suites is the meeting point for the group, and the car park in front of it is where we first get our hands on the motorcycles we will share this experience on. The group includes representatives of seven different nationalities, consisting of a total of 11 riders, 1 guide and 4 support personnel. The motorcycles are from the BMW brand, and the models chosen (R1200GS, F800GS, F650GS) represent the perfect compromise for the type of journey we’ve planned. After an intensive afternoon of conversation and getting to know each other, the evening sees us all succumb to the tiredness of travelling here from our respective parts of the world. In fact, our first night on Argentinian soil draws to a close immediately after dinner. DAY 2 Over breakfast, the atmosphere seems to buzz with the excitement of our imminent departure. In the car park, the motorcycles are carefully inspected, made ready and fitted out with the GIVI accessories we’ve chosen as essential for the journey. Unique personal traits begin to emerge in the particular way each of us has of attaching their GPS holder to the handlebar, adjusting the height of their Airflow windscreen, or picking out what to store inside the top cases. After a quick lunch with a generous helping of questions and technical advice, we’re finally ready to go. The road slips by quickly for the first 400 km of the journey: the double yellow line down the centre of the carriageway becomes a constantly changing point of reference. Somewhere around the halfway point, we are obliged to stop for the first time to fuel up. A line of cars and old trucks waiting for the fuel pumps keeps us queueing for thirty minutes. It doesn’t take long for us to realise that long lines at service stations are, unfortunately, a given in this part of Argentina. In the afternoon we reach the city of Bariloche, a well-known skiing destination during the winter months and a stunning holiday resort in summer. Nestled at the feet of the Andes, it is famous for its production of chocolate and as the home of many St. Bernard dogs. The sight of our group on motorcycles creates quite a stir among the people here: with a few minutes of our arrival, we find ourselves happily keeping the bikes balanced for children perched on the saddles, arms resting on the handlebars. In the late afternoon we head for Hotel Amancay, a stunning location with a view of the Puerto Pañuelo bay. We all have visions in our dreams that night of Nahuel Huapi Lake, which we admired over dinner from the hotel terrace. 10 Turismo
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