A romantic wine tour

or at least that was what I had in mind when we decided that we would really be like locals, take the public bus to the area where there were lots of wineries and rent bikes to ride around, tasting wines and wobbling back to catch the bus home. The bus ride went well...most Argentines travel by bus as gas is too expensive to own a car. We saw lots of the city and surrounding urban areas. The tourist info place had assured us we didnt need to reserve bikes..there would be lots. So arriving in Maipu, we went to the recommended bike place "wineandbikes"and were told there werent any bikes left. But, the little guy hanging around the bus stop had some bikes for us from his place. Coco bikes it had to be... they showed us the brakes worked, the tires were good and the seats were adjusted. Even a number to call if you had problems. But, no helmets, no baskets and only 1 bottle of water to share for two.
When I first rode off, I realized that the 12 kilometre planned trip would work very well it I didnt have to stop..the guy demonstrating the brakes must have been able to squeeze about 10 pounds in each hand. Luckily, the land is flat and braking and gear changing are seen as added extras.
We had planned a visit to the museum, then tasting, a visit to the choclate place, then tasting, a trip to the olive grove, then tasting and then lunch at Familia Tomassos place with tasting. We made the museum and the first tasting (which was about 400 metres from the bike rental) and then started off down the major road. It had a nice bike path beside it...which in typical Argentine fashion doubled as parking in spots, and then gradually the path petered out as we got further along and more committed to our journey. Then there was the part they were paving, and then there were the huge trucks and busses that pass you with a foot to spare...and then there was the heat..probably 30 degrees or so. A few of these things we hadnt figured on. The bottle of water was long gone when we decided to forget the chocolate place, cross off the olive oil, and just head for lunch. My bottom was remembering my nice soft seat on my bike at home, my hands were appreciating how squishy the rubber grips were on my bike at home, and my wrists and elbows were complaining that my higher handle bars at home were much better.
By the time we got to the lunch place, Jurg was so hot he wasnt hungry and another glass of wine didnt seem inviting. Luckily, I could still manage a glass of Malbec with a salad as he endured ice cream with fruit. And luckier still, these great clouds came that covered up the hot sun.
We rode back to Coco bikes in record time, hopped on the bus and got back to our hotel by 6 pm. before a slight spattering of rain arrived. On the bus ride home we came up to the Mendoza terminal along Jorge Obrien Street...we guess he must be a relative of the great Chilean hero, Bernardo Ohiggins. Lets drink to those Irish!
Maybe, sometimes, the tourist bus wine tours could be a good idea.