After 96k and a reasonably easy ride assisted by a tailwind, we arrived early in Atocha. Atocha’s population is around 10k, and many mines surround the town. The mines produce tin, silver, and gold.

Meanwhile, back to the ride. I thought it would be a fast, flat ride with very little to look at as we crossed more desert. The road was excellent, and we had it almost to ourselves. After maybe 30k, the desert turned pink, and we encountered small pink dunes and sand drifting over the highway. Then the countryside opened up, and we began to see herds of llamas, lots of Rhea, a flightless bird like an Emu, but a little smaller, and vicunas.

All day, the 5615m mountain called Chorolque dominated the horizon before us. The last 30k brought us to a canyon of badlands and excellent views before a very nice downhill into the mining town of Atocha.