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Skedaddle picnics are without doubt legendary! We take picnics very very seriously. Our guides are highly trained professional picnic makers and inter-guide rivalry keeps picnic standards high. So what are the 5 key ingredients in a great Skedaddle picnic, we hear you ask? VarietyEvery day has to be different with a mix of new surprises and ...
Meet the guides: Ernesto, Chile
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We take a closer look at our team in Chile who look after some of our most popular tours in South America. Meet our head honcho, Ernesto, who works tirelessly to ensure you all enjoy the best possible cycling experience across the pond. Read on to find out more about this friendly soul…
1. Name/nickname
My full name is Ernesto Palm, but most clients call me Erni when they get confident. Easy for them!
2. What do you like most about Saddle Skedaddle?
Saddle Skedaddle keeps me cycling with the most friendly, handsome and truly awesome people in the world: cyclists.
3. What got you passionate about pedallin’?
Cycling is a way of life for me, it makes me feel great with myself and helps me focus and concentrate on what I want, which is to have a job that doesn’t feel like one!
4. Can you give us a brief description of your history with Skedaddle?
15 years ago, I moved from Santiago to Puerto Varas in the south of Chile for a change of life, and 13 years ago I started my company Puelo Adventure. At first, it was only with bike rental but I was ready to learn everything about cycling holidays! I was looking for possible partnerships and I found Skedaddle’s web site with a Chile/Argentina trip on it. So, I decided to send them an email saying here I am, and if you need anything related to bikes, just let me know! The rest, as they say, is history…
Guided
Lake District
Guided Cycling Holiday
| Start Date | End Date | Price p.p. |
|---|---|---|
| 11/10/2026 | 23/10/2026 | £4,215.00 |
| 06/12/2026 | 18/12/2026 | £4,215.00 |
| 10/01/2027 | 22/01/2027 | £4,215.00 |
- Majestic Volcan Osorno and its snow-capped peak
- Tasting the chocolates of Bariloche
- Biking the Seven Lakes Route to San Martin de los Andes
- The monkey-puzzle tree forests of Conguillio
- Sampling a tasty Malbec or Carmanere after a day’s biking
- Hiking the lofty heights of Volcan Villarica
5. Which is your favourite trip and why?
My favourite trip is Chile and Argentina – Andes and the Lake District road cycling holiday because we can ride for more than 100km some days, which gives a sense of a real trip on bikes! BUT, I think the Carretera Austral trip in Patagonia is a very close second. I loved researching this area and it has a lot to offer!
6. What’s your favourite Skedaddle memory?
I have a very fond memory from when I visited Skedaddle’s office in Newcastle in May 2009, but my best Skedaddle memory is the MTB trip we did in Jan 2015 with Paul, Andrew, Steve and other friends across the Andes from Argentina to Chile. We only rode single tracks and were supported by horses and gauchos whilst celebrating Paul’s birthday every day!
7. Tell us your top packing essentials for a cycling holiday?
My multi-tool and swiss knife always come in handy, as does my rain jacket and Skedaddle buff for the cold Patagonian mornings. When the sun is shining, I always have my sunglasses and sunscreen for nice Patagonian rides, as well as some Chilean wine of course!
Guided
Patagonia – Carretera Austral
Guided Cycling Holiday
| Start Date | End Date | Price p.p. |
|---|---|---|
| 08/11/2026 Fully Booked | 22/11/2026 | £5,315.00 |
| 07/03/2027 | 21/03/2027 | £5,315.00 |
- Riding one of the world’s classic cycling routes
- Enjoying a rest day in Coyhaique
- Lake Carrera’s spectacular ‘marble cathedral’
- True wilderness biking
- Relaxing in the thermal waters of Puyuhuapi Eco-Lodge
8. What’s your favourite power snack and why?
I don’t really like power snacks, gels or power bars… but I do like natural stuff like honey, and here at the Lake District in Chile we have Ulmo honey, that comes from the flowers of this native tree which gives his nectar at the end of every summer! 1 spoon every morning and you will be invincible.
9. If you could cycle with anyone (dead or alive!) who would it be?
I would love to ride with Ernesto “Che” Guevara and have a conversation about the South American future.
10. Tell us something we don’t know about you?
My main passion in life after cycling is music. I listen, share and play music with my sons and friends and it is what helps to keep me going. I play a little bit of drums, but now I’m more of a singer because my youngest son is much better than me on the drums!
Want to know more about our guides?
Check our Guide and Team section on the blog to get to know our team a little bit better and for some expert advice on everything cycling!
