Summary
Episode 3 continues to show the obstacles faced with charging electric bikes on long distances but there’s a slither of hope as the duo start to learn and evolve their process.
This recap of Apple TV+ series Long Way Up season 1, episode 3, “Southern Patagonia” contains significant spoilers. The first three episodes will be released on September 18 and then it will be weekly.
We will be recapping every episode — check out the archive.
The opening
Luckily, their bikes have started charging and they are back on the road and ready to go to the ferry. They need to do 65 miles to Porvenir. They both get alerts that say “low charge” as they are two miles away from Porvenir. Ewan’s bike loses energy as he gets very close. They have to think about towing him. Ewan manages to get to the ferry in time. This feels like the first objective has been completed.
Eco-sustainable energy
Episode 3 sees them riding in Torres Del Paine, Chile — the view looks incredible. They meet a conservationist that uses eco-systems for energy. Ewan and Charley check out the place. The bikes are charged from sustainable electricity. The bikes are slowly charging. It feels like such a nightmare this charging situation so far. The next day, the bikes are dead. They need to jump-start the bikes using someone else’s car — it works; there was an electrical fault that Ewan figures out.
Cold temperatures
Ewan and Charley are back in on the road. They still have a long way to go after they messed up their charging the night before. Many obstacles early on, and they still need to cross the border. They also don’t want to risk being stuck in the cold. Episode 3, “Southern Patagonia” sees them discussing potentially riding at night. The risk of cold temperatures is high but they bravely do it anyway.
A rest
After an exhausting ride, Ewan and Charley have a day off to recharge their personal batteries. They head out to the water on the boat and look at the mountains and icebergs. And the next day, they are back on the road. They make it to La Leona, Argentina.
The ending
Ewan talks about the charging nature of the bikes — they are smooth to ride but it’s always a dilemma. They finally hit a hotel to stay in. They haven’t even done 1,000 miles yet out of the 15,000 miles they’ve got to do yet they both look exhausted.
Ewan tells the audience that he doesn’t want to discourage everyone from using electric bikes as they are amazing, but long distances are difficult. It’s a learning curve i.e. making sure the bikes are warm when charging them. Long Way Up episode 3 continues to show the obstacles faced with charging electric bikes on long distances but there’s a slither of hope as the duo start to learn and evolve their process.
