Cycling in Patagonia (or Central America?)

[onimity]

Hey Ladies,

I am trying to plan my vacation for this year and have been throwing around a few ideas. I am thinking in particular that I'd like to load my bike on a plane and spend a few weeks exploring someplace beautiful and interesting. I always take the full month of December off, and usually let vacation bleed over into January.

I've spent the past two Decembers in South America traveling alone. I find it a great way to meet new people and really enjoy that. I like to avoid organized tours except for short tours where that's the practical route to see something special (Salar de Uyuni, Inca trail, etc.). I speak Spanish fluently and feel very comfortable with self-supported travel in South America, but I've never done a long bike touring trip on my own. I'm not particularly scared about that, but I'm wondering a few things...

a) if any of you have cycled through Patagonia and have any route suggestions (I'm thinking Bariloche -> Ushuaia) and

b) if anyone has any suggestions for preparing for a long touring trip in general, i.e., what to pack assuming mostly camping & no/limited access to bike shops for several weeks.

Central America would be another option, but I am finding fewer documented bike trips online and Patagonia seems quite a lot more well-trodden by cyclists...

Thanks!

Anne