browsinaboutonabike.com
  • Armenia 18/4/2016
  • Baku, Azerbaijan
  • Georgia
  • 2-3/4/2016 Trabzon to Batumi, Georgia
    • 21-27/3/2016 Atakent to Trabzon >
      • 12-21/3/2016 Cide to Akakent >
        • 6-11/3/2016 Eregli to Cide
  • 26/2-4/3/2016 Istanbul to Eregli
    • Istanbul 15-25/2/2016 >
      • London 30/1-15/2/2016 >
        • Istanbul 19-30/1/2016
  • Proposed Journey East from Istanbul, March 2016
  • Sth Africa 6-19/1/2016
    • South Africa 6/12/2015 to 6/1/2016
  • Namibia 24/10-5/12/2015
    • Namibia 1/10/2015 to 23/10/2015
  • Zambia 7-30/9/2015
  • 21/8/2015 Malawi
  • 30/7-20/8/2015 Kigoma to Malawi Border
    • 21-30/7/2015 Tanzanian border to Kigoma, Lake Tanganyika >
      • 18-20/7/2015 Kigali to Tanzanian border >
        • 12-15/7/2015 Gisenyi to Kigali >
          • 10-11/7/2015 Rwandan border to Gisenyi
          • 15th June to 8th July Uganda
  • Last days in Kenya
    • 1-6/6/2015 Meru to Nyahururu >
      • 28-31/05/2015 Kenol to Meru >
        • 2011-16 Map >
          • 12-18/10/2014 Beausejour to St Laurent do Maroni >
            • 7-11/10/2014 St Georges to Beausejour, French Guiana >
              • 3-7/10/2014 Amapá, Brazil to St Georges, French Guiana >
                • 1-2/10/2014 Porto Grande to Amapá, AP >
                  • 26-29/9/2014 Macapá to Porto Grande >
                    • 16-23/9/2014 Almeirim to Macapá >
                      • 11-16/9/2014 Rurópolis to Almeirim, PA,BR >
                        • New Page
                        • 13/8-10/9/2014 Rurópolis, BR to Christchurch, NZ, return >
                          • 2-12/8/2014 Altamira to Ruropolis >
                            • 1-4/8/2014 Pacajá to Altamira, PA >
                              • 29/7-1/8/2014 Marabá to Pacajá, PA, BR230
        • 21-28/5/2015 Ongata to Kenol >
          • 5-21/5/2015 Iten to Ongata Rongai, Nairobi >
            • 2-6/5/2015 Kitale to Iten >
              • 1-2/5/2015 Lodwar to Kitale, Kenya >
                • Kenya: Omorate to Lodwar 20/04- 1/05/2015
  • 12-18/4/2015 Abra Minche to Omorate, Ethiopia
    • 3-10/4/2015 Waliso to Abra Minch >
      • 16-30/3/2015 Dese to Waliso, Ethiopia >
        • Ethiopia 9-16/3/2015 Me'kele to Dese >
          • 19/2-8/3/2015 Ethiopia
  • 25/1-18/2/2015 Sudan
  • 16-17 Luxor to Aswan
    • 8-15/1/2015 Asyut to Luxor >
      • 7-10/1/2015 Giza to Asyut
  • 1-6/1/2015 Cairo
    • Proposed passage Cairo to Cape Town Jan 2015 >
      • 21/10-12/11/2014 Suriname and Guyana
  • Updated Gear List
  • Rodovia Transamazônica
  • 21- 25/7/2014 Redencáo to Marabá, PA
    • Pará: 17-22/7/2014 Confresa, MT to Redencao, PA >
      • 9-13/7/2014 Nova Xavantina to Confreza, MT >
        • 3-4/7/2014 Barra do Garcas to Nova Xavantina >
          • 26-31/6/2014 Rondonópolis to Barra Do Garcas, MT >
            • 20-23/6/2014 Rio Verde, MS to Rondonópolis, MT >
              • 13-17/6/2014 Bonito to Rio Verde de Mato Grosso >
                • 9-11/6/2014 Jardim to Bonito MS, BR >
                  • 7-9/6/2014 Pedro Juan Caballero, PY to Jardim,BR >
                    • 9,10,11/5/2014 Remanso to Concepción onboard MV Osmar >
                      • 6-7/5/2014 Remanso,PY >
                        • 6/5/2014 Asunción to Remanso, PY >
                          • 27/4-2/5/2014 Foz do Iguaco, BR to Asunción, PY >
                            • 24-26/4/2014 Andresito to Puerto Iguazu >
                              • 19-21/4/2014 El Soberbio to San Antonio, AR >
                                • 16-17/4/2014 El Progreso to El Soberbio, AR >
                                  • 13-15/4/2014 Apóstoles to El Progreso >
                                    • 28/3-1/4/2014 Buenos Aires,AR to Paysandu, UY >
                                      • Profile Paysandu to Brazil
                                    • 9-12/4/2014 Tapebicuá to Apóstoles, AR >
                                      • 8/4/2013 Sawmill, north of Bonpland to 3km sth of Tapebicuá
                    • 28-30/5/2014 Concepción to Pedro Juan Caballero PY >
                      • 23-25/5/2014 Aquidaban back to Concepción >
                        • 16-20/5/2014 Tres Gigantes Estación Biologica >
                          • 14-16/5/2014 Vallemi to Bahia Negra on the Aquidaban >
                            • 13/5/2014 Bus trip Concepción to Vallemi
                    • 1-6/6/2014, Pedro Juan Caballero
  • 25/1/2014 USHUAIA
    • 23-24/1/2014 Rio Grande to Rio Lasifashaj >
      • 22-23/1/2013 Punta Arenas, CL to Rio Grande, AR >
        • 16-19/1/2014 Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas >
          • 14-15/1/2014 Torres Del Paine National Park, CL >
            • 8-12/1/2014 El Calafate to Puerto Natales >
              • 1-7/1/2013 Villa O'Higgins, CL to El Calafate, AR >
                • 27-31/12/2013 Cochrane to Villa O'Higgins >
                  • 19-26/12/2013 Coyhaique to Cochrane >
                    • 12-18/12/2013 Rio Santiago Bastia to Coyhaique >
                      • 6-12/12/2013 La Piedra del Gato to Mañihuales >
                        • 5-9/12/2013 Quellón to La Junta, CL >
                          • 29/11/2013 5/12/2013 Castro to Quellón, Chiloe, CL >
                            • 24/11/2013 Puerto Montt to Castro >
                              • 16-23/11/2013, San Martín, AR to Puerto Montt, CL >
                                • 9-14/11/2013 Temuco, CL to San Martín de los Andes, AR
                                • Cunco to Temuco and Santiago by bus
                                • Untitled
                                • 20,21/10/2013 Malargue to Los Frisos,AR
                                • 22-29/10/2013 Las Frisas, AR to Cunco,CL
  • 13/3/2012 Penonomé to Playa Gorgona
    • 14/3/2011 Playa Gorgona to Panama City
    • 15,16/3/2011 Panama City >
      • 14/4/2012, Shelter bay & Gatun Locks >
        • 15,16/4/2012 Canal transit >
          • 17/4/2012 Shelter Bay Marina onboard SV Bijou >
            • Feb 2014, An account of a road trip in New Zealand
          • 18,19/4/2012 Shelter Bay Marina
      • 17.../3/2012 Onboard SV Moondance, Brisas de Amador >
        • 25 March to 9 April, Gorgona, PC,Las Bresas >
          • 11/4/2012, Shelter Bay Marina,SV Bijou
          • 12/4/2012, Shelter Bay, and a bit of exploring
        • 11/3/2012 Las Lajas to Santiago >
          • 12/3/2012, Santiago to Penonomé
  • 7/4/2013 Bella Unión, UY to north of Bonpland, AR
    • 4-6/4/2014 Salto to Bella Unión, UY >
      • 2-3/4/2014 Termas de Guaviyú to Salto
  • Overnight Stop Map
    • 20-27/4/2012 Passage Portobelo to Santa Marta, Colombia
    • 28-29/2012 Santa Marta
  • Chile to Argentina (click on this header for an entry)
    • 6/9/2013 59km up the road camping
    • 7/9/2013 the corner to Paso Jama, Argentina
    • 8/9/2013 Paso Jama to adobe ruins on Salar de Olaroz
    • 9/9/2013 Ruins to south of Susques
    • 10/9/2013 Sth of Susques to bottom of range, camping >
      • 11/9/2013 bottom of the range to Purmamarca
      • 12/9/2013 Purmamarca to Lake campground near Salta >
        • 13,14/9/2013 Dique Cobre Corral to Salta,AR >
          • Salta south >
            • 17/9/2013 Quebrada De Las Conchas to Cafayate
      • 19/9/2013 Cafayate to 15km to Rio El Tesaro, camping >
        • 20/9/2013 Rio El Tesaro to Rio Belén, sth of Hualfin
      • 21/9/2013 Rio Belén to Belén >
        • 22/9/2013 Belén to a creek bed 42km sth
        • 23/9/2013 creek bed to 10km nth of Pituil
        • 25/9/2013 north of Pituil to Chilecito
        • 25-30/9/2013 Chilecito, AR
        • 1-7/10/2013 Chilecito to Caucete, AR >
          • 9-12/10/2013 Caucete to Tunuyán, AR
      • 13-15/10/2013 Caucete to San Rafael, AR >
        • 17/10/2013 San Rafael to Malargue, AR
  • Chile from 28/8/2013
    • 29/8/2013 Ascotán to Chiu Chiu
    • 30/8/2013 Chiu Chiu to Calama, CL
    • 31/8,1/9/2013 Calama to San Pedro de Atacama, CL
  • 20/7/2013 Titicaca area to Bolivian border
    • 20/7/2013 Sicuani to Santa Rosa >
      • 21/7/2013 Santa Rosa to Juliaca >
        • 22/7/2013 Juliaca to 6km past Huancané >
          • 23/2013 Huancané to Conima, camping >
            • 24/7/2013 near Conima, Peru to Puerto Acosta, Bolivia >
              • 25/7/2013 Puerto Acosta to Nth of Ancoraimes
  • 26/7/2013 Nth of Ancoraimes to Achacachi
    • 27/7/2013 Achacachi to Copacabana >
      • 28,29/7/2013 Copacabana BO, Kasani PE, Copa. BO
      • 30/7/2013 Copacabana, BO to Desaguadero, PE
      • 31/7/2013 Desaguadero, PE to El Alto, BO
      • 1,2/8/2013 El Alto to La Paz
      • 3,4,5/8/2013 La Paz
      • 8/08/2103 La Paz to Nth of Ayo Ayo, Camping
      • 9/8/2013 Nth of Ayo Ayo to south of Villa, camping >
        • 10/8/2013 Sth of Villa to just sth of Oruro, camping >
          • 11/8/2013 Sth of Ororo to Sth of Pazna, camping >
            • 12/8/2013 Sth of Poopo to Challapata >
              • 13,to17/8/2013 Challapata to Jirira 18-26/8 to Ollague,Chile
  • Peru 20/4/2013.....
    • 20-22/4/2013, Macará to Olmos, PE
    • 23-27/4/2013 Olmos to Chachapoyas,PE
    • 27/4/2013, Chachapoyas, PE
    • Chachapoyas to Cajamarca, PE >
      • 1/5/2013 Lejmebamba to Cerros de Calla-Calla >
        • 2/5/2013 Cerros de Calla-Calla to Balsas >
          • 3/4/2013 Balsas to a farm house overlooking Limon >
            • 4/5/2013 farm house campsite to south of Celendin >
              • 5,6/5/2013 Sth of Celendin to Cajamarca
    • 7/5/2013 Cajamarca to 9km before Cajabamba >
      • 8/5/2013, 9 km north of Cajabamba to Laguna Sousacocha >
        • 11/5/2013 Haumachuco to Trujillo
        • 9,10/5/2013 Laguna Sausacocha to Huamachuco
      • 18/5/2013 Lima
      • 23-25/5/2013 Trujillo to Caraz, PE >
        • 26,27/5/2013 Caraz to Huaraz, PE >
          • 28/5/2013 Huaraz to 34km south of Pachocoto,PE >
            • 29/5/2013 Farm 25km past Chacapoto to 12km on Huánuco Rd >
              • 30/5/2013,12km up Huanuco road to camp at 4600m >
                • 31/5/2013 near summit to La Union
    • 1/6/2013 Huánaco to camp near Acobamba >
      • 2,3/6/2013 Camping near Acobamba to Huánuco
    • 16/6/2013 Huancayo to Cuzco and Machu Picchu >
      • 16/6/2013 Huancayo to south of Mariscal Cáceres, camping >
        • 17/6/2013 sth Mariscal Cáceres 4km sthLa Esmeralda,camping >
          • 18/6/2013 Sth of La Esmaralda to Huanta >
            • 19/6/2013 Huanta to Ayacucho
  • 22/6/2013 Ayaucucho to top of pass before Ocros, 4200m
    • 23/6/2013 cerca la cumbre a 5km sur de Puente Pampas >
      • 23/6/2013 Sur de Puente Pampas a 5km este de Uripa >
        • 24/6/2013 above Uripa to Andahualas >
          • 25/6/2013 Andahuaylas to 10km below the summit >
            • 26/6/2013 near the summit to Puente Pachachaca >
              • 29/6/2013 Abancay to Curahuasi >
                • 30/6/2013 Curahuasi to a camp on the Rio Apurimac >
                  • 1/7/2013 Rio Apurimac to Izcuchaca >
                    • 2/7/2013 Izcuchaca and Cuzco >
                      • 4,5/7/2013 Izcuchaca to Cuzco >
                        • 9,10,11/7/2013 Cuzco to Machu Picchu >
                          • 11-16/7/2013 Cuzco >
                            • 17/7/2013 Cuzco to Quiquijana camping on el Rio Vilcanota
              • 27,28/6/2013 Puente Pachachaca to Abancay
  • 4/6/2013 Huánuco to just south of Huariaca
    • 5/6/2013 Huariaco to Cerro De Pasco >
      • 7,8/5/2013 Cerro De Pasco >
        • 8/6/2013 Cerro De Pasco to Junín >
          • 9/6/2013 Junín to 20km south of La Aroya, camping >
            • 10/6/2013 Sth of La Aroya to Huancayo
  • Medellín to Ushuaia, 2013 (april 2013 here,)
    • 31/1/13 Riosucio to Anserma >
      • 1/2/2013 Anserma to Cartago >
        • 6/12/2015 to 4/1/2016 South Africa
        • 2/2/2013 Cartago to Buga >
          • 3/2/2013 Buga all day >
            • 4,5/2/2013 Buga to Cali >
              • 6/2/2013 Cali to Piendamo
    • 27/1 Medellín to Bolombolo
    • 28/1 Bolombolo to La Pintada >
      • 29/1/13 La Pintada to Supia >
        • 30/1/13 Supía to Riosucio
      • 8/2/2013 Timbio to El Bordo >
        • 6/3/2013, San Clemente to Manta, EC >
          • 7/3/2013 Manta,EC all day >
            • 9/3/2013, Manta to Tena by bus >
              • 12,13,14,15 Tena to Limoncocha >
                • 16,17/3/2013 Manta >
                  • 18-23 Manta, Galapagos, Manta >
                    • 24,25/3/2013 Manta to Machalilla NP, EC >
                      • 26/3/2013 Machalillo NP to Machalillo >
                        • 27/3/2013 Machalilla to Puerto Lopez >
                          • 228,29,30/3/2013 Puerto Lopez, EC >
                            • Untitled
                            • 31/3/2013, Puerto Lopez to Ayungue, EC
      • 19/2/2013 Otavalo, Ecuador all day >
        • 20/2/2013 Otavalo to Sth of Otón, Ecuador >
          • 21/2/2013 Otón to Quito >
            • 22,23/2/2013 Quito, Hotel Húngaro >
              • 26/2/2013 Quito to Tandapi, EC
      • 27/2/2013 Tandapi to El Carmen, EC >
        • 28/2/2013, El Carmen to Pedernales, EC >
          • 2/3/2013 Pedernales to Tabuga >
            • 3/3/2013 Tabuga to Canoa >
              • 30/4/2012 Last day Santa Marta >
                • 1/5/2012 Santa Marta to Barranquilla
                • 2/5/2012 Barranquilla to Santa Veronica
                • 3/5/2012 Santa Veronica all day >
                  • 4-5/5/2012 Santa Veronica
              • 6-7/5/2012 Santa Veronica >
                • 8,9 &10/5/2012 Santa Veronica
              • 11/5/2012 Santa Veronica to Cartagena >
                • 12/5/2012 Cartagena all day >
                  • 13/5/2012 Cartagena to San Jacinto >
                    • 14/5/2012 San Jacinto to Sincelejo >
                      • 15/5/2012 Sincelejo to San Bernado >
                        • 16/5/2012 San Bernado to Puerto Escondido >
                          • 17,18/ 5 /2012, Puerto Escondido >
                            • 19/5/2012, Puerto Escondido to Planeta Rico >
                              • 20/5/2012 Planeta Rica to Caucasia >
                                • Untitled
                                • Untitled
                                • 21/5/2012, Caucasia to Tarazá >
                                  • 22/5/2012, Tarazá to Valdivia >
                                    • 23/5/2012, Valdivia to Yarumal >
                                      • 24/5/2012, Yarumal for the day >
                                        • 25/5/2012 Yarumal to Santa Rosa de Osos >
                                          • 26/5/2012, Santa Rosa de Osos >
                                            • 27/5/2012, Santa Rosa de Osos to Medellin >
                                              • 28/7 2011, Hannibal to Grafton
              • 5/3/2013, Canoa to San Clemente,EC
      • 9/2/2013 El Bordo to Tablon (April 2013 here) >
        • 1/4/2013 Ayungue to Salinas, EC >
          • 2/4/2013 Salinas to Posorjas,EC >
            • 3/4/2013 Posorja to San Carlos,EC >
              • 4/4/2013, San Carlos to Angas,EC >
                • 5/4/2013, Angas to Soldados, EC >
                  • 6/4/2013, Soldados to Cuenca >
                    • 7-9/4/2013, Cuenca, EC >
                      • 10-14/4/2013 Cuenca to Loja >
                        • 14-18/4/2013 Loja to Macará, EC >
                          • 7/2/2013 Piendamo to Timbio
      • 10,11/2/2013 Tablon to Chacahgui
      • 12/2/2013 Chachagui to Yucuanquer
      • 13,14,15/2/2013 Yucuanquer to Ipiales >
        • 16/2/2013 Ipiales to Bolivar, Ecuador >
          • 17/2/2013 Bolivar to nth of Ibarra, Ecuador >
            • 18/2/2013 Nth of Ibarra to Otavalo, Ecuador
    • Colombia 2012
  • Terrain Profiles
  • Nicaragua
  • Blog
  • Memphis to Venice, LA
  • Home and August entries
    • 8/8/2011 Sweetwater to Salida >
      • 9/8/2011 Salida to 3m North of Cripple Creek, CO >
        • 10/8/2011 Cripple Creek to Phantom Canyon >
          • 11/8/2011 Phantom Canyon to Pueblo >
            • 12/8/2011 Kansa to Warrensberg, MO >
              • 13/8/2011 Warrensberg to Clinton, MO >
                • 14/8/2011 Clinton to Sedalia >
                  • 15/8/2011 Sedalia to Tipton >
                    • 16/8/2011 Tipton all day >
                      • 17/8/2011 Tipton to Red Oak Park ,Lake of the Ozarks >
                        • 18/8/2011 Lake of the Ozarks all Day >
                          • 19/8/2011 Red Oak all day >
                            • 20/8/2011 Red Oak Park to Boonville >
                              • 21/8/2011 Boonville to Columbia >
                                • 22/8/2011 Columbia all day >
                                  • Untitled
                                  • 22/8/2011 Columbia to Portland >
                                    • 24/8/2011 Portland to Defiance >
                                      • 25/8/2011 Machens to Portage Des Sioux >
                                        • 26,27,28/8/2011Portage Des Sioux to Alton >
                                          • 29/8/2011 Alton to Columbia >
                                            • 30/8/2011 Columbia to Chester >
                                              • 31/8/2011 Chester to Grand Tower >
                                                • 1/9/2011 Grand Tower, IL to Wickliffe, KY >
                                                  • 2/9/2011 Wickliffe to Columbia, KY >
                                                    • 5/9/2011Tiptonville TN to Ripley TN
                                                    • Untitled
                                                    • 3-4/9/2011 Colmbus to Hickman, KY >
                                                      • 6/9/2011 Ripley Meeman- Shelby SP >
                                                        • Untitled
                                                        • 7/9/2011 Meeman-Shelby to Memphis
    • The proposed itinerary
    • A few words about the river
    • My Bike
    • Journal- Intro
    • Journal Entries late July early August >
      • 29/7/11 Grafton all day >
        • 30/7/2011 Grafton To Alton >
          • 31/7/11 Alton all day >
            • 1/8/2011 Alton all day >
              • 2,3/8/2011 Alton to Colarado Springs >
                • 3/8/2011 Colarado Springs >
                  • 4/8/2011, Colarado Springs >
                    • 5/8/2011 Colarado Springs Day 2
                  • 6/8/2011 Pueblo Dakota Springs >
                    • 7/8/2011 Dakota Hot Springs to Texas Creek >
                      • 7/8/2011 Dakota Hot springs to Texas Creek
    • The Gear list
  • Sydney to International Falls
    • IF to Northome >
      • Northome to Three Island Lake >
        • Three Island Lake to Itasca State Park >
          • Itasca Park full day 1 >
            • Itasca Park full day 2
  • Itasca to 4m north of Walker
    • 21/6/11 Walker to dare I say it Park Rapids
    • 22/6/11 Park Rapids all day >
      • 23/6/11 Park Rapids to sth of Walker
    • 24/6/11 Sth of Walker to Oak Haven Resort
    • 25/6/11 Oak Haven to Bena
    • 26/6/11 Bena for the day >
      • 27/6/11 Bena, from my tent to the shop and back
  • 28/6/11 Bena to Grand Rapids
  • 29/06/11 Grand Rapids to Pallisade
    • 30/06/11 Palisade to Crosby
    • 1/07/11 Crosby to Royalton
    • 2/07/2011 Royalton to St Cloud >
      • 3/07/2011 St Cloud to Monticello >
        • 4/7/2011 Monticello to Ham Lake >
          • Ham Lake all day >
            • 6/7/2011 Ham Lake to Prescott, WI >
              • 7/6/2011 Prescott to Pepin
          • 8/7/2011 Pepin to Perrot SP
    • 9/7/2011 Perrot SP to Wabasha, MN
  • 10/7/2011 Wabasha to Hastings
  • 16-17/1/2015 Luxor to Aswan
  • Zambia 7-30/9/2015
  • 11/7/2011 Hastings to Wabasha
    • 12/7/2011 Wabasha to Lansing,IA >
      • 13/7/2011 Lansing all day >
        • 14/7/2011 Lansing to Pikes Peak SP >
          • 15/7/2011 Pikes peak SP to Dubuque, IA >
            • 16/7/2011, Dubuque to Bellevue >
              • 17/7/2011, Pleasant Creek CG all day >
                • 18/7/2011, Pleasant Creek CG all day >
                  • 19/7/2011, Bellevue to Silvas, IL
          • 20/7/2011, Moline for the Day >
            • 21/7/2011, Moline to Loud Thunder Park >
              • 22/7/2011, Loud Thunder park to Keithsberg >
                • 23/07/2011, Keithbergs to Fort madison, IA >
                  • 24/7/2011, Fort Madison to Nauvoo
                • 25/7/2011, Nauvoo to Quincy >
                  • 26/7/2011 Quincy all day
    • Granada to Panama, Feb 27 >
      • 9, 10/3/2011 Servo to Playa Las Lajas
  • 8/5/2017 Tehran
20/6/2014 Rio Verde de Mato Grosso to a side road past Coxim

D66, T4, Av14, Max44, 28881, 3330

Fine and warm

It was a good day and a half in town. Some World Cup was watched, both in my room and a restaurant that served all you could eat for $8, it was bliss, lots of good green salads and meat.

My front rack had cracked again and the rear rack that I had repaired in Patagonia, had also cracked.

It took a lot of searching about to find someone who was skilled enough to use oxygen to repair this micro thin Titanium. One guy motioned to using an electric stick welder. I told him in no uncertain terms there was no way it could be done with this.

The guy that eventually fixed it was a person working from home. He was super friendly and did a really professional job.

He also gave me some thinners to prime the stove. It is impossible to buy alcohol here stronger than 45% unless it is the drinking kind. The black soot from the priming process will just have to be tolerated. It is so messy.

Kindly he did this work for no fee. He had also ridden a bike on the odd tour earlier in his life.

I am beginning to understand that the people that live in the Favelas around the large cities on coastal BR in reality have no way out of their situation unless they get lucky.

Things here are ridiculously expensive. Most consumer goods like sunscreen, shaving gear, much food are a third to double the price in AR or PY for example.

A visit to a doctor is $85 in cash, the other option is to go to a public health clinic.

BR has moved into the modern world, in doing so it has left so many of its 200 million population way behind.

It is not hard, even out here to see why many people are not happy with the expenditure on the world cup.

There are tours up into these favelas, from the tourists point of view it is like a going to a zoo, the reality is that is exactly what it is, only the enclosure is invisible. It is a social and economic enclosure.

People are even making money from their plight.

I am now using the antibiotic tetraciclina on my wounds. A capsule is opened and the powder adhered with moisture, it seems to be working.

This drug has a lot of more than just generic side affects.

One is a reaction to sunlight. This is not needed, that is for sure. I am also taking Vitamin C &E tablets on my sisters’ advice.

After finding the restaurant was open, it was a public holiday yesterday. A huge two plate meal of all sorts of salads and meats was enjoyed. I nearly needed a wheel chair to get out of there.

Once on the main road it was all trucks hundreds of them. Some 30m long and most were B doubles.

A guy at a weigh bridge told me most of the south bound traffic is taking goods to Sao Paulo.

There was a good shoulder thankfully. Though, up hills trucks were using this to let others pass.

It was mayhem. Though I never felt threatened. The big fear is in the odds that so many trucks passing, a loose load may impact on me. At one point a B double was on its side off the road. The guy had fallen asleep earlier today.

Nearing Coxim I knew there was a side road to get away from this traffic.

It was a case of coming from Toucans to trucks, what a difference.

I pulled off the side road after chatting with guys at a weigh bridge.

It was red dirt and gravel but oh so peaceful.

The properties are well fenced and there was little road reserve.

Soon a gully vegetated in trees was arrived at. Here there was a spot to camp, away from the sight of traffic.

It was a great camp. Though a bit chilly I am now at 430m even though my lat is 19.

Having had such a huge lunch, just coffee was enjoyed with some biscuits.

In bed at 1900, a new book was started, it wasn’t long before I drifted off.

There were no mosquitos in the dry bush where I was set up. So no itching was required. It felt good not to be inflicted by the localised pain of the infections on my left leg.

20/6/2014 Bush camp to a gas station 30km sth of Sonora

D74, T6, Av16, Max59, 28956, 3404

Fine and hot, 28 degrees

The camp was perfect, little traffic, private and no overnight disturbances.

The normal breakfast was enjoyed and a couple of emails sent while having mate and waiting for the tent to dry.

Once out on hte road, it started getting dustier and dustier. A couple of guys on horses were spoken to for awhile, another man pulled up in a pickup.

On departing I wished their team all the best.

From here the road got sandy again. It was patchy and dangerous. Coming down one hill I hit patch and wiped out really bad. I was ok, it is the bike that can get bent forks or the like. The rack repair held up well.

From here it was decided to slow down on the hills, their surface was just to unreliable.

Two yellow Macaws were in a roadside tree and were kind enough to let me get quite close to them . it makes  big change to see these lovely birds outside a cage.

The road started to improve, at one point alot of Emu like birds were grazing in a low crop. Ema is the Portuguese name.

The country was now almost treeless and was either pasture of resting land.

Up ahead, the road took me into maize growing on both sides of the narrow solid brown track.

It was great riding. This went on for ten kilometres, it was apleasure. more fazendas were carrying out the same practices.

The larger fazendas had small houses for the peones or farm workers.

By now I was covered in dust, checking my phone GPS it was not far back to the main road.

Soon enough the sight of trucks moving at right angles to me was reached.

It was nice to be back on the asphalt though it is a very hot environment.

The amount of debris on the roadside was unreal. Mudguards, sheared bolts, tyres, ropes, nuts and rubber tubing, all from the hundreds of trucks on this road.

In this respect it was dangerous, if a truck shredded a tyre near me.

I was talking to some people parked well onto the shoulser and a truck came past me within a metre, it was scary, the road was smoother on the shoulder.

I was totally worn out by 1500, pulling over, a break and drinks with sardines on crackers were enjoyed.

Life outside a fast moving vehicles on these main highways isnot nice to say the least. It is hot, smelly and so damn noisey.

Coming to a huge older stryle truck stop. I just felt like hanging for awhile. It was still 30km to Sonora.

I asked if I could set the tent up on some concrete at the side of the restaurant, this was fine.

They had showers, it was just unbelievable to wash allthe dust of in hot water.

I never know where the day will end, today was a perfect end.

A large buffet meal was enjoyed at the roadhouse.

The Ecuador Honduras game was watched.

22/6/2014 Gas station to Grain mill

DD103, T9, Av17, Max59, 29059, 3507

Hot and dry

A great nights sleep was had, it was a 24hr gas station so there were no worries about theft.

Many trucks spent the night in the huge parking area.

There was still 135km to go so it would be split into two days.

Everywhere I go in Brazil, people are telling me to watch out for thieves. Of all the countries visited here so far this the first time this warning has been so consistent.

Once on the road, the mayhem began. Never before has a road been ridden with so many trucks.

They are all travelling over 100km/hr. Many are unladen.

Interestingly almost all trucks here have axles they can lift off the road. The B doubles van lift 3 axles when unladen.

This I figure, is because many trucks are travelling on return trips unladen. It must save a lot of tyre wear.

Most goods are coming from the interior to supply raw materials for the big cities. Wood, grain to name two.

It was nothing to be riding up a hill in a cutting and 6 trucks come flying down doing well over 100 km and one would be passing coming straight at me.

It was a case of bracing myself for the tremendous draft of air that accompanied the onslaught.

 It was so important to hold on tight and keep a line.

The continuous noise was unbelievable.

Though I will say most truck most, I mean almost were really good drivers and courteous. Sure, they were passing coming at me but the shoulder gave me plenty of room.

The only incident that scared me was yesterday.

A stop was made at Sonora to buy bread and try to find something to alleviate this phlegm ridden  cough. The town appeared to be a rural servicing town with many places selling and maintaining harvesting equipment.

After some advice from a pharmacist and a quick browse on the net, Guaifenesina was bought, in liquid form.

The church across the road let me use their wifi.

A new Resistencia was bought at the supermarket. I feel my old one is still ok but the voltage here not enough to make it boil water. For example, it is rated at 220v. The one I bought was rated at only 127v, to suit BR electricity. The old one will be kept, because once out of BR, the new one will no doubt burn out with higher voltages.

My Opinel knife on the handle bars is my humidity gauge.

The air here is hot and dry, consequently the wooden handle has shrunk and it can now be opened very easily. In northern PY, I needed my small pliers to extract the blade from slit in the swollen wooden handle.

The state line was crossed at the Rio Corrientes, having arrived into the state of  Mato Grosso.

The road now is just a series of rolling slopes with small creeks between them. It is cropping country from horizon to horizon. Out there to my left the Pantanal is still there. Between it and me are just thousands of acres of corn and other grains.

Trees are a rare sight in this country, only in the odd gully and solitary specimens, oh so lonely under a huge sky, their only company, the odd bird.

The Emu type birds were feeding in the tilled paddocks .Some were feeding on the roadside. I gave them quite a fright, they all took off in such a hurry as to skid and fall over on the ashalt.

Macaws were even present in some of the still common Cocos palms. These plants have a huge rage here. Almost occupying parts of the landscape for 2000km.

Road runners are present, they are great they won’t leave the track at the side of the road but just keep running, one was clocked at 25km/hr.

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Some time now is spent riding without my shirt on, it is nice to have some colour back in my skin.

Many trucks give me a blast of encouragement. My body outline probably shows a bit of age, they know the road and its hardships. These gestures are always welcome.

Most trucks have totally blacked out windows including the front one.

In the late day infront of a setting sun, there was a huge plume of dust on the horizon. Getting closer it was a group of tractors with gear, cutting stubble for hay. I was told they cut it almost to ground level, hence the immense amount of dust. It is baled into blocks as big as a small car.

So here I was in the vast open landscape at 1715 hours, nearing dark looking for somewhere to camp.

They options were a corn paddock or a corn paddock.

Way up in the distance was a stand of lush trees. I headed for these some 3km on.

Once there it was found to be an avenue of fig trees leading to a silo complex.

I asked a couple of truck drivers who were parked here, if I could camp there. It was cool.

There was a sports field there and a few houses.

I set up nest the field under a huge Ficus Benjamina and had bread rolls and tuna for dinner.

Plus a full pot of mate to rehydrate.

Sleep was instant, it had been a big day over 100km.


23/6/2014 Grain mill to Rondonópolis

D69, T4, Av18, Max47, 29128, 3576

Hot and slightly overcast

Up early and dreading facing the noise of the highway I could hear from my camp. It was relentless, trucks roaring along the highway.

It was like entering another world out there on that black strip,  that trucks move stuff that some people want and others produce.

Manufacturers of trucks have seen that rail does not interfere with their plans. I feel if this trend continues as populations grow.

Roads with have to be segregated, one for trucks and one for passenger vehicles. At least on the busy arterial routes.

I asked a girl at a place where a drink was bought about accidents on the road, she said there are not that many. There were few tombes on the road and few spots where there were signs of a previous accident. Again pointing to an environment where no police were seen, which can lead to a self regulating situation, good stuff.

This road carried traffic that was 90% trucks.

One train could carry all they could and more. The trucks could just be local. I remember when most factories had a rail siding at their rear. So efficient and they had little impact on the general road user .

With 65 km to go to Rondonópolis, I could not get there quick enough. Fours days here on this road was taking its toll. The noise was the most tiring and having to concentrate all the way.

Especially on bridges with no shoulder. It had to be made sure that two trucks would not meet with me on the bridge and none were passing.

Most bridges were in gullies so my speed was high. Timing was important not wanting to lose the momentum. Almost all bridge crossings were done without having to brake or alter my speed past momentum.

Cold water was loaded at a gas station on the way. This facility is great the Brasileros also like their Tereré, iced mate.

Some 15km from town I could not believe it, there looked to be another touring cyclist up ahead on the other side of the road.

Getting closer, indeed it was. Here was this guy and bike that looked like a seriously seasoned cyclist.

He greeted me with a one crooked tooth smile. He was Brasiliero and had been riding for 25 years. He could speak Spanish so we had a chat.

The road truly was his home. His bike was a Brasiliera model of vey basic components. We rode together to a tyre repair place come bar.

I had two cokes. He had two large straight Tequilas and rolled a smoke in writing paper. Andre was 65 years old. We sat and chatted with the owner and his mate.

They just shook their heads at Andre, he was one out of the bag. A nice guy, he showed me a bag of semi dried meat he ate with powdered mandioca.

No wonder he was drinking Tequila, the meat was somewhere between rotten and dry. Obviously still edible.

One leaving, out on the road, he wanted to ride into oncoming traffic. The first truck coming at us nearly lifted me off my bike. I told him I was riding how I normally do . He had his way, I had mine and we said goodbye and parted.

Nearing town, huge factories and grain silos were on both sides of the heavily worn asphalt surface, it was trenched in places from heavy traffic.

Yeah!! Finally   a right hand turn to go to the centre and a sign saying no trucks .I had made it through this gauntlet. Once in the local streets that were so quite, being a Sunday. I realised how this highway had affected me. I was quite distraught and totally exhausted.

I had to get a room and eat. No restaurants were open so 3 ice creams were devoured in close succession.

It took some time to find a hotel but eventually the Central was found on Av Cuiaba 740.

At 45 reals/ night two were booked. There were lots of guys staying here from a road construction gang.

It was out of this world to shower and collapse on the bed with the ceiling fan pushing cool air over my body . Later the guys told me of a buffet to eat at. I had not eaten all day, not good but once in awhile ok.

A guy from Peru was working here, we sat out on the street in easy chairs, chatting in the lovely mild mosquito free evening. It was so nice to be talking in Spanish about places in Peru and life here in Brazil.

This part of the journey was about going from Toucans to trucks, what a contrast. However, I will not say I did not enjoy the experience. It was challenging, the good with the bad exists everywhere. 

23-26/6/2014 Rondonópolis

Hot, 30° dry air, no wind

My time here has been spent just resting and trying to plan the passage ahead.

North to the Amazon river does not come with many options.

To the west in Pará is Ruta 163.

This is known as the soya highway and is congested with heavy vehicles.

The other option north is in the east of the State of Pará. I hope to loosely follow  Ruta 158.

Ready to leave on Thursday, it was found Colombia were playing Japan in Cuiaba.

It would be my only opportunity to experience the World Cup first hand.

A bus was taken over, in the morning, it was a 4 hour trip.

Again on the road there were trucks everywhere. Hundreds were parked at big lots and repair places all along this road.

I have never seen so many B doubles scattered across a landscape.

I can’t imagine another week riding in close proximity to these noisy, monsters.

From the terminal there, a stadium bus was taken. Out there, a few people were selling tickets. They were upwards of $100 for basic seats and over $250 for others.

Things were really well organised. Though some footpaths and other minor infrastructure items had clearly not been completed in time.

This mattered little, all the important things were in full swing.

The stadium was quite a sight.

The first half was watched in a bar outside where you could hear the crowd both on TV and outside.

A moto taxi was taken to the fan fest site where a huge screen and entertainment was supplied.

Good on Brazil, they really have got things organised, here anyway.

Luckily I managed to get a seat back on a bus to Rondonópolis at 2000 and got back here at 0030.

It was a full on but interesting day.

 Peruanos I spoke to had come here via La Paz and Corumba on the newly paved road from La Paz to the border.

I finally succumbed to taking more antibiotics for my phlegmy cough.

I am on a five day program with Azitromicina which is used for bronchial problems.

Hopefully this will be the last of their use for a long time.

PictureNormal road scene, BR163 Rio Verde to Rondonópolis

PictureI had to watch the fire hazard here whilst priming my stove. Great private camp away from the mayhem.

PictureTypical peone dwelling on a large fazenda.

PictureThis surface and crop went on for 10km at one stage. So enjoyable.

PictureIcy cold water at all gas stations, bliss.

PictureState line between Mato Grosso Do Sul , MS and Mato Grosso, MT

PictureSugar harvest under way.

PictureAndre, a hardened individual, character and ultra long term cyclist.

PictureA peaceful avenue, with 9 axles of mayhem just awaiting, only 65km to go!.

PictureNearing Rondonópolis

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PictureAlways a pleasure to sight the Macaws.

PictureFazenda entrance on way. part of the road.

PictureHot, flat and monoculture on a grand scale.

PictureHumble abodes, often located on the highway near a good source of water.

PictureI have a fascination with these birds when seen out of a cage! here in a roadside Cocos Palm.

PictureHay cutting to ground level,with associated dust, late in the day.

Picturepeace on the last night at the grain silo.

PictureHalve these prices and you have the approximate cost of fuel here in Aussie dollars.

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Picture

Baby Hummingbird
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