Looking east..
3/7/2014 Barra do Garcas to 30km nth Vale dos Sonhos
D110, T8, Av18.58, 29657, 4034
Clear, little wind, 30+
My last day in Barra was spent wandering along the river bank watching people fish and generally just taking in the scene here in this central part of Mato Grosso.
My seat was repaired with a hose clamp and screw. Once again another spoke has broken. This time I took it to a bike shop for repairs.
They did a great job.
The shop is Secreta Bike, Manuel Carmerino 58, Ph 66 401 3009.
There has been this creaking noise everytime a complete revolution of the pedal is made. Firstly I thought it was the seat. Before leaving, an hour was spent trying to find this noise. Everything was eliminated. The bottom crank bearings, the derailleur, the chain.
It was finally found to be the thread where the pedals bolt into the cranks. It was dry and a fraction loose. This caused the annoying noise.
I am now sporting the BR flag on the back of the bike, firstly because it would be fantastic to see BR win the cup and secondly it might be safer on the road!.
Riding yesterday lots or trucks and cars approaching from behind tooted and waved, it was great.
So, c’mon BR.
Some guys stopped and gave me oranges on the road, they were on the way to their fazenda.
This road BR 158, though not free of trucks is a pleasure to ride, it is smooth, has a bit of a shoulder and is generally flat with a gentle downhill overall aspect.
The road is slowly, but surely and excitingly, drawing me into the Amazon River basin. Like myself, all the creeks and rivers are now flowing north.
The other day just before Barra, a truck 300m ahead and coming my way blew a tyre.
It was unreal, the noise. Rubber and bits of wheel guard went everywhere. The road was littered with this debris. A pipe was on my side of the road, it was the section that holds the wheel guard on.
The more trucks the more the odds are that this could happen alot closer.
BR 158 thankfully is a lot quieter.
Many dead animals are on the road side. From Tapirs, Armadillos, owls, dogs, foxes, and anteaters with the odd cow thrown in just to add balance from the domestic side of things.
A stop was made at a silo complex, to my good fortune there was a water chiller there, here rolls with nutella were had and a good rinse down in the chilly waters.
Further up the road at Vale dos Sonhos, an icy litre of coke was enjoyed.
Water was picked up here.
It was so enjoyable riding in the late of the day, this took the time to 1730 and almost darkness. For 3km there was nothing just a freshly cleared line easement both sides of the road.
All lights were switched on, by now it was dark. A dirt road was stopped at. A campsite of sorts was found.
Closer inspection with a torched showed it was also the public loo for travelers.
It was a health hazard.
Back on the road, it was now dark.
Some few km on an opening was found in the grasses.
This lead me to a spot below the road. It was great, though riddled with plants that had clinging seeds.
In the dark there was no way of avoiding the friendliness of the seeds.
They liked me.
My lights could not be seen from the road.
It was great to relax over a coffee, bread rolls with onion, tomato and sardines laced with Tabasco.
By the time the tent was entered it was 2000. A perfect time for a short read and sleep.
It was a clear very mild evening. Ants are now part of the welcoming committee at most campsites. Even in my hotel room there were these tiny little ants, they were into everything. Many made the trip here with me.
4/7/2014 Campsite to Nova Xanantina
D55, T2.3, Av21.55, Max 50, 29712, 4089
Hot and dry, 30+
A good nights sleep was enjoyed in the mild almost dew free conditions.
After making a blog entry in the shade of a tree, the road was entered.
Again a greeting of flat easy riding was enjoyed.
It is getting hot by about 0930 now. Water management is now really important.
I am always carrying my two drink bottles and a full PET water bottle.
Again alot of traffic was tooting me, everyone is pretty excited about this game against Colombia.
Having said that I was in Nova Xanantina by 1200, booked a motel, washed a few clothes and relaxed before going over the road to watch it in a street side cafe.
The main bars down the road had ordinary TV screens.
It was great to see BR win. As I write this there is a racket outside as people are driving around in utes and motos yelling and whistling.
As the days are heating up, the riding is becoming more difficult. It is ok whilst moving but once stopped the heat is almost inescapable except in the heaviest of roadside shade.
My chances of bumping into other cyclists on this side of SA is pretty remote.
The guys in the bike shop said I was the first guy to pull in there for repairs.
Possibly others had passed through without stopping.
It is nice to be in an air conditioned room, though getting used to this comfort could be dangerous, it is only going to get hotter as the equator is neared.
If the roads stay this flat and the wind stays away, one degree of latitude is almost being ridden every day as this road almost heads due north.
5-9/7/2014 Nova Xanantina
Hotel Vittoria
Hot, clear, calm days
The hotel Vittoria here is just like home. I have been washing everything in a machine, including my sleeping bag.
Things dry here in under an hour in the hot low humidity days.
Yesterday a bus was taken back to Barra do Garcas to renew my visa at the Fed Police office htere.
The officer knew I was coming back so it was all done fairly quickly. It did coast thirty dollars though. This was paid at the post office so it was all official. 60 days vias a free.
It was a 2.5 bus trip one way. It is always interesting experience seeing the places where where I camped. These places are known quite intimately and yet they are just nothing as you drive by.
This kind of travel really does allow you to become intimate with much around that would be otherwise just not even thought about. For me this is why this kind of travel is very addictive.
Getting back at 1900 a meal was enjoyed on the street at a cafe.
My Power Grip straps were replaced on the pedals, the old ones have been good for almost 30,000km.
A brake cable was also replaced along with the rear pads that it controlled. My front rack had developed another crack. This was repaired by another guy who knew what he was doing.
Another reason to satay here is the football, I really want to see Brazil get up against the Germans today.
Maybe without Neymar they will rally on his behalf in honour of him.
There are a few Bolivianos here at the motel so it should be a good afternoon we can chat.
This phlegm thing in my nose and throat will not go.
I am now giving Ciprofloxacin a go as a last resort. 20 tabs over 10 days.
If this doesn’t work maybe it is an allergy to the dusty dry air here.
My room has natural light and air conditioning with a fridge and a comfortable bed.
The owners and the cleaning girls are all friendly so it is a good place to be.
The river is just down the road for a swim.
D110, T8, Av18.58, 29657, 4034
Clear, little wind, 30+
My last day in Barra was spent wandering along the river bank watching people fish and generally just taking in the scene here in this central part of Mato Grosso.
My seat was repaired with a hose clamp and screw. Once again another spoke has broken. This time I took it to a bike shop for repairs.
They did a great job.
The shop is Secreta Bike, Manuel Carmerino 58, Ph 66 401 3009.
There has been this creaking noise everytime a complete revolution of the pedal is made. Firstly I thought it was the seat. Before leaving, an hour was spent trying to find this noise. Everything was eliminated. The bottom crank bearings, the derailleur, the chain.
It was finally found to be the thread where the pedals bolt into the cranks. It was dry and a fraction loose. This caused the annoying noise.
I am now sporting the BR flag on the back of the bike, firstly because it would be fantastic to see BR win the cup and secondly it might be safer on the road!.
Riding yesterday lots or trucks and cars approaching from behind tooted and waved, it was great.
So, c’mon BR.
Some guys stopped and gave me oranges on the road, they were on the way to their fazenda.
This road BR 158, though not free of trucks is a pleasure to ride, it is smooth, has a bit of a shoulder and is generally flat with a gentle downhill overall aspect.
The road is slowly, but surely and excitingly, drawing me into the Amazon River basin. Like myself, all the creeks and rivers are now flowing north.
The other day just before Barra, a truck 300m ahead and coming my way blew a tyre.
It was unreal, the noise. Rubber and bits of wheel guard went everywhere. The road was littered with this debris. A pipe was on my side of the road, it was the section that holds the wheel guard on.
The more trucks the more the odds are that this could happen alot closer.
BR 158 thankfully is a lot quieter.
Many dead animals are on the road side. From Tapirs, Armadillos, owls, dogs, foxes, and anteaters with the odd cow thrown in just to add balance from the domestic side of things.
A stop was made at a silo complex, to my good fortune there was a water chiller there, here rolls with nutella were had and a good rinse down in the chilly waters.
Further up the road at Vale dos Sonhos, an icy litre of coke was enjoyed.
Water was picked up here.
It was so enjoyable riding in the late of the day, this took the time to 1730 and almost darkness. For 3km there was nothing just a freshly cleared line easement both sides of the road.
All lights were switched on, by now it was dark. A dirt road was stopped at. A campsite of sorts was found.
Closer inspection with a torched showed it was also the public loo for travelers.
It was a health hazard.
Back on the road, it was now dark.
Some few km on an opening was found in the grasses.
This lead me to a spot below the road. It was great, though riddled with plants that had clinging seeds.
In the dark there was no way of avoiding the friendliness of the seeds.
They liked me.
My lights could not be seen from the road.
It was great to relax over a coffee, bread rolls with onion, tomato and sardines laced with Tabasco.
By the time the tent was entered it was 2000. A perfect time for a short read and sleep.
It was a clear very mild evening. Ants are now part of the welcoming committee at most campsites. Even in my hotel room there were these tiny little ants, they were into everything. Many made the trip here with me.
4/7/2014 Campsite to Nova Xanantina
D55, T2.3, Av21.55, Max 50, 29712, 4089
Hot and dry, 30+
A good nights sleep was enjoyed in the mild almost dew free conditions.
After making a blog entry in the shade of a tree, the road was entered.
Again a greeting of flat easy riding was enjoyed.
It is getting hot by about 0930 now. Water management is now really important.
I am always carrying my two drink bottles and a full PET water bottle.
Again alot of traffic was tooting me, everyone is pretty excited about this game against Colombia.
Having said that I was in Nova Xanantina by 1200, booked a motel, washed a few clothes and relaxed before going over the road to watch it in a street side cafe.
The main bars down the road had ordinary TV screens.
It was great to see BR win. As I write this there is a racket outside as people are driving around in utes and motos yelling and whistling.
As the days are heating up, the riding is becoming more difficult. It is ok whilst moving but once stopped the heat is almost inescapable except in the heaviest of roadside shade.
My chances of bumping into other cyclists on this side of SA is pretty remote.
The guys in the bike shop said I was the first guy to pull in there for repairs.
Possibly others had passed through without stopping.
It is nice to be in an air conditioned room, though getting used to this comfort could be dangerous, it is only going to get hotter as the equator is neared.
If the roads stay this flat and the wind stays away, one degree of latitude is almost being ridden every day as this road almost heads due north.
5-9/7/2014 Nova Xanantina
Hotel Vittoria
Hot, clear, calm days
The hotel Vittoria here is just like home. I have been washing everything in a machine, including my sleeping bag.
Things dry here in under an hour in the hot low humidity days.
Yesterday a bus was taken back to Barra do Garcas to renew my visa at the Fed Police office htere.
The officer knew I was coming back so it was all done fairly quickly. It did coast thirty dollars though. This was paid at the post office so it was all official. 60 days vias a free.
It was a 2.5 bus trip one way. It is always interesting experience seeing the places where where I camped. These places are known quite intimately and yet they are just nothing as you drive by.
This kind of travel really does allow you to become intimate with much around that would be otherwise just not even thought about. For me this is why this kind of travel is very addictive.
Getting back at 1900 a meal was enjoyed on the street at a cafe.
My Power Grip straps were replaced on the pedals, the old ones have been good for almost 30,000km.
A brake cable was also replaced along with the rear pads that it controlled. My front rack had developed another crack. This was repaired by another guy who knew what he was doing.
Another reason to satay here is the football, I really want to see Brazil get up against the Germans today.
Maybe without Neymar they will rally on his behalf in honour of him.
There are a few Bolivianos here at the motel so it should be a good afternoon we can chat.
This phlegm thing in my nose and throat will not go.
I am now giving Ciprofloxacin a go as a last resort. 20 tabs over 10 days.
If this doesn’t work maybe it is an allergy to the dusty dry air here.
My room has natural light and air conditioning with a fridge and a comfortable bed.
The owners and the cleaning girls are all friendly so it is a good place to be.
The river is just down the road for a swim.
The local flag is now part of my gear, Go Brazil!!
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I finally found what the overall locale of my campsite looked like in the morning
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There was a change in scenery at one point
A woman cyclist in town told me when a group of them rode to Barra do Garcas, they had a police escort. It is not hard to see why.
The truck drivers really are for the most part couteous
A group who could understand Spanish. The guy next to me could speak some English
Paku, a favorite eating fish in all the big rivers here, fresh from the river, they catch them up to 7kg or more here in Nova Xanantina
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A stop is generally made to view the wetlands along the way. Jacaré are now in all natural watered areas away from stock.
The beach Nova Xanantina on Rio Das Mortes.
It is very clean and actually quite cool.
Swimming here is a pleasure
A little bit of luxury for a few days.
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