Itajaí pedals to Atlanta. (page 2) (page3) (page 4)

Visit Also:

 Project Bike Island Of Santa Catarina and Curitiba Model City

The year of 1995 was decisive for us to search sponsors to this event. We were already close to the middle of the year and we still had not gotten something in fact.  After the Curitiba’s trip in the month of May, we became more well-known through the interviews than we gave to the newspapers and television.  But it seemed that nobody was giving credit to our challenge of going of bicycle to the United States.  I didn't have at least the appropriate bicycle  to pedal the 10 thousand miles of highway and the discouragement was to contaminate me and Leonel.  

I talked with Mr. Acyr and he got for me a round trip ticket bus for São Paulo to try taking our project personally for some companies.  Arriving there, I was direct to visit caloi bicycles to see if I can get the bicycle at least, an equal the one of my cousin, that it cost about $715.00 dollars, but nor I was received. I visited more some companies and nothing I got. The only support that I had belonged was from my own sister, Maria of Lourdes and of my brother-in-law Orlando Joaquim, which they lived in São Paulo, the two backpacks for the bicycle. Before returning for Itajaí, I visited English School Yázigi’s Headquarters on July nine Avenue and I talked with the marketing director, sr. Alcides, on my patronage attempt.  Interested in my project, he promised to discuss in a meeting, the possibility to sponsor me with the bicycle.  

Already back home, it remained now to go in some companies of great level here for the area of Itajaí.  I was well received by many, but they didn't give me sponsor hope. However, to encourage the situation, few days after my birthday on July 30, coming back from the work, Leonel gave me the good news that the bicycle sponsored by Yázigi, has just arrived from São Paulo.  Therefore in Saturday, me and Leonel we went to have our English class in Yázigi of Itajaí and of course, we went pedaling with our bicycles. The director of the school, Ms. Lenita Crippa, was very happy about it and she communicated with Mr.  Alcides about the bicycle had arrived.

We were encouraged but without knowing what to do to get the money for the trip. 

Mr. Acyr and Eng. Piccoli were also very happy and they suggested that we paraded our bicycles for the September 7 Parade, in the platoon of general office of sports. However, Leonel, two days before, he gave me the unpleasant notice that will not participate more on the parade and also diced to give up the trip for Atlanta, for thinking we would not have enough time to get sponsors, since the initial plan was to give beginning the trip on September 7.  But his voluntary waver didn't discourage me and I paraded alone. When Eng. Piccoli saw me parade alone, he asked me where is Leonel, and I said: Home!!! He was very concerned about it and he told me that would be very dangerous to go in this trip alone, giving up to the project. But, that the discouragement didn't contaminate me and I was "determined" to face this challenge alone.   In the continuation, Mr. Acyr ordered me to make the passport and take the vaccines demanded for the trip. Passport in the hand, he got from the City Hall of Itajaí, a round trip ticket for Porto Alegre - RS to go try the American visa. We prepared a protocol of the project and I went to the consulate to give an interview. In the form of the petition of the visa, everything that linked in monthly income and possess, I didn’t write. The Consul called me for the interview and he looked well for me and he asked only one question: Do you want to go by bicycle to Atlanta? Then I said that yes, and he just told me that would delay a little and ordered me to wait. The consulate was full on that Thursday September 28, 1995 and I was the before-next to the last to be called with the passport stamped with the American visa for ten years.  Very happy with more this conquest, firstly I thanked a lot God for this blessing.  

Returning to Itajaí, Eng. Piccoli suggest to know Mr. Carlos Priess, at that time secretary of the Mayor of Itajaí, Arnaldo Shimitt, for him to come in the Commercial and Industrial Association of Itajaí in order to get some support for the trip. 

There I met the Commander of the 1st Battalion of Military Police, Ten. Cel. Hilário, where him without knowing that I am son of Sergeant RR, Pedro Maria, and brother of the 3rd Sergeant, Auricélio Pedro Maria and Ten Bombeiro, Arnaldo Pedro Maria, told me that he could make a letter of recommendation to the other military police departments in whole country, asking for aid possibly in lodging and also feeding.  The Commercial and Industrial Association of Itajaí sponsored me with R$ 500 real ($544 dollars) and still in the meeting, the sr. Carlos Priess, suggested me that he will know the Mayor, in order to get more supports for the project. In the City Hall, I was received by Mayor Arnaldo Shimitt, and I got more R$ 1.000 real of sponsor. Also, the Mr. Carlos Priess, promised to help me with a  $100 dollars in form to saying good trip.

 
Good, the Project Bike Atlanta 96 was already on the paper and is taking form.  Now, I am not too far for this dream came true.  My tennis student, Mr. Jaime Hueser, owner of the Ótica Corujinha of the valley, sponsored in the purchase of the front backpacks, the Unified System, the director of the school, Sidney Silva, sponsored me with the camera that takes pictures automatic and the Yázigi of Itajaí, my class former-friends, the youth couple, Cristiane and Marcelo, they sponsored me with the photographic camera with flash.  In the General office of Tourism, the Mr. Acyr helped me in the purchase and impression of the shirts of the trip and the stickers.   Beline Video Photo and Sound, sponsored me with 20 rolls of films for camera.  And now on, a lot of people helping each other me with donations for the purchase of the equipments that I needed.  

The end of the year was arriving and I marked the date of the trip for December 9, same still lacking 50% of the money for me to spend with feeding, that was limited in $10 dollars a day.   The last help that I get, was the $100 dollars that the Mr. Carlos Priess promised me when I was giving beginning the trip.

Eng. Piccoli suggested to take me a letter of peace written by the Mayor of Itajaí, Arnaldo Shimitti, interested party to the Mayor of Atlanta, Bill Campbell, congratulating the city of Atlanta for the hosting the 1996 Olympic Games and also a letter to the President of the Brazilian Olympic Committee. 

My lesson on the conquest of this event that depended not only on me, but from a lot of people, was to show to my self and for some discouraged of course, that the "The worse defeat is the one of never to have tried". AND  easy job, is pudding, jelly and earthworm soup.  If you want to accomplish your dream, makes an effort you and have good encourage, because the walk is long and has a lot of stones.   Don't give up in the middle the road, take my experience as example of force to accomplish your life project or dream.  Go and struggle until the end... 

Pedaling heading to Atlanta 

Saturday, December 9, 1995 arrived, and definitively I was with the wheels on the highway towards to the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games.   With the forecast of arriving there for the opening of the Olympic Games, I gave beginning the trip in the Vidal Ramos Park, mark zero of the city of Itajaí exactly the 08:00 am. The director of Yázigi, promoted a bicycle tour at 5:00 pm and she asked me to participate. The team of RBS TV arrived to do the departure interview at 17:30 pm and the summary of the trip was like this:

See pages: Atlanta2

FROM ITAJAI TO CURITIBA: I left at 06:30 PM from Itajaí on December 09, I pedaled to Joinville, arriving the 02:00 AM, the moonshine accompanied me on that night.

In the following day, I meet Gilvan, "the wanderer of the pedal", he left Rio de Janeiro and  was giving the turn throughout Brazil in 100 days. Gilvan just brought one backpack and he rides almost 125 miles per day, then we would meet again 3 months later in Belém City.

I rode up the Sea Mountain by 98 degrees to São José of Pinhais. I arrived in Curitiba on 11th at lunchtime and I registered the first tire hole.  My father and my cousin, that it should come with me in this trip, they were in the city and we meet at the Public Square. I made a city tour and I gave interviews for the press.  At night, I pass at my uncle's house, Edmundo Antonio Bernadina, author of this crazy trip to have dinner and from there I proceeded for the house of Joseane, that invited me to pass the night in her house. The following day, I thanked a lot her and their parents, and I followed my way to the highway. 

FROM CURITIBA TO SÃO PAULO: on that day I caught the first rain the 04:30 PM until the 08:00 PM where I armed my hut for the first time at the gas station of São Luiz  13 miles from Paraná and São Paulo’s state line. 

The litter raining continued on the following day but I continued my journey. By one descent of the Olive’s Oil Mountain at 27 m/h, I had a flat on the back tire but I stopped without problems and I made the change. I rode 53 miles to get to Jacupiranga to sleep at Police Station. On December 15, I went to Miracatú by BR 116 Highway with  very irregular shoulder. The next day, I rode to Itapecerica of Mountain even arising about 11 miles of Mountain of the Ninety, arriving at 10:30 PM at Battalion of the Fire Brigade where I got very well received.  In fact, all of the Police and Fires Stations I was being very well treaty. From there to São Paulo is just 16 miles.  Therefore, when I arrived and I met two cyclist that they would pedal from São Paulo to Vitória in January.  They were so animated in knowing me that would like to accompanying me to the USA, but it was not possible at that moment.  

Likely, I had only 50% of the money  to make this trip, than I stayed in São Paulo from December 17th  to January 04th , 1996 to try more sponsors.  I gave interviews with TV Bandeirantes, Rede Globo and Rede Record, I show the recording to the Marketing’s Director of Yázigi, Mr. Alcides, which had already sponsored with the bicycle.  He was very happy with the success of the trip, especially because I recorded interview with TV Bandeirantes in front of YázigI’s School Headquarters.  Then, Mr. Alcides guided the Yázigi’s Schools in the 15 Brazilian capitals through where I will pass that they capitalized my presence with real $100.00 and they also got in touch with the local press for the popularization of the Project.

 On Christmas day, I had marked interview with the press at 09:00 PM by the Isabel Princes’s Park, but for unhappiness the press didn't arrive and appeared an attacker occurring me the good arrivals. He stole my clock and my fixed burrow, and he was armed with a screwdriver and he said that wasn’t alone.   But did you know that God has much more for giving to you that the devil to removing?   I was not shaky with the assault because I know that God allowed that to happen but it felt that He was with me.  

The longing pressed, then I left my bicycle in my sister's apartment and I took a bus to Itajaí to pass the end the year with my family.     

FROM SÃO PAULO TO RIO DE JANEIRO:  Coming back to São Paulo, I caught the bicycle and I continued my trip on January 4th.   In São José dos Campos, I meet Demetrius, president and founder of the ECO SISTEMA, an environmental organization.  He invited me to pass the night in the place of the organization. The conversation was so good that they sponsor me with expenses for photos and air ticket of Belém to Manaus and also giving me a help in the popularization of the trip.  The following day, I granted interviews for the local press and I followed trip to Aparecida of the North, where I got support by the military police.  I followed my trip to Itatiaia City and I got support by Hotel Cabanas inside of the National Park, I had dinner, I slept and also I got a nice breakfast. Thanks to ECO SISTEMAl, that night it was kindly offered by the Hotel.   On January 08th, I went until the Mountain of the Macaws, I went down and I armed the hut for the second time in the Federal Traffic Police.  On day 09, I arrived at 03:30 PM in the 13º Battalion of Polices Soldierly, in the Square XV of November in Rio de Janeiro where I was received affectionately.  Still in Rio de Janeiro, I granted interviews for the Newspaper O Globo, Journal of Brazil and TV Bandeirantes. I took pictures with the mayor of Rio, César Maya, in the day of the candidacy of the city for host the 2004 Olympic Games.  Also the Mayor gave me a Letter of Peace for me to deliver to the City of Atlanta congratulating for host the 1996 Olympic Games and a letter from the President of Red Cross asking aid for me in lodging the other positions of Red Cross out of Brazil.  I stopped at School Yázigi and got my sponsor.   

FROM RIO DE JANEIRO TO VITÓRIA: on January 13^th, I crossed the river by Ferry Boat to Niterói because I can not pass the 9 miles of bridge by bicycle.

Still in Niterói I stopped in the Tire repair last hole to fix some tubes that were holed and the guys didn't collect money for the service.  On that day I rode 43 miles to Maricá and I armed my hut for the third time in a Fire Brigade’ camping. On that opportunity, we attended the interview in the television that I gave; therefore many of the firemen didn’t believe my history.

  As soon as I woke up, I met four cyclists that accompanied me during about 13 miles.   I arrived in Cabo Frio about the 05:00 PM and I was invited by the 25º Battalion of Military Police.  The police men guide me to the Barracks of the Fire brigade 1SGM/9GBM to sleep.  In the morning, I caught the bicycle and I went to Yázigi being kindly assisted by the Director of the School, Mr. Anibal.   He contacted with the press and I granted interviews for TV ECO, TV LAGOS and Dos Lagos Journal.    About 11:30 AM, the destiny reserved I a loss; I went to call and I left my tape recorder on top of the public phone and there I lost my tape recorder with part of the report of the trip.

For not being left behind, the director from Yázigi of Cabo Frio, sponsored me with new tape recording. He also capitalized my presence with $100 and he wished me a lot of success.   After the interviews, I left the city by 04:30 PM and when I turn the tape recorder on to register the map of the trip, a cyclist that came in contrary way asked me where I was going, then I spoke that it was to the United States and he said: _Bull shit!  On that day I rode about 25 miles until the city of Barra of São João where I got support at 5º Battalion of Police. The following day I went until Russian's gas station at BR 101 about 35 miles from Campos - RJ and I armed my hut for the fourth time, before I ate lunch in the city of Macaé in the Police Station.

On the 17^th , I woke up for a the vision that the destiny that waited for me, at 09:35 AM, in the ascent hill for the left, a car invaded the contrary lane and hit strong against a truck loaded of trunks.  The shock was so strong that the front axel of the truck went to stop close to the back axel, the driver of the truck nothing suffered but driver from the car died instantly.  I was very shaky with that and I pray to God that anything happening to me in my long trip.   I continued until Campos City where I ate lunch in the Fire’s Brigade and I granted interview for TV Planície.  Later I followed trip until San Francisco where I arrived about the 10:00 PM and I armed my hut for the fifth time at gas station. The following day, I went to Piúma City, coast of the Espírito Santo State, I ate lunch at Neves' beach and of there ahead for grounded highway. When I arrived at Marataizes, I caught asphalted highway, but when I found a intersection Y, I asked a gentleman for help, in that moment,  his family show up to meet me.    He also stopped two journalists from two newspapers that interviewed me and when I look back and I was accompanied about 20 people who hugged me, asked for autographs and they took a lot pictures.  I was very proud on that January 18^th, 1996. I received several lodging invitations but I had to go to Piúma. Over there. I proceeded without problems until Vitória where I was received by Yázigi and for Military Police. I stayed 3 days and middle in Vitória granting interviews for press, TV Vitória, TV MANCHETE, Newspaper the Tribune and I participated in a live program of interviews at TV GAZETA of Epírito Santo State.

FROM VITORIA TO SALVADOR: I left Vitória at 02:00 PM on Monday January 23 after giving a live interview to the press.  On that day, I would sleep in Nova Almeida City, where I arrived the 07:00 PM and I decided to ride more 10 miles to Santa Cruz.  Lacking 6 miles to arrive, a tourist from Osasco/SP stopped me and invited to sleep in the house where he was accommodated with his family at Beira do Rancho Beach, 13 miles from there.  Was already 08:00 PM and as I wanted to arrive in Linhares before 06:00 PM the next day, I accepted with big pleasure. The Mr. Paulo Lúcio and his nice family wanted to take me by car because of the night but I preferred ride my bicycle. Then he told me that would wait for me at traffic police station. 

It was really the best day of my trip. After the party the Mr. Paulo Lúcio bought a dinner for me and we went to his beach house to pass the night.   As if it was not enough, his wife had kindness of washing my clothes and for the immense affection of that family, his daughter Paula gave me a present with her walkman for me to hear my tapes, because like you know, mine had been stolen in São Paulo.   On that hour, I didn't know what to say, I only thanked a lot God for that moment asking for protection and the blessings from God for that family. I also won from another girl, called Gerdina, a necklace, to saying good luck.   

We all woke up and we ate breakfast together.    When I followed trip and the Mr. Paulo Lúcio loosened one more section of fireworks. On that day I went to Linhares and in the road I almost pedaled 25 miles without finding any house, just a lot of vegetation and great eucalyptus trees in the edge of the highway.   In the lunchtime, I entered in BR 101 and I ate lunch in a position whose owner of the restaurant didn't collect from me.  I Arrived in Linhares the 05:08 PM and I was received by the director of Yázigi of that city. At night, I went to the 5° Battalion of Military police to pass the night.  I stayed in the morning in Linhares for of the interviews Pioneiro’s Journal and also a live interview at Rádio Cultura. 

THE JOKE OF THE DAY: every time that I ask for information from where is a certain place and if it is far, the people say: "For you that came by bicycle from Santa Catarina it is very close."    

I left Linhares at 04:30 PM and I arrived at Córrego Alegre at 07:15 PM. I try to find the Police Station but there is no one for me to be camped, then I went to a gas station of the municipal district where I armed my hut for the sixth time.  I woke up and I rode to Pedro Canário, last city of Espírito Santo, and I stayed at the Military Police  of this city. From here, was just 10 miles to me to enter in the State of Bahia and I face a long way of BR 101 in bad conservation and almost without shoulder.  It was a little danger because besides there, not being gas stations in that in a long way or it is wanted bars and snack bars close, it was also a long and tiresome area of ascents and endless descents with inclinations varying between 2 and 3 degrees, I felt my whole body hurting. Was 63 miles until arriving in Taxeira of Freitas where I also passed the night in the Police Station. The following day I went to Paschal Monte, where about the 07:20 PM, the back tire went out (beleléu).  I put the tire reserves with the help of some residents from the area. Proceeding until the city, I discovered that there was not a  polices stations close by, but God helped me and a nice and humble gentleman offering his house for me to stay that night and served me a dinner. There I discovered that it was in the area of the municipal district of Barra of São João and also the João's house didn't have channeled water and the only choice was to take a mug bath.  From there I followed the trip to Eunápolis, but after 38 miles, the found the destiny again: it was already late and I was very tired because of the mountains passages, I decided to stay over there, the polices it was in exit of the city going to Porto Seguro and it was far away from BR 101.  Then I caught information to be in the compound of the civil police. Arriving there, a policeman authorized me to arm my hut for the seventh time in the back yard of the police station.   After two hours, about the 10:00 PM, other police offices arrived using all rudeness of the world, they woke up me shaking the hut, screaming, trying to open the zipper of the hut with violence and etc.  Getting up afraid, they said that I could not be there because it is a police station and no camping is permit; the police officer said.   I didn't have time of to explain who I am and they told me to leave quickly.  It was very tired and I decided to pay $8.00 in a hotel. I woke up the 8:00 AM of January 30th and I followed my trip. 50 miles from there, the back tire burst in Santa Maria, small town between Highway BR 101 and Canavieras.  It was already late and as there was not way of buying a new tire, and also didn't have a police station close. I paid $5.00 to be in a hotel and on following day, I took a bus to Canavieira, 34 miles trip. I arrived in the city about the 10:00 AM, bought it 2 new tires and I ate lunch. From there I pedaled more 28 km and I stopped close to a beach called Beach of Lençóis, because the rain that was approaching and to see if I find a place to sleep.  There were almost 08:00 PM and I stopped at a small bar to eat and to wait the rain to pass.  The nice owner recommend to sleep with Bibica without any problem or if I prefer, I could arm my tent in his back yard for the eighth time to pass the night there.    For the first time I took a shower from water of the artesian well and it was the largest adventure.  In the morning I woke up early and I pedaled until the city of Ilhéus where the tape recorder broke and I paid $10.00 for the repair. I was housed at the barracks in the 2^nd Battalion of Military Police where I was welcome and I got a dinner with the officials.  In the morning of February 2^nd the policemen called TV Santa Cruz to do a matter on the trip.  In Ubaitaba, I got lodging inside of the police station of Civil Police. As there was not bedroom, I extended my sleeping bag in a room and there I slept.  On following day, the 28 miles of mountains were waiting for me until arriving in Camamú for lunch.  From here, I proceeded for the city of Ituberá and also to sleep in the police station.  I pedaled about 75 miles to close the bridge of the funnel that makes connection for the Island of Itaparica, where I armed my hut for the ninth time in a gas station.   I woke up early and they were 18 miles pedaling through the Island until arriving to the ferry boat.  I paid real $1.65 for the crossing that lasted 55 minutes until arriving in Salvador where I camped in 1 GBS of the Fire brigade. 

Until here, I rode 1,980 miles in 219 hours 48 minutes and 53 seconds. I drank about 120 liters of water and I lost more than 10 pounds. 
 

FROM SALVADOR TO ARACAJÚ: In Salvador I was very well received by the Director of Yázigi that soon capitalized $ my presence.  She took me to a live interview in the Rede Globo's studios in the Sporting Newspaper and it was a success.   I got to leave from the Fireman's barracks where was accommodated by the 11:00 o’clock of February 8, on one Tuesday.    Leaving the beach hitchhiked with a gentleman that went from bicycle to the green line, road that ties NANNY with IF, and for the first time, a bag that is fell tops of the luggage rack, but the bag was weighed and I wondered: but how? Oh I saw that the sleeping bag had also fallen, only that very distant from there. The gentlemen had the kindness of returning about one mile and a half to be seen people it found the sack, and there it was him in a boy's hand that said to have seen to fall and he called me but I didn't hear and vineyard coming to see if I returned for diffusing.  Everything well and we arrived until the green line and of there I was alone, I stopped before at a snack bar to by water and I met Mr. Correa, a citizen that said to have seen me in television and he paid one slashes for me and he offered me ride until the Forte Beach where I had plan to pass the night, but I wouldn't able to accept.  If I will accept all of the rides that offered me, the bicycle trip was only for a title level. However Mr. Corrêa invited me to sleep at his house by the beach where I arrived around 08:00 pm.  He and his family served me in beautiful dinner and we went to sleep. In the morning, we ate breakfast and I thanked a lot for the hospitality. From there I proceeded to the access for Barra of Sarari by sand highway, only that I met Edmilson that authorized me to arm my hut for the tenth time in his back yard.  The following day I fled one little of the route and I went to know the Mangue Seco where I armed the hut for the 12º time in Mrs. Maria's back yard, that had left a couple to ten years ago also to do the same, she says.    I woke up and I went for side of Bahia, Mangue Seco (Dry Swamp), I left the bicycle in her house in Pontal, Sergipe’s state side, and I passed by boat to Swamp. I passed the morning there, I visited the city scenery of the soap opera Tieta, I met the beach, the Dunes and I took a motorboat back to Pontal.  I ate lunch and I caught the bicycle in Mrs. Maria's house that said that could be there the time that wanted. On the 11^th I left Pontal and I arrived in Estãncia at 06:00 PM in the barracks of polices where I was received affectionately by the policemen that they gave me a dinner and lodging. On the 12^th I arrived in Aracajú, Sergipe’s state capital at 01:00 PM after having pedaled 45 miles from Estãncia. I camped in the Fire brigade and I stayed in the city one more day giving interviews for the Rede Bandeirantes and Rede Globo in front of Yázigi’s School that also capitalized my presence.  I caught the highway again on 14^th heading for Maceió AL, where I should arrive on Sunday 18^th. 

I am drinking 3 liters of water per day average; I pedaled a total to Aracajú, 2,241 miles in 261:43:40 hours/m/s).  From Aracajú to Maceió are 216 miles.

FROM ARACAJÚ TO MACEIÓ: I met a lawyer that was kind friend, helping me for expenses with feeding. In the February 13^th I was forced to change the bicycle chain, the crowns and the turnstile, which cost me $100.00 (one hundred dollars), that with a discount of $ 20.00 (twenty) from the owner of the store, a foreigner from Uruguay. I also bought another reservation tape recorder in case one comes to give problems. 

I left Aracajú on the 14^th heading for Maceió. By the way, I met a restaurant owner that offered a beautiful lunch in the municipal district of Carnópolis and there I granted interview in a local radio. Then I went until a close position to the clover to Neópolis where I armed my hut for the twelfth time, took a bath, I made a snack and later I called my sister-in-law Soraia to give good news to the family.  I woke up and I continued trip. I arrived in Neópolis at 10:40 AM after having pedaled 26 miles from the position and I crossed the river San Francisco, one of the famous and more important of the country.  I paid a dollar for the crossing that lasted 15 minutes and I ate lunch in the police of Penedo in the state of Alagoas. From there I followed trip to Coruripe, where a motorcycle gentleman accompanied illuminating me in the highway until arriving in the city. He would go to Maceió but it decided to stay over there and I spent the night in the civil police for the second time without problems. On 16^th  I got a loss that weighed in the pocket, I took breakfast and I followed trip until Maceió, when I arrived to the Municipal district of Observatory of Gunga, 25 miles to the capital from Alagoas, I stopped to take a picture, I used the camera that beats automatic pictures, a Zenit 122, and inadvertently mine, I put the camera in the same place, in the backpack, rear, but I put it very on top and as the backpack, it fell and I only went to notice 16 miles later.  I went back to see if I can find it, I rode about 16 miles where I found that motorcycle gentleman and I asked him to help me.  Then I stopped in the highway and I asked the a truck driver if he had seen the camera, and he told me that he saw a car to give reverse and to pick a black thing on the ground, there I thought: it is my camera.   I lost $150.00 for beleléu, and that camera came from of Curitiba in the same place and I always being the largest careful, only that it was not enough. Well, now is time to pedal to Maceió and there I arrived at 06:30 PM in the Battalion of the Military police where I passed the night. On Saturday I went to solve some bureaucratic problems of the trip and to arrange to zipper of one of the backpacks in the afternoon cleaned the bicycle and later I rested a little. 

FROM MACEIÓ TO RECIFE: I left on Sunday, through the coast, but arriving in Barra of Santo Antônio, for signaling lack, I went to stop in the municipal district of Porto Calvo, place where I made the rest in a Company of Military police, pedaling on that day 75 miles. The following day, I followed trip and I met soon in the morning, two foreigners, one from Perú and another from Colombia, they were traveling on foot  by the Brazilian northeast 45 days now.  As soon as I arrived on the coast, 12 miles from Porto Calvo, a rain that lasted two hours fell, then I stopped in a cafeteria and I waited for the rain to pass.  From here, I proceeded to Ipojuca, already in Pernambuco State where I stayed overnight in Military Police.  I woke up early, I took breakfast and I proceeded to Recife, 15 miles later. As soon as I was close to arriving in the School of Yázigi, I was approached by a family that they said to have seen me in television in December. The responsible for the stop a 13 year-old boy, Luis Gonzaga de Castro Neto, that recognized me after that whole time, and I was invited by his parents to be at his house as guest.  I accepted and they take me on that same day to dance a Carnival dance in the city of Olinda, was the last carnival night.  I won a small all colored parasol, that it is used to dance carnival, and there I went me, arising and descends dancing carnival blocks.  The boy's father is a doctor in Recife, Dr. Luiz Gonzaga de Castro and I also was very well received by the others from the family that were also in Olinda dancing carnival.  After so much carnival dance, we went back home and in the next day, fourth fair, they took me to know the Boa Viagem Beach.  We passed that unforgettable moment there day, we played at beach, we played ball, we took swimming, really a dream, the whole family of Luiz was very hospitable with me. In the fifth fair, already back home, Dr. Luiz made some contacts with the press to register my stayed in Recife, and they came to my encounter, five groups of TV, the Rede Bandeirantes, Rede Globo, SBT, TV Cultura at national level and without us to know, he also appeared the Rede Manchete also to record interview with me. In fact, all the report teams went to Dr. Luiz's house and I got to give interviews at the same time for two teams.   It had been to five television channels, I gave interviews for the Newspaper of the Trade, Rádio Clube and also for to Rádio CBN at national level.  It was the whole day granting interviews, the largest receptivity that I had in the whole  trip. In the end of the afternoon, Dr. Luiz took me to the school Yázigi and in the departure for there I was thinking: gosh, where am I? Many miles far away from my house, and with people that I knew just few days ago. A great and unforgettable experience.  Arriving at the school was received by the Director capitalizing me with the double of the suitable quote money.

FROM RECIFE TO JOÃO PESSOA: I left by Friday from Dr. Luiz's house after taking breakfast with them, I arrived in João Pessoa, Paraiba State about 06:13 PM, without problems, after having pedaled 68 miles.  I was received with a lot affection by the managing the future Yázig School, Jorge Luiz Lúcio Thomas, the popular Beleléu an old work nickname, said him after me to have told to him that my camera had going for beleléu.  He invited me kindly to accommodate at his house until Saturday, 24^th.  We connected with the press and we went downtown to see if I bought the camera of the same that it had lost, we found and he had the kindness of buying for me. He wants to say, when I used the expression "beleléu", because it had lost the machine, for a work of the destiny, fleece a 'Beleléu" and he brought me the machine of turn, I was really a happy. The youth Mr. Jorge also insisted on capitalizing my presence with $100.00 and he also contacted the press for interviews.  In João Pessoa, I recorded interviews with Rede Globo and SBT. Then I pedaled to Natal – Rio Grande do Norte State. 

FROM JOÃO PESSOA TO NATAL: unhappily as my time to arrive in Atlanta is bursting, in fact already I am very late, due to several cancellations of the date at the beginning of the trip for patronage lack.  Therefore, for a subject of time, the director of Yázigi, took me 60 miles by car to Goianinha, where there I slept in the Military police and I left the following day to Natal, where I arrived at 12:30 PM after having pedaled, 33 miles from Goianinha. In Natal, I was housed at the Barracks of the General Command of the Military Police and by Monday, February 26, I pedaled to the Yázigi School to catch my patronage quote and I recorded interviews with the press, Rede Globo, SBT and Rede Manchete.  Until Natal I consumed about 200 liters of water and I pedaled a total of 4,444 Km (2,777 miles). 

FROM NATAL TO FORTALEZA: I left Natal on Tuesday 27^th and I pedaled only 36 miles to arrive close to the municipal district of Santa Maria, because on the road, at 03:30 PM, I was approached by Lourdes', which had seen myself in television and  invited me kindly to sleep in her house.  There, an extended net in the balcony was waiting for me.  The lady Lourdes also served me a cake slice with two glasses of imbu juice and there to slept in that net.  I woke up for life and I took a mug a shower, because in that area, channeled water doesn't exist and still on top, she said that has been almost one year that doesn't rain.  I passed the night in Dona Lourdes' house and the following day, I pedaled 69 miles until the municipal district of Fernando Pedroza, where I met the mother of Rita de Cassia, which invited me to me to sleep in the hotel in construction beside the gas station where she works, that was the place where we met each other. I had dinner in the gas station and her didn't collect money from me.  I made comfortable in some of the fourth of the hotel and for the second time I passed the night on a net. I woke up early and I took a breakfast offered by that family.  From there, I pedaled 76 miles to Mossoró, where I had already two places for me to stay, but I met before Robert, son of Mr. Bartolomeu, which approached me in the highway, bringing me a cold mineral water and they invited to be at their house. Robert also had  seen myself in television when I passed at national level in December. Before arriving at his house, I was approached by the Jornal Mossoroense and I gave interviews.  Already in the Robert’s house, I was received with the maxim kindness inviting me to have dinner and Mr. Bartolomeu said that I could call where wanted. Robert took me to know the capital of the salt of Brazil and to present for some friends. Really they felt very flattered with my presence and I was very grateful for the generosity. When I left from there, Mr. Bartolorneu called his friend Ivan, that lives in Aracati, Ceará State, my next stop, asking him to do the same with me.  I left Mossoró in the morning and I pedaled 60 miles until arriving at Ivan's house, where I was received with the largest pleasure. There I had dinner after so much time, a fried fish done by his mother, Dona Maria, the name of the fish is Garajuba.    I woke up, I took breakfast and I pedaled heading for Fortaleza, capital of Ceará State. I followed the coast road, for a close highway to the beaches. The road is very beautiful, almost semi urban. I arrived in Fortaleza at 07:45 PM after having pedaled 88 miles and I ate for the first time, a tapioca that is made with manioc flour and grated coconut.

FROM FORTALEZA TO TEREZINA: I stayed in João Elder’s home, a person that also likes to travel like me by only Bugue. We had found ourselves 25 miles before Mossoró, where he invited me to be in his house ever since. Everything was well, I was received with a lot of affection by him and his family offering a beautiful dinner.     As I had to go to the Yázigi School on Monday, I passed the night in João Elder brother's house.  In the morning, we stopped at a bicycle workshop and I left my bicycle to polish the parts.   Therefore later we went to Yázigi and there I granted interviews for the Newspaper Jornal O Povo, Rede Bandeirantes and Rede Globo Nordeste.  The Director of Yázigi capitalized my presence and we went back to João Elder’s house fro the nigth.   On Tuesday in the morning, I thanked for the affection of that family and I gave one more interview to SBT.  On that day, I intended to arrive in Umirim, but a heavy rain that lasted 3 hours between 11:00 to 02:00 PM fell and I looked for shelter in a train station.   There were a lot of people waiting for the train to arrive.   While the rain fell, I heard three men’s conversation that they talked about a friend that won a great prize in the lottery and one of them was commenting on that winner told him the following: 

_ Man, now I have so much money that God can not makes me to be poor again. (titanic) 

Continuing the conversation, he said that winner married a young and beautiful girl, but after a little time they got divorced and the girl got to pull 50% of all his money.   However, still that citizen commenting on that subject, he said that the winner had still remained plenty money and he married other young and beautiful girl again, but that also inside of little time he lost the rest of his fortune in the second divorce and that their investments of the money that it not remained anything and that winner put an end to debts and came poor again.    Finishing the subject, the three men agreed amongst themselves that is not challenged and nor she make fun with the Holly Name of God. 

The rain stopped and I continued my trip.  I arrived in Umarituba where I stayed in the Military Police. From there I proceeded to Catuana, there I met two men that came to spend vacation and they didn't return back home. I ate spaghetti in their ranch and I went to sleep in the Polices Soldierly, because the ranch was far away from the highway. I left early and pedaled to Sobral where I found a Yázigi School.  I arrived at 05:00 PM, and the following day, I left after the lunchtime. I slept at the director's of Yázigi house and in the morning I granted interview to a local newspaper. Then I followed trip for the municipal district of Frecheirinha, just by the Mountain of Ibiapaba, where I rested in the Polices Soldierly.   I woke up and I took a special breakfast offered by the policemen.  Now I had 6 miles of Mountain that was waiting for me. I arose without great difficulties and after 43 miles of pedal I arrived in São João of the Fronteiras, a municipal district that is not in the map, but I made a lot of friends, being at a restaurant where I had dinner and to sleep for the first time inside the car and the bicycle was inside of the restaurant. The following day I woke up early and I pedaled about 100 miles to arrive in Campo Maior City, at 07:30 PM and I rested in the Military police. Because of that, I was ahead in half day, arriving in Terezina PI March 11^th in the Yázigi School where I lodged. I was the whole following day granting interviews for press and I only followed trip heading for São Luís of Maranhão on Wednesday 13^th.  The director of Yázigi capitalized my presence and was him same that he made the contact with press.   To Terezina I rode 3,531 miles in 366 hours and 223 liters of water consumed. 

FROM TEREZINA TO SÃO LUÍS:  by Wednesday, I pedaled to Caxias, about 44 miles from Terezina. They were long passages of rises and goes down that didn't stop. I arrived around 05:00 PM in the Battalion of Polices Soldierly where I made my traditional stop for rest and always very well assisted for the police. On that day I fixed three holes on the three reservations tubes that I have, the ones which me already vineyard walking many kilometers without extra tubes and also from Recife that I am pedaling without extra tires. I woke up and I followed trip until a called municipal district Peritoró.   Proceeding more to front, a bicycle gentleman accompanied me during about 4 miles, one hour that I went away him going in front only arrived and as soon as he reached me, he got a flat tire and there vein the called moment: "moment of the solidarity". I Stopped and I gave up the material to do the repair, he was very grateful for my help. I arrived to my destiny of the day around 07:00 PM after having pedaled 80 miles. I went to the Police, I spoke to the commander but there was not physical space for me to be in the military detachment, then he took me inside until a hotel from the bus station and he tried to arrange a song for me to sleep but the janitor didn't want to talk about it and he made the commander to sign my entrance in the hotel.  Now, let me  tell you something: I don't know who paid the bill, if the Police or the commander, because he signed and he left out with a face who didn't like and didn’t said goodbye to me, I only know that I sleep at a comfortable room that had fan.  I woke up at 06:00 PM and I left without paying the bill.  By Friday, I proceeded for Miranda of the North, about 60 miles from here and I found about 97% of houses done with mud in the edge of the asphalt, almost all with electric power installation and some to big and well perfected all covered with leaves of coconut trees and a thing I can affirm; a drop doesn't fall is wanted inside of the houses because I was already in a covering of those waiting for the rain to pass and for incredible that it seems, it doesn't rain inside. The residents make money to live from fishing, craft sale, nets and from the manioc flour that they produce. They are in most or almost all descendants of blacks, mulattos and Indians, but they are all nice people. I arrived in Miranda of the North at 03:00 PM, which was completing 6 years of emancipation. I got lodging in the Military detachment of Military police and it was everything well.   In fact, a thing that went forgetting, almost all sleep in nets, even the policemen, they don't give value for bed because does a lot of heat all year long.   I am having the pleasure to attend the winter time that is the period of the rains that is going practically everyday from January to June rains and in the outlying areas they are flooded but they continue usually living because the houses are in a larger height and in the summer there is a rationing of water in those areas except for the great cities.  On Saturday I woke up early and I pedaled to São Luis, capital of Maranhão State, was 80 miles pedaled in more than 9 hours because the rain that fell in the afternoon delayed me a little. Around 07:20 PM, I got helped in the Academy of Military police where I made meal. On Sunday, it rained all the day and I could not leave to do a city tour.  The policemen I served me a breakfast, lunch and dinner with a lot of honor for my presence.   On Monday March 18^th, I pedaled to the Yázigi School and soon the director gave me the good arrivals.  He contacted the press to do the popularization of the trip where also passed the whole day granting interviews.  Then the director of Yázigi insisted on staying in his house and the following day took me to know a little the capital of Maranhão.  As it is not in the program, unhappily I had to catch a bus until Belém of Pará, because I had already said that I am up to now eight days delayed, exactly because of the delay of the beginning of the adventure and that problem of to arrive in the capitals in the weekend and to have to hope to arrive the useful days to do the interviews, that doesn't mean that I am lying down on the job, the interesting of the trip is that I arrive there for the opening of the Olympic Games and like this the trip will be taken a success.  

Here already I traveled 3,816 miles, pedaled in 397 hours 5 minutes and 20 seconds, I spent $928.00 up to now and I drank a total of 238 liters of water and 5 flat tire. 

On Tuesday, after the walk for the city, the director of Yázigi took me in the bus station and I caught the bus to Belém of Pará.    

FROM BELÉM TO MANAUS:   I arrived in the morning in Belém March 20^th and I was assisted by the direct of Yázigi. The Director made contacts with the press and later I sought the Battalion of Shock of the Military police and the policemen said that I could stay during the time that I will be in the city, and as always, I was received with the largest pleasure, where I was very well housed the officials' bedroom.  The following day I went to Yázigi to record interviews and I found that cyclist that had found in my second day of trip, Gilvan, the wanderer of the pedal, that went until the south, went by Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay, cutting the center west of the country going to Roraima, Amazon and later got from boat to Belém where we met again ourselves again. For him to have arrives first that me, he took the space of the press almost completely, leaving for me, TV Cultura and the Daily Newspaper of Pará, because we are of the same interview gender. I visited the museum and the zoo of Belém, I made some registrations and on Saturday 23rd, I embarked in the airplane for Manaus.  But still in the airport, the destiny reserved the worst news of my trip, around 06:20 PM, I received a phone call from my sister and she told me that our mother had died on that same day around 09:00 AM due to complications of diabetes already in terminal phase. Really only a son can feel what is to lose a Mother. The girl that passed me the phone call still asked me if I would still travel to Manaus.  Encouraged by my family to follow my trip, I embarked at 06:45 PM to Manaus and I didn't believe in what had happened. The last time that I saw my Mother, was on January 03rd , when her and my father took me to the bus station, after having past the year end with them and on that moment I foresaw that could be the last time that my Mother would come.  I prayed God that conceders life for my mother until me to return of trip, but her destiny was already drawn, as well as the one of all of us.  Well, now is to lift the head and to continue my trip, they were the words of comfort of my family. I arrived in Manaus at 07:52 PM, schedule of Amazon that is one hour unless from Belém, in the reality the flight lasted two hours and 7 minutes. As soon as I disembarked, I called a friend of the sr. Acyr, secretary of arts and folklore of Itajaí, some of the responsible for the accomplishment of this trip, which didn't measure efforts to help me, and as proof of that he called his friend, sr. Lázaro that in the moment lives in Manaus, asking him to receive me with affectionately. On Sunday, we took a boat ride and I met Rio Negro of Manaus of an incomparable beauty, in some parts of the river, it is not possible to see the other side. The day we passed at a beach called Quebrada Beach, here the only beach that they dispose is the river.  By Monday, I took the bicycle for a revision and I went to Yázigi School that is located beside the Amazon Theater, that is in centennial inauguration. On Tuesday I recorded interviews with TV Cultura and Rede Globo. Today Wednesday, I got three local sponsors through the sr. Lázaro, that belonged to him own that he paid me the repair the bicycle, from his wife that paid me the bus ticket from Manaus to Boa Vista.   Also from Deicimar, a company that solves problems of import documentation and export of whole and any merchandise type, the export most common is the aquarium fish and consumption fish, legalized by Ibama and the most common import belongs to matters cousins for the industries. Also from Trigolar and from Friuba, they are my local sponsors and I also got from Mr. Lázaro, Lyons Club's support, helping each other me with lodging and all my course until Atlanta. Today Thursday, I recorded interviews with SBT, Jornal Amazons in Time, Newspaper of the North and Diary of Amazon. 

FROM MANAUS TO BOA VISTA - I embarked in the bus at 06:00 PM crossing the Amazon forest in period of rains and to the first 190 miles were asphalted but later they were a ground highway.  It would be really very difficult to cross from bicycle the 437 miles that separates the two cities in these conditions. Only the buses of medium load and high from the ground can make it, because the mud is so much and the holes also that the bus almost turned from balancing.   A lot of people from several places, besides foreigners, take that trip or better saying, adventure.     

Around 1:00 AM, in the middle of the indigenous reservation, we found a broken bridge and we could not cross.   Then the driver informed us that we would wait about two hours for the bus that came from Boa Vista  to Manaus, so we can make the change crossing the broken bridge walking on the right part of the bridge that was not broken.

The bridge had about 50 meters and the two buses one on each side illuminated our passage.  After crossing the bridge and also the quagmire, around 3:00 o’clock in the morning, we followed trip without problems.

When it dawned, we crossed in a small ferry boat with capacity for ten cars driven by a motorboat on the side the river that divides Amazon from Roraima.  However we just arrived in Boa Vista at 04:00 PM, taking more than 22 hours for us to complete the trip.

FROM BOA VISTA TO CARACAS: I stayed two nights in a hotel paid by Lions Clube. 

I left on March 31 from the capital of Roraima heading for international phase of the trip.  

The sun was hot, without a lot of urbanization and with a landscape it dries the water of the reservoir was ending and 10 miles from the stop for rest, in the km 100 of the highway, I found a house beside a bridge with some products to sell.

 Here I didn't find water to drink, the couple owner of the small market only had soft drinks, beers and ships, and I had to face a soft drink that is not good for my physical fitness.   There was a beautiful river with clear water and I didn't think twice, I gave a dive to relieve the fatigue and the heat.  I met two residents of the area that were taking knew take a bath also, and one of our crops was the discussion of the advantage of doing my motorcycle trip and not by bicycle.  Then I said them that in the case of the motorcycle, the person would take the risk of being in the highway for mechanical problems while the bicycle would be more difficult of some to happen problem that can not solve and that up to now she didn't give me headache.   Well then, only see you, soon after the this conversation, I continued my trip, not forgetting that they wanted to give me a ride until I measure in km 100, where I intended to stop for rest, but logical, I didn't accept.  Everything seemed to be perfect, from there lacked only 10 miles until the next stop, but in the first 3 miles, the central axis of the bicycle broke and I had go pushing the bicycle until my destiny of the day.   Arriving there, the only thing that I found was a restaurant and a Tire Repair, my luck is that I had sin for replacement, but you cannot believe, but and I don't know how to do fix it.  Then I asked the tire fitter, but he didn't have the appropriate tools to do the service.  Oh I wonder: Is it now, is it that I go for where?  Well, the best decision on that moment was to relax and to arm my hut for the 13^th time in the back yard of the tire fitter's house that gave up me the space and it invited me kindly to have dinner with him and his family.  During dinner, they thought me to take a bus until the border, that there I would find a bicycle workshop.  I didn't have another choice, first of April, 07:30 PM, I caught the bus and were 87 miles to the municipal district in the border with Venezuela.  Arriving there, I found the bicycle workshop in a house of a family and he made the service.  Also he invited me to eat lunch at his house and still for top, he didn't want to collect money from me for the service.  But even so I insisted at least on giving him ten dollars for his generosity.  While he made the repair, I took advantage of the shadow of a guava tree in his back yard and I took a beautiful nap.  From there, I bought drinking water and I went for my first time out of the country, crossing the border around 03:40 PM, it seemed that it was a dream, or better, lie, because it was first of April.  There I traveled a total of 3,393 miles "by bicycle".   

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