Monthly Archives: December 2013

Thanks for your support so far, I hope you all have cracking festive celebrations, wherever in the world you are! Love from Santa Samba Cycle PS. I’m off for an Xmas Eve 100km cycle now…

I just discovered this incredible expedition across Brazil called Brazil 9000! Two guys (Aaron Chervenak & Gareth Jones) are crossing Brazil from north to south on a historical ‘human-powered’ journey of 9,000km (5,500 miles). They’ve recently arrived safely in Belem on the Atlantic ocean after travelling through the Amazon basin by canoe.  The next stage is walking across the scorched … Continue reading »

I leave London to fly to Brazil on 17th January 2014, which is one month from today! It’s quite hard to imagine right now since there’s so much stuff going on at the moment with my ongoing preparations and volunteering, the run up to xmas, friends getting married and having babies and me thinking about … Continue reading »

Over the last three days I’ve been out on the touring bike with tent and kit in my panniers for the first time (and about time you might say!).  It needed to be done as practice of cycling with the extra weight but also of living out of the pannier bags, and I’ve already learnt … Continue reading »

I’m pleased to say that today I’ve booked my internal flights across Brazil, from Cuiaba to Brasilia (mid-cycle) and Manaus to Sao Paulo to Belo Horizonte to Rio (between the England WC games). Just need to sort out accommodation and match tickets now, but I’ve already had some couchsurfing offers from kind Brazilians willing to put me up … Continue reading »

I know most England fans won’t agree but I’m bloomin delighted with England’s draw!  I finish my cycle tour in Manaus and then England’s first game v Italy is also there on 14th June – perfect (plus saves me buying an extra internal flight!).  What a party there’s gonna be in the heart of the Amazon … Continue reading »

I’ve read many inspirational quotes in my time but today this one really resonates: “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.” – Nelson Mandela To quote a … Continue reading »

So the World Cup draw takes place this Friday 6th Dec and most of the preview talk is about the size and geography of Brazil, including the weather, which will certainly impact my cycle trip (although remember that I start in the south in Jan which is their summer and finish in the Amazon in … Continue reading »