Estádio to Osorio

Day 1 of the #SambaCycle and Luis & I covered 125km in 40+ degree heat! Sounds tough, was actually surprisingly easy, so let’s put that down to first day freshness/enthusiam/adrenaline eh. Get this – at 2.45pm I clocked my satnav’s temperature reading at a ludicrous 48.0 degrees celsius!! Stopped for a rest in the shade not long after that.

Back to this morning and after packing my panniers I was running a bit late so Marcelo hopped on his bike and quickly led me through POA to the Estádio Beira-Rio, where I was meeting David, Denise, the stadium managment and some press. Today we were given the privilege of going inside the stadium – a big deal since it’s not quite finished yet so construction work is ongoing. I was presented with an Inter (the local club who’s home ground this is) shirt with my name on the back and a club flag, amazing! Then I got to cycle around the pitch, before a quick interview and finally waved goodbye for my official departure – check out this video to see the Inter TV report.

I had a slightly hairy cycle out of the city since the directions took me along the motorway but after negotiating a few slip roads I got into my pedalling rhythm along the hard shoulder and after passing the Emirates Stadium-like Arena do Gremio (home of the other big local team) I was soon able to turn off onto a slightly quieter road and settled in for the long, hot ride ahead.

With Denise

Motorway out of POA

First of many drinks stops

Pretty church

Selfie #1

The open road

Drinks/food/shade/rest stop

Luis posing for the camera

Here’s a short video commentary I shot during the ride:

Gaucho country from Andy Smith on Vimeo.

About 5pm I arrived in Osorio and checked into the Big Hotel feeling hot and tired but elated to have the first day’s cycle done, and I loved it! We’re on the road to Manaus…

PS. there’s more photos and comments on my Facebook timeline so if you’re keen to follow the adventure even more closely then add me as a friend on there.