The MG-129 to Ouro Preto

What a stunning road! A tough but rewarding ride, with some steep climbs and headwinds, made more than bearable by the beautiful landscapes all around and some cracking descents. Every Brazilian cyclist needs to take on this road.

Nice church in Ouro Branco, but what’s that looming behind it…

…a huge bump that I’ve gotta cycle over!

First peak of today’s ride conquered

Second peak ditto

And here’s picturesque Ouro Preto

Ouro Preto‘s a university town and I arrived bang on 4pm at the República dos Deuses fraternity where I’m staying with Dualan, aka Andle (all students here are known by a nickname), and his mates – the first question one of them asked me as I arrived: “You like beer?”! So I had a quick shower and we all went out to a string of graduation parties at other frat houses across town, and drank a lot of beer! Great fun, and I needed that, my first piss-up in Brazil, about time!!!

No cycling today, I’ll head into Belo Horizonte tomorrow, so need to shrug off this hangover and go outside to explore this amazing UNESCO World Heritage Site – photos to follow…

What a stunning city! I think Ouro Preto has to be the most beautiful urban place I’ve ever seen, everywhere you look there’s picturesque streets and churches (the inside of Pilar is incredible) all backed by mountain landscape. The students have got it good here, especially as their fraternity buildings have party areas within them!