I'll be heading to Rio de Janeiro from North Carolina around/before/after May the 1st. Finally going to live the dream. I have two timelines. Number 1: Get it done in 3 months. I'll ride down there, sell my bike there, and fly out of there. I know that sounds a little fast but, if nothing makes me stay on the road then I'll be moving on to Puerto Rico to be close to family and to go to the University there where a Nursing program starts that I want to enter. Number 2: Stay longer than 3 months and just let life take me where it will... So.... that being said, my name is Bryan Morales. I've lived all around and been all around. Just not by bike. I left my job as a medic last year to become a full time student, so I have some skills in that department that could be useful on the ride. I am also a Spanish speaker although it might be more embarrassing for me to talk to the locals on the way because of my American accent. But I will be able to communicate effectively no problem. I think it would be awesome to teach someone Spanish on the way there too. It's handy to have a translator sometimes but it is no fun not being able to communicate yourself right? So, that would be another skill I could offer on the travels down there (we're on our own in Brazil though....Portugese and all). I've just recently crawled out of my cave and am learning about the magic of computers so I also want to document everything... well as much as possible. I'm a youthful 28 years old and if you were to see me in person you would probably card me for orange juice j/k... a lil' j/k. However, I like to pride myself on being mature and good hearted and I look for that in the same with people. I think most riders just want to ride with others part of the way so that's fine with me too. Let me know!!! Adios!

Bryan

Hey sounds like we will be headed the same way at slightly different times.
I am planning to leave in late June when my wife is on summer break and can watch the kids. I am 34 years old. Perhaps I will see you on the road. What is your idea for a route from Panama to Rio. I have family in Rio also.

Cheers, Marco

Marco,

Awesome! My plan was to take extended "breaks" in Mexico City, Belize, Costa Rica, and Columbia so you just might catch up before I get down to Rio. It would really be great to meet up. What is your time schedule to get down to Central America from where you are? My plan from Panama to Rio is up in the air. I haven't decided whether to take the eastern route and see more of Brazil or to take the Western route and go all the way around to spend some time in Peru. I just haven't decided yet. Did you have a route in mind? If we can't meet up on the way, it would still be great to meet in Rio and talk over our travels with some drink and food.


Bryan

Hey Bryan, how are you?
If you have just 3 months to ride this far I would recommend you to avoid the "Venezuela-Manaus-Belem" route. Using this route you will need to get a boat between Manaus and Belem, and this boat trip usually takes a week of traveling down river. Using the Interoceanic Highway will probably be much faster that the route in northern Brazil, just get in the road in Peru, ride through Cusco and the Altiplano and after you reach Brazil, keep riding on the BR-364 until you reach Goias state, then you can ride through Minas Gerais and arrive in Rio using one of the most beautiful roads in Brazil (IMHO), the road between Juiz de Fora and Rio.
About the communication problems, don't worry about that in Brazil, most of the people here are very helpfull to foreigners and will be very welcoming to you even if you try to speak Spanish to everyone.
If you drive by Uberlandia, in Minas Gerais state, drop me a line or send me a PM so I will be able to help you and host you in my house and have some drinks .
marcod, you are invited too if you want.

Hey There

I leave the UK early April and collect my bike in South LA.....then take the long ride to Santiago, across to Buenos Aires and upto Rio de Janeiro....

Trip duration - April, May, June, July....something similar!!!

Would be cool to hook-up with you along this route - please feel free to mail me at danny75@gmail.com

Cheers
Danny.

where did you come up with the three month time frame?
I only ask because I am also trying to work out a time frame, and am at a loss as to how long it will actually take.

I am going to send you a PM with a few other questions.
Thanks, Marco